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After a while, the centaur leader said, “It is pointless to imagine what ifs.”
“Not,” Ere said crisply with a weighty pause, “if you have a different ruler who set different rules.”
He looked pointedly in Andros’ direction.
Chiron and the other centaurs looked as well.
So did Divina, though she never needed an excuse to look at Andros. But since he was angry with her, she would take this opportunity like everyone else.
On cue, Andros nodded regally.
“If you follow me, accept me as your king instead of Ixion, I will make it so. All males will be able to have the Mates of their choosing.”
He flicked a glance in her direction, though he didn’t meet her eyes.
“As long as the female chooses him in return.”
Divina couldn’t stifle the sigh of happiness that burst out of her.
He listened to her! He heard what she was saying! He was championing her point of view. Which, of course, was therightpoint of view, but still.
This was a barbaric people from an untamed land. Andros didn’t have to agree with her. Most men of this time, she was certain, wouldn’t. Butterflies swarmed her belly at the fact that Androsdid.
“Starting with these virgins we’re about to collect from Thessaly,” Ere interjected once more.
“I must warn you, the humans there won’t stand idle this time as you attend the Rite. There will be armed soldiers.”
“Then we will triumph against them as we have in the past and teach them another lesson,” Chiron huffed.
“No,” Andros said, his low voice rumbling in its thunderous finality.
“There will be no bloodshed.”
Chiron turned to glower at him.
“You heard what the human said. They are preparing to fight us. Either you stand with us or against. Make your choice.”
Andros met the other male’s steely gaze unflinchingly.
“I am with you. But I am not against them. Pledge your allegiance to me; I will not lead you astray. We will win the women fairly. They will choose to come with us. And peace will be maintained with the humans. Then, general, you and this first battalion of centaurs will storm the Pelion mountains with me to take back the rule from Ixion the usurper, so that the bloodline of Centaurus will reign once more.”
Divina held her breath at the end of Andros’ speech as she looked around the hall.
The centaurs looked at each other, snorting and huffing, murmuring beneath their breaths.
Until finally, Chiron held Andros’ gaze once more.
“If you keep your promise, then so be it.”
He inclined his head, and the rest of the centaur warriors followed.
“We will follow your lead. Andros, son of Apollo, bloodline of the mighty Centaurus.”
~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~
After a light repast for the humans, when the group disbanded to settle for the night in their respective stalls, Divina tried to follow Sorin and Ere to wherever they were going. Since she knew better than to follow any of the centaurs.
Until Ere said firmly with a narrow-eyed look, “Sorry, princess. You’re not coming with us. We need our privacy to put our freak on, if you know what I mean. And while other men might invite you as a third wheel, the sugary filling in our meat sandwich, I’ll never be one of them.”
