Page 62 of Where We Belong

“Proceed.”

“One word from you,” he says, “and Nyk goes free.”

I shift in my chair, keeping Agni in my peripheral vision as she flips through a tome without a care. “Not quite. He committed treason, Captain.”

“We both know he didn’t,” Kaed counters.

“We do?”

“Yes. You were able to have Cook pardoned. I will be indebted to you if you do me this favour.”

“I would say,” I lean in slightly, keeping my voice light, “that you are already indebted to me, wouldn’t you? But unfortunately—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Aiden,” she slaps the poor book shut. “Just talk to our uncle. Don’t blink at me like that.”

I arch a brow, confused to say the least.

“Obviously, I just got here,” she continues, grabbing another book that purrs as she strokes its spine, “but from what I can see, you had your chance with Eira and decided to make a silly vow. Now she’s with Nyk and you’re jealous. So, you’d rather let him die for something he didn’t do than fight for your girl properly. Just figure out how to make another vow or something.” She scoffs, flipping through pages far too carelessly for my liking. “I keep hearing about how my brother is someone who always does the right thing, how he’s honourable and good. But I’m not seeing that. I’m not sure I ever have. Right now, I’m seeing someone who can’t put aside his feelings to make the right decision.”

I clear my throat, straightening my jacket. “Half-brother.”

She slams the tome shut again, harder this time, before grabbing another.

“Seriously?” A humourless smirk crosses her face when she tosses the book onto the table, yanking another one off it without a second thought.

“Would you be careful with those?” I snap, gripping the edges of my chair to keep myself from snatching them back. But all she does is roll her eyes.

“You care about the wrong things, half-brother. If you love Eira at all, you’d want her to be happy, no? She’ll be devastated if Nyk dies, and if you think that will make her run back to you, the guy who can’t give her what she needs, you’re wrong. And if she finds out you could’ve done something and chose not to because of your bloody feelings, what do you think that will do to her?” I pinch the bridge of my nose, a headache is beginning to form; this is supposed to be a peaceful place. “It is not as easy as that. There is a Cursewater confession from Theron that implicates Lieutenant Nykholas, plus his own damn confession. Rhory was not mentioned; therefore, I could request that he be excused.”

“Bullshit. You won’t even try?”

“It is not bullshit, Agni. And no. I would not waste my time. Let him suffer.”

“Aiden?”

I turn sharply, gripping the arms of my seat, the hairs on my neck standing to attention. How long has she been standing there? My instincts scream at me to move to her, to comfort her, to pull her into my arms and feel her warmth.

“Eira, I—”

“Please. For me.”

The crack in her voice breaks me and the urge to make it right collides with the selfish need to keep her protected. At all costs.

“If you do this, fight for his freedom...” Her eyes glisten, as she wrings her hands. “I won’t be with him. How about that? I’ll stay here in this palace with you. Or Above, wherever you go. Forever. And I won’t marry or leave your side. I’ll be yours…in whatever way you need me to be. Just please… help him.”

“You would do that?” Barely a whisper escapes my lips. It is all I can manage through the visions her words bring. Me, her. Her and me. Though my body will still ache, though the bond will stay trapped within my soul, my mind might finally rest. Peace. I cross the distance without thinking.

When Eira nods, the prettiest tear spills onto her cheek. So perfect.

“Do you love him?”

Another nod. My heart splinters quietly beneath my ribs at her pain, but that is secondary. Her safety matters above all else. Love is survivable. People recover from it every day. Affection fades and attachments weaken. In time, she would move on from Nykholas. A sudden clarity settles over me. Perhaps Agni has finally found her purpose after all.

“Will you vow at the basin?”

“The fuck she will. What the hell is wrong with you?” Agnis footsteps thump closer, but I cannot pull myself from Eira’s eyes. “Yes” she says. And I am glad she can see the sense in my request. Because I am not cruel. I am not.

“He is not the male you believe him to be, Eira. His world will always demand blood before love. But I would give you peace. Devotion. A life untouched by fear. You may not believe me now, but you will be happy with me. Bond or no bond. I will ensure it.”