“I’m not.”
“Then let me go.”
I blinked, and my heart trilled.
Gall swallowed hard. “If you’re so sure I’m good, and you’re good. Then we don’t need to fight, and you can let me go.”
If that’s just Lucifer talking through his mouth, it’s a death sentence.
I was about to quibble. To negotiate. To soothe… but then my shoulders slumped.He was right.
There was only one way to prove to him that I wasn’t a threat, and that I’d embrace the Gall that had always been. I had to give him his chance to choose.Reallychoose.
I wasn’t naïve. If I let him go, and didn’t fight, this could be it. There was no Istral here to heal me. No guards to defend me. Nothing.
Unless I stopped him, he would be free to kill me—and if he’d really given over, he would.
The only way to show him I wasn't a liar, that I meant what I said, was to step away—and give him the means to kill me.Please… God… protect me. Protect usbothfrom that evil angel.
With a sigh, I pressed my head against Gall’s shoulder again, then nodded. “You’re right,” I croaked.
He didn’t reply.
I reached for Yilan, to send her love, but she was too far away.
Adrenaline flooded my system, but there was no other choice. I wasn’t going to hurt my son.
So, with a final, hasty prayer, I let go of Gall, released him from the headlock, and stepped back.
He blinked when I released him, then darted to the table and levered the axe out of the wood, turning immediately, eyes bright, and a half-smile on his face. “I’m going to kill you. AndI’ll enjoy it! I’ll cut off your head and take it to Grandfather, and then they’llallknow I’m truly king, because I won!”
I just stared at him sadly, then kicked away the shield and buckler that were near my feet, and raised my hands in surrender.
Gall growled. “Stop trying to fool me. I’m not a fool!”
“I’m not.”
“You always fight with honor!”
“I’m not fighting you, Gall. I love you.”
“Bullshit.”
I sucked in a breath. “I willneverfight you. I will never kill you. I won’t—”
Gall screamed and rushed me, holding the long handle of the halberd in two hands, exactly as I’d taught him, and shoving that half-moon blade up under my chin so that I felt the pinch against my throat.
His face was only inches from mine, and he snarled at me.
I swallowed, and the blade shifted against my skin. A warm trickle slipped down my neck.
“I love you, Gall,” I whispered. “I will still love you—even if you do this. Just remember, he’s lying to you. Hecan’tforce you. He can only tempt you, or scare you into action. It’s why he’s never killed me himself. Please… please, if you see the truth of that, resist him. Even if I’m gone. Resist him.”
Gall’s jaw twitched. “I’m going to kill you now.”
“Please don’t hurt Yilan when I’m gone, or the babies.”
Gall froze. “Babies?”
