“Because I wouldn’t be able to live with you trapped here forever.” The words are a rushed whisper, and his eyes meet mine.
I don’t know what I see there. Acceptance? Excitement? Gratitude?
Did he think I was begging for Dane’s life instead of begging for his? Was he expecting me to say because I still had feelings for Dane?
My palms come to rest on his chest, and I push him away. His hands drop from my face and he steps back immediately, a look of confusion coming over him as he watches me cross the room. I walk to the chair with his belt hanging off the side, his scabbard and sword still present since we didn’t go to the armory once we returned. The metal zings as I unsheathe it, moving quickly until I’m standing in front of him again. I extend the hilt toward him, and his head quirks to the side as he wraps his fingers around it.
“You said you swore an oath that you can’t break,” I say. My shoulders settle and I don’t look away as I conjure all the confidence and regality I never once felt worthy of.
“Swear a new one,” I command.
Weston drops to one knee, so fast I barely register it. The point of the sword stabs into the wooden floor as he holds it out in front of him, both hands wrapped around the hilt firmly, his head bowed the same way I had seen every guard recite their pledge in the past.
“I pledge my service to the kingdom of Blackwood,” he starts, the traditional pledge that I have heard so many times in my life, but instead of keeping his head bowed, he lifts his chin, his gaze piercing mine as he pins me to the spot.
“I give my sword.”
I swallow hard, the tension and desire in his face too much.
“My body.”
My heart pounds, the pace rising in my chest as I register that he’s changed the pledge. This isn’t the pledge of loyalty to Blackwood. This isWeston’spledge, his oath tome.
“My life and my heart to my queen.”
My chest heaves and I can’t catch a breath. I just stare into his eyes, using every ounce of strength I have not to throw myself at him before he finishes.
“I swear my loyalty to her, Lennox Holt, and vow to stay by her side in whatever way she will have me, until the breath stills in my lungs.”
His eyes smolder, and the ember within them lights a deep flame, burning me from the inside out.
He clears his throat, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper.
“Long live the queen.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
The proper response is on the tip of my tongue. I know it. I’ve said it countless times.
Blackwood honors your service and loyalty. You may rise.
But I can’t say it, because this isn’t the proper oath.
This is Weston’s oath, his oath to me and only me. Not to our kingdom, not to the throne. This is his promise, his confession.
No words will convey how I feel.
No one in my life has ever cared for and protected me like Weston, who has done anything and everything to make me feel safe, even if I hated him for it.
I eventually grew to love him.
The thought of returning home, of him being my father’s guard, being so close but unable to act on his feelings because of his position, is unthinkable.
So I don’t think about it.
I’ve begged him to stop treating Dawnlin as if we are back in Blackwood, to forget about our titles and duties, and to just be us, so now I’m following my own command.
The sword clatters to the ground as he releases it, catching me as I leap at him and wrap my arms around his neck. Hishands fist in the fabric at my hips, holding me steady, but not letting me get too close.
