Page 134 of Obsidian Throne
“Then we go back to the way things were,” he said. “I didn’t want the throne before, and I sure as hell don’t want it now.”
Evander and I nodded our agreement.
We were just wrapping up dinner when a knock sounded at the door and Taras ducked his head inside to ask for a word with Evander in the hall. With a reluctant glance in my direction, Evander nodded and joined him, leaving me alone with Theo for the first time since our unfortunate encounter.
“So, this is what you’ve been up to since I saw you last? Becoming a proper Socairan lady while planning wars and treason?” Though his tone was light, there was a weight behind his hazel eyes.
“Well, a girl’s got to have her hobbies, and my knitting skills leave much to be desired,” I said flippantly.
A chuckle escaped him, brightening his face incrementally. “Of course. It was clearly the next logical choice.”
“It was either this or cooking lessons. The options for women these days are so limited.” I smiled up at him, and he returned it before looking back out the window once more.
“I hope you can understand why this is important to me, Rowan,” he said after a moment, that heaviness seeping back into his tone. “Why I can’t lose the only family I have left.”
I swallowed hard. I had been so focused on the political and personal manipulations, along with Iiro’s death toll, that I hadn’t thought about the parts of him that someone would miss.
Seeing the sincerity in Theo’s gaze, I knew my answer was important to him.
“I do,” I responded softly, and the tension in his shoulders eased a little. “But my understanding will run its course if he tries to hurt my husband again.”
He closed his eyes, nodding once. “That’s fair.”
There was a beat of silence when we both stared out at the stars before he spoke again.
“Regardless of how this ends, I am not your enemy, Rowan. I never could be.”
Something in my chest eased, and I looked back at him.
“No, I don’t think you could be, either.” I said earnestly. Then, the corner of my mouth twitched up. “Not unless you serve us borscht when we come to visit, of course.”
“I would never,” he assured me.
“Oh,” I added. “And you’re going to have to remove kidnapping me from your list of potential plans in the future.”
He shook his head, reluctant laughter escaping his lips. “Consider it done.”
“Then consider us friends.” The word felt right.
It felt like hope for something normal and easy on the other side of all of this.
* * *
True to Theo’s word, it was only two weeks before Iiro’s smarmy-arse letter arrived by bird. Evander brought it over to our desk, waiting until I was right next to him to rip it open.
To my loyal subject; Sir Evander, Duke of Clan Bear and Servant of the Socairan Crown,
I have decided, against my better judgment, to extend one last opportunity for you to do what is right to further a united Socair. In exactly three weeks’ time, we will be holding the annual tithing at the Palace. I will expect your presence, along with the agreed upon taxes.
And I am certain you will convince your allies to do their part as well.
After all, no one wants a real war.
His Royal Majesty, King Iiro
I could perfectly picture his smug expression as he wrote the last three lines. There was a clear threat behind his words, which meant he imagined he had the upper hand. Whatever Theo had said to him had worked.
“We have a date,” Evander said, crushing the letter in his hand before tossing it into the unlit hearth.