“She needs to know.” He ran a hand through his hair.
Liora crossed her arms more tightly over herself as if bracing against his words. Heat crept up her neck, the kind that came when she felt both angry and strangely hurt at the same time.
“Even if it means leaving her clan,” he continued. “Even if it turns her whole life upside down.”
“That’s exactly the problem!” she snapped. Her voice rose before she could stop it. “She has a home and a family who loves her.”
“And she also has enemies she doesn’t even know about,” he shot back.
“She’ll lose everything if we expose her.”
He shook his head again. “She’ll lose everything if someone finds her first.”
“You don’t know that.” She glared at him.
“And you don’t know she’ll be safe hiding forever.”
She threw up her hands. “You’re asking a child to leave her entire life behind!”
“I’m asking her to survive,” Maldenis said sharply.
Liora’s chest felt tight, and she hated that it felt like this—like they were standing on opposite sides of something neither of them could step back from.
For a moment, they just stared at each other.
Chapter 13
Maldenis
Maldenis dragged a hand through his hair, trying to keep his temper in check.
He felt something twist in his chest at the thought of the calf growing up the way he had—confused, restrained, never understanding what she was capable of. She deserved more than that, deserved the chance to live fully in her power instead of shrinking herself to fit into a life that would never truly be hers.
“So what?” he said. “We just leave? Pretend we didn’t see anything and hope for the best?”
“Yes,” Liora crossed her arms tighter. “If it means she gets to keep her life.”
He stared at her.
“And if that life gets her killed?”
“At least it would beherlife.” Her expression hardened. “Her choice. Not one we forced on her.”
That hit something in him. Choice. He let out a sharp breath, frustration finally breaking through.
“This”—he gestured between them—“this is not going to work out if we keep doing this.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said coldly. “Was I supposed to agree with everything you say?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
He hesitated a second too long. “That you’re letting your feelings get in the way.”
“Wow,” Liora went still.
“You jump into things without thinking.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “It’s like you’d rather feel right than actuallyberight.”
