“Theyaddedmore? What? The nine-thousand steps that strip away your magic wasn’t enough?”
“Evidently not.” She shrugged, then poked her head around Daemon’s frame. “You about done out here?”
“Just finished up, why?”
“Come on, I want to know what I missed while I was gone.” Yvaine looped her arm through Daemon’s and pulled him toward the end of the pier. “From the hushed whispers around court, you lost your cool in a council meeting. I thought we talked about that?”
“No, we talked about me not ‘losing my cool’ on Father. Which I didn’t do…kind of.”
Yvaine let out an exasperated breath, her head falling back. “Come on. We can talk about all the messy details once we’re back in your suite…but after food. I haven’t eaten since I got home and amfamished.”
An amused chuckle slipped between his lips. Then, pulling the shadows around them, he walked them back into his chambers.
Once the food had been consumed, Yvaine flopped onto his couch, her feet dangling over one of the arms. “So, tell me what happened.”
Daemon let out a heavy breath, then recounted the events, watching as Yvaine’s reactions shifted from shock and anger to the largest Cheshire grin he’d ever seen.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, bouncing in her seat like a kid who was about to get chocolate for dinner. “I’ve beendyingfor someone to bring those assholes down a notch.”
“It wasn’t my finest moment, but watching the blood drain from Syrus’ face? It was worth it.”
“I still can’t believe Father stepped in. Lord Cassius has been in his ear for decades.”
“Surprised me too, believe me.” Daemon paused, taking a deep swig from his water glass. “Do you think he meant what he said? About helping put an end to this mess?”
Yvaine didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she pushed up from the couch and walked toward the windows, pulling aside the sheer white fabric to gaze out over the harbor and city. “From what you’ve said, I think it’s safe to believe him. But I don’t know that I would fully trust him yet.”
Daemon stood and met Yvaine at the window, taking in the views of the city he loved. The way the setting sun’s light shone through the houses, casting the streets in a rainbow of colors. How the warm tangerine glow of the setting sun colored the sails of their ships, blending them into the skyline.
The silence lingered for a while as they watched the sun slowly sink into the sky, the clouds shifting to pastels from their normal crisp white.
“I need you to do something for me, Yvaine.” She turned toward him, her brows furrowed as she waited for an explanation. “I need you to stay here while the world goes to shit.”
“Excuse me?”
Daemon met her hardening gaze with a pleading one. “Please, Yvaine. I need you here.”
“Over my dead body am I staying here while the realm erupts into chaos.”
“Vaine—”
“No, Daemon. And don’t pull thatI outrank youbullshit either. You cannotleaveme here. I can help; you know that I can.”
“Of course, I know you can, but our people need someone here to protect them.”
“Mother sure as shit isn’t going to ride into battle. So, why should I stay?”
“Because I can’t lose you, Yvaine.”
“D—”
“No. Listen to me, okay? If something happens, and I don’t make it back—”
“Don’t youdarego there, Daemon Alexander.” Angry tears lined her eyes, her lip trembling slightly as she pulled them into a tight line.
“IfI don’t make it back,” he stressed, grasping her hands in his. “You are the best chance that our kingdom has. Hell, you’re probably the best bet even if I do,” he said with a nervous laugh.
Yvaine took a steadying breath, her eyes closing briefly before opening and piercing him with a hardened gaze. “Be that as it may, little brother. I’m not standing idly by while everyone I love fights for what they believe in. I am an asset. And if I have to sneak or sing my way onto a damn boat, I will.”
