Chapter Seventeen

The lies and fake words had worked. Although Sébastien calling him a bitch wasn't fake and neither was the blood on the floor as the guard gurgled.

Sébastien shoved his chair back and dove under the table. As soon as he popped out on the other side to deal with the coming guards, Remus had already drawn his sword.

Quintus hadn't slacked in fighting, and his blade met Remus's. More werewolves came through the windows in the dome to inch down along the border sections. Remus blocked a strike, kicked Sébastien's chair out of the way, and missed a hit as his twin jumped back. Quintus had just brought lightning to his free hand when a werewolf leaped on him and laid him out flat.

The werewolf roared as he was shocked, and Quintus tried to shove him off. Remus's sword hovered an inch from his neck a second later, and his brother halted his magic. The werewolf remained on him as his chest heaved. The lightning had scorched a patch on his chest.

"If you move-"

Remus shot a look over the table just in time to see Sébastien's sword enter a guard's neck. The spray of blood was almost as impressive as the one made when a werewolf tore into a man's jugular.

"What? You'll kill me?" Quintus bared his teeth. "Go ahead. Do it."

Remus had spent more of his time focusing on the current situation despite planning ahead with Sébastien as they came to each new obstacle. He'd managed to pack his emotions down to focus on each situation as it came. Now, he almost wished the werewolf would back off simply so he and Quintus could fight against each other. Part of him longed for the satisfaction of using his magic, sword, and fists.

It'd be a way to work out the hate that had simmered since his brother's betrayal and Lupo's death. He'd cut out the foulness he'd never known existed in his twin until all that remained was the one he'd thought he knew.

He saw red as he forced himself to withdraw just an inch. "Drop your sword."

"Fuck you."

"You already fucked me that night and before that."

Metal clanged, and the hall went deadly quiet as the living turned toward the High Table. Sébastien appeared unhurt despite the blood marking one side of his head. Someone's had splattered on him, and flecks had spoiled his pretty clothes. It dripped from his sword.

The Prince locked eyes with him, and Remus could practically hear his thoughts. Yes, it would be satisfying to kill Quintus and use his anger to drive his sword into his twin's throat.

They needed him alive to question.

"The collar before I slit his throat."

The werewolf had already taken it from his wrist. Lirek wouldn't bother a werewolf since they didn't have magic like a fairy. Quintus only dropped his sword because he had little option.

He likely thought he had a chance to live. A last bit of brotherly love would save him in the end, even though he'd held none for Remus.

The werewolf dragged Quintus to his feet once he was collared and kicked away his weapon. Even in defeat, Quintus still stood strong, refusing to hunch or bow down. Just like Remus and Sébastien.

"You would have let him die that night." Confusion flickered on Quintus's face for a second as Remus pictured Sébastien on the floor of his sitting room, ready to pass out while death slithered closer. "You drove the knife into our Uncle, so Sébastien would have meant far less if our situation had been reversed."

Quintus looked at the Prince and back at his brother.

"Why?" demanded Remus.

"What do you think?" asked Quintus.

"Why would you work with the Regent when you know he hates werewolves? He seeks to put down his nephew and come after Rowland."

"You know nothing. He wants the throne to keep the peace between us because if that gets the Soleilian throne-" Quintus jerked his chin toward the Prince. "He'll break the treaty as soon as his ass is planted."

Remus glanced up to see dark shapes in the windows, and several retreated since it was clear the situation was under control. "You don't think a man who would murder his nephew would lie to you? You're not related, and I can guarantee you mean less. You were a fool to ever answer a letter, and a fucking traitor to do so in your family home."

Quintus set his jaw. "He offered me a way to the throne. What do you expect me to say? That I'm sorry? That he threatened me with something? You won the race by chance, and I was stuck in second place for life. I'd backslide if you had children."

"You weren't second place to Father or anybody."

"Says the one who's in first place."

Remus had never detected any jealousy. Of course, there were times when Father had spent more time with Remus, and they'd sat in the office before with Giorgio teaching him how to write a response to an issue or how to balance the ledger.

Giorgio had still tried to make it equal, and he had taught Quintus things and done other activities with them both even in later years when Remus and Quintus made friends and did activities apart.

They couldn't always be "the twins" or do everything together, but they'd always been a family. Remus hadn't truly imagined how far apart they'd grown in Quintus's mind. Seeing the truth on his face and hearing the words from his very lips…Mother would weep if she knew what her second child had done.

"You're a fucking bastard. You don't even deserve to lay in the tomb by Mother and Father. Or Uncle Lupo. Hold him here."

Three other werewolves approached the curved dais to ensure Quintus stayed put. Remus had to focus on getting the city under control. Now that the main part was done, the other werewolves would be attacking the guards.

"Are you all right?" Remus jogged toward Sébastien.

"I'm fine. It's other's blood on me."

A couple of werewolves had burns, and one had a cut across his chest, although it wasn't nearly deep enough to bleed out. They'd gotten the upper hand not only through their strength but the unexpected attack. Several werewolves raced by in the entrance hall to start securing the Palace as they ran outside.

The sounds reached them before they burst into the sunlight. Guards lay dead in the yard, and unfortunately, a few werewolves did too. Not all had made it. A stableman ran by in a panic even though no one was chasing him. Screams rose in the city as the citizens panicked in the confusion. Sébastien followed him to the stable where their horse had been taken. Remus's old mount appeared to be gone, and Lupo's was too.

Sébastien took their horse, and Remus picked one that he recognized. He was intended for anyone to ride if needed.

They were barely needed anymore since a sudden, unexpected attack had worked again. As they rode through the city, Remus spotted a couple of dead citizens. He'd told the werewolves to leave them unharmed. At the same time, a werewolf wasn't going to let himself be cornered and run through by a panicked citizen who didn't understand what was happening and thought he was doing the right thing. A weapon lay near each corpse.

Guards lay dead, and the streets had partially emptied since many commoners had sought shelter. The gate was secure, and several werewolves by it howled at the sight of Remus and Sébastien before they pounded their chests and roared.

"Did any leave?"

"Not unless they climbed the wall elsewhere," growled one.

Remus's horse wasn't intended for war, and he was tense at the smell of blood. "It's okay, boy." He patted the mount's neck. "Start gathering everyone."

Remus waited on top of the wall over the gate to the Palace yard while the werewolves gathered the citizens. Remus spotted a terrified man trying to hit a werewolf with a broom. The werewolf ripped it from his hands, snapped it over his knee, handed the splintered pieces back, and pointed up the street.

"Get moving!"

The man dropped his ruined broom and hustled away.

Someone must have noticed Remus riding through with Sébastien, and he caught a shout from a side street.

"The Crown Prince is back!"

The man shouted until his voice grew hoarse and could no longer be heard as the yell was picked up by others. The trickle of people turned into a torrent as more and more rushed to see the truth with their own eyes.

A little warmth heated the frosty hate in his chest at the sight of them cheering for him. Many he recognized from growing up there. They hadn't believed Quintus. Or at least not most had.

"I knew not everyone would despise you and instantly fall for his lies," Sébastien murmured next to him.

A few old women shoved their way through the crowd with surprising strength to get as close as possible to the wall and shout Remus's name. Parents lifted their children to see, and a new shout rose above the crowd.

"The King has returned! THE KING HAS RETURNED!"

It took a minute for Remus to get everyone to quiet down. The crowd spilled into the streets, and he knew those too far to hear would have to get his words from someone else.

"Your Majesty, please tell us the traitor is dead!" a man shouted near the gate.

"He's not dead," announced Remus. "We'll have a trial as customary, and he'll be put to death later. He's admitted himself that he betrayed me."

He paused to let that sink in. Doubters likely existed, although they likely wouldn't be a problem since most had been hoping he'd return home and set things right. Remus had nothing to hide and no reason to silence his twin so fast, so they'd do a proper trial later.

"He's going to admit it to you himself. First, I have to tell you that even though Quintus had me shipped to the Soleilian court-" He faltered as he spotted the stableboy who'd been picked as one of the twenty other slaves. He was standing by his Father and dressed in proper clothing instead of the skimpy things his owner in Soleil had garbed him in.

While he looked fine at the moment, Quintus's actions would leave a lot of scars that would never fade.

"The Soleilian Crown Prince has worked with me to get to this point."

Eyes had been flicking to Prince Sébastien who stayed a step back.

Mentioning their rough start wasn't a good idea. "He's never wanted a slave, and since I was dumped in his lap, we made the best of our situation. While he's here, he's to be treated with the utmost respect. I know some of you think he's planning a war at the age of twenty-five, but he never has. He has my utmost thanks in everything including fighting and helping me to get inside."

If Sébastien had any lingering doubts about Remus wanting him after the end, Remus wanted them obliterated. He took Sébastien by the shoulder to nudge him closer before giving him a hard kiss. The Prince made a faint, surprised noise before kissing right back.

Half of the crowd went wild. If the Princes were kissing like that, and it was no quick peck, it surely meant peace. Also, why else would he be there to help Remus get his rightful throne? Sébastien looked a bit flustered from the sudden attention when Remus drew his head back, and the Prince immediately slid an arm behind his back.

With his arm over the Prince's shoulder, Remus spoke again. "Quintus is going to admit the truth."

Sébastien didn't move as Quintus was brought outside and onto the wall. He took in Sébastien against his twin and looked ready to spit.

Several thumbs were turned down as the people watched, and choice insults flew at Quintus. For the first time, he appeared unsure.

"Did you think the people believed you to start with? They might have paid lip service and been afraid to speak up, but they knew you're a traitor and that I did nothing. They were hoping I'd return and deal with you and your shaky lies."

If Remus dropped dead right there along with the werewolves, Quintus wouldn't have his throne back. The people would likely converge in anger, and he seemed to know it.

"Was it worth it?" snarled Remus. "Was it worth laying Lupo down and selling me?"

"To keep the peace and get everything, yes." Quintus couldn't quite look at him.

"You're a fool. If our situation had been reversed, the Regent would have been writing to me. Except I wouldn't have plotted behind your back."

"Say the truth," said Sébastien. "Tell them what you did."

Quintus turned his back on the crowd, and some of the fight seemed to go out of him as his shoulders slumped. If he preferred to turn away, unable to face the shame, it was enough.

Insults were flung at him. Remus hadn't seen anyone carrying a tomato, but one came flying toward Quintus and missed his shoulder. A couple of werewolves below snarled that vegetable throwing wasn't allowed. An orange came hurtling next and also missed.

Remus had Quintus taken away. The Palace had a small jail in case someone was arrested and needed to be confined immediately. Remus could have placed him in the city prison, but he felt better that way.

The day wasn't that late, and by the time Remus got some order going since most of the guards were dead, he was beyond tired.

It was mid-afternoon when he went to Lupo's bedroom. Part of him expected it to look exactly the same as if Uncle had simply stepped out for a moment.

The shelves were empty, and the fireplace was cold. Family portraits were gone, and Lupo's favorite crystal lantern that Quintus had painted all over as a child no longer sat on a side table. The bed was stripped. It was like he'd never been there.

It had never felt so empty. For as long as Remus could remember, Lupo had kept the same rooms, and he remembered quiet afternoons with Lupo sitting by the open doors to the balcony while rain poured outside. Quintus had often been there too.

He turned to find Sébastien in the doorway. He'd cleaned the blood from his hair at some point.

"It's just over. No goodbye. Nothing." Remus turned away. "He was snatched in a blink."

Sébastien approached him and quietly hugged him. Of course, he knew what that felt like to some degree. He'd said goodbye to family before watching them ride away to never return.

It wasn't the same as saying goodbye before they died.

Remus had assumed in the back of his mind that Lupo would one day grow old and die, not that he'd thought much of it. If he passed in his sleep, that was all right because it was peaceful. If not, Lupo would have family around him to say those final words.

He wasn't supposed to die for a nephew's selfishness. All that time, Remus had thought that if it came down to it, he'd have Quintus's unswerving loyalty, just like Quintus would have had his.

He pushed his cheek against the top of Sébastien's hair. "Stay."

"I would do anything for you," Sébastien whispered.

***

The werewolves had a guard rotation set, and the citizens were having a sort of impromptu party in the streets that mostly involved drinking. Having Remus back and seeing him kiss the Prince meant peace between their Kingdoms so why not get sloshed? Remus would have to gather the army for one last war, and he planned to convince more werewolves to come. If not for Sébastien, would they do it for him since they'd gotten this far with few casualties?

He had a feeling more would accompany him since the Regent wanted them wiped out. Others would want to head home, see their children, and not engage in more fighting, and nothing would sway them. They often didn't like engaging in conflicts between fairies. One side would often hate them more in the end.

The Palace had a few old tunnels and secret passages. Remus knew where they were, and he set werewolves to carefully search and block them all to ensure no one was hiding.

Afterward, Remus gave Sébastien a set of rooms on one side of the Palace with a nice view and said he could sleep there and have some privacy for a change. If he wanted, he could come to Remus's rooms to sleep or even simply talk.

He figured Sébastien might want a space to himself since he'd pretty much been stuck with Remus for ages. A chunk of time to relax in private would likely be good for him. He was right since the Prince retired to his quarters that night and didn't come to Remus's rooms.

Remus couldn't sleep. He'd found the letters in a hidden lockbox behind a panel in the office. Sébastien had seen them too. Perhaps the Prince had fallen asleep in his bed, but Remus hadn't even bothered to get in his.

Quintus was seated on the single bench in the cell and leaning against the wall with one foot drawn up when Remus came down late that night. He'd been given plain clothes, and beside a blanket, he had a bucket of water and another for pissing.

"Come to gloat?" asked Quintus.

Remus had asked for volunteers to guard his twin. They could tell others that Quintus wasn't being tortured or mistreated. The man on shift was currently in the hall and standing out of earshot.

Remus leaned on the bars. "I found the letters."

The Regent had written to speak of his nephew in the most insulting terms. He was lazy, insolent, angry, and hateful of Rowland and werewolves.

"‘No matter how I speak to him and say to let the past lie so we can look forward and focus on the needs of the people, he refuses,'" Remus recited. "‘It terrifies me because when he turns twenty-five, I have no choice but to allow him the throne. Our peace will be shattered, and he'll drag us into another war so that he can spit on your graves and go against the werewolves next. Rowlands and Soleilians will die for his anger.' I might have messed up on the wording a little, but that's the gist."

Quintus raised an eyebrow. "I know what he wrote."

"You believed that?"

"Yes. His attitude isn't a secret. He was quite vehement in his words against the treaty between Regents Corentin and Lupo even though he had no control of that."

Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. "The Regent wants to put him down and keep the throne. He'd say anything."

"I went with what seemed more likely from what I know and what I've seen. I suppose you're fucking Sébastien, and you'd believe anything. His ass must be made of pure gold, and you're shit for getting sucked into his plot."

"I haven't fucked him. You're not excused from your actions. You said nothing and went behind our backs. You let the Regent plan what to do to have people on your side, and you went right with it. Even the end part-not many believed I killed Lupo in such a ridiculous manner. You didn't think the whole thing was a bit off?"

Quintus tightened his jaw as he looked away.

"I guess the crown brushing your fingertips was too tempting, huh? You kept power because commoners might be afraid to speak out. They were, but they whispered behind your back. Not all of the lords believed you. I think a civil war would have happened. Not right away, but eventually."

"The Regent would have aided me. You saw the letters."

"He planned to do the exact thing he accused Sébastien of." Remus gripped the bars.

Quintus appeared more resigned, like the prospect of losing everything, including his life, didn't bother him. Perhaps it was the fact that he could sit, rest, and do nothing for the moment. A brief reprieve.

"Do you not care?" shouted Remus.

Quintus swallowed. "Did I want to kill Lupo? No. Did I want to send you away as the Regent commanded? No."

"Did you think Sébastien truly wanted me as a slave despite never having one?"

"He's hateful, so why not?"

"Father would be ashamed of you. Mother too."

"I didn't enjoy those things, Remus. I wanted something, and he handed me the way. The Regent took a risk to write to me, and it turned out his hunch was right. He said the second brother is often overlooked."

Remus had read those early letters and the coy way the Regent had dangled possibilities. He didn't have Quintus's replies, but he could see how it had escalated, and the Regent had latched onto him being the second son. "You were never overlooked."

"Did you ever ask how I felt?" Quintus straightened up. "All my life, we were ‘the twins,' and if not that, I was often ‘the Crown Prince's twin.' If you became King, I would have been ‘the King's twin.' I spent years dreaming of having your place and my own solid identity with power, not the shadow of the older twin who'd get it all. Father always looked at you with a little more pride, and so did everyone else. I came out second, and I'd always be second. If you'd had children, I'd have gone lower. You didn't see it because you're not me. It's not just about how many times Father hugged me as a child."

"Father tried to be equal. You know he did. You even did things with him and not me-"

"Tried. It's never really equal when only one can get the throne. The second is never quite the same, but you don't fucking get that. You weren't ‘Prince Quintus's twin.'" Quintus gestured. "It would all be yours, so you didn't think about it from my point of view. You have always and would always be a notch higher and a little more important."

Remus hadn't known he'd felt any form of jealousy or dislike toward his position. Even when they'd formed different friends or participated in separate activities, he hadn't suspected anything. Being "the twins" had been annoying at times, but Remus had viewed the term as them being one and the same in the way of family even though Quintus was a notch lower.

"So our bond as brothers meant nothing? That was all bullshit? We did so much together. The wolf puppy-we rode our first ponies together, and we had lessons. We fought together in the war. I would have died for you if needed because you're my brother, not just a Prince. We're blood . Did that mean nothing?"

Quintus frowned. "You'll never really get it. I did love you, Remus, and if someone had killed you in the war, I would have tried to avenge you. If anyone at home had hurt you, I'd have done the same. I still went for what I wanted, and in turn, did it to protect Rowland."

Remus pushed himself away from the bars as anger threatened to make him go into the cell and choke him. "The shiny thing was more important in the end, and that proves you never loved me. Not like I loved you. You make me sick. Once you're gone, Sébastien and I will ensure there's true peace between our Kingdoms."

"He'll put a knife in your back as soon as he can. You'll wish you'd fled alone instead of staying with him. That little prick would do anything to get what he wants, and the Regent wasn't lying about that."

"You don't know Sébastien like I do. You haven't spent days on end with him or-"

Quintus hadn't seen the pain and grief Sébastien bore day after day as he got up and kept going. He hadn't hugged Sébastien and felt what it was like to want to stay with him. Forever.

Remus flipped him off as he left through the door. The guard had a small table by the door so he could sit and watch, and Remus found him down the hall.

"Er, you closed the door," the young man said hesitantly. "I'm supposed to keep it open, so I can see."

"Open it after I can go. When do you go?"

"Seven in the morning. My brother relieves me, Your Majesty."

Remus nodded. "Remember, if he tries to speak and give you some sob story, ignore it. He's only allowed to request more food and water. Anything else, I need to be asked."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Are you all right?" The man looked a bit glum.

"I don't like him. I mean, I don't mind my job. I just don't like him."

"Plenty of people don't like him."

Remus went to his rooms. A servant said some of his things had been thrown out. The rest had been stuffed in the attic.

The room felt empty like the rest of the Palace. He lay on his bed and wanted to go to Sébastien's rooms to be next to him in bed. Instead, he closed his eyes. The Prince needed a night to himself without being disturbed. He'd been at his side all day, and that was more than Remus could say for some.