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Present Day
“Uncle Bertram is here!”
The cry sounded down the hall, prompting a great commotion. One moment the lair was still and silent, the next it had erupted into a stampede of feet and a symphony of discordant shouts. A small army of eight-year-old boys skidded around the corner of the west wing, and in a mad dash of bare feet, flailing arms, flapping wings, and a few other less-than-human appendages, they rushed across the upper foyer and down the grand staircase.
Perry was delighted to see none of them topple over the railing.
Oh, how they’d grown.
“Uncle Bertram! Uncle Bertram!” piped the children as they arrived in the main foyer, their voices layering one atop another until it was almost impossible to discern who was speaking. “Hello, Uncle Bertram! What did you bring us this time?”
“Ah, a fine question, indeed, but what would be the fun in telling you when you can discover it for yourself instead? I’ve hidden a series of clues around the house, boys. Find them and they’ll lead you to your prize. The first clue is waiting for you in the atrium. Last one there is a rotten egg.”
The boys whooped and bellowed and proceeded to stampede away.
While they went, Perry came to lean on the upstairs railing and looked down upon the foyer below. The delicate body chains he wore, attached to the solid platinum collar shackled to his neck, twinkled as they made contact with the railing. The sound of them drew Bertram’s attention. He looked up.
“Hello, Perry.” Bertram tucked his hands in his back pockets and offered a dazzling smile. “Pardon the intrusion. You wouldn’t happen to know the whereabouts of my brother, would you? He and I have some matters to discuss.”
“I do indeed. Sebastian is in our hoard. Would you like for me to fetch him?”
“No need. I’ll show myself in.”
The fine hair on the back of Perry’s neck stood on end. “You most certainly will not. The hoard is secured.”
“Is that so?” Bertram’s smile grew. “If that’s the case, today’s visit won’t take nearly as long as I originally anticipated.”
“What are you saying?” Perry pursed his lips. “What are you here to do, Bertram? There’s always a purpose behind your visits—I know that well enough by now. You’d be wise to tell me. I very much do like to keep track of what’s going on inside my own lair.”
“You injure me, Perry.” Bertram’s smile persisted. “Is it wrong to want to pay my brother a visit?”
To engage in argument with Bertram was akin to howling at the moon in the hopes it would change its shape—futile, useless, and ultimately depleting. There was no sense in it. For Perry’s own sanity, it was better not to engage.
Which wasn’t to say that Perry was helpless.
Bertram could not be reasoned with, but like any Drake, he could be influenced. All that was required was an act, and Perry was nothing if not an excellent actor.
“Of course not,” Perry said, sweet as can be. “Why, I can’t imagine what it would be like to live in a world where it wasn’t proper to visit one’s siblings. My boys would be so lonely, I’m sure. I’m thrilled for Sebastian that you’d visit… but darling, you really mustn’t venture into our hoard. It’s been left in an embarrassingly improper state, you see, and I doubt Sebastian has done anything since I’ve left to rectify it. I’m afraid that until it’s been tidied, it’s best you not enter lest you see all kinds of things no brother-in-law should ever see.”
Bertram raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Quite.” Perry stopped leaning on the railing and glided along it to the stairs, one hand dusting the surface of its cool gold plating. He descended a step at a time, never rushing, graceful as always. “To spare your eyes, I’ll fetch Sebastian. It really is the least I can do.”
Upon arriving at the bottom step, Perry came to a stop. When he was sure Bertram’s eyes were on him, he lifted his chin and laid his hand reverently on the barely noticeable swell of his stomach. The child was a secret, of course, just as every human child of his had been, but there were few reasons why Bertram would arrive unannounced, and Perry did not think it was a coincidence he had done so in the midst of his pregnancy.
Bertram knew.
Perry wasn’t sure how—although he had his suspicions—but he did know that now was no time to play his cards close to his chest. Something unusual was afoot, and if he wanted to be involved with it, it was in his best interest to prove he saw through Bertram’s ruse.
A tense moment of silence passed. Bertram, hands still in his pockets, looked Perry up and down with great appreciation, then met his gaze. “Radiant as always, Perry. My brother has exquisite taste. I do so appreciate a good work of art.”
Perry maintained a pleasant, somewhat neutral expression. “Thank you.”
“It would be criminal of me to let a creature as fair as yourself fetch my lug of a brother. Your beauty ranks you leagues above such menial tasks. Go sit. Relax. Enjoy the sunshine. The day is bright and clear, perfect for basking. While you indulge, I’ll show myself to my brother.”
“Nonsense.” Perry flashed him the prettiest smile he could muster and swept forward in a flutter of sheer chiffon and a tinkling of bangles. “Living art is not maintained by relaxation, you know. When you’ve had as many children as I have, you have to watch your figure. A little walking will do me some good. Besides, I shan’t be long. I’ll bring Sebastian back with me shortly and all three of us can chat. Wouldn’t that be nice? Think of what kind of tea you’d like served while I’m gone. Oh, and do stay put, Bertram.” Perry dimpled. “I would hate to have to send the children in search of you.”
Bertram clicked his tongue and took his hands from his pockets to spread them, palms up, in concession. “I see I can’t stop you. Very well. I’ll wait here for you to return.”
