Ayla and Samuel arrived without Enia.
Liam should have expected that to make everything worse.
Their transport had barely stopped beneath the eastern palace entrance before the rear door opened and Ayla stepped out without waiting for the attendant assigned to assist her, one hand already pushing loose brown hair away from her face as she looked up at the palace façade with open interest rather than anything resembling appropriate diplomatic restraint.
Samuel emerged behind her carrying a backpack over one shoulder and immediately turned in a full circle beneath the covered entrance.
"This is ridiculous."
Liam, waiting several meters away beside Arik, folded his arms.
"Hello to you too."
Samuel's pale green eyes snapped toward him.
Then his expression changed completely.
"Liam!"
He crossed the distance at a run.
Liam barely had time to brace before his younger brother hit him hard enough to force him one step backward, both arms locking around his ribs.
