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Something flipped in my belly, my insides going liquid to hear him speak such perfect words.
Where was the general who allowed children to be beaten by instructors, and sisters to be lonely for their brothers? Who was this man, who assured I was educated and prepared, who had kept me safe?
He did not seem at all the same as the person I hated and feared for so long.
How would I reconcile the sentiment knocking at my breast? Awed, I looked at him with gratitude. “Thank you.”
Dignified and tender, he cupped my cheek. “You never need to thank me for taking care of you.” To his friends, he said, “You will respect my mate’s decision. Do not trouble her on this topic again.”
“Wait!” The voice was Thayer’s, my attention pulled from warm green eyes to find the massive general stepping out of the shadows.
I could not fathom how a man so large could have possibly concealed himself so well, but he emerged from the dark, clearly having been eavesdropping.
Golden and eager, he wasted no time rushing forward to be heard. “I do agree to your terms, Lorieyn. Tell Maeve anything you wish her to know. When I come for her after graduation, I want her to appreciate that her happiness is my greatest concern.”
If that were fully true, he would wait until Maeve chose him in return. But one small victory was better than two great failures. It might be the best I could ever do for my friend.
Relief that not everything had been shot to hell, I quickly nodded my agreement. “Thank you, General Thayer. I will tell her that you were willing to do what is best for her. Unlike these men, who would only consider your mate’s wellbeing if they were paid for it.”
General Boreal was unhappy with the insult, frowning as he looked me over. “Lorieyn, you are asking us to go against thousands of males and five hundred years of custom, with no assurances it will not cause a great deal of trouble. We do not know if this would improve the lives of women at all.”
I was not a fan of confrontation; I never had been. But I was more than willing to stand up for what was right. “Afraid the women will refuse the list if they learn there is no freedom, no matter their sufferings through academy life? If you cannot entice a female without tricks, you do not deserve one. Things have been too easy for males for too long. All the while, females were trapped with the burden of your inattention. I will not let my children suffer the same.”
Hands before him as if that might cool my temper, Aegir said, “Let’s be reasonable.”
I had been reasonable. I had even been hopeful. Now, I was just exhausted. “What makes you think you are better than the humans who created us to die for them? Why do you think hybrid women refuse to produce children? The expectations you impose on them are cruel. Even once during this conversation, did you consider what it would mean for my child to be born simply for your gratification? Any daughter I bear will suffer the loss of her mother. She will suffer the academy. She will suffer three men who desperately want her song to soothe their own urges. Men who will stalk her days and control her life as much as they are able. She will suffer one of you stealing her away. How could you expect me to do that to my own baby? Speak to the women here. Let them hold up a mirror and show you what you are. Until you take a good, hard look, don’t speak to me on this topic again.”
General Murdoch went from smirk to sneer. “And do not expect one of us will be moved without a female child growing in your womb.”
12
It was not until the door closed, locking us away in Cyderial’s home, that I finally felt free to state my failure. “That did not go well at all.”
Three generals demanded I birth a female child. Thayer irritated I had been carted off before he might pepper me with questions about Maeve. As it was, the golden general could change his mind at any moment.
My irritation at the outcome was now pointed at the man who escorted me away.
At my scowl, he caught my chin, pressing a kiss to my frown. “Peace, Lorieyn. It went far better than you think. You’re practically a child compared to their years, and you stood up to each of them. You earned their respect, even if you have yet to realize it.”
“I’m in an impossible position!” And now that we were alone, I was ashamed to feel my lips tremble. “Everyone wants something from me I can’t give, even you.”
He didn’t deny it. “This night was a victory, my love. Wait and see.”
“Will you let me talk to Maeve? We could go to the academy now,” I pled, eyes wide and hopeful.
“In the morning.” His look warned me not to press him. “You need to eat and rest first. Trying to encourage her to submit to Thayer when you are frantic will fail. With that wager you made, everything rides on your ability to persuade her. The generals might be angered you refused them, but they will pay close attention. Eat, sleep, submit, and obey, then go to your friend with a clear mind.”
I cocked a brow, stomach dropping. “Obey?”
He seemed surprised at my reticence. “Your orders. You are now an academy instructor and must behave as one.”
No, he wanted me to obey in another way. Suspicious, I pressed, “You want me to grow pregnant, don’t you?”
He failed to mask his expression before I might notice his obvious desire to see me bred. Looking away, as if it might hide his intentions, he moved toward the kitchen. “Don’t ask me to lie to you.”
This man had sworn he loved me, but such an aspiration was not one of love. It was one of greed. Following him, I vented my frustration. “You would put your mate and child in a position that would cause them both pain? The academy will take her from me!”
“Sit.” Pointing at a seat overlooking his food preparation space, he did not wait to see if I might follow orders. Circling to the other side, he grabbed a knife and some unknown bulb, chopping away while I crept closer.
