The anger is enough to keep me focused through the haze eating into my vision and the pounding that is eating into my consciousness.
Roarke glares at me, poised and ready to jump the damn stream anyway.
But Leon’s expression has drawn blank, eyes almost hollow. “No, I don’t want to see anyone die.”
As soon as he’s answered, he looks at me sharply, his gaze accusing me of something I don’t have time to figure out.
“What do you want?” I ask, and when his lips don’t immediately start moving I add, “What?!”
“I want Seed magic to stay in Silva. There’s a reason the border exists. Sabers on the inside, mortals on the outside. The only way to do that is to fell your Crown and put an Elorsin on the throne – but that’s not my job. That’s your job.”
His eyes go a little wide at his words, and I’ll admit I’m quite proud that my diplomacy skills are winning against two headstrong men.
“If the border fails, how long can you hold it for?” I demand, pushing my need into the words.
If I use anything less than a demand, I risk losing both males’ attention. A whole kingdom of lives depends on this one chuckin’ conversation, and I will not let them die just because two men failed to communicate.
Roarke moves back from the stream, rushing to stand almost in front of me. Between me and Leon. He grabs my wrist in one hand, my waist in his other. Holding me like his next move might be to snap me up in his arms and run. His touch makes goosebumps run up my arms and a shiver down my spine. But this isn’t desire – it’s the crackle of power.
“What are you doing?” he asks, the words struggling out from his clenched jaw. “You can’t do this.”
I ignore him.
Leon keeps that curious look on me, not seeming to notice Roarke. Even though Roarke is making it almost impossible for Leon and me to maintain eye contact.
“A week or two – at the most,” Leon answers.
“Kitten, don’t let my power use you,” Roarke says. “Allure doesn’t work like this.”
“I need to know,” I whisper at him.
He turns sideways, his gaze over the stream but his body still pressed to mine. “What would make you change your mind? Unburden your soul, share the reward that would woo you to Lithael’s side?” he asks in his silky smooth tone.
Leon laughs at him. “Don’t underestimate me, Elorsin. My loyalty to the mortal realms is unquestionable.”
“All men are questionable,” Roarke snaps, shifting the subject.
He mustn’t see how important this is – too busy trying to make war when what we need is peace. Everything narrows, the world, the forest, the lightning and thunder – none of it exists. Just this need.
This one last question.
“Can we trust you to do that?” I demand, growling, shouting, trying to make him understand that he’s talking about killing people – lots of people.
And I’m talking about saving them.
I need to know. Whatever our next move is, after we get rid of this bubble, I’m certain it will involve getting very close to Lithael. I can’t have my guys in the center of this realm if Leon decides to set the damn place on fire. The stories I’ve heard from the last fire, the power it took to put it out way back then... There might not be enough Silvari with Seeds left to make that happen again. Maybe that’s part of Lithael’s plan. Bring down the border. Invade the mortal side. Take over the world and remove those who can oppose him. Remove those that could restore the border. Secretly. Slowly. Without creating a war until he’s the only one that can win.
“Kitten, I said don’t. Relax your grip. Let go of my power,” a distant voice says.
War.
Lithael wants a war. Silvari against mortals. Lots and lots of death.
Lithael wants death.
“Can. We. Trust. You!” I scream, my whole body shaking.
White-hot agony shoots through my head, followed by a sharp ringing sound in my ears. I almost miss Leon’s response – I can hardly even see him anymore.
I should be worried about the dizziness, the ringing, and my loss of vision – but there are more important things.
“Yes. If I say we’ll hold the border, then we will,” Leon says, his voice hollow and forced.
“Promise me you’ll hold the border!” My voice is weak. So weak.
I’m aware that it’s a stupid demand. The guy doesn’t even know me. I mean nothing to him, why would he promise?
I’ll make you. The scream echoes around inside my skull. Promise on your life!
“I promise,” he says, but he doesn’t look pissed, he looks almost pleased with the idea. “You have seven days from the moment the border fails. I want to see what you can do – if you survive.”
His words are lost to the ringing in my ears and the pelting rain. He shakes his head, like he’s clearing a thought, then bloody smiles. My pulse is pounding in my ears so loud that the things might explode. I sway, looking for balance and not really finding it.
Leon’s lips keep moving, but I can barely hear him. Just piercing pain and one line aimed at Roarke, not me. “Don’t underestimate the mortal.”
Roarke has one hand gripping the front of my shirt as if he thinks I might try to run.
The world lurches, and my eyes roll back, my head lolling to the side as I struggle just to stay upright. I glimpse Leon galloping off before losing all sense of balance and falling backward. My shirt pulls free from Roarke’s grip, and I hit the ground hard. Water splashes up around me, and mud soaks into my clothes and hair. It feels so good. Reminds me I’m real. Cools the burning in my body.
“Kitten, eeaassyy,” Roarke coos. “Be still.” He keeps talking, leaning over me and cursing too, by the way his lips are moving.
The ringing in my ears starts to throb in time
