“I’m listening,” Izzy muttered. She didn’t sound happy about it.
“Tell him you’ll consider his proposal, if and only if he brings the titans to our sidefirst. He can tell them whatever he wants, that you’re married and he’s king and general, whatever he has to. But you’ll only entertain his requestafterthe titans are on our side.”
“So… he lies his ass off?” She sighed. “And… if he pulls it off, then… I marry him? Give him our armies?”
I gave a deep rumbling growl-sigh. I didn’t like either of those propositions coming to fruition. But I also couldn’t deny the truth that without the titans we’d most likely lose this war.
“We’d have to come up with some… controls. Perhaps some sort of ruling council which can overrule the king? It’s not a bad idea, even for the future, to prevent tyrants.” I’d just come up with that, but I liked the idea. “And that council could have a say over how our armies are utilized as well. Bayn would be king and commander, but he’d not have complete control.”
Because an army of titans… a part of me was terrified they’d turn on us once this fight was over. But then… if they were following Bayn as their true leader, then it all came down to him, what he’d do.
And I had a sneaking suspicion he’d not turn on us. Something in how he’d looked at Izzy — and how he’d tensed when she’d gotten close — made me think… he wanted Izzy for more than just political reasons. Perhaps Izzy had affected him the same way she’d imprinted herself onto my life… and Vyns’… and the others.
Wouldn’t that be wild?
But if anyone could sway a titan, it was Izzy. She was… Perfection.
“You’re probably right,” Izzy sighed and released me, looking up, an edge of darkness still dimming her brilliant sea-green eyes. “So logical and intelligent. Thank you, Koar.”
My pride swelled.
I could be more than a protector and lover. I would be an adviser and confidante as well.
“We should probably get back,” she said, blowing out a breath.
I put my arm around her, and she leaned on my shoulder as we left the auditorium.
Rook found us and joined us as we made our way back to Izzy’s new residence. He caught us up on the discussion which had happened in the auditorium after we’d left. Mostly it had been Lhorine bringing people around to what needed to be done.
After a while I tuned the incubus out to focus on my own thoughts.
Izzy had praised me for my logic and level-headedness,maybe I could use some of that to figure out my dilemma around how to protect her while being with her?
The fact that we’d been together and the world hadn’t fallen apart around us — other than the declaration of a war we’d known was coming — gave me hope.
Izzy had joked about the curse being lifted… and maybe she was right? I’d given her my full attention, and no one had died. And… in the future, with all of the guys in Izzy’s orbit… it wasn’t like there wouldn’t be others to keep watch when Izzy and I were together. And if they did, and something happened… it wasn’t like I wouldn’t be battle-ready at a moment’s notice. I needed no weapon, no armor. I was as powerful naked as any other time.
So…
What was the problem?
The problem was… despite all of that, Talmarion and his family had still died on my watch. I hadn’t been with Talmarion when the assassins came. Though… I had been with Mynrial… and perhaps she’d only died because I’d left her side to help her parents?
Huh.
Did that mean the problem wasn’t me being distracted, but… distance? I wasn’t close enough to Talmarion to save him, and Mynrial had died because I’d left? If that was the case, the answer was simple: never leave Izzy’s side. As long as I was with her, near her, then I could protect her.
That felt too simple to be the answer, but… maybe…?
Either way, I vowed to stay by Izzy’s side through whatever may come.
IZZY
As Koar,Rook, and I reached my new swanky residence, a large woman was coming out.
The reverence with which Koar bowed to her made me think she must be someone special.
“Spirit Master,” Koar addressed the woman. “How is Vyns?”
