“>”
Tyr groaned, grabbing his braids as he sank onto one of the benches along the path they walked. “>”
Kayluth hid his smile as he sat beside his brother-by-marriage. He patted Tyr’s thigh. “>”
They both stared off into the gardens for a tarran. Noticing their guards weren’t within his view, Kayluth frowned and was about to stand when Tyr bumped his shoulder.
He peeked at Kay through his braids. “Are you sscared for Margarreg?”
Kayluth hummed, switching to the more common tongue as Tyr had. “Ssu, but I have faith in Orm and Ivar.”
“You really shouldn’t.”
Both Drakken leapt to their feet, staring in disbelief at the two men whom Orm had shown them just a short while ago on the vid. Kayluth stuck his arm in front of Tyr and pushed him back. Tyr clutched Kay’s bicep with both hands. Kayluth stifled a gasp as Tyr’s tight grip meant claws pierced his skin.
Tore smirked. He affected a relaxed stance, legs slightly spread and arms crossed, while beside him, Hazer held a phaser pointed at them. On either side of Tore and Hazer, another half dozen humans stood ready, armed with phasers and—to Kayluth’s dismay—chains.
“There are more hidden passages in and out of this castle than Ivar’s aware of,” Tore said casually. “It was child’s play to get in, free my father, and while I was hoping for Manning or Bjorn, you’ll do.” He flicked his fingers, and his men rushed forward to surround Kayluth and Tyr.
Knowing he couldn’t shift and defeat this many men before they’d stun or kill him, Kayluth opted to try and win Tyr’s freedom. “I will come quietly, but let the drakeen go. He iss no one. Of no usse to you.”
Tore’s maniacal cackle was like a claw shearing across Kayluth’s chest. Somehow, Tore knew all about Tyr and Bjorn. Kayluth swore under his breath. If he ever found the Volé traitor, he’d tear their heart out without an ounce of regret.
Hazer tucked his phaser away and strode towards them. He stopped in front of Kayluth and sneered.
Kayluth’s head snapped to the side and pain bloomed across his cheek. The Fenrir had the audacity to slap him!
He swallowed the rush of saliva in his mouth.“Stupid wolf,” he muttered, his heart pounding. Needing to turn the tables on the Fenrir, Kayluth slowly straightened and glared at Hazer. He was Drakken. He was Vidar. He would be defiant even in his defeat. He held out his hands, wrists exposed, and Hazer’s eyes widened. Kayluth smirked at the Fenrir’s surprise. They’d go without a fight. Besides, Kayluth had every confidence in his sobroke.
“Vidar,” Tyr hissed.
“>”
“>”
Kayluth nodded, glancing at the young Drakken. Tyr seemed to draw on Kayluth’s confidence. He took a deep breath, rolled back his shoulders, and mimicked Kayluth’s position.
Hazer huffed. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, Drakken, but think again, if you think you’ll win.”
Kayluth gazed at Hazer, affecting boredom. “Az you ssay, Fenrir.” He shook his arms. He wanted Hazer off balance. Not that he’d try to escape. Not yet. He needed to find out what the Fenrir were up to, whether Hazer was working alone or if other Fenrir were involved. Kayluth suspected the former, but he wanted proof in case they needed to prepare for war.
Hazer barked out an order, and two guards with chains dangling from their hands rushed forward. They cuffed Tyr first. The younger Drakken’s eyes widened, and he shifted his weight from side to side nervously.
“>”
“>” Tyr stopped fidgeting as he took in Kayluth’s calm demeanor.
At least, he was calm on the outside. Inside, Kayluth prayed to Dracco to see them through this mess quickly, but he wanted to bring Tyr’s confidence to the surface. Kayluth almost laughed when he realized he was more-or-less training a king’s consort in diplomacy. “>”
As the guards moved to him and began wrapping the chains around his wrists, Kayluth let his shift roll gently through him, morphing just his hands. Red scales bloomed across his skin, his fingers elongated, and claws grew. He leaned forward slightly and breathed steam into the faces of the guards. The humans retreated in alarm, and Kayluth snickered at their fear-stricken faces.
Hazer rolled his eyes and finished the job. “More games, Drakken? Shall I stun you instead, and then let them have their way with you?”
The growl rolling forth from deep in Kayluth’s chest caused the frightened males to take another step back. He stared at Hazer, tipping into the Fenrir’s space as he whispered, “Only if you wissh to sshorten your life conssiderably, Fenrir.”
The corner of Hazer’s mouth quirked. He stepped closer, wrapping the chains one more time and said very quietly, “I like you, Drakken, but my liking you won’t stop him.”
“Undersstood,” Kayluth replied but grimaced. Was Hazer as much Tore’s prisoner as him? But what could Tore have over the Fenrir?
