There was a long pause between them, and Atlas’s eyes roamed over him. “I wasn’t sure if you’d bother coming.”
Draevyn let out a lifeless laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders. “Neither was I.”
“I’ve been meaning to speak with you. About… well, everything,” Atlas admitted.
“That’s why I came. To apologize for what I did. For Esmyra. I—” Draevyn swallowed hard. “I lost my temper and let my heart get thebetter of me.” The lie tasted wretched on his tongue, but he needed to see his brother’s reaction. Needed to see if there was a possibility of salvaging this.
Atlas’s eyes widened a little at that, surprise flickering within them.
“And I did the same,” he finally said, his voice strained. “I let my rage blind me. Father… I know what he was. And now I know what he did to you too.” He shrugged, shaking his head slowly. “We’re both guilty.”
Draevyn’s chest ached at his brother’s words, but he wasn’t sure if it was because he believed them or because his own words weren’t true to his heart.
“I want to fix this,” Atlas admitted. “It’s not right. You’ve always been by my side. Througheverything. I have every intention of that holding true for the remainder of my reign.”
Draevyn barely managed the half smile he gave. “So do I.”
He meant it. Truly, he did. But he also knew it wasn’t possible.
Atlas’s gaze softened. “We’re family. Never forget that; no matter what happens next.”
What happens next.The words set warning bells off in Draevyn’s mind.
Atlas had said that day in the throne room that he’d be ready if Esmyra ever came back. So, what was he planning?
He nodded once and cleared his throat. “I won’t.”
“Thank the gods,” Elowynne said from beside Atlas, and both of their attentions moved to her as she sipped from her wine. “What? Gods, you both have been so miserable. Time to kiss and make up.” She winked.
They both chuckled and Draevyn stood there a moment longer, the air around them still heavy with unspoken things. But at least this was something.
“Go,” Atlas said, offering a wry smile. “Enjoy what’s left of the night. We’ll speak in the morning.”
Draevyn gave a small nod before turning away and heading backdown the dais. He couldn’t help but wonder if, like himself, Atlas was just waiting to see who would strike first.
But Draevyn couldn’t keep living like this, and he knew that he wouldn’t be able to break the crew out alone.
Scanning the crowd, he found Samwell and Tommy by the far table, where wine and food were spread out for the taking. Glancing back, he found Atlas was already chatting with several lords, and no one seemed to notice him vanish. He then stormed toward his crew members, trying to keep his steps at a steady pace, but he knew time was ticking.
They straightened when they saw him. “Captain,” Sam greeted.
“Good to finally see ya, lad,” Tommy said.
Draevyn offered them a poor excuse of a smile and ran a hand through his hair. “I need you. Both of you and likely the others.”
They exchanged uneasy glances. “For what?” Sam asked, his voice low.
He didn’t waste time. “The Night Wraith’screw… they’re still rotting in the dungeons.”
Sam scoffed. “Where they belong.” He lifted his stare to Draevyn’s, a bit of challenge lingering in it. “Whereweput them.”
Draevyn huffed through his nostrils. “Now that our father has been put to rest and Atlas has been crowned, he has the authority to punish them.” His gaze hardened. “You know what that means. They’ll hang.”
“For the love of Irah,” Sam cursed under his breath. “Exactly, Drae. It’s what they deserve.”
Gods-fucking-dammit, Sam.
“I know,” Draevyn hissed. “But I won’t leave them. I need you to help me get them out. Tonight.”
