A happy sigh escaped Rayne. He wanted to just close his eyes and drift off to sleep lying as they were, but he needed to take care of Eno. “Let me get something to clean you up.”
Eno made a shushing noise, his arms tightening so Rayne couldn’t escape the somewhat small bed they were sharing. It was a queen, but Eno’s large frame combined with Rayne’s long body made for cramped sleeping conditions. And yet, Rayne wasn’t complaining because it meant sleeping tangled in Eno’s warmth.
“Stay. It can wait.”
For once, Rayne didn’t argue. The world that waited for them once they stepped outside the bedroom was a dangerous and broken one. They had a friend in prison, a godstone that needed to be found, a war that had to be stopped, and a king who was most likely dying before their eyes. The path forward would not be easy, and for a few minutes, Rayne wanted to block it all out. He wanted to wrap himself in Eno’s love and believe they could find a way through this mess.
ELEVEN
Caelan Talos
Caelan had to bite back a smile as Rayne continued to hover. Not that he blamed his advisor for worrying. He’d looked like shit when he’d returned with Eno from visiting Drayce. This trip, the gods, and his worry over his best friend were all taking a heavier toll on him than he was admitting to even himself.
When he finally allowed himself to collapse after a good amount of prodding and nagging from Rayne, it was because his body could simply take no more. The sleep had done him good, and his brain felt clearer than it had in months.
But then, it was likely thanks to knowing without a doubt that Drayce was alive. He was in a ton of trouble, and they faced some great difficulties in freeing him, but at least Caelan knew he was alive.
“Sit, Rayne,” Caelan murmured, waving the man toward the open spot on the couch next to Eno. Adrian was standing with his shoulder propped on the door that led from the small parlor Mio had lent them for a private meeting. She and Adrian had returned from their errands a couple of hours ago, and she was currently working on making something for dinner while they spoke.
“If you don’t mind me saying so, you seem better, Your Majesty,” Adrian said. “Should we take it that your visit with Drayce went well?”
Caelan nodded. He threw one last scowl at Rayne, who huffed and dropped into the seat next to Eno. “I’m better. I needed the rest and reassurance that Drayce was alive.”
“How is he?” Eno asked. He glanced over at Rayne and nearly growled, “The bastards wouldn’t let me even take a peek at him.”
A sympathetic smile lifted Caelan’s lips. “He’s definitely been better. He’s thinner and filthy, but I didn’t see any injuries to indicate that they’re beating him.”
Eno released a heavy sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“He…he’s in a lot of trouble still,” Caelan continued. “He broke his oath when he revealed his identity, and he believes that his father means to execute him for it.”
He quickly relayed all the information he’d received from Drayce about the dragon clans and why he’d been sent to Erya in the first place. Of course, that meant telling them about Hagen.
His advisor was on his feet again and pacing across the room, muttering to himself under his breath. A knot twisted in Caelan’s stomach as he watched Rayne. He couldn’t see what the man was piecing together in his mind, but Caelan was sure his own brain was still pulling free of the fog from his nap and tangled up in worries about Drayce. His mind wasn’t allowing him to add more troubles to it. He glanced over to Eno to find a similar stunned expression on his face.
“What? What am I missing? Drayce being sent to protect the Guardian of the Godstone isn’t exactly groundbreaking,” Caelan pressed.
Rayne rounded on him, his eyes wide. He then stared at Eno, as if he were checking with him before speaking. “It would explain about the fire,” he whispered at last.
“What would explain? What fire?” Frustration was sparking through him, tempting him to start throwing things at Rayne’s head if he didn’t begin making sense soon.
Eno cleared his throat, pulling Caelan’s attention to him. “You’re not burned by fire. You haven’t been for as long as either of us have known you. But Rayne is, despite having a similar bond to the Goddess of Life. That protection doesn’t come from her or any of the gods.”
Caelan opened his mouth to ask what Eno was getting at, but Rayne spoke before he could get the words out.
“Hagen is your father. We’ve all suspected it for years. That means you’re half dragon.”
The air was sucked out of the room. He fell against the back of the chair, all strength leaving his limbs as the words fell on his head. Dragon. He was half dragon.