Darling scoffed. “Completely not true. I wouldn’t be here if not for you. I’d have died a long time ago and you know it.” He fell silent for a moment as he remembered all the times in his life Maris had been there for him… Like supporting his weight after they’d freed him from the Resistance. Visiting him in the hospital after his suicide attempts and his uncle’s violence. Of Maris sitting with him for hours after Darling had buried his father…
Most of all, he remembered Maris braving his fury to return Zarya to his life.
For that alone, he owed Mari more than he could ever repay.
“At the absolute worst moments of my life, Mari, you’ve always come through for me. Always.” Just like now. His entire world was falling apart and spiraling out of control.
And instead of running from the suicide mission they were about to embark on, Maris was standing by his side. Ready for battle.
While life had done its best to drive him to his knees and break every part of him, Maris had been his sole support who never faltered or hesitated.
Maris pulled him into a tight hug. “We’re going to get our lady and bring her home, Darling. I promise you.”
Darling clung to Maris as all of his fears and emotions shredded him. It was a weakness he’d never allow anyone else to see. Tears swam in his eyes. “I can’t live without her, Mari,” he whispered. “I can’t. She has to be all right. The thought of anything else…”
Maris tightened his arms around him.
“I am so incredibly confused.”
Blinking away his tears, Darling burst out laughing at Drake’s befuddled exclamation from the opposite hallway. With a shake of his head to clear his vision, he leaned against Maris and met his brother’s fierce scowl. “Yes, little brother, I’m that confidently heterosexual that I can hug my best friend in public and not feel awkward while doing it.”
“Yeah, I can hug a guy, too. Just not nipple to nipple.” Drake shivered in revulsion. “That’s just a little too much bromancy for me, thank you very much.”
Laughing, Maris held his hand out to Drake who took it without hesitation. He pulled Drake toward him, then hugged him with one arm while keeping their crossed hands trapped between their bodies so that their chests didn’t touch. “Don’t worry, Drake. Even nipple to nipple, you wouldn’t turn me on.”
His expression offended, Drake stepped back. “I don’t believe you for even a second, Mari. I ooze sexy animal magnetism.”
Darling rolled his eyes at Drake’s arrogance. “Excuse me, little brother? Not to tear down your epic ego or anything, but… Mari and I have gotten more women as gay men than you have ever gotten with all that oozing sexy animal whatever.”
Maris concurred, then stepped forward to whisper loudly. “And if it is oozing, sweetie, you really should see a doctor about it. I’m told they have medication for things like that nowadays.”
“Oh dear gods, what did I just walk in on?” Annalise pressed her hands to her ears and started singing out loud as she continued on her way down the hall, past them.
Maris gave Darling a lopsided grin. “I think we may have scarred her for life.”
Darling shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m pretty sure I ruined her years ago.” Grateful for the temporary break in the melancholia that had been his life since Zarya had been taken, he met Drake’s gaze. “Did you need something?”
“Yeah. I was coming to let you know that Giran has finally assembled the CDS in the south council hall. They’re waiting for you.”
Maris sighed. “Do you know what you’re going to say to them?” he asked Darling.
If he’d been his father, Darling would have had a prepared speech ready. Something profound, that would unify the people and build their confidence.
Unfortunately, he flew by the seat of his pants, and would rather speak from his heart.
“Not a clue.”
“Oh good.” Maris elbowed Drake. “You get the drinks and I’ll bring the snacks. This is going to be a great show.”
Darling wasn’t amused. He felt more like he was heading toward an execution.
Might as well get it over with. Besides, whatever he said wouldn’t matter to more than half of them. They were going to hate him regardless. There was nothing he could do or say to sway them to his cause. With a deep breath, Darling changed course for the south hallway. Instead of going to his guard to rally them, he was now going to try and…
Not get politically assassinated in the media again.
It didn’t take him long to reach the south hall where everyone waited. Maris and Drake stayed at his back while his real royal guards opened the doors for his admittance. He was still getting used to them doing that, and treating him with respect and deference—something Harren had somehow miraculously induced. But it was hard to undo a lifetime of ridicule in just a few weeks. A part of him kept waiting for their contempt to kick in.
Just as he waited to hear it from the assembled gerents as he entered the chamber hall.
They remained quiet with only a few of them throwing belligerent glares toward him. Ignoring them, he descended the row of stairs to take his throne at the front of their seats. Maris moved to stand to his right while Drake stood on his left.
The gerents sat down after he did.