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“So, you would deny yourself instead?” An undercurrent of incredulity rang in Derikles’ voice, a blatant challenge of Isaiah’s assertions.
“I won’t willingly place her in danger to satisfy my own needs, if that’s what you’re asking.”
A single dark eyebrow raised in question, but there was no malice behind the expression. “And how do you control your abilities with the other women who share your bed?”
Isaiah scoffed. “There’s a difference between being awake and active and sleeping next to someone, Derikles. If I’m unconscious, I could unintentionally put someone I care about in harm’s way.”
“Then you do care about her.”
Isaiah narrowed his eyes at Derikles’ neat little trap, but said nothing to the affirmative.
“May I offer you some advice, sovereign?”
“When have you ever had to ask?”
Derikles strode toward the waist-high barrier in front of them and pivoted to face Isaiah, resting lazily against the stone as his eyes studied his sovereign. “She’s your mate, Isaiah. Don’t give up on that so easily.”
“Shall I take that as your authorization? Do you have so much power over me, Derikles?”
“No,” came the instant retort, no hint of offense in the response. “But I can offer you advice as your friend.”
Immediately breaking eye contact, Isaiah exhaled into the quiet light of the morning. The assertion of camaraderie had startled him, but he betrayed none of the surprise on his features.
Isaiah preferred to believe himself alone, detached. As a sovereign, the threat of perishing under the blade of another Raeth was a near-constant companion. If no one cared for him, no one would mourn him.
Far easier to believe himself separate than acknowledge that he could cause his people anguish if he lost a challenge.
Debilitating grief crushed through him when his mind wandered to his own former sovereign. He’d been Jacob’s second for four hundred years before he’d challenged Hector, the previous sovereign of the Sylth, to battle.
Hector had been fourteen centuries old when Isaiah had challenged him, twice his age. A Raeth of old, Hector had been nothing but a gentleman both before the words were spoken and throughout the battle.
It’d been vicious, both men going full tilt for the honor of the sovereign title. The older man had been immune to Isaiah’s visions, and Isaiah had resorted to using the lethal ability beneath his skin to defeat him. Then, once Hector had succumbed, the orb decreed him the victor.
While the psychic bonds that connected them had formed instantly, earning the hearts and minds of his new clan had been a far greater struggle. Loyalty was earned through merit, not won by conquest.
“Why have you never sought your own clan, Derikles?” Isaiah asked softly, earnestly seeking the truth. “Why have you settled to be my second when you could be something far greater?”
Derikles’ expression turned somber, pensive. “Because when I leave this world, I want it to be by my hand and no one else’s. I want that choice, and if I were to be a clan sovereign, it would never be mine.”
Sincerity rang true when he lifted his gaze to meet Isaiah’s. “And I won’t do to someone else what Jacob has done to you.”
He felt the impact of the words in his soul, black tar pitting in his gut. Oppressive guilt and sorrow iced through his veins. Instantly, Isaiah’s features hardened.
“We need to speak with Sia and Caiaphas, sovereign.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
AllconversationstoppedwhenRukia appeared in the doorway of the conference room. The morning following her abrupt deposit in Paracel, she had squared her shoulders and prepared to face her friends.
Tyee and Jeremiah rose immediately, although the air Elemental wore a scowl instead of his customary grin. Tyee, ever the saint, had taken no offense to her temporary reprieve.
“We’ve missed you, Rukia.”
The other water Elemental enfolded her in his arms without delay, simply pleased she was home. The familiar sweet molasses scent of his hair infiltrated her senses as she hugged him fiercely, the embrace feeling like home.
“I’ve missed you, too,” she admitted. “I’m sorry I left. I just needed some time.”
A sober nod from Tyee before Jeremiah caught her gaze. “Where have you been?”
