“Sorry,” they said at the same time.
So this was the brother that had been beaten in Maris’s stead.
The one Mari loved above all others.
By the slightly softened expression on Saf’s face, Ture knew Maris had spoken to his brother about their relationship. But he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Like all assassins, Saf kept his emotions visibly checked.
“I meant no disrespect to Mari,” Saf explained. “He’s just tender-hearted when it comes to our idiot brothers. Personally, I’d like to have a legal shot at Kyr...and most days, Dray, too.”
“Yeah, but Dray’s not League,” Darling said. “The other two killed were.”
Saf ground his teeth. “Kyr has called out the whole family on Maris so that we can avenge the shame he’s brought to our house. Your little stunt at the prison killed the last shred of sanity Kyr possessed. While he’d love to have your head on his wall, it’s Mari’s he’s obsessed with.”
Ture scowled. “Why?”
The tic returned to Saf’s jaw, something Mari’s did whenever he was pissed off. “It would be bad enough if Maris was just gay. The fact he’s gay and the best, most decorated warrior in our family... Kyr wants his testicles in a jar to prove he’s the bigger man.”
“Mari’s better than you?” Ture couldn’t help asking.
Safir went rigid. “I am damn good at what I do. I’d put my skills up against anyone’s, any time, any place...except Maris’s and Nykryian’s.” He glanced to Darling. “And the one man who taught Mari how to really fight, and blow shit to pieces. Growing up, I got into enough altercations with Mari to know he can sweep the floor with my ass, and that’s with him holding back because he didn’t really want to hurt me. While I can make him bleed, I can’t stop him, and I know it. Unlike the rest of my family, I have a healthy respect and appreciation for my brother’s abilities and skills.”
Darling shrugged. “Yeah well, I learned most of what I know from Nyk.”
“Which is why I’m not taking that contract. Or yours. I may be arrogant, but I’m not stupid. Luckily, Kyr and Dray hogged the family share of that.”
Ture was beginning to really like Saf. Unlike the others of his ilk, Saf was strangely humble and kind.
Safir glanced around the room. “Speaking of, I better go. It wasn’t exactly intelligent to come and be seen here. But when I heard Dray’s report, I panicked and wanted to make sure he was lying about the severity of Mari’s condition.” He held his hand out to Darling.
“Peace, my brother.” Darling took his hand then hugged him.
To Ture’s complete shock, Saf pulled him into a full body embrace. “Take care of my brother for me. Tell him he can’t die and leave me the sole source of sanity for the family. I’m depending on him to help me hold the line.”
After giving Hauk the same hug he’d given Darling and kissing Zarya’s cheek, Saf made a League sign of respect and solidarity over his heart then left.
Ture quirked a brow at Zarya. “He was unexpected.”
She nodded. “I’ve loved Safir since the moment I met him. You know he’s the only reason you and I are alive, right?”
Ture frowned. “No. How so?”
Darling crossed his arms over his chest. “After all of our combined resources failed to locate you, Saf’s the one who found out where you were being held and got word to Maris. You’d both still be in prison, or dead, but for Safir.”
Ture went cold at the courage that it took for Safir to go against Kyr and the rest of the League. If they ever learned what he’d done, they’d make sure his death was symbolic, painful and prolonged. “I like him all the more, now.” He frowned. “Why didn’t Maris tell me that?”
“Mari protects what he loves. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t trust you. But given his harsh upbringing, he’s learned to say as little as possible when it comes to handing over information that could get someone killed. You’ve no idea the horrors of what he and Saf have been through. There’s a reason their entire family is insane. And Maris is the sole reason Saf is halfway normal. He went out of his way to protect his brother, and show him that there were other ways to live than the severe life they’d been born to.”
Ture digested that. “Mari never really talks about his family or past.” Anytime he tried to broach the topic, Maris deftly changed subjects.
“Because it would break your heart.” Darling led him away from the others so that they could talk in private. “Did you know that the Phrixians have thirty-three words for honor? Twenty for loyalty? Three dozen for betrayal, but not a single word for love?”
Ture gaped. “You’re joking.”
Darling shook his head slowly. “Their declaration of affection for one another is two words that translate to, I will cause you no dishonor. Or esera diya kya, which means I will die before I shame you. His people truly have no social concept of love.”