"Dinner did not go well," I admit. "In fact, some of the leaders think the only way to stop a war before it begins is to…" This is harder to say than I expected.
"Is to what?" Atlas tips my chin upward.
"Bastian needs my blood to open the portal. If I'm no longer alive then – "
Absolute wrong thing to say. Fire rages in Atlas' eyes. "Who suggested that?"
I swallow hard. "Astrea Talay."
Eris leaps to her feet. "She wants the leaders to agree to kill you? What the fuck?"
"Did anyone else agree with her idea?" Nyx folds his arms across chest, ready to go to battle for me if I so much as ask.
"No," Ronan interjects. "When she double downed on her idea, the entire room erupted."
"Well." That's not the entire truth. "The entire room didn't erupt over the idea of me being murdered."
Ronan huffs, rolling his eyes. "Fine. Everything went to shit when I told Astrea Talay her suggestion was the worst fucking idea I'd ever heard."
Eris' mouth drops. "You said that? To her face?"
"Yeah," he growls. "And I'd do it again. No offense, Eris, but your mother is a bitch."
"No offense taken." She slips her arm around Finn's when he joins our family circle in the foyer.
"Thrane told me even if I died, it wouldn't stop Bastian and Vesper from figuring out a new way to open the portal," I explain. "They could kidnap a Dwarf engineer or Professor Riggs with his knowledge to craft a new one." Even though I don't really believe it, I say, "I'm not the only solution to their problem. I'm the most convenient."
"You didn't consider going along with this insane plan, did you?" Atlas' question sets my skin on fire. How can I look him inthe eye and tell him the truth? I suppose that's part of being in a relationship. Honesty. Even if it hurts.
"I considered it."
My friends chime in all at once with their protests and I'm not sure who to address first.
"Stop!" I yell and silence the room. "I don't want to die, but I would be selfish if I didn't consider all our options."
"You dying is not on the table," Atlas growls, balling his hands into fists at his side.
I slide my hand up his cheek. "I am no longer safe."
"To be fair," Nyx reclines against the wall, "you weren't safe before tonight."
"Now, I'm no longer safe amongst our allies," I clarify, repeating Thrane's words. "I'll need to keep my wits about me. And I will need you all to watch my back."
"Someone will be with you at all times," Ronan decrees, very much sounding like a king commanding his troops. "We won't give anyone a chance to do something stupid. Understood?"
Everyone nods in agreement, no argument from them. I swipe a tear threatening to slide down my cheek. This. This is my family and I'm grateful they're willing to do whatever it takes to keep me safe. I know if and when it comes down to it, I will do the same for them.
"Well, I don't know about any of you," I shrug off my jacket and hang it on the coat rack, "I am exhausted." My eyes flick to Atlas. "Help me out of this dress?"
His face softens. I have successfully calmed the beast. He scoops my hand in his and tugs me toward the stairs. "Gladly."
"I think I'm ready for bed too, Finn," Eris rests her head on Finn's shoulder and he doesn't need to be told twice.
"Goodnight, boys," Finn follows us toward the staircase.
"Is everyone a couple now?" Nyx barks a laugh.
"You jealous?" Eris bounces her brows playfully.
