The Duke of Tremont

Chapter 27

Author’s note: Much thanks to Sterling Dragonfly for her wonderful editing! Also, Brian gets pretty abused in the next few chapters so consider yourself warned.

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For the second time in as many days, Brian found himself awakening in a pain filled haze. At least this time, he was no longer hanging by his wrists. He lay for a moment and tried to gauge where he was without having to endure the pain and effort of opening his eyes.

He decided that he was most certainly in a bed, a fairly opulent one, judging from the feel of the pillows and blankets. He shifted a bit and grimaced at the sharp pain that ran through his backside.

Suddenly, a wave of panic swept through him as he remembered the events of the previous night He ignored his aches and pains as he scrambled to get out of the bed, fearing that it was his brother-in-law’s.

“Your Highness.” A voice broke through the terrified haze of his mind and strong hands gripped his shoulders.

“No!” shouted Brian as he struggled weakly to release himself from the hands holding him so tightly.

“Your Highness” said the voice again. “Prince Brian! You are safe. It is Earl Craig. You are in my chamber.”

Brian stopped his struggles to stare at Justin’s father. “Earl Craig?” he whispered, still feeling a little dazed.

“Yes,” answered Craig gently. “They brought you here after…well, early this morning,” he finished lamely. He moved to push Brian gently down onto the bed, but the other man flinched away from his touch. “It’s all right, My Lord. I won’t hurt you.”

Brian relented and reluctantly let the man settle him back into bed. He eyed Justin’s father. “You hurt Justin,” he said, in a voice that was far from friendly.

Craig moved to a chair next to the bed and ran a hand through his sandy colored hair. “That is true, I did hurt my son. It is something I will regret to the end of my days, of which I fear are not many.”

“He still loves you very much,” conceded Brian.

“I can’t think why,” Craig replied sardonically. “I have single-handedly destroyed this family. I drove away my son and lost my daughter. Thank God Janniver had the foresight to send Molly away before she could be married to that monster Christopher.” Craig sighed shakily. “And I lost my wife. My beautiful Janniver, killed so cruelly.” Craig was silent for a moment and then spoke again in a voice laden with grief. “They made me watch, you know.”

Brian studied Earl Craig and could see that he had aged years in just the few short months since he had seen him last. “I am sorry.”

“Did they…they sent it…I mean her…to Lofton?”

Brian closed his eyes. “To Justin. He opened the chest.”

“God,” Craig choked out. “How did he…” Craig paused, “Your Highness, how are my children?”

“It was a difficult time for them. They took Lady Janniver’s death very hard, but Daphne and Patrick helped them through it.”

“Molly is well?”

Brian allowed himself a small smile. “Yes, she is well. I believe she and Prince Hunter have developed a fondness for one another.”

Craig’s eyes lit up. “That is wonderful.” All too quickly his smile died. “Alas, I will not be there to see my daughter wed.”

Brian shifted painfully and coughed a bit. “Are you so certain you will not survive this? I’m sure my brother will make every attempt to rescue us.”

Craig handed him a mug filled with water and helped him to drink it. “Oh, I am certain I shall die. I’m sure Sapperstein is waiting for just the right moment, when it will have the most impact.” He studied Brian for a moment, then took up a cloth and began to dab at the various cuts on his face. “Your brother-in-law is a very cruel man, Highness.”

Brian turned his face away. “So I have learned,” he replied. He turned to face Craig again. “How has he treated you?” he asked hesitantly.

“Well, apart from being forced to watch my wife beheaded, he has left me alone for the most part. Of course until it is time to fulfill my part in this farce again, that is.” Gently he added, “I have not been to the chamber, Highness. I do not think I appeal to him that way. I have seen others that have, though, and I am truly sorry for you. I thank God for whatever you did to keep Justin safe from that monster.”

Brian tried to sit up again so he could move away from the earl’s words. Sympathy and kindness were not what he wanted or needed now. The pain in his ribs and backside proved too great and he was forced to lie back down. “Why are you being so nice to me?” He grimaced as he waited for the pain to subside a bit.

“Because I am loyal to your brother, as are you, and I don’t like to see anyone tortured; because I would rather die than see Sap on any throne…” he paused, took a deep breath and continued, “and because I believe you love my son and will protect him from harm.”

“I do love Justin with all my heart and I would die to protect him, but I thought that would make you hate me more.”

“Your Highness…Brian, if there is one thing I have had time to do during my time in captivity, it is think. I came to some conclusions regarding my behavior and I am ashamed. I listened to that bastard Father Ronald instead of my own family.” He looked at Brian pleadingly, “I am sorry, but I was raised to believe it is wrong to be fey; a sin.”

“And now what do you believe?” Brian asked quietly.

“I love my son,” replied Craig resolutely. “I want him to be happy, to be who he is.” Craig’s voice faltered as he continued, “Although I fear I’ve come to these conclusions too late.”

“I hope that is not the case, Craig,” Brian answered sincerely.

Craig shrugged, “We shall see.”

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Justin sat placing a row of tiny stitches in his leather jerkin. He had noticed the tear before they left Lofton, but there had been no time to have it fixed. Since he had left Emmett back at home in Lofton, he decided to make the repair himself. It gave him something else to focus on other than worrying about Brian.

He had felt Brian’s pain the night before. Justin knew that his lover had lost control of the link between them. He knew Brian had been tortured and…Justin could barely think of it, but he was sure Brian had been raped as well. He swallowed around the lump in his throat and continued his handiwork, refusing to let his tears fall.

“Has he spoken at all?” Jonathan asked Mel in a hushed whisper just outside Justin’s tent.

“No, Majesty. He has not uttered a word all day,” Mel replied with concern in her eyes.

Jonathan sighed. “Very well. I shall leave him be. Send word if he needs me.” The king moved off to talk with one of his generals, who had been waiting for his audience.

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Craig spent a good amount of the day taking care of Brian. The other man slept for the most part, only waking to relieve himself, when Craig forced him to eat a portion of the meager meal they were brought, or when he was plagued by the numerous nightmares caused by his ordeal.

The state of the young prince only served to make Craig angrier with his captors. He vowed to do everything in his powers to help Brian escape this nightmare.

That night, when Sapperstein’s men came to take Brian again, Craig went so far as to try and fight them, though all he got for his troubles was a black eye. He sat against the wall where the men had left him after they dragged Brian out of the room.

He found himself in a position he could hardly ever imagine himself in. He was praying with all his might for the safety and well being of Prince Brian, his son’s lover. He hoped that the man the guards brought back would not be completely broken.

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“Say it!”

Silence.

“Say it, damn you!” The crack of a whip on bare skin.

A slight whimper, but no words.

“Say it, Brian! Call me King!” Another loud crack.

He almost said it so Sap would stop hurting him. Then a familiar presence filled him and he was not alone. He was trying to keep him out and keep Justin sheltered from all of this. He should have known better. He could feel Justin’s fear for him, but what he felt the most was his understanding and love. It was Justin’s unconditional love that gave Brian the strength to raise his head and look into Sap’s eyes. “No.”

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Justin quietly made his way to Jonathan’s tent. The guard lifted the flap and let him enter, having been told that Justin was to receive the same privileges as the king’s own sons.

Jonathan woke when he felt someone enter his sleeping area. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and he could see Justin standing hesitantly close by.

“Is it Brian?” he asked softly.

Justin could only nod as he let out a small whimper.

Trying to keep his own emotions under control, Jonathan motioned to the boy. “Come here.”

Justin moved to the cot and Jonathan turned on his side and scooted over so Justin could lie down next to him on the narrow cot. “I’m so afraid for him.” Justin’s voice was barely a whisper.

“I know,” was all Jonathan could say in reply, as he held on to Justin tightly.

Jonathan was relieved when he finally felt Justin fall asleep. He knew the boy was exhausted. He laid in the darkness of his tent and listened to the quiet snores of his sons and prayed for his baby brother.

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