I wanted to believe the Blood Treaty still meant something. That the peace I died to protect was still possible. Otherwise, everything was for naught. And I wasn’t ready to give up yet. The more people we convinced to join us, the stronger the treaty became. It was one of the reasons I wanted to see the covens of the Lawless Lands brought together.
But Claire didn’t need to be caught in the middle of my vows. I shouldn’t beallowing it.
A chair pushed back. Then came Claire’s voice. “There might be an island where logic reigns, but how long will that last? When will they come for it, too?”
No one said anything.
“The Duke stands for tolerance and acceptance. He fights for it with every fiber in his being. And that’s the kind of future I want. A place where people aren’t turned into weapons or forced to run from their homes. And if that means I need to walk through shadows, then I’ll trudge through the dark. If that means I need to spill blood, I will face my fear of it. If it means I need to learn the ways of demons, then I will walk all the way to the Underworld if I have to. Whatever needs to be done to end this. Because I’m done letting other people decide my future.”
It was quiet for a long time. I battled with myself, fighting against my desire to open the door and take her into my arms. I wanted to protect her from her own bravery.
And where it would lead her.
“I hate that you’re right,” Tansy said courageously. “There’s a reason why we all met. And I think it’s because you’re supposed to help her, Devlinn.”
Help her with what?
“Just so we’re all on the same page,” Devlinn replied, “we’re saying no to the drinks and the rum and the sun to hunt werewolves?”
Tansy let out a humorless chuckle. “Yes. That’s what we’re saying.”
“Well, I’d follow you anywhere,” he responded.
I might’ve called Devlinn’s vow pathetic before I knew what it was to love Claire, but now I understood. When you loved someone, truly loved them, there was nothing you wouldn’t do for them.Nothing.
I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes, fighting the guilt churning in my stomach.
“If we do this, it can’t be tonight,” Devlinn explained. I straightened. Clearly, I’d missed something important before arriving. “It must be under the new moon, when Diana’s influence is the weakest, and the veil between the Underworld and ours is the thinnest. The next one is in two days.”
“We’ll already be in the Lawless Lands. The Duke intends to ride tomorrow,” Claire said.
I wrenched open the door, startling the two consorts. “Your Grace!” Devlinn rushed to say. The two struggled to their feet, Devlinn tripping over a chair as he did, then fumbling into a bow. Claire pushed out of her chair slowly.
Without breaking eye contact with my wife, I said, “You are dismissed.”
Each of them kissed Claire’s cheek, said goodbye, and exited the tea room. When the door was closed and we were alone, Claire set her hands on her hips. “Why am I not surprised that you were listening?”
“I told you I’d give you three minutes with your consorts if I required your company. I was generous and gave you four.”
Claire raised a brow. “And what do you require?”
It was hard to stand across from her and not go to her. Not touch her. Hold her. But she was still angry with me, and I had to stop being so selfish when it came to her.
My gaze settled on the cut across her brow. I loved her with every ounce of my heart, but I was bad for her. In every way. She should run. As far and as fast as she could.
“Your consorts wanted you to leave with them.”
“So what of it?”
The image of that little baby flashed in my mind. Everything about me, even my child, threatened her.
I opened our connection. I needed her to feelmy words, not just hear them.“The war wouldn’t spread that far south, not in your lifetime,” I admitted. “And if you wished to leave with Tansy and Devlinn?—”
“No,”Claire interrupted.
“I’d offer you money and an escort to take you all the way to the Isles of Markal. I’d sign a contract stating you’re still under my service so as not to trigger the conditions of your necklace. You could get far away from me and all of this.”
By the time I was done, I was breathing heavily. I wanted to tear the fangs from my mouth. Wishing I could be a different man. A better one. One who could board a boat and go with her. One that hadn’t sacrificed my life and afterlife to preserving an ancient treaty that no one seemed to care about anymore, save for those of us who were there.
