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“I was ten,” I countered.
“Maybe so, but it’s imprinted on my memory. All those things are part of you. And I don’t take issue with any of them.” He moved a step closer so there was only a breath of space between us. “You saved the life of a girl I’ve known since she was a child. But for you, she’d be dead.”
I stared at him. “I thought... after you saw me with her... after what I’d done...”
“No,” he said, the word so simple, so honest, that it loosened the grip of fear around my heart. “And as for last night... I’ve been trying to outthink Cash—to figure out what he might do, how he might try to milk this situation, and how to keep you safe from it. I’m sorry that put distance between us.” He put his hands on his hips. “I guess I didn’t handle the threat to you very well.”
“I guess you didn’t,” I said, still trying to grapple with the new understanding. “I get that you’re alpha, Connor. But so am I. I can fight my own battles. Ilikefighting my own battles.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You didn’t argue when I helped you with the fairies.”
“Helped,” I emphasized. “This wasn’t helping. This was jumping in front of me and taking the hit yourself—not just because of Carlie, but because you’re in line for the throne.”
“He wouldn’t have stopped with you,” Connor said. “He’signoring the destruction of his clan by members of his clan, because he’s decided we’re the enemies.”
“Because of Miranda.”
“Partly,” he said. “And partly because he prefers to believe it. The alternative is admitting what he’s allowed the clan to become. He’s dishonorable, Lis. He’d have called Obsideo even if you’d bested him. I’d prefer you not get hurt along the way.”
I lifted my chin. “That wasn’t your choice to make.”
His gaze bored into me, as if he could see past skin and bone and straight into my soul, into the core of me. “There was no choice. Do you think I would let them lay one finger on you?”
The question was quiet, intense.
“Miranda—,” I began, but he shook his head.
“Do you think I wouldn’t go to war for you?”
I simply had no words, didn’t know what words could be spoken in response to something so staggering.
His eyes turned stormy. “You are a very interesting package, Elisa Sullivan. Even if it took me twenty years to realize it. Last night, you had a hard choice to make, and you made it. You saved Carlie, even though you knew it was breaking the rules, would be risky for her, would be risky for me.” A corner of his mouth nearly lifted. “I can only imagine the mental debate before you did the deed.”
“There were a lot of considerations,” I said quietly.
This time, his smile was big and genuine. “You did the right thing,” he said, and the dregs of the tension slipped away. “But there’s nothing right about what’s happening here. They’re using you because you’re here, because you’re a convenient lightning rod. And that’s wrong. Their problems are my burdens, not yours.”
I saw the misery in his eyes. He’d managed to hide most of it, but he was disappointed in his people, in the chaos they’d allowed, and the pain they’d inflicted.
“You’re wrong about one thing,” I said. “You aren’t here alone,so you don’t have to bear the burdens alone. And not just because we’re...”
“We’re?” he prompted with a crooked smile.
“Dating?” I offered hesitantly.
“Oh, at least,” he said, that grin widening.
“Not just because of that,” I said. “I changed Carlie, and I take responsibility for that. I’m used to fighting my own battles, and I know you are, too. And you did help me with the fairies. So let me help you here.” I took his hand, squeezed it. “This isn’t a fight you have to win on your own.”
I distinctly heard an“Aww”from the patio. “And I’m pretty sure Alexei is eavesdropping, and he also has your back.”
“I’m not eavesdropping” came the voice from the patio. “But yes on the back thing.”
I just shook my head.
Connor watched me consideringly for a moment. “Don’t underestimate how much they’re intimidated by you, Elisa.”
“Well, now you’re just flirting with me.”
