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“There are people who believe Orchidians belong on Orchid, Sapphirans belong on Sapphira, and Dreaglans belong on Dreagle.”
“I don’t think anybody belongs on Dreagle,” I mutter, and Gaz chuckles.
“When my father began to speak up about the changes he wanted to bring, he was silently murdered. It was officially ruled a suicide, but I knew better, and when I discovered the truth, I realized that I didn’t want to stay. To be honest, I acted hastily. I was horrified and scared and I was filled with hatred.”
“You were hurting,” Rex says. “I understand.”
“You left your brother behind,” I point out. I don’t know why I feel like it’s necessary to say. Gaz left the planet, but he didn’t bring his little brother.
“I chose to stay,” Rex says. “I didn’t believe the truth. Not until many years later.”
“And now mother is dying, and you’re afraid to take over the planet.”
“I’m not scared for my life,” Rex says. “I’m scared I won’t do a good job, Gaz. I’m not you, brother. I’m not…I’m just not you.”
“Rex?”
He looks at me, perhaps really seeing me for the first time, and I stand up and go to him. Without another word, I wrap my arms around him and pull him close to me. Rex seems surprised, but he lets me hug him, silently offering him comfort.
“I know I’m not an Orchidian,” I tell him. “And I realize I haven’t known you for very long, but I do know your brother, and I know he is an honorable man.” I look at Gaz and smile.
Rex nods, but doesn’t say anything.
“And if Gaz thinks you’re fit to be king, Rex, then so do I. I have a feeling the rest of your planet agrees. Am I right?”
“My mother has made many enemies in her final days,” Rex admits. “And many are ready for a new era of leadership.”
“They’re ready for you, brother,” Gaz says. “I’ve been gone so long at this point that even if I were to return, I fear I would always be the lost prince of Orchid. I would never be the leader they need. There would be so much mistrust, so much fear I would run again, that I would never be able to lead the way you would.”
“You’re a rock, Rex. You’re a rock to your people.” I touch his face softly. He looks so much like his brother that it’s uncanny. It’s incredible, really.
They’re so much alike, and yet so different.
“You can do this, Rex. You’ve got this.”
“How can you be so sure?” His words are low, almost a whisper.
“I was kidnapped years ago. Raped. Tortured. Hurt.” Rex’s eyes go wide as I speak, and he looks at Gaz, who nods in confirmation. “I escaped, Rex. I escaped from my captor, and he was eventually caught, many years later.”
“Why are you telling me this?” He looks pained at the story.
“I’m telling you this because we all have bad shit happen to us, Rex. You lost your father. Then, when you needed him the most, you lost your brother. That had to hurt. You probably felt like Gaz was abandoning you, running away from you, and on some level, that’s true.”
The brothers are silent as I speak, and I know my words are sinking in. My observations might be harsh, but I know that they’re also true. I can’t say whether Gaz made the right choice leaving his planet. Sometimes, the right choice isn’t black or white. If he stayed, he might have been killed himself. If he stayed, I never would have met him. For me, leaving was definitely the superior option.
But Rex might not feel that way.
He might always worry that his brother abandoned him because of something he did, because their relationship wasn’t enough to make him stay. I’m not sure. What I do know is that Gaz clearly cares for his brother and that although their reunion may have been under strange circumstances, I think they have a bright future of open communication and friendship before them.
“I don’t know what you went through when he left, but you both have the chance to change things now. Gaz may never return to Orchid, but you can speak with each other now. You can come visit him on Sapphira. You can send holograms. The possibilities are endless. You don’t have to go back to the way things were, brother.”
“Brother?” Rex raises an eyebrow.
“Rexley Oleandair,” I say. “I believe I’m going to be your sister-in-law very soon, so yes, you are my brother: now and forever.”
Rex hugs me tightly, then, and holds me in his arms for a long time. I have the feeling that Rex hasn’t been hugged in many years, and my heart aches for the lonely man before me.
He doesn’t have an easy journey before him. His road will be difficult and paved with heartache and troubles, but if he’s anything like Gaz, he’ll be just fine. He’ll be brave, and he’ll be fierce, and he’ll be the
