“By enteringmy wife,” Lore's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, “you know exactly what you've done.”
Becoming someone else, even for a few days, meant shifting aside the part of me that had only recently returned from near-death. But I’d do it. I’d do worse if it meant saving him.
“We need to do it.” I forced a smile but cold settled deep in my spine.
Lore's hand tightened on mine. “No.”
Both Dorion and I turned to stare at him.
“No?” I was sure he heard the irritation in my voice.
“You're not competing in anything that could get you killed.” His voice was steel wrapped in sikeen, the tone he used when he wasn't negotiating. “I won't lose you, Reyla. Not to save my own life.”
Heat flared in my chest. “This isn’t just your choice to make.”
“The fates it isn't.” He stood abruptly, pacing to the fireplace. “You think I'm going to watch you throw yourself into mortal danger for me?”
“Yes, for you.” I rose to face him. “The same way you'd do for me. Like you did for me not long ago.”
“That's different.”
“How?”
His jaw worked, the muscles ticking beneath the skin. Something raw and desperate flickered in his eyes. “BecauseI can't survive losing you. The curse might kill me, but watching you die would destroy whatever's left of my soul.”
I lifted my chin, staring him down. “It’s the same for me. Don’t think it isn’t.”
Dorion cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should mention that competitors can work in teams?—”
“No teams,” Lore cut him off. “If anyone's competing, it's me. Alone.”
“Absolutely not.” I crossed my arms on my chest. “You're not risking what little of your life remains alone.”
“And you're not risking yours when I just got you back.” His voice cracked on the last word. “Wildfire, please. Let me find another way.”
The anguish in his tone nearly broke my resolve. But we didn't have time.
“There is no other way,” I said softly. “And we both know it.”
He closed his eyes, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. When he opened his eyes again, the look he gave me was pure torment. “I don’t know if I can protect you there.”
“I'd rather face danger with you than safety without you. We face it together, Lore. Always.”
The devastation and acceptance in his gaze nearly made me take it back, but I couldn’t.
“Alright,” he forced through his clenched teeth.
“I will remind you that I don’t need permission for anything I choose to do.” I wanted to make that clear.
“Noted, wife,” he growled.
We’d find a way through this. We had to.
“Bliss, you said?” I asked Dorion. “What kind of name is that?” Though my supposed new name hardly mattered.
“You can blame her mother for that,” Dorion said. “I’vedetained them elsewhere, and they’ll find themselves free and a bit confused once the fete has concluded.”
Lore’s jaw ticked. He didn’t like it, and neither did I, but did we actually have a choice?
