The horses were being brought out when Aurel fell into step beside his brother.
They walked in silence for a moment, the way they had always walked in silence when one of them had something to say and was working up to the saying of it. Kaelis had known this walk since they were boys. He knew what it meant. He waited.
"I need to tell you something," Aurel said.
"Then tell me."
Another few steps. The outer yard was full of noise and movement around them, soldiers and armour and the low purposeful energy of an army that had accepted what this morning was and was now simply getting on with it.
"Gabriella," Aurel said.
Kaelis did not break stride.
"What about her," he said. Not a question exactly. More like a door being held open.
Aurel exhaled. "It was not something either of us planned. It was not supposed to—" he stopped. Started again. "I am in love with her. I have been for a while. And she—" he paused, "—she feels the same."
