Thom smiled at the wonderful woman next to him and spoke before he could second-guess himself. “There would be one benefit to being magical.”
Brea grinned, ready for another joke. “What’s that?”
Thom downed the rest of his wine, let the glassplunkagainst the table, and reached across to draw one of her tight curls free of the others. As if turned to stone, Brea’s dark eyes widened as he ran his fingers over the silky strand.
Thom let his smile drop away to ensure she knew this was no joke at all as he said, “I could have you.”
Brea inhaled deeply as if to speak, but Thom leaned down and kissed her cheek, silencing her. Her skin was warm against his lips, but he didn’t linger. He tucked her curl behind her ear, gently stroked the line of her sharp cheekbone, and withdrew in one smooth motion.
“Goodnight,mi’cara,” he said and left her sitting there alone at the table as he exited the ballroom, laughter and music echoing through the halls around him.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Leaving their friends behind to enjoy the party, Evylin and Deckard walked back through the dark halls of the Aulden Palace. She’d heard someone say during the dinner that they intended to rename it, though they were waiting until the coronation to let the chancellors and commanders determine its final name. A menial-sounding task, but somehow, it carried a weight to it.
The halls were shrouded in a foreboding gloom. Shadows clung to the arched windows and columned walls, broken only by the faint glow of lanterns. Their footsteps reverberated on the stone staircases, with only the rare sound of a casual patrol to break the silence. It was a tranquil night, one that should have brimmed with revelry and joy.
Yet, here they walked, somber and uncertain.
Evylin felt Deckard’s growing agitation throughout the meeting. He was glad to know they served a worthy organization but embittered at having them place responsibility upon him. She wished he could understand....
When they arrived at the Loclight apartment, two new guards opened the doors for them. The parlor was alight with a low-burning fire. She ignored the comfortable space, heading insteadfor the privacy of their room. Whenever Thom, Calyn, and Brea returned, she didn’t want to be in the middle of their debate.
Deckard kept up with her until they stepped into the room. He shut the door, letting her drift deeper into the suite. The attendants had clearly come in to turn down the bed and prepare the room for rest. Low lamplight cast a warm glow over the space. The hearth crackled behind its metal fire screen. The blankets were turned down, and the windows were open to let in the cool night air.
Evylin paced to stand behind one of the settees. The suite was grand, with abundant space. She supposed it was intended for the chancellor and commander of Loclight to have an escape while in Aulton.
Absentmindedly, she kicked off her slippers, letting her toes curl against the plush rug.
Deckard approached, his manner hesitant. “Why are you nervous?” he asked gently.
Realizing that she’d started tugging on her rings, Evylin blew out a half-amused chuckle. “I don’t want to let you down,” she confessed, her voice quiet.
He drew back, eyes narrowed in confusion. “How could you possibly—?”
“This is it, right?” Evylin interrupted. She shrugged, tossing her hands and letting them fall into the folds of her skirt. “You made me a promise: Whatever I asked, you’d do. You offered me the future—whatever future I want. And now, it’s up to me to choose.”
A heartbeat passed as Deckard drew in a long breath. “You know,” he said softly, “whatever our future together, I will be happy knowing that you’re happy. There is no wrong choice.”
Evylin’s lips turned up in a wry, uneasy grin. “Of course, there’s a wrong choice, Jonn. There’salwaysa wrong choice.”
“Not in this case.”
“No?”
“No,” he insisted.
Evylin’s chest constricted with frustration.
Deckard’s brow pinched together. “Why does that answer bother you?” he asked.
“Oh, Jonn.” She dropped her face into her hands. “Because I love you,” she said. “And I want you to be happy too. Thus, theremustbe a wrong choice because if I choose something that you don’t want—”
“Evylin.” He took hold of her shoulders, smiling kindly at her. “My happiness is not tied to my getting my way.”
Feeling the need to push his goodness, to reveal to him his disregard for the obvious, she said, “Then if I told you that my choice was to accept the Alliance’s offer—to become Chancellor and Commander of the Order of the Heavens—you would be fully happy?”
Worry flashed through his eyes, and his demeanor grew unsettled before he could mask his emotions. “Yes,” he lied.
