There was something in his tone.Something that made Wren's instincts prickle.
"You'll have to excuse us," Jin said."We're having lunch."
"Of course, of course."Viktor tipped his head politely and left.
But Wren saw him glance back once.Calculating.
"He's going to try something," she said quietly.
"I know."Jin's expression was hard."But it won't work.We're too solid for whatever he's planning."
She hoped he was right.
***
WREN WAS WORKING INher elevated garden when she heard hoofbeats below.It was Viktor.
She activated a ramp for him, wary.
He climbed up, looking around with that same appreciation he'd shown before."Every time I see this place, I'm more impressed."
"What do you want, Viktor?"she asked, exasperated.They both knew this was a casual visit.
"To talk.Friend to friend."He leaned against the railing casually."So...you and Jin are courting."
"We are."
"He's a good man.Everyone says so.Dedicated, honorable, strong."Viktor paused."But Wren...can he really handle you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Your power.Your ambition."He gestured at the farm."You built something unprecedented.Revolutionary.You're going to be one of the most influential people in this territory and maybe beyond it.And Jin..."He shrugged."He's content being Marshall.Content with duty and routine and small-town life."
"There's nothing wrong with that."
"Of course not.But are you content with it?"He looked at her directly."You've proven you think big.You don't accept limitations.You take disasters and turn them into opportunities.That's rare and special."
He stepped closer."Jin will love you, support you and protect you.But will he push you?Challenge you?Help you become everything you could be?"Viktor's tone was almost sympathetic."Or will he hold you back without meaning to?Keep you small and safe and local?"
For a moment, just a moment, doubt flickered.She'd changed so much in two months.Grown in ways she never expected.What if Viktor was right?What if—
No.
She thought about Jin.The way he looked at her farm with pride, not intimidation.The way he asked questions about her magic with genuine curiosity.The way he'd helped her rebuild without trying to take over or control the process.Jin didn't want to limit her.He wanted to see her soar.
"You're wrong," she said quietly.
"Am I?"
"Yes."She met his eyes steadily."Jin doesn't hold me back.He makes me braver, because I know he'll be there if I fall."
"That's not the same as ambition—"
"Viktor."Her voice was firm now."I appreciate everything you've tried to do for me.The advice, the business proposal, all of it.But this," she gestured between them, "—this needs to stop."
"I'm just trying to help you see your options."
"No.You're trying to plant doubt, make me question my choices."She straightened."So I'm going to be very clear.Jin and I are courting.That's not changing.You and I can be friends or we can be enemies.Your choice.But we will never be anything more than that."
