Page 64 of Gray Dawn
“I can’t run.” His eyes held regret but also determination. “I will, however, be careful.”
“I’m liking this plan less and less the more you expound on it.”
A throat cleared behind me. “The spell is ready.”
I pivoted toward Dad, reluctant to release Asa, terrified of him venturing into Hael without an invitation.
“I’ll send word as soon as I have news to report.” Asa dragged me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me until I felt his heartbeat crushed against mine. “Take care of our girl.”
Our girl.
I would have loved him for that alone.
“I will.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Take care of you.”
With a tender smile, he released me, and I followed Dad, afraid I wouldn’t let Asa go if I didn’t leave fast.
“He’s going to Hael.”
“You heard that part, huh?”
“Do you think it’s wise?”
“I think it’s a terrible idea.” I joined him in the suite. “But I also know he needs to do this.”
The centuria would keep him safe. Any one of them would lay down their lives to protect him. I just hoped it didn’t come to that. I didn’t want him to carry that burden.
The kernel of conscience I had been growing over the last year was sprouting tiny little doubts. He wasn’t wrong that we caused this current crisis, but I wasn’t wrong either. The unrest brewing in Hael, the movement to place one of their own on the throne, was bound to bubble over when Calixta wasn’t making much of an effect to embrace Haelian culture.
It just might not have reached a boiling pointquiteso soon if I hadn’t lit a bonfire under it.
Things were so much easier back when I didn’t care about things like collateral damage. The life of a black witch was simple. They did what they wanted, when they wanted, to whomever they wanted. As long as they got their way, they didn’t worry about fallout. Lives were as disposable as used tissues.
The whole being a good person and doing the right thing gig was thankless, stressful, and complicated. It made me want to pull out my hair some days. Most days, really. I had grown a lot since I returned to the Bureau, but I still had a long way to go.
Because deep down, I still tipped the scales toward those I loved and away from the innocents I ought to protect.
“Do you think he’ll make a bid for the throne, if it comes down to it?”
The question jolted me out of my thoughts. “Goddess, I hope not.”
Unless the only way to restore the equilibrium in Hael was to undo everything we had done…
Nope.
I didn’t want to think about it.
In fact, I gave myself permission to ignore it as an early birthday present.
To hold on to my sanity, I pivoted the conversation. “You have a lock on Bjorn?”
“I do.” He allowed me the change in topic. “I thought you would want to be present when I begin in case things move quickly.” He shot a look behind me. “Are you sure you don’t want to go with him?”
Until he mentioned it, I hadn’t noticed I was locked in a staring contest with the door separating me from Asa. Asa, who was going to Hael. Where my crackpot grandmother reigned supreme.
“No.” I almost choked on the word. “He’s got this.”
Divide and conquer. That was how successful couples managed dual careers, right? Sure, ours might be a touch more exotic than average, but still. “Give me a minute, okay?”