“I don’t,” I snapped, though my voice sounded more tired than biting. Then I caught myself and forced myself to think of Claire and what I wanted to do for her. For us. For this family I couldn’t get out of my head. “Marius has named you my heir, which means I have a vested interest in you staying alive.”
His brows lifted. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, there will come a time when I’ll need someone to take over for me.”
Tyson cracked a smile. “You’re not trying to make an heir, are you, Uncle?”
My answering growl cut through the cold air. Could he be serious for one minute? Or would I be forced to kill him before I told him what my intentions were? “Don’t test me.”
He raised his hands, palms out, but he was still smirking in a way that made me want to turn around andwalk away. “My apologies.”
I shoved my hands into my pockets to keep from strangling him. “As I was saying, there will come a time when Claire and I will need to leave. And when that day comes, you’ll rule Château Rose. With Natalia’s guidance.”
The smirk faded from his face, replaced by something more serious. It was a look I hadn’t seen on him before. He sat up straighter, brushing the snow from his gloves. An unexpected note of concern tugged his brows together. “If you return to the capital, you’ll have to face Uncle Marius. You’ll have to admit the truth.”
“I know,” I shot back. As if I hadn’t considered the consequences. What did he take me for? A bigger imbecile than he was? I expelled a breath, my shoulders slumping as I took a seat beside him on the frozen log. I tapped the end of my cane into the slush between my feet. “I’m not counting on his mercy.”
Marius had been a Witch of the Light once, just like me. And even though we gave up our allegiances when we made the blood oath to become guardians, I hoped goodwill still flowed between us. If not, and he decided I should die for my lies, then he’d have to fight me to the death. As much as I loved my brother, Claire was my mate, and I’d go to any length to protect her.
After last night, when we’d given in to that fantasy, I’d been considering what it would be like to have a child with Claire. Watching her stomach swell. Listening to our baby’s heartbeat. I’d never thought fatherhood was something I’d get to experience. And while I had my reservations about what the baby would do to her physically, I told myself I would never let harm come to her.
For a blissful moment, Tyson remained silent, and together, we watched the flames dance over the wood. From the flames, I saw Claire pale and lifeless,her strength stolen by the very life she fought to create. The image burned behind my eyes. I didn’t know if it was a premonition or a projection of my own fears.
I’d asked her to be brave, and it was time for me to do the same.
“Is the pull of the matebond really that strong?” Tyson asked.
“Yes. It is.” I clapped a hand on his shoulder and shook him once. “One day, you’ll experience it. And when you do, gods help you, you’ll understand what I mean.”
A smile crept across his lips. “I think I prefer the bachelor life. Maybe I’ll be like you and stay unmated for five hundred years.”
I let out a hollow laugh as I released his shoulder. “If you could be more like me in any way, it would be a blessing from the moon goddess herself.”
His laughter echoed mine, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He was uneasy, and I could feel it. I scooted closer, extending my hand. He hesitated, then clasped it. I pulled him forward. “I’m trusting you, Tyson.”
“I know.”
Perhaps he could see what this was costing me. But I couldn’t trust him to intuit a thing. He had to be told. Explicitly.
“No, you don’t know.” My voice dropped to a rasp. “You could never know what it’s costing me to hand my castle over to you. I never wanted to leave Château Rose. But for Claire, for the life we want to live, I will endure it.”
His eyes widened, but I pressed on. “But hear me now. If you can’t control your stupidity, or you make a decision that hurts the people of Roselyn, I will come for you. And when I do, there will be no law that can protect you. I will make you suffer in ways you can’t imagine. In ways that will have you beggingfor the mercy of a death that will never come. You will be mine to torture until the end of time. Do I make myself clear?”
His bronze skin went slightly pale. “Yes, of course. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything stupid.”
“I hardly believe that.” I released his hand. “But I’m trusting you anyway.”
“I’ll make you proud, Uncle. I swear it. No drinking. No games. No courtly attire. I’ll keep with your traditions. I’ll follow your example. Just maybe not with such a surly look on my face.”
“Good.” The word left my mouth automatically. I studied him for a moment. For the first time, I saw not just the boy he’d been but the man he was becoming. “When you stop trying so hard to act like you know everything, you almost look like someone who could lead.”
His head jerked up. “Almost?”
I couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at my lips. “You’ve got a long way to go, but I see... potential.”
The fire crackled, and he grinned. “High praise coming from you, Uncle. I’ll try not to let it go to my head.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “Try harder.”
