“You and you.” General Ranor pointed at two lords. “Stand guard at opposite ends of the village. The rest of you, get back to the citadel.”
“General—” Nex started to protest.
“They can return in an instant, Nex. And I am staying to go over a defense plan with you.” The General waved toward the orphanage. “Fress has just become a priority.”
I followed the motion of his hand to see windows and the front doorway full of faces. Human faces. The humans of Fress were skittish now, and that wasn't a bad thing. They'd been attacked and imprisoned by the Corrupter. They'd been corrupted. That gave them a good reason to be afraid. And they were both safer and more in jeopardy than other humans because of their association with me.
Despite that, none of them stared at me with anger or resentment. Instead, they nodded supportively. The kids even waved. I waved back, feeling honored to know these resilient people. I'd been denied friendships with them before, but tragedy had given me a second chance. I needed to end this war for them and all the other people on Varr.
Especially Aranren.
As Nex went inside with Evina and the General, two lords went to their posts, and the other lords faded back to the citadel, I offered Vex a choice.
“Would you like it to be just you and me?”
Vexen's brows rose. “As opposed to?”
“All of us together,” Rath said. “It's the only way to settle the bond between us. You can start with just you and Ember, but you'll have to finish with us later. Or we can all join at once. It's up to you.”
“That's assuming that a bond forms,” Vex said.
I let my heart rise into my eyes and said, “It will.”
Vex went still. Absolutely still. Not even breathing. Then he blinked. “You're sure?”
I nodded. “Even if it doesn't happen right away, I know it will. But I think it will happen right away.”
Vexen chuckled. “What changed?”
“When I had a moment of relief, I was able to see things clearly, and I knew. I felt it.”
His expression softened. “Then let's have this first time to ourselves.” He held out his hand. “Can I take you to my home?”
“Are you sure that's a good idea?” I took his hand.
“No one will bother us. If they do, I'll make them regret it.”
I beamed at him. “Then take me home.”
Vexen pulled me into an embrace. As he did, I looked over my shoulder at my lovers. They weren't smiling, but they looked hopeful. Vex would be the last. He had to be. We were so close to capturing Death. All we needed was enough time for me to cast the spell properly and a little more power to fuel it. One more man should do tricks. Or whatever the fuck Fire had said.
And then Vex took me home.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Say it.”
We had just arrived in Vexen's main living area, before the cold fireplace. I had barely gotten my bearings. But I'd been expecting this.
Still in his arms, I looked up at Vex and said, “I love you, Vexen. I'm in love with you.”
His handsome face broke into a grin, full lips thinning slightly as they spread, and then the braids at his temples were sliding forward with the motion of his head. Those soft lips met mine.
There was more to Vexen's kiss now. More passion, more possession, more intensity, and a touch of triumph. His fingertips dug into my back, kneading my muscles as he pulled me closer. I was impatient, but I also wanted to take it slow. We had all the time in the world. All right, we didn't, but it felt like that when Vexen's tongue teased mine. I wanted to kiss him all night.
But I wanted other things as well.
Vex broke our kiss to demand, “Say it again.”
