Xaydin put his hand on his sword as he slowly approached the door.
To his shock, Gisela placed her hand over his. “You know I can’t let you kill theaþaswere.”
He paused to look down at her. “I don’t want to fight you, Gisela. Don’t make it come to that.”
“You know I have no choice.”
“Yes, you do. You don’t have to go back to your queen. She can’t touch you here.”
Gisela’s heart stopped at something she’d never considered before.
In that moment, she felt stupid for the fact she’d never thought of it.
But he was right. She didn’t have to go back. She was free. Her mother couldn’t touch her here.
Terror filled her. The thought of giving up what she knew…living among strangers…
You have no friends at home. No real family.
True. Her mother had killed her own brother and Gisela’s half-brother. Meara had no attachment to anyone other than herself.
Only Brant held her loyalty, and he didn’t care what place they called home.
So, why was she doing this? To curry favor with a mother who barely spoke to her? It wasn’t like this would suddenly cause Meara to grow a conscience or motherly love.
Most likely, she wouldn’t even say thanks or good job.
Masakage shook his head. “You’ve stunned and confused her, brother.”
Xaydin couldn’t agree more. Her eyes betrayed her inner war.
Wanting to ease it, he turned toward her. “You are fearless. Brave. Intrepid. Throw off the chains Meara has used to cripple you. For once in your life, live.”
How simple he made it seem.
But was it that simple? The Thirteen Kingdoms were vast. She could easily hide, and she had the skills to make sure no one ever dragged her back to Thassalia.
How horrible that the thought of walking into an unknown future was more frightening than returning to the misery she knew awaited her at home.
Did everyone feel this way?
Xaydin gently lifted her chin until she stared into his dark eyes. “I have all faith in you. Change your destiny, Gisela. It’s not easy. But better for you to change it yourself than allow someone else to take control and force it upon you. Think about it. You could be free of Meara forever.”
He was right. And it was terrifying.
“Meara promised me my freedom if I protected him.”
“And you believe her? You really think once you return home she’ll just let you go?”
She wanted to say yes. But he was right.
Gisela knew her mother better than anyone. Meara wasn’t a creature anyone could trust. The only reason she hadn’t broken her alliance with Dash was because of this contract.
Even then, she’d actually tried. While Dash had been out, seeking his sister’s murderer, Meara had “invaded” his lands by saying he’d assisted the rebels who’d been trying to overthrow her. A technicality that she was lucky hadn’t already called down the wrath of anaþaswereon her.
“Let’s see thisaþaswere, and then I’ll let you know my decision.” That was the best she could do at present.
Changing one’s destiny wasn’t an easy thing, and it shouldn’t be decided on a whim. And definitely not under pressure.
