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I turned and left, trying to figure out how to tell my mate that I wanted to free the people he hated most.
Chapter 23
Theron
IstaredintoKael’sdeep, emerald-green eyes, trying to reconcile the words coming out of her mouth.
“Sihaya,“ I began, drawing out each word. “She almost killed you. I had to pull her sword out of your body. Had to keep your heart beating as Roza struggled to save you—and you want me to do what? Just welcome them into the army?”
It had been a long day, one made longer because when I returned to our tent, ready to fill my arms with my mate, I’d found her missing. And when she came back, it was with the statement that she wanted to free the Sarro siblings.
Kael sighed and stepped closer, her hands clasping mine. “Yes, but she’s changed. She wants a second chance. I overheard her speaking with Raenisa--”
I let out a deep sigh and ran my hand through my hair before pulling Kael close to me. This was the last thing we needed at the moment; our army was already on edge and putting another leader in place would be asking for insurrection.
“Listen,” I said softly, “I understand your desire to help them, but we have to be careful here. We can’t just throw away all of our hard work for the sake of one person’s redemption...”
“Even for Rae?”
I cut my eyes toward her. “Rae deserves better.”
“Maybe Caelia could be better. If we gave her the chance.” She edged me backward until I sat down and she crawled into my lap, straddling me. I ran my hands lightly down her sides, still worried about hurting her.
“We’re not making strategy decisions based on matchmaking.”
She rolled her eyes, and I couldn’t help but grin. Gods, seeing her up and arguing with me was better than anything. “It makes sense for us, too. If she endorses you as Lord Marshal, that’ll solidify our troops’ loyalty.”
As much as I wanted to deny her, I couldn’t. Not when she looked so happy and determined; my mate was impossible to resist.
“You know,” I said, lifting an eyebrow in challenge. “I don’t think I can say no to you.”
“Don’t tell me that or I’m going to get some ideas.” Kael smiled triumphantly and kissed me before snuggling into my chest. An echo of her contentment fluttered down the bond and it made me fall even more in love with her.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” I murmured, kissing the top of her head.
She laughed and lifted her mouth to mine for another kiss. “I’m starting to get an idea. Yes.”
I chuckled, wrapping my arms tighter around her. “At least I’ll have you with me on a vanira for the next few days.”
She made a face. “I’m excited enough to get moving again that even a vanira isn’t won’t deter me.”
I laughed and released her. “Good. Now I have to make this official.” I stood and called in a guard. “Find the Sarro siblings and free them. Give them what supplies we can spare—they’ve chosen to join us.”
The guard bowed his head in acknowledgment before leaving to fulfill his orders. Kael beamed at me, pride shining from her eyes, as she stepped forward and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
I smiled down at her, warmth radiating through me at the trust she had in me; no matter how uneasy I was about the situation, I knew together we could handle it.
“No. Thank you.” I ran a hand through her hair before kissing her forehead. “For teaching me I’m a pushover.”
She laughed and pushed me back onto the bed, her lips finding mine as she reached down to cup my cock through my breeches. “Being a pushover isn’t all bad.”
We lost ourselves to each other for the night, urgency and desperation coloring our lovemaking. We clung to each other as if it were the last time, knowing that with the dawn we would be off to war. In those brief moments of pleasure, we pushed all our worries away and just existed in one another’s embrace.
Eventually, though, even that wasn’t enough, and the sun began its ascent over the horizon. We both knew what had to come next—the march forward into unknown repercussions—but neither of us wanted to let go.
Three Days Later
