A Royal's Tale [COMPLETED]

Chapter 25 - "I would steal my brother's shoes."

Zavier

Zavier sat with his head in his hands, his shoulders hunched, burdened by grief. That afternoon he'd visited the final family of one of his guards, Jes. He'd told Jes' father the whole story, speaking of how brave Jes had been.

The words were ash in Zavier's mouth. If dying was being brave, what did living mean? He'd sat with the old man, letting his hand be crushed between the man's still strong grip as he cried. The royal family would see to it that Jes' father would not want for anything, but money couldn't replace a son.

Letting out a weary breath, Zavier raised his head. Every family had cried at the news of their lost ones. None of them had yelled at Zavier, but he wished they had. He would have deserved it, their lives were given for his.

Somehow the thought of the betrothal to Lydia eased his pain. Their sacrifice would mean that a kingdom was saved. Their deaths meant something more than helping a fifth son of the King survive. Their deaths could never be repaid. But they didn't have to be meaningless.

At the sound of distance hoof beats, Zavier rose and crossed to his window. Coming through the palace gates was a group of riders. Zavier watched as they drew closer. Though they all looked road-weary, the rider in the center stood out.

Zavier spun away from the window. Too fast. His still healing side flared with pain and he gritted his teeth. Pressing his hand to the wound, he headed out of his room. Joric stood at attention in Zavier's sitting room and furrowed his brow at seeing Zavier holding his side. Before he could speak, Zavier waved him off.

"I am fine," he said, pulling the door open and hurrying out.

As Zavier descended to the main floor, a maid paused in her task. Zavier didn't let her voice her concern, one goal in mind. By the time he stepped out of the front doors, the group of riders had arrived in the courtyard and dismounted. Though they all were all dirty-faced and dressed in common attire, the center rider had a bearing the others did not.

"Dimitrius," Zavier said.

The group parted and the Crown Prince went to greet his brother. He stopped himself before he embraced Zavier, noting the way he held his side.

"I came as soon as word arrived," Dimitrius said. "I am glad you are alive."

"Me too."

The brothers embraced though Dimitrius took pains not to aggravate Zavier's injury. As stable hands appeared to take away the tired horses, two figures raced around the side of the palace. All sense of dignity was thrown out as Nolan and Quinn barreled into their brother. Dimitrius laughed and shoved them before they could all fall down. No longer were they Princes, but boys happy to be reunited with their brother.

"This is new," Quinn said, gesturing to Dimitrius' scruffy jaw.

"What does Sophia think of it?" Nolan asked. "Priya told me that if I ever grew a beard she would no longer kiss me."

"How she can manage to do it even without one is surprising," Quinn joked.

Nolan pushed his brother's head which only made Quinn laugh.

"Sophia will never see me with this," Dimitrius said. "She is still with her sister, will be until she can meet her niece or nephew."

"More time away from you, she must love the freedom," Quinn said.

This time it was Dimitrius who made a swipe at Quinn but he was faster this time. The easy, taunting manner of his brothers filled Zavier. Despite how much he'd love traveling, this, these moments were ones he missed. The only missing piece was Killian, who delivered out more cutting quips than Quinn and got into more fistfights than any of them.