“Thank you, General.”
“Do not ever leave this citadel on a mission without backup again. And especially not without my permission. Is that understood?!”
“Yes, General. I'm sorry. I heard Keltyr was taken, and I didn't think, just acted.”
“Next time, you fucking think!”
“I love him.” I shrugged.
The crowd of Wraith Lords shifted and murmured. I knew my declaration was one they'd been waiting and hoping for, even if it wasn't about them. I'd done it. I had fallen in love with someone else. And that meant I could do it again. So, as the General gaped at me, a soft applause started, then progressed into a loud one equipped with cheering.
I grinned at the Lords, my gaze passing over the faces of men who had become so important to me. We were in this together, and now they knew I was doing all I could to help. Despite my reluctance, I was doing what needed to be done. They knew how hard it had been for me, and this was their way of encouraging me and showing their support. And I deeply appreciated it.
“You lucky bastard,” someone called out to Kel.
Keltyr, for once, didn't say anything snarky. He only smiled at me and said, “Yes, I am.”
As I turned back to the General, my stare caught on Jath. He was the only one not cheering. Not even smiling. He met my stare, then turned around, and walked away. The other Lords frowned at him as he slipped past, but no one bothered to ask Jath what his problem was. They were too busy celebrating.
“All right, enough!” the General shouted.
The Wraith Lords settled down.
“That is good news, Ember,” the General said to me. “Regardless, you left without permission or backup.”
“I know, General. I will try not to do so again.”
“Try? No, you will not.”
“If a man I love is in trouble, I will do whatever has to be done to save him. Even if I must do it alone. I don't give a shit what you think about that.” Then I added, “Respectfully.”
The General blinked, approval flashing briefly in his eyes, and then he blinked again. “That reminds me. How did you get through the Corrupter's ward?”
Oh, fuck. There it was. The question I'd been hoping to avoid. But of course, it was unavoidable. What could I say? I didn't have an answer. Nothing but the truth would explain what I did.
“Tell them the truth,” Death's voice came from outside of my head.
You're not in my mind?I asked silently.
No response.
Holy fuck, he had left me. Without my asking. Maybe I could trust Death after all. And if I could trust him, maybe they could.
I took a deep breath and said, “I used Death Magic.”
The room went silent.
In the silence, I heard the sound of footsteps. Hands fell on my shoulders. I looked back and saw Xae and Rath to either side of me, with Kel in the middle. With their support, I turned back to face the General.
And the rest of the Wraith Lords.
“You all know how I spoke with the Death Magic when I was imprisoned by the Corrupter,” I said. “The Consciousness of Death Magic believes himself to be a god, but he's actually a gathering of energy that became self-aware. An entity.”
“Iama God!” Death boomed.
“All right. You're a god. Can I finish?” I grumbled and rolled my eyes.
“Fine. Tell them. We'll see what type of men they are.”
