The carriage slowed but picked up speed again a moment later as they traveled through the gate in the palace walls, then stopped again moments later. A servant opened the carriage door, and Etan finally let go of Tristan’s hand. He climbed out of the carriage and turned to reach for Tristan to steady him as he climbed from the carriage with Bria in his arms. But Tristan carefully handed Bria, wrapped in her blanket, down to Etan instead.
Etan’s eyes burned as he took the baby, holding her against his shoulder. If he hadn’t believed before that Tristan held no grudge, that Tristan didn’t fear him, he did now. Tristan would never hand over his child to someone he didn’t trust. And Tristan didn’t take her back either. He stepped down from the carriage and came to Etan’s side, checking to see that Bria was still asleep, but otherwise leaving her as she was.
The servant bowed. “My lord, sir, Their Highnesses have requested that you go to their suite.”
“Thank you.” Etan looked at Tristan. “We should find her a place to sleep first.”
Tristan shrugged. “She’s sleeping fine as she is. She can probably wait a little longer. Let’s go see them first.”
“All right, as long as you’re sure.”
“I am. I can take her if you want. So she doesn’t drool all over you.” Tristan flashed him a grin.
“No, I can hold her.” He selfishly didn’t want to give her back now that Tristan had trusted him with her. He started walking toward the palace door. “They’re your clothes anyway. I’m sure she’s drooled on them before.”
Tristan muffled a laugh as he followed.
The palace was quiet. Etan tried to remember if a dinner or something was scheduled for tonight. He thought so, but perhaps he was thinking of tomorrow night. He wasn’t even certain he knew what day it was anymore.
He knocked briefly on the door to Amory and Philip’s suite; it opened almost before he finished. Amory stood on the other side, his gaze frantically searching over Etan, Tristan, and Bria, making sure they were well and there. Captain Loriot must have sent word about what happened at Tristan’s house.
“You’re all right, all of you?” Amory asked as he ushered them into the sitting room where Philip waited. “Captain Loriot said so, but we can send for Jadis just to make sure.”
“We’re all fine,” Etan said.
“The kidnapper didn’t even have a chance to touch her,” Tristan added. “Though he and Etan did… struggle.”
“Were you injured, Etan?” Amory turned his concerned gaze on Etan.
“Not even bruised.” He looked at Philip. “Though there is something you should know.”
Philip nodded. “Why don’t we settle Bria into the nursery with Julien for the night? I know it isn’t ideal since you won’t be as close to her, but Julien’s nursemaid is excellent. She can care for both of them tonight, and you can get some sleep, which you desperately need. We’ll figure out a better solution for tomorrow.”
Etan bit back a smile as Tristan frowned. Philip had neatly cut off any logical argument Tristan might have made, and Tristan was left with only the emotional reaction of not wanting to let Bria out of his sight. Etan felt much the same himself and he wasn’t even Bria’s father. But logically, the palace was the safest place for any of them, and the princes’ suite the safest place inside the palace. Bria could not be better protected than with Julien.
Tristan agreed with some reluctance, and Etan carried Bria into Julien’s nursery with Tristan at his side. Julien was already asleep, but his nursemaid was ready to take Bria from Etan and settle her in Julien’s old cradle. Tristan lingered for a few moments, hovering over the cradle, but Bria slept on, peaceful and oblivious to Tristan’s anxiety.
Etan drew Tristan away with a gentle hand on his waist and toward the nursery door, stopping only to tell the nursemaid that Tristan would be with Philip and Amory and then retiring to Etan’s suite afterward.
“I’ll be in your suite tonight?” Tristan asked as they left the nursery.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He hadn’t even realized what he’d said, that he hadn’t asked. “I suppose I assumed. I shouldn’t have. I’ll get you a suite of your own.”
“No, you won’t. I’m staying with you.”
“Then why did you feel the need to scare me like that?”
“Because you assumed.” Tristan linked his arm through Etan’s as Etan shook his head, and they rejoined Philip and Amory.
Philip handed them each a glass of plaire before sitting next to Amory. “I’m sure you both could use these. Tell us what happened.”
“Captain Loriot didn’t give us many details. He said he’d report in the morning after he questioned your intruder,” Amory added.
Etan glanced at Tristan, and Tristan nodded, a clear indication for him to tell the story. So Etan did, explaining everything that happened from when they heard Bria’s nursemaid scream. Philip frowned when Etan got to the part about using his Talent in front of Captain Loriot and Tristan, but he didn’t interrupt.
Philip let out a long sigh when Etan finished. “Hopefully, Captain Loriot will be able to get some information out of the man he took into custody and put an end to this threat. Of course you’re welcome at the palace, Tristan. We want you and your daughter safe.”
“Thank you, Philip,” Tristan said from where he sat at Etan’s side.
“As for the other….” Philip looked at Etan. “You know I would have done the same, and have, to save someone I love.” Philip took Amory’s hand. “But what does this mean for us and our secret? Etan, you know I don’t care if Tristan knows. If you love him, if you’re envisioning a life with him, he should know. But Captain Loriot?”
“I don’t think he’ll say anything,” Etan said. “He’ll wait, at least until he’s come to you.”
“He’s loyal to you, Philip,” Amory said. “Anyone can see that. He’ll protect the royal family, and that means our secrets too.”
Philip nodded. “That begs another question though: should we keep this secret? Does it matter if the nature of our Talents becomes known outside the family?”
“I believe it does. And I don’t believe the nature of our Talents is something we should allow to become public knowledge.” Etan had found enough in his studies about the history of their family’s Talent and Tournai, and in his search for Talents that might be comparable, to make him believe that allowing the world to know of their Talents would bring nothing but trouble to Tournai. If he was right about dragons and their magic being real, he thought it followed logically that the dragons had been killed or forced into hiding due to knowledge of their nature. Stories and legends had dragons spread over the world once upon a time. And the family’s own Talent seemed to want itself to remain a secret, if a Talent could want anything. But the very fact that no one who married outside passed on the Talent showed him that. “Best to allow everything to remain in place as it is. Just legends and stories. The legends protect us and Tournai.”
Philip looked as if he was thinking about what little Etan said. Etan could have explained further, of course, but it had been a long day and he was far too tired to discuss his studies. Thankfully Philip asked no questions for the moment. He imagined Philip would at a later date. “All right. I trust your judgment. We can speak of it another day.”
At Etan’s nod, Philip continued. “And we can talk more about what happened in the morning. Captain Loriot will have a report ready for us by then as well. Maybe we can conclude this whole horrible affair.”
“We can hope.”
“In the meantime, go and get some sleep,” Philip said.
“Tristan, should we prepare a room for you or are you going to share with….” Amory glanced between Etan and Tristan.
“I’ll stay with Etan. But thank you,” Tristan said with a smile for his friend.
“All right, then. We’ll see you in the morning. We’ll send for you when Captain Loriot arrives,” Amory said. “You both need sleep. I think we all do after last night.”
“She’ll be fine. We trust Julien’s nursemaid, and she knows where to find you if Bria does need you,” Amory said. “Look in on her once more, but then go to bed. Get some rest.”
Tristan eventually let himself be persuaded by the united front of Amory and Philip. It probably helped that they were parents themselves, and the kind of parents that took an active role in caring for their child, not leaving Julien to nursemaids as many—if not most—parents in their position would. In any case, Tristan was reassured, and after he checked on Bria, who continued to sleep, Etan was able to lead him from Philip and Amory’s suite and through the corridors to his own. By the time they arrived, Tristan was nearly asleep on his feet, stumbling and not standing straight as Etan paused to unlock the door. Inside, he guided Tristan into the bedchamber and sat him on the bed.
He undressed Tristan, his movements quick but gentle, and then coaxed him up from the slumped over position in which he was dozing. He got Tristan settled on the mattress, pulling the blankets up over Tristan’s chest to protect him from the slight chill of the evening breeze wafting in the window. Stepping away he quickly stripped out of his own clothing, for once leaving it where it fell. He’d worry about it in the morning. Fatigue dragged at him too now that Tristan was taken care of.
He turned back to the bed to find Tristan watching him out of heavy-lidded eyes. As he watched, Tristan blinked slowly and dragged his eyes open as if the effort was huge. Etan smiled as a swell of affection rolled through him. He slid into bed beside Tristan. “Go to sleep, Tris.”
Tristan turned toward him, snuggling against him and tucking his head against Etan’s shoulder. His voice was sleep-slurred when he spoke. “Earlier I had plans for us. Plans involving a bed but not sleeping.”
“I would have enjoyed those plans.” Etan kept his voice low, hoping not to wake Tristan completely. “Save them, will you? Perhaps tomorrow.”
“Mhmm. Yes. Tomorrow.” Tristan cuddled closer and in the space of one breath to the next was asleep. Etan wrapped his arms around Tristan’s body and closed his eyes.
Chapter 19
TRISTAN SLEPT far longer than he should have, he realized when he opened bleary eyes to see late morning light streaming in the windows of Etan’s bedchamber. He sat up so quickly he made himself dizzy. Was Bria all right? She had to have woken by now, and more than once—she hadn’t yet slept through the night. But if something was wrong, if she needed him, surely someone would have come for him.
An arm snaked out from under the blankets and around his waist, pulling him down and against Etan’s side. He would have liked to stay there feeling Etan’s sleep-warmed skin against his own as sunlight lit the room and the scent of flowers from the gardens drifted in on the breeze, but he couldn’t.
“Etan.” Tristan received no response. “Etan, wake up. We need to get out of bed. It’s late.”
Etan murmured something into his pillow that Tristan didn’t catch, but the tone sounded like disagreement.
He huffed a laugh. “Fine. You stay in bed. I need to get up and see Bria, and find out what happened with Captain Loriot and his prisoner.”
He extricated himself from Etan’s hold with no small amount of difficulty and slid from the bed. Etan reached for him, his fingers grazing Tristan’s hip, but Tristan kept moving, only looking back when he was out of reach. Etan was sprawled over the bed on his stomach, eyes closed, arm still stretched out. Tristan shook his head and looked around, finding his bag in Etan’s dressing room. He dug out what he needed and escaped into the bathing room.
When he returned to the bedchamber, washed and dressed, Etan was sitting on the edge of the bed stretching. Tristan stopped to watch, letting his gaze roam over the planes of Etan’s chest and wishing he could have stayed in bed with Etan. When Etan smiled at him, a smile filled with love and edged in wicked intent, Tristan almost climbed back in beside him.
Etan laughed as he stood and walked to Tristan. He brushed a soft kiss to Tristan’s lips. “I wish we could stay in bed too.”
“Reading my mind now?”
“Just your face.” Another quick kiss and Etan disappeared into the bathing room.
Shaking his head, Tristan wandered into the sitting room to find breakfast laid out on the small table by the window. He wondered if the servants had moved piles of books and papers to make room for the food and how annoyed Etan would be when he realized, but that didn’t stop Tristan from sitting at the table and dishing himself up a plate. He was suddenly ravenous for the first time since Bria had been taken. Of course, it was also the first time he’d felt Bria was safe since she was taken from him.
When Etan stepped into the sitting room, perfectly and neatly dressed as always, Tristan was nearly through a plate of pastry, cheese, and fruit. He was considering filling his plate again, but he let Etan sit and begin his own meal first. They ate mostly in silence, but the silence was comfortable and Tristan reveled in it. He’d missed time with Etan, missed how easy it was to be in Etan’s company when they were close friends. He wished they’d talked back then, before he’d had the chance to hurt Etan. But he couldn’t really wish it because he might then be wishing away his daughter, and he wouldn’t do that. Nevertheless, the lost time and the hurt he caused Etan without realizing it pained him. The return to their old friendship with the addition of their new relationship was everything he could have asked for.
He was trying to decide whether he wanted to try one of the sticky almond buns when a soft knock came at the door. Etan’s secretary entered the room in response to Etan’s call. He bowed and told them that Philip and Amory requested their presence while meeting with Captain Loriot. Etan thanked Tommo and turned to Tristan, who’d gone tense at Tommo’s words.
“We shouldn’t keep them waiting,” Etan said.
Tristan stood. “I don’t want to wait either.”
Tristan was tempted to take Etan’s hand as they walked to Amory and Philip’s study, but he didn’t, not sure of the protocol of walking through the palace in the light of day with your lover. He settled for walking close beside Etan so their arms and shoulders, even their fingers, brushed from time to time. The contact, the closeness, brought Tristan some measure of calm when what he wanted to do was jump out of his skin. He needed information. He needed Captain Loriot to tell him who took his daughter and why, and he needed to know the person had been caught.
Etan knocked on the study door and, at a call from within, opened it, ushering Tristan inside with a hand low on his back. Philip sat behind his desk with Amory perched on the edge of it at his side. Captain Loriot was already there. He rose and bowed as Etan and Tristan entered the room.
“Good morning,” Philip said. “I trust you both slept well.”
“Yes, thank you,” Tristan said, forcing himself not to scream for the answers he wanted.
Amory smiled. He could probably sense Tristan’s mood. They’d known each other long enough, and even with everything that had changed over the last few years, that knowledge never would. “Bria slept well too. She’s been feeding just fine. But if you’d like to see her before we begin, we’ll wait.”
The others added their agreement, but Tristan hesitated. He wanted to see Bria, to see with his own eyes that she was fine, that she was there. He still thought he might be dreaming, that she might disappear if he blinked. That someone else might take her. But he knew she was safe, and if Amory said she was all right, then she was. And he didn’t want to wait to hear what Captain Loriot had to tell them. Especially if it might put an end to this mess.
“No. Thank you, but I’d like to hear what Captain Loriot found out.”
Philip nodded and gestured them toward two more chairs positioned in f
ront of Philip’s desk. Once they were seated, Captain Loriot sat again as well.
“Captain Loriot, please proceed,” Philip said.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Captain Loriot turned to Tristan. “We’ve been able to discover who was behind the kidnapping of your daughter and sister.”
Tristan’s mind went blank and then flooded with thoughts, rushing and jumbling around. “How? Who?”
“The man we apprehended last night was better informed than the ones who held your sister and daughter, and more willing to talk. They were all hired to carry out the kidnapping, which was meant to be a kidnapping for ransom.”
“They wanted money. They stole my daughter for money?” Tristan shook his head, trying to get his mind around how the most terrifying time of his life had resulted from a desire for money. “There was no ransom note. I would have paid. I would have given them anything they asked for.”
“A ransom note would have been sent that night, but we had your daughter and sister already. The man we captured last night was tasked with getting your daughter back so they could continue with the plan. And they didn’t want money,” Captain Loriot said. “They wanted information.”
“Information?” Now Tristan was even more confused.
“Yes. Shipping routes and cargoes, he told us. But also—and I think this is what they really wanted—security measures at the port and in the city, the palace,” Captain Loriot explained.
“The shipping information I have, but the rest… I don’t know any of that.”
“No. But I do,” Etan said, his voice so flat, so unlike Etan, Tristan whipped around to stare at him. But Etan was looking at Captain Loriot. “They wanted the information from me, didn’t they? They saw that I was close to Tristan, and they took someone he loves to force me to give them the information.”
The Scholar's Heart (Chronicles of Tournai Book 3) Page 32