“I came over here because even though Taroc is being supportive, he was also being a prick.”
Caleb chuckled. “So, he's not trying to date you again?”
“Evidently not.” I grimaced. “I mean, why come over at all? He could have shown his support by simply telling the other Lords to get over it. He didn't have to sit with us.”
Caleb smiled sadly. “I'm sorry things aren't going the way you want. What about Lord Vardan?”
“Well, do you see him sitting with us?”
“No.”
“I think him notsittingwith us is a pretty clear indication of where hestands.”
“I think it's kind of rude for any of them to be mad at you.”
“Thank you!”
“No, really. You're working so hard.” Caleb shook his head. “You may be blessed by the Goddess and immortal and you've got all this magic, but you're still human. You're trying to deal with things that they've had their entire lives to get used to. You're going to make mistakes. Not saying that training to use Death Magic is one of them. But if they think it is, they should help you, not turn their backs on you. You didn't have to come here. You could have hidden out somewhere and protected yourself, only yourself. You certainly didn't have to become a Wraith Lord and risk your life.”
“Thank you, Caleb,” I said softly. “You don't know what it means to me to have someone who truly understands me. My guys support me. They're amazing. But all you just said? I could say it to them, and they would nod and say they understood. But they wouldn't. Not as you do. Thank you for that.”
“Thank you for saving me from corruption, Ember.” He lifted his mug to me. “To you. For all you do for your people.”
I lifted my mug and clicked it to his.
After he took a sip, Caleb said, “You are the only Wraith Lord who truly cares about humans.”
“That's not true.”
“Oh, it is,” he insisted. “I know you don't want to believe it because you're one of them now, and you have Wraith Lords as lovers, but they don't care about us as you do. Don't get me wrong. They want to help us. They're not monsters. But our deaths don't concern them as they do you.”
“You're wrong.”
“Sure,” Caleb said gently. “Sorry I said that.”
I sighed. “Maybe there is a tiny grain of truth to it.”
He smiled. “It doesn't mean they're evil. Just that they are more concerned with their own people. That's true for everyone. I'm sure the Varraen Lords are worried about Varraens, and the Ladrins about Ladrins. You care more than other Lords about humans because you are human.”
“Yeah, maybe you're right.”
“What I'm trying to say is that it's nice to have one of us among them. You'reourhero, Ember. You above even the Emperor himself. Remember that when they do things that bring you down.”
“Damn it, Caleb.” I swiped at my eyes. “Now, you got me crying.”
“Well, don't do that!” He shoved at me playfully. “You're a big, tough Wraith Lord, remember? And you have to represent us.” He leaned in to whisper, “Don't you dare make us look like crybabies.”
I burst out laughing, then put my arm around his shoulders to pull him into a one-arm hug. “I think the Goddess has brought us together at the perfect time.”
“If I can be of service in any way to the Great Ember, I'm happy to,” Caleb said with a smirk.
I let him go and lifted my mug. “To you, for lifting my spirits as no one else can.”
We clicked mugs and drank again. And Caleb did lift my spirits. I felt so bright that the moping Wraith Lords didn't bother me. Maybe it was just my improved mood, but they seemed to be easing up on the glares. All I needed was a little reminder of who I was, where I came from, and what I was doing there. My people needed me. I was their voice, their sword, and their shield. I wouldn't let them down.
Chapter Thirty-Five
I stayed in the hall, drinking with Caleb, until late that night. My guys went upstairs without me, kind enough to leave me be. And smart enough. I was well into my cups when they left, and I don't think I would have been fun to deal with.
