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She narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm almost afraid that was a compliment."
He resisted a smile. "How you view it is your own affair. Now, writing down the contract for me to pick apart is one thing, but we need to figure out a plan in case he knows about your magical abilities."
"Why? It's all conjecture at this point. And I would think me learning how to use my magic would be more important."
"Yes, controlling your magic is important. But from what little I know about time-wielders, there are certain people you can't move through time, right?"
She bobbed her head. "I think so."
"And what if your siblings end up being one of those? Just because they aren't someone to be written about in a history book yet doesn't mean they couldn't be one day. And if so, your only option to save them may be to go to the future." He paused and asked something he'd neglected thus far. "And your time—what year is it?"
She sat up a bit taller, almost as if braced for him to dismiss her. Something which, he guessed, had happened often in her life. Anger rushed through him at the bastards, but he focused on her reply. "I'm from the twenty-first century—2022 to be exact."
His first thought was why fate couldn't have let him wait until 2022 to find her. Surely by then he'd be set up more securely to take care of and protect not only his family, but those under his rule as well.
However, he pushed the grumble aside. He couldn't change the past or future, and he'd rather use his energy to help his bride. "Most would think you mad to say you're from the future, but my cousin's husband came from the twentieth century, back when I was a child. It was before the last known time-wielder died, and she helped my cousin end her one-hundred-and-fifty-year-long frozen state."
"Nora mentioned something about knowing a person. I didn't realize it was a cousin."
He shrugged. "A distant one, given how long she'd been alive." He paused and added without thinking, "I sometimes envy her long life."
"Why?"
He glanced over at her, thinking how strange it was to be having this conversation. Not just because of the topic, but also because Leo didn't like opening up to people. That only invited others to use weaknesses against someone, like his father had with him and his siblings when they were children.
And yet with Yesenia, he couldn't seem to help it. He'd blame his bride instinct for his actions. "East London was a dangerous place until roughly a decade ago. I want to ensure it remains peaceful, long after I'm gone, and there's much to be done." She opened her mouth as if to ask for more, but Leo needed to stop her. He couldn't keep spilling things to a female he barely knew. "But enough about me. We need to focus on how to protect your siblings. The more you share, the more we can strategize."
She searched his gaze, her expression wary. "Why are you being so supportive all the sudden? No more deals to fuck me faster, and all that?"
He straightened his waistcoat. "I may be a bastard at times, but I'm not about to ignore the fact my bride needs some assistance."
Her frown deepened. "I still don't understand this about-face in your attitude."
Leo could brush it off and use arrogance to distract her.
And yet, for some reason, he wanted her to know why he wanted to help her, and for more than a claiming. "I know what it's like to be powerless to help a sibling in need. You may have noticed how Nora never leaves this building. The story isn't a happy one, but let's just say I couldn't save her when she needed it. And no one deserves to watch a sibling they care for be in danger, let alone be scarred for life." The skepticism still didn't leave her expression. He decided to throw some of what she'd expect from him into the mix since it wasn't a lie. "Besides, if word spreads about how I couldn't protect my bride or her family, everyone would doubt my strength and ability to lead, opening me to attack."
She bobbed her head. "Yes, I imagine it would make you look weak. That makes sense."
A small voice inside his head hated that she thought that would be the only reason for him to help her. But if it worked and earned her cooperation, he'd take it.
After all, he didn't need a bride in his life forever; she would be a huge fucking chink in his armor in the long run. Bloody hell, she already was, to some degree, given how he'd have to negotiate more with Khan so the fae witch ruler would assist her. However, helping her in the short term would only get her out of his life faster.
Yes, that was what he was doing. He refused to think it was his protective instincts or anything else he didn't want to acknowledge.
After the longest few beats of his life, she finally sighed. "Let's say I accept your help—what can you do?"
"I'll provide whatever you need to learn your magic and how to harness it. And once you're able to bring your siblings here, all of you can stay with me until you figure out your next move."
She cleared her throat. "And I imagine you want more sex in exchange for helping me?"
Before he could stop it, he growled. "I don't plan to make you a whore, Yesenia. All I ask for is the claiming we already agreed upon before you finally leave and start your future."
Although if she ever wanted more, he wouldn't be against it.
Stop.Leo didn't need a relationship of any kind to complicate his life.
She said softly, "I won't abandon you and let you go crazy."
