My lovers didn't argue, just gave Vex a series of heavy looks before fading down to the arrival chamber.
“Thank you for the presents,” I said.
“Are we all right?” Vex asked.
“Well, I guess we have to be. You basically said I was an asshole if I didn't forgive you.”
Vexen's full lips twitched. “I sort of did. Sorry. But you will be an asshole if you don't forgive me.”
I chuckled. “You may be right about that. But only about that.”
“Oh?”
“I could possibly have been showing off a little in front of your clan because they angered me. I will admit that. But if you know so much about me, then you should have known that there is no way I would stand there, doing nothing while a man I'mdating faces a pack of hostile Ladrin without me. I'm not that guy. I'm the guy who stands beside you, Vex. Never behind.”
Vex blinked. Frowned. Then his expression went clear. “Shit. I hadn't thought of it like that.”
“You seem more surprised than you should.”
“I may have obsessed over our fight a little these last couple of days.” He grimaced. “I thought I had looked at it from every angle. But that's something I didn't consider.” He shook his head. “And it's the most obvious.” He sighed. “I'm sorry, Ember. I was treating you like a love interest and not a wraith lord. There I was, telling my clan that you were a powerful wraith lord, while I forgot what that meant. Lords don't stand down and they certainly don't let others fight their battles.”
“Thank you. Apology accepted.”
“However.”
“Ugh! Don't ruin it with a ‘however.’”
“I have to.” Vex took my hand. “However, you don't know me at all if you think that I would take you to my home and not defend you. You were my guest, and they are my people. It was a delicate situation, and I asked you to stand down. You didn't.”
“I disagree. I didn't attack them. I see that as standing down.”
“It wasn't. Not to me. But how about we learn from this and move forward? I'm a Ladrin, Ember. A tiger. We defend and nurture. Part of what I need in a relationship is a lover who will allow me to take care of them. Be that by providing food, pleasure, or shelterorby protecting them. I need to feel as if I'm contributing to your care. Can you give me that? I know you'restrong. That's not hard for you. But I'm asking you to be weak for me. Just a little.”
“Weak for you,” I whispered, thinking of my breakdown the night before. “Does that mean I have to forget the bad shit and focus only on happiness? Because I see that as weak. Strength is when you can acknowledge the bad and persevere anyway.”
“I know, Ember. And I do know that you've been strong for us. You're trying. I shouldn't have said that to you. I want you to feel whatever you have to feel, and I want you to know that you can feel it with me. If you need to cry, I will hold you until your tears dry up. I will comfort you, but I won't try to stop you from purging the sorrow. You're right. No one can focus on positive things all the time.”
“No, they can't. And I'm not a martyr just because I get sad. Nor am I automatically a hero when I'm ignoring my sadness.”
“I know. Again, I'm sorry I said those things.”
I sighed. “It was hard to hear that shit from you. I hear it enough in my head.”
“Aw, Ember.” Vex grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. “We are both wrong about that. I was angry and didn't think before I spoke. Please, forgive me.”
I spoke into his chest.
“What was that?” Vex grinned as he eased back.
“I said, all right. You're forgiven. And I'm sorry I yelled at you.”
“I deserved it.”
I stared at him for a long moment, then said, “Those are my favorite sweets—the custard buns and strawberry candy.”
Vex grinned. “I'm the creepy watcher, remember?” He waggled his brows at me.
“You really are. But I think I'm all right with that.” I grabbed the braids that hung on either side of his face and pulled him into a kiss.
