Florian & Emil & Julian - Aftermath
A shared commission I posted over on Patreon. Here’s a snippet of it, and you can read the full thing over on Patreon with the Archmage tier and up!
Your fingers glow with a golden light as you kneel at his side, taking his hand in yours. The burn disappears before your eyes, and you see some of the tension on Julian’s face ease. He reaches forward, brushing a strand of damp hair from your eyes.
“Thanks,” He gives you a small grin, crooked and mischievous, but still more genuine than most people have seen from him.
When you stand again, you see Florian watching you with warm eyes, “Ari would be proud.”
“Ari was about to bludgeon me to death earlier when I almost stepped on the damn relic we were looking for,” You roll your eyes.
The king just shrugs, “She has her moments.”
“I’d remember you aren’t her favorite right now either,” Julian points out, “You and Emil were supposed to stay in Kesdon. Who’s even running the kingdom right now? You both burst in to save the day, when it didn’t even need saving mind you, and Ebia’s throne is vacant as a result.”
“Not vacant,” Florian shifts, glancing away, “Ezrah has things under control.”
Your eyes damn near fall out out of your head they get so wide, “Ezrah? My brother? That Ezrah?”
“He’s…capable.” Florian coughs into his fist, “And Orion is there!”
Julian sags a little, looking entirely hopeless, “Please do not let the Queen of Leydon know we’re letting her runaway general sit the throne in your absense. She might join the battle to have your head personally for the insult.”
“I would have let Rowan, if we’re being entirely honest, but Emil tossed that idea.” Florian pouts slightly.
“I don’t trust them around the council,” Emil says blithely, “I fear we might return to them all slaughtered if we leave Rowan anywhere near a seat of power in our absence.”
“That was my hope,” The king quips in response.
Julian snorts, shoulders shaking from the force of his laughter. Emil gives them both a disapproving look.