Hugo and I stared at each other as the weight of war settled upon us.
“So, what do I do?”
“You have to convince both of them that you don't love Trenton anymore,” Hugo declared.
“It will destroy Trenton,” I whispered as I shook my head. “No; I won't do it.”
“If you don't, it will destroy Tirne.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Drostan returned around midday. He came into the bedroom carefully; glancing my way and then doing a double take when he saw my tenuous smile.
“You're not mad anymore?” He asked warily.
“No,” I said. “I talked to Hugo.”
“Hugo is responsible for this change?” Drostan asked in surprise as he approached me. “Remind me to thank the pixie. What did he say to you to change your mind?”
“He told me that you should have killed me,” I whispered. “That what you did was lenient.”
“It was,” Drostan murmured. “And yet, I still couldn't see it through.”
Drostan sighed and took the chair across from mine. We were before the fireplace, and the wood crackled merrily; in direct opposition to our grim conversation.
“I'm glad that you couldn't,” I said. “If you had, our relationship would have been over. I would never have been able to forgive you.”
“Yes; I realize that.” Drostan took my hand. “I'm sorry that it went as far as it did. I was deceived, and I was so very angry.”
“As was I,” I whispered. “I... ”
“Yes?”
“I'm willing to give it another try,” I forced the words from my mouth.
I had started to care for Drostan once, and the new information that Hugo provided me with had led me back to my original path. But it didn't change the fact that I loved Trenton. My heart screamed at me to leave Drostan and return to my lover. But there was so much at stake now; not the least of which was my sister's life. I had no idea what Drostan would do if I ran away for real this time.
“I'm relieved to hear you say it.” Drostan sighed. “I was up for most of the night trying to form a plan to appease my court and you.”
“Yes; I heard about the letter.” I lifted a brow at him. “How did you manage to forge Conall's seal?”
“I've known Conall for a very long time,” Drostan said grimly. “I've seen his signet ring often enough to recall its image. I simply added a bit of magic to my memory.”
“So, now your court thinks that Conall is the enemy.”
“He is our enemy,” Drostan said blandly.
“That doesn't upset you?” I lifted my brows. “You've lost a friend.”
“He was never my friend, Riley,” Drostan said in surprise. “And he stole you from me. All of this is Conall's fault. The information I presented to my court was true; I just lied about the way that I received it.”
“You're right,” I whispered. “He is our enemy.”
“Unfortunately that means that we must be wary of his next move,” Drostan said. “Conall is not a man to give up easily.”
“Nor are you, evidently,” I noted with a soft smile.
“No, I'm not.” Drostan smiled back. “Especially when it comes to you.”
