But in spite of those words, Drake’s anger melted into pain and grief as he looked to the bed where Darling lay. With a ragged breath, he crossed the room and knelt down so that he could place a hand on Darling’s head. “Please tell me he’s going to live, Syn.”

“He will.”

Tears swam in his eyes before he closed them and appeared to take a few minutes to whisper a silent prayer. When he finished, he opened them and glanced back at Hauk. “Where were his guards when he was attacked?”

“That’s what we’d all like to know.”

The unmitigated rage in his blue eyes scorched her, and it reminded her so much of Darling that it gave her a chill.

Drake laid his head down on the bed like a small child with a sleeping parent he didn’t want to disturb. One he wanted to wake up and hold him, and make everything better.

Zarya felt her own tears gather at the way Drake stared at his brother. The love he had for Darling was so deep that it was almost tangible. This wasn’t the image she’d had of Drake from what she’d been told about him. While there was no denying the fact that he was an adult, he held a deep vulnerability that made a mockery of his sister’s.

Maris moved to put a comforting hand on Drake’s shoulder. “He really will be fine. You don’t have to worry about him. He’s a fighter.”

Drake nodded. “Believe me, I know.”

“Did you bring your mother with you?” Syn asked.

Drake let out an aggravated sound deep in the back of his throat. “That’s what took me so long to get here. I was trying to convince her to come with me. She adamantly refused. I know Darling’s going to be pissed at me that I left her alone, but I don’t care. After everything he’s done for us, I couldn’t stay there while he was hurt or dead… Damn the news. They had so many conflicting reports that I had to come and see for myself what had happened.”

Then he did the most unexpected thing of all. He placed his head on Darling’s shoulder and gave him what she could only describe as a little brother hug.

Her throat tightened at how sweet a gesture it was, especially coming from someone who was as fierce as Drake.

He stood and turned around, then realized there was a “stranger” in the room with them. A scowl creased his brow. “Who are you?”

“Zarya.”

He went completely rigid. “Starska?”

She nodded.

Hatred flared in his eyes before he took an angry step toward her.

Hauk caught him with one arm and held him back. “Don’t.”

“She’s the reason he was attacked!” Drake snarled. “What—”

“She’s the reason he’s alive.” Hauk’s tone was steady and calming. “But for her, you’d be picking out your brother’s casket right now.”

Maris nodded, then added, “Not to mention, Darling will paint your backside red if you harm one hair on his lady’s head.”