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“All the more reason I’m needed to help the Erya citizens trapped here.”
“Until you tell them otherwise, they think they’re from Ilon. If you want to help Erya, you can do it best and safest from Stormbreak. When the fighting breaks out, you’re not going to be able to do any effective research.”
Davi glared at him for a second, then dropped his eyes to the table. “Vitor has already said something similar. He wants Nina and me to leave tomorrow night.”
“What are his plans after tomorrow?” A small spark of hope started to spread in Eno’s chest. Davi might care about his brother, but Eno knew that right now, Vitor’s word held more weight with the man. That was fine. It wasn’t like Eno had been around to build up that trust with Davi.
“Unless Rayne or the king asks him to remain in Brightspire, he’s planning to return to Stormbreak.”
“Go with him. Please.” Eno leaned forward, reaching toward his brother. “You know you can always return and continue your work after the fighting is over. If we’re lucky, Cael will crush both Safa and the Goddess of the Hunt in the next few days. This will all be done soon. If I just know that you’re in Stormbreak…”
Davi tipped his head back and groaned. “Really? Do you think you’ve been my older brother long enough to go using that much guilt?”
“I will use every weapon I can lay my hands on if it means I can keep you even a tiny bit safe over the coming days, weeks, and possibly months.”
“Fine. I’ll go,” Davi grumbled.
Eno released a heavy sigh of relief, dropping his head down to the table. Gods, he was fucking light-headed. If he could remove his brother from the potential warzone, it was one less thing he had to worry about.
He shoved upright and reached into his pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He slid it across the table and smiled at his brother. “I don’t know what Vitor has arranged for you, but I’ve contacted Tomas Soto, head of the Royal Guard. He can help you, whether it’s getting a place, or suggestions on how you can help out Erya. You can live in my place in the Royal Towers if you want.”
Davi lifted an eyebrow at him while he opened the paper. His eyes skimmed the names and contact information he’d pulled together for him. It was likely that the Gray Fox already had him covered, but Eno wanted to be sure that Davi had nothing to worry about once he reached Erya soil.
“The Royal Towers, huh? That is tempting,” Davi murmured. He folded the paper up and shoved it into his pocket. “Vitor does have arrangements in place for Nina and me, but I always appreciate having my own plans. You know, just to be on the safe side.”
“Trust me, I understand that.”
Davi picked up his glass and held it out toward Eno. “To a short war that sees the demise of the Empire.”
Eno lifted his glass. His brother blurred as unshed tears threatened to spill. “And us being quickly reunited in Stormbreak,” he added in a voice suddenly low and rough.
They clinked their tumblers together and tossed back the last of their whiskey in a single swallow. Eno squeezed his eyes shut, pretending it was the burn of the alcohol getting to him and not the idea that this might be the last drink he ever had with his brother.
“All right, bed now,” Davi snapped. He stood with his glass and snatched Eno’s out of his hand. “Before you turn me into a bawling baby. You’re going to be fine. I’m going to be fine. When you return to Stormbreak, you’re going to owe me the best fucking steak dinner I’ve ever had.”
Davi walked over to the sink and placed both tumblers in it while Eno pushed to his feet. As Davi crossed back, Eno pulled his brother into a tight bear hug. And the best part was that Davi didn’t argue or complain. He just hugged Eno as if this could be their last meeting.
Whatever happened when the sun rose, Eno would have no regrets when it came to his brother.
“I love you, Davi.”
“I love you too, Eno.”
Afterward, Eno silently cut through the loft apartment and slipped into the dark bedroom that held his lover. In the thin light that leaked in from under the door and around the curtains, he could make out the long line of Rayne’s slender body under the covers as he lay on his side.
Eno undressed as quietly as he could. Rayne’s breathing was slow and even. Eno hoped that he’d managed to fall asleep, and he had no intention of disturbing him.
Very carefully, he slid under the covers only to have Rayne immediately turn over to face him.
“You talked to your brother?” Rayne whispered.
Eno huffed out a laugh as soon as his heart returned to his normal beat. His lover had scared the crap out of him. “Yes, I talked to him. I gave him the contact information. He said that Vitor had him covered, but this allows me some peace of mind.”
Reaching out, he pulled Rayne closer so that his head was resting on his chest. They’d slept like that plenty of times over the past several months, but this time was different. Rayne also wrapped his arms around him, gripping him so very tight. It felt as though he were afraid Eno was going to be ripped away from him suddenly.
Like he was going to die in that instant.
“Did you pray to the God of Time?” Rayne inquired, his lips brushing Eno’s shoulder with every word.
