Not sure who to expect this time, Zarya waited until it opened to show an extremely handsome man with red hair a shade darker than Darling’s. Tall and well muscled, he was wearing Tavali battle gear. Something that was an impressive show of flagrant disregard for the law. The Tavali were essentially rogue pirates who preyed on the cargo of rich merchant fleets and League ships. They weren’t an official group with any one leader, nor did they have allegiance to any planet or empire. Rather, they were a motley group who swore an oath to help and protect any of their brethren flying under their communal flag.

Because of the Tavali’s less than legal activities, the League executed any and all they found in possession of their flag or gear. The same held true of most governments. So for him to come into a royal palace dressed like that said a lot about his courage.

And his stupidity.

Curious as to why one of their breed would be here, dressed for battle, she glanced around nervously at the others who didn’t react to his presence at all.

He stopped next to Syn and purposefully kept his gaze away from the bed where Darling lay. “Is he alive or dead?”

“Alive.”

He closed his eyes and let out an elongated breath—a sign that he welcomed the news. “What happened to him?”

“Assassination attempt.”

Zarya frowned at Syn’s stiff abruptness with the newcomer. He’d always been so open with everyone else that it was peculiar to see him so reserved around someone.

The Tavali cast a droll stare at Syn. “I knew that, asshole… Is he going to live?”

“He will.”

The relief on the Tavali’s handsome face was tangible. “Don’t tell him I was here. I’m sure it’ll only piss him off. Just please keep me updated on his condition. I’d really appreciate it.”

Syn’s features softened at those words. “You got it.”

Inclining his head in gratitude to Syn, he turned to leave. After one step though, he stopped dead in his tracks. His gaze locked on the door as his expression turned dark.

Deadly.

Curious about his reaction, Zarya directed her attention to what had him captivated.

Ah… now she fully understood.

Drake stood in the open doorway, glaring at the Tavali as if he could go through him. And little brother was not what she’d expected from the stories she’d heard from Maris and Darling.

For one thing, he didn’t appear to be a spoiled rich aristo. He held himself like a trained assassin who was aware of everything around him. Like a warrior ready for battle.

And Drake’s unexpected presence slammed into her hard. Not just because he was probably four inches taller than Darling and muscular the way Darling had been before his torture, but because his features were identical to his older brother’s.

Seriously identical.

Every arch of the brow, the long aquiline nose, the sharp cheekbones, and the intelligent blue eyes. They couldn’t look more alike had Darling been cloned. But for their hair color and height difference, no one would be able to tell them apart.