AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A long moment of silence passes between us before I decide to change the subject to what I hope is a slightly better memory for him, “These brothers of yours,” I say, meeting his gaze. “Tell me about them.”
Darian’s silence lingers for a brief moment, but soon, a small smile graces his handsome features, lighting up his eyes as he recalls fond memories.
“Each of them are fierce, loyal, and determined to be royal pains in my ass.” he says with a grin.
“I met Cade when I was still young,” Darian begins, “And then Kieran and Zayne entered our lives a few years later. We formed a bond that was unbreakable at that point. Then, when I was thirty-five, we found Gray. And eventually, Valerian became a part of our family as well. From that point on, we were inseparable.”
Val’s full name is Valerian?
He swirls his wine in the glass as he continues, “I’ve always felt a deep sense of responsibility for them,” Darian admits quietly, “And in a way, I’ve felt like I failed them by being away for so long. I don’t know if they’ll understand why no one has returned, where I went, or if I even had a way to get back to them and our people. All I can hope for is that they watch out for each other and keep one another safe.”
“Kieran,” Darian begins, a soft smile gracing his lips. “He was the peacekeeper among us. Whenever conflicts arose, he was the one who would resolve our disputes. He had the remarkable ability tosee beyond our differences and find common ground. Kieran was the glue that kept us together,”
“Cade, on the other hand, was not the most personable individual. He had a certain enigmatic quality that set him apart. He was often misunderstood, known to initiate conflicts simply because others couldn’t fully grasp his perspective or intentions.”
Darian laughs quietly, “Gray... he was a force to be reckoned with. Unhinged might be an understatement in describing him. I remember a time when one of the acolytes took something that belonged to Kieran, Gray stabbed him in the eye, all while laughing, and then tried to trade the eye back to its original owner in exchange for what was taken. When the acolyte refused, Gray tossed the eye into the waters where the seers practiced their premonitions, and then asked the individual if he could see a future where the eye grows back.”
I blink at Darian, catching the subtle twitch of his lips as he reminisces, “Zayne... he was the epitome of strategy and precision. A mastermind in his own right. If I ever needed someone to plan a war or execute a flawless assassination, Zayne was the one I could rely on without a shred of doubt. His ability to calculate every move, anticipate every outcome, and adapt to any situation was truly remarkable.”
A deeply ingrained sadness flickers across Darian’s features as if the memories of his brothers alone transport him back to those cherished moments, that forever remain out of reach.
It makes my entire soul ache.
“How old were you when your brother was banished from the realm?” I ask softly.
He holds my gaze for a long moment, as if unsure how I’ll react, “I was fifty. It’s been almost two hundred years since I was separated from my realm.”
He finishes his drink before collecting both our glasses, placing them carefully in a holder within a nearby cupboard, and I can’t help but imagine the pain that would accompany being torn away from cherished friends like Candace, Henry, and Tammy.
Suddenly, the aircraft unexpectedly jolts with turbulence and my balance is thrown off. I stumble forward, losing my own footing as I fall face-first into Darian’s chest.
Instinctively, he places his arm gently around the small of my back, steadying me as I lean against him. The contact between us sends a surge of warmth coursing through my body, reigniting the undeniable sensation in my core.
It’s just the wine.
I quickly try to recover and mask my reaction, using both hands to push off of Darian’s abdomen, my fingers inadvertently tracing the contours of his well-defined muscles along his stomach, while my heart hammers erratically in my chest.
Despite my attempt to create distance, his hand remains firmly planted on the small of my back, keeping me pressed against him, intensifying the heat that engulfs my insides.
The wave of desire courses through me, and my thighs squeeze together, struggling to maintain my composure and remain upright.
“I-I should go sit down.” I breathe as the jet continues to hit turbulence and I find myself bracing against Darian’s solid frame once more.
“Mmm. Probably a good idea.” he responds, his voice thick with desire that entirely mirrors my own, sending shivers down my spine.
I inhale deeply as I retreat a step, attempting to regain my composure, before unsteadily moving back to my seat.
You made it in one piece, Lara. Good job.
My emotions, however, are far from being in one piece.
A shudder runs through me as I recall the last time I felt desire and intimacy with someone, as guilt laden memories of that night swirl in my mind. A cold dread settles in the pit of my stomach, reminding me of the consequences that came with such vulnerability.
Don’t make the samemistake twice, Lara.
Chapter 29
As we start our descent, the environment below turns from a pale sand color to a swirl of green reaching into mountain ranges. In the distance, the ocean paints the horizon a deep blue, and it’s nearly impossible to know where it ends.
