“Then don’t tell me I’m overreacting,” I growled.
“Overreacting? Jann, you’re losing your shit. You’re not seeing clearly, and it’s changing you. I’m scared… I’m scared even if you live through this, I'm going to lose you.”
“What the fuck does that mean?!” I turned back to glare my challenge at her, but something deep inside me sang with nerves.
Diadre didn’t break eye contact, and didn’t move. “This city and the people in it aredarkand somehow that’s touching you. They’re makingyoudark, and that’s worse, Jann. That’smorescary than losing you to a spear. Because at least if I lost you fighting for what’s right, it was stillyou—but this?”
“This,what?”
“This!” she hushed, flapping a hand at me. “This constantthreat.Your anger. You’re letting that darknessin.It’s changing you.”
I got to my feet and stood over her, but didn’t make a threat. Just faced her as the man I was.
“The day my mate and son being under threat doesn’t anger me, is the day you should worry about.”
She dropped her face into her hands—but to my horror she also swayed on her feet, and had to take a half-step to catch herself.
I hissed a curse, and grabbed her up again. She protested, but I unhanded her the moment I’d laid her back on the bed.
She slumped against the pillow and sighed, staring at me. “Jann, I’m scared. You’re being…influenced.That scares me even more than the danger.”
I sighed too, and combed her hair back from her face with my fingers. “I don’t deny that this is changing me, Dee.”
“Then why—”
“Only that it’s a bad thing.”
She blinked, then pushed up to sit, frantic. “You can’t say that—you can’tmeanthat. I know you don’t want to follow that Fallenprick!”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t. But I will, if that’s what it takes.”
“Don’t say that!” She had tears in her eyes, which cut me—but I plowed on.
“I will say that, and I’ll mean it. I’ll do it. I’d doanythingto keep you and our son safe. Anything.”
She gripped my hand, her eyes pleading. “Even lose your soul?”
I had to hesitate. Had to be seen to think about it. But then I nodded. “If it saves yours… yes.”
Diadre’s jaw dropped.
I petted her hair one more time, then got up, motioning to her to remain quiet as I walked silently back to the bedroom door, pulling it open suddenly, but not reacting to the squeak and flail of my slave outside, who’d been eavesdropping.
Caelan froze, but I didn’t react. “Caelan, as my mate has pointed out, I shouldn’t have been angry with you forheractions,” I said tightly. “I’m sorry.”
Caelan, eyes wide, gaped at me. “I wasn’t—it’s fine—”
I nodded once. “Thank you, but while we’re on the subject, I think you should keep that in mind. And perhaps take a touch more care.”
“Keep… what?”
“As my mate has so sweetly pointed out, I am a bit on edge at the moment. Which means anything that I perceive could harm my family will find itself… removed in haste. I’d encourage you to be quite careful with both word and deed. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her eyes still wide. “Jann… I’d never harm you… or your family.”
I nodded once. “See that you don’t.” Then I threw the door shut again and didn’t regret when it slammed in her face.
24. Relax
