Apparently, one of the older ones had managed to find a narrow path into the cliff, and she’d ensured they were all kept safe during the battle, together with several of his people who weren’t equipped to try to fight those damned shifter-birds.
“You did all you could,” Iviry replied softly, and he could tell her eyes wished for his to land on her blues.
Why he fought the urge to look at her, he didn’t know, but it just… it would be too much to see the kindness he expected within them, so he stared ahead until the world blurred.
“We all did,” Iviry continued. “And you did protect your people. No one entered Ellow’s waters, not really, and while men and women died today, they did so for what they believe in—which is you.”
A scoff flew from his mouth before he could quell it.
“I doubt they believe in me. The son of the rebel leader. A halfling. It’s only a matter of time before the council calls for my stepping down.” He blinked hard against the dimming light behind the dark island as he thought of those bastards.
They’d fought for years to find something on him, just as he had on them.
Now? Now they had all they needed.
He jerked when Iviry laid her hand on the one he hadresting on the railing, and before he could stop himself, he turned toward her, the shock of how blue her eyes were hammering into his chest.
A side of her mouth quirked, and he wondered once more just how much she felt from him, but if she knew what he was thinking, she didn’t say. Instead, she squeezed his hand, and her eyes sliced for a moment toward the people still working all around them before moving back to his.
“I’ve been down there. They believe in you, Loche.” Iviry’s smile hiked higher. “They’re talking of a new era, and perhaps that’s just what Havlands needs.”
Loche frowned at her. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen war before. The time immediately after is crucial—when it’s still fresh in people’s minds. Maybe it’s time for a new council, one led by elected people, maybe even a council that spans Ellow and Vastala, to avoid this happening again.”
A council that spanned both nations?
Loche’s eyes held on to those ocean-blue ones. That’s what he’d spoken of for years. That’s what he’d hoped to bring to Ellow—to make both lands prosper again.
“Maybe it is time,” Loche said slowly. “I thought… I had hoped that with Lessia and me we could achieve that… That’s why I offered her to rule beside me… But maybe I can do it alone.”
The light in Iviry’s eyes flickered for a moment, and when her hand left his, an emptiness he’d never felt before trickled across his skin like cool rain in the summer.
The Fae drew two breaths before she nodded, her tone shifting into a more formal one. “The Fae have asked me to take interim leadership of Vastala, and I also believe we need more collaboration to avoid this in the future. I shall help you set it up, regent.”
“Iviry,” Loche started, but his voice faded when something like hurt touched his mind.
Fuck. Was that… was that her pain?
“Iviry,” he tried again. “I… I know we haven’t spoken about the mate bond, but…”
Lessia walked onto the deck at that moment. His eyes flew her way when people parted for her and Merrick, fear and awe mingling in their gazes as they whispered her name.
When he forced his gaze back to Iviry, she’d straightened, her smile so alluring it took his breath, even though he could tell it wasn’t real.
The Fae had put on a mask—one he was entirely too familiar with.
“You love her,” she said in a monotone.
Loche winced, and that appeared to be enough for Iviry.
“Just my luck.” Iviry threw her hair back, her tongue wetting her lips. “Somehow, I always stumble upon the unavailable ones.”
“I’m so—” he started, but she cut him off.
“It’s all good.” The Fae winked at him. “Happens to the best of us. I’ll find another to distract me, don’t worry.”
With that, she spun around and approached two enormous Fae males Loche had seen her talking to earlier, and she was true to her word: Iviry laced her fingers with the one closest to him, dragging toward the stern of the ship, where others had gathered to get some food and wine.
