“No, Father. I love him. And Tae's right; I could have spoken up, but I didn't. That makes me just as guilty. So, if he wants to kill Thal, he'll have to kill us both.”
“Sana, no,” Thal said gently. “This is my fight.”
“Thal.” Sana's gaze went soft—the first sign of tenderness I'd seen in her.
“So be it.” Taeven spat blood onto the floor and started forward.
“Tae!” I shouted and raced forward to stand between him and the couple. “Enough. The truth is out and you've had your vengeance. Let it be enough.”
He started to push past me, but I took his face in my hands. “Babe, stop. I don't want this. I just want you back.”
Taeven shuddered, blinked, then focused on me. “Shane?” Tae's voice broke and his throat worked convulsively as a sheen covered his eyes. He laid a hand over one of mine. “They hurt you; they hurtus. The things I said to you . . .”
“Forgotten.” I smiled softly. “I would have been just as furious if I thought you had betrayed me.”
“I would never betray you. You're my gift from the Goddess.”
My throat constricted as happiness bloomed inside me, and I turned my hand to take his. “You're my gift too.”
“No, I'm not. I failed you. I'm supposed to protect you. Instead, I brought them into our home and stood by while they abused you.”
“You trusted them. You had no reason not to.”
“We lost all that time together.” His hand slid around the back of my neck to pull me closer as his forehead lowered to mine. “I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I swore to never give up on you and then I did. Forgive me?”
“Just promise to trust me in the future,” I demanded.
“I promise.”
“Good.” I leaned back to look at him. “And you'd best keep that promise because if you don't, I'm dragging this shit out and shoving it in your face.” I waved my finger at Sanasenne and Thalsar.
Taeven laughed—a brilliant and slightly horrified sound that ended abruptly. He shook his head at me and asked, “How do you do that?”
“What?”
“Turn tragedy into amusement. Make me laugh seconds after you bring me out of bloodlust.”
“It's a gift.” I grinned and took his hand to pull him away. “Now, don't kill your friends,” I said in a cajoling tone, one you might use with a child. “There's a good warlord.”
Taeven chuckled and let me lead him away from Sanasenne and Thalsar, over to the King, who had been joined by the Queen. A glance backward showed me a gaping General and Princess, Sana's sword tip drooping to the floor. I stuck my tongue out at her again. Couldn't help it, had to be done.
“Falcon Lord, thank you for showing my daughter mercy,” the King's voice took on a regal tone and volume.
Tae didn't try to protest and say that he wouldn't have hurt the Princess; it was obvious that he would have gone through anyone, including Sana, to get to Thalsar. I knew it too; I'd seen that expression on his face before. That madness. Nothing but blood would have satisfied him. Blood or my hands on his face. A warmth filled my chest at the thought that I had the power to bring Tae back from madness. It was romantic in a way.
“I expect you to grant me justice, Your Majesty,” Tae countered, his voice tight.
“Against Sana as well?” King Dehras managed to keep his expression blank and his voice even, but I saw the worry in his eyes.
Tae looked at me, and I shook my head. If the King punished his daughter, it could affect the entire kingdom. And as much as Sana had been a bitch to me, I'd seen real love in her eyes when she looked at Thalsar. Love like that couldn't be felt by a truly horrible person. It could, however, make good people do horrible things.
“I forgive them, Your Majesty,” I said. “I don't require further punishment.”
“Since my valorian is satisfied, I will accept monetary reparations from the Princess as long as General Thalsar is punished for attacking a valorian,” Tae answered a bit grudgingly.
“No!” Sanasenne shrieked. “He didn't mean to harm Shane, Tae. You know Thal isn't malicious. Please!”
“Silence, Sanasenne!” King Dehras shouted.
