“We do value tradition here, but I can understand that you might want to change some of that.”
“With your help?”
Archer’s eyebrows rose, and he cocked his head to the side. “What a turn of events. Almost killed for a crime I didn’t commit and now being asked to take a spot on the council.”
“I’d like to point out that I never believed you were the one to kill Hunter.”
“No.” His expression was unreadable. “You knew better.”
They held each other’s gazes in a silent deadlock. Their friendship, if it could be coined as such, was something I would forever fail to understand. I put it down to the fact that Quentin enjoyed a project and Archer was one that needed a lot of work. A hopeless case and a miracle that fed off success.
“Why me?” he asked, eventually.
“It’s a selfish reason,” she admitted. “The rest of the council was picked based on what I thought would be a good balance for Elysia and Earth.”
“And me?” His eyes flicked to me with a wicked glint. “I’ve always liked the thought of being your dirty little secret.”
“You,” I said, stepping forward and hissing the word from between my teeth. “Better watch your mouth.”
Archer laughed heartily, and I felt Quentin’s arm on mine in a silent plea. This was why I would have preferred them to break their friendship and stay at opposite ends of Elysia. Joke or not, I didn’t appreciate Archer making comments like that.
“Enough from the two of you,” Quen said, stepping in between us. “Archer, if you’re going to make a nuisance of yourself, then we should just forget about the council.”
“Oh, come on,” he said, rolling his eyes. “If you can put up with him, I’m sure you can deal with me.”
“Gray is my soulbound.”
“And you need me on the council to make sure you can trust everyone around you.”
“Exactly.”
“Hmm.” He hummed and took us both in. “I’m not sure how the others will feel about me being on the council. It’s not exactly a subtle move.”
“I’m not trying to be subtle with this. I’ve never made it a secret that I don’t trust anyone up here. If they’re unhappy with your appointment, then they can leave their post.”
Archer raised his eyebrows. “Well, that’s quite a stance. And a very difficult proposition for me to consider.”
“You’re not obliged, Archer.”
“No, I know that. But I think it would be good for everyone to have some transparency from the top. So, I accept the kind offer.”
Quentin’s shoulders relaxed, and she smiled. “Thank you. I’ll look forward to working together.”
“I’d like a word with you,” I cut in before they could continue any further conversation. “In private.”
“I’ll go take a look at the tulips,” Quentin said, looking uncertain. She turned to me, rising on her toes to press a kiss to my lips. “Behave.”
I tried to pull her back in for another, but she slipped away quickly, wise to my moves. I watched as she trotted down the stairs and immediately walked between the rows of flowers. She spread her arms out, tipping her head back so her face was directed to the sun. A breathtaking sight that I would never tire of.
“You’re drooling. It’s disgusting.”
The comment was enough to pull me back to the matter at hand. Archer was standing there looking mildly irritated by my presence. At least it no longer bordered on murderous.
“If you’re about to read me the riot act about staying away from Quentin, that seems like it’ll be an impossibility now,” he said.
“That wasn’t what I was about to say.”
Archer clucked his tongue. “You know better than to lie to me.”
