He started to push up on his elbows, but I splayed my hand against his chest, stopping him. “You might change your mind with what I am about to tell you.”
The soft playfulness receded from his expression, but his eyes never left mine. “All right.”
I sat up, and his gaze dipped to my breasts.
“If you’re about to argue with me, I have already lost, and you can have anything you wish.”
I laughed. “That’s all it takes? Me being topless?”
He looked as if I were insane and nodded. “I am but a weak man for you, akrai.”
“Good to know,” I said with a smile, leaning forward and reaching for my top.
He reached out to stop me. “No, please continue. I’ll pay attention.”
I couldn’t help my snort, but I did drop my top. “I still think we need to find Gathrriel’s chalice,” I said.
Samkiel didn’t say anything for a second. He licked his lips and stared at me thoughtfully before asking, “Why?”
“Eat me out if I’m wrong,” I said. Samkiel tossed his head back, laughing in shocked amusement. He wasn’t going to like any of this, and I needed to phrase this in a way that he’d not immediately shut me down, and humor was a great tool. “Looking at this from a completely objective point of view, if this doesn’t work, the assassins and so forth, we need more strength. We do not have an army, and while we are collectively strong, we need one. Nismera is already a force. She is beyond powerful, both within herself and with those she leads. Even with the damage we did to her fleet, I have a feeling that it only enraged her more. If we can find the chalice, maybe it can give me a boost, something that will help us.”
“Dianna.”
“I’m not saying you’re not strong and capable, but going in with just brute strength will cost you the lives you swore to protect. Lives that deserve more than what they have been left with. I know I haven’t always been the paragon of peace, but I’m trying to do right by you, by Gabby. And I know she wouldn’t want war.”
I thought he’d argue more. Fight me a little bit on it, but instead, he smiled and pushed up to claim my lips. His kiss destroyed me and then put me back together, as always. It was one of my favorite things. I could kiss Samkiel until I died and be happy. I pulled back, and the gods should have rewarded me for my strength.
“What was that for?” I asked, my breath coming in soft pants.
“I love you,” he said, mimicking my earlier words. “I don’t think I tell you enough.”
I licked my lips, chasing his taste still, and his eyes followed the movement. “So that’s it? No fighting?”
“If this doesn’t work, then yes, we go in search of the chalice.”
“Really?” I pulled back, half in shock and still unsure if I’d heard him right. “We need a backup plan, assassins or not,” I added. “Plus, I still have this nagging feeling that whatever Gathrriel was trying to tell us may be of help.”
“Of course, akrai. I trust your instincts, and I think you are right. I am on board as long as I go with you. We could use all the help we can get.” He stretched before sitting up. “The challenge is going to be that we don’t even know where his cavern or that chalice is.”
“True.” I turned, glancing at the setting sun. “I guess we need to find that, too.”
He sighed. “One thing at a time.”
Laughter drifted to us on the wind, but I could hear it fading as people started to pack up. The day was fun, but the setting sun proved it could not last forever.
I looked back at him to find his gaze already on me. “We protect the city,” I said. “No matter what.”
“Of course,” was all he said.
“There needs to be a safe haven for people to come if war happens. We pissed Nismera off, and whether she makes a move now or in weeks, there needs to be a place that she cannot reach them.”
“I agree.”
“Maybe later we can practice what you did with Oblivion in the Otherworld,” I said. “Make a shield around our home. A barrier.”
He nodded, and I saw the look of determination on his face. I knew my man, and he’d do anything to make it happen.
“We can start tomorrow,” he said. “We’ll all need to get back to training regularly since we are here, anyway. Enemies far and wide haven’t taken a day off, and I fear we mustn’t either.”
