Essen continued speaking. “We present these positions to you tonight to give you time to think about them,” she explained. “Tomorrow, after you’ve rested and reflected, we will meet again. At that time, we would like you to either accept the offers or, if you wish, propose your own requests to us. You can ask for any job and any compensation, and if it’s in our power to grant it to you, we will.”
Deckard met Evylin’s hopeful gaze. Their offer seemed both impossible and incredible. The Alliance was presenting an opportunity for them to have everything they desired. Any future they wished for was laid out before them.
A short gasp of disbelief escaped Deckard.
“We can have anything we want?” Thom asked in amazement.
“Unless there are any questionable or disreputable petitions you may possess,” Dudleye stated, followed by a chuckle shared with the majority of the ministers. “We shall make every effort to approve and fulfill all of them.”
“Anything?” Ethenn asked. “If we didn’t want what you just offered and instead said...I don’t know—that we wanted to move to Schon, would you let us?”
Another chuckle. “We would.”
“We could go home?” Deckard asked, finally finding his voice. “We could return to our lives before and walk away from all of this; you wouldn’t stop us?”
“You could, and we wouldn’t.”
Deckard leaned back in his seat.
Everything was in front of them. Every option they could ever come up with was within their grasp.
He could return to his former life. He could abandon his role as a Mage. He could become a soldier and build the family he’d always envisioned with Evylin by his side. This time, she could also be a soldier. They could reside in their home in Loclight, spending more than just a few nights there. They could explore together. Serve alongside each other.
Or they could explore the world like she’d always intended with Ryen. They could sail the five seas, see all that Terraeus had to offer, and become legends worth five hundred tales.
And at last, Deckard would fulfill his promise to Hewitt. He would give Evylin the life she’d dreamed of.
The life she’d always deserved.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
The door shut behind their troop with a softthump. Thom didn’t know how to feel. Their offer was incredible and exciting, and their requests were heartening and gratifying.
Yet, standing in the stone corridor with his brother, Evylin, their friends, and the woman he was coming to realize he loved, Thom found himself immeasurably disappointed. The night had come, shrouding them all in darkness, lit only by the gentle golden-amber glow of oil lamps mounted on the columned walls. It was as though the world was reflecting the inner turmoil inside Thom. Hope and dejection.
The Alliance presented him with a thrilling dream job and the opportunity to have anything he desired (within reason). Yet, they wanted Brea to marry a Mage; they’d even given her a choice of whom. And she’d already told him she would accept.
“It is my burden to carry on with my promise to the Alliance.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that, Brea.”
“It’s all I have left.”
But it wasn’t all she had.
She could havehim.
Following behind the others as they meandered absently down the hall, Thom nearly scoffed at the thought. And yet,what could he offer Breata Lohen, the most impressive, strong, and intelligent woman he knew? She was magical. He was not. She would live another century. He would likely die within half that time. She was destined for greatness and a soul-deep connection. He could offer her nothing but mundanity and meager affection.
“So,” Ethenn said, breaking the silence and Thom’s disdainful thoughts, “that is...” He didn’t finish the sentence, scratching the back of his head.
Ilain immediately brushed down the hair he’d mussed. “It is exciting,” she said decisively, though she didn’t sound convinced herself. “We can all take the next day to consider our futures. In the meantime,” she grabbed her husband’s hand, “I’d like to dance.”
Though Ethenn gave her a disgruntled look at the thought, Thom grasped onto the idea. “Almighty, yes,” he said. “We should certainly join the party. I could use a drink right about now.”
Though Vayden and Brea offered amused chuckles, Thom noticed that neither Deckard nor Evylin showed any sign they’d heard the discussion around them. In the shadowy hall, they stood side by side, holding hands and gazes, locked in some silent conversation.
“You two all right?” Thom asked, taking a step closer.
