Wyatt was now staring directly at Nev. He could see her working through his proposal in her mind and sensed her worry. “It is a good plan. Look, with your shoulder, you can’t face Sagrine in an upfront fight and hope to win. You know I’m right. And besides, I don’t have to fight. I just have to keep him focused on me until you are ready to strike. He can have any thoughts he wants—except where you are. I can keep him from seeing you, even with you moving. I know I can do this. I trust you, and you need to trust me. You will just need to be quick and quiet,” Wyatt reasoned as he rubbed her forearm reassuringly.
“I don’t know. How do you even plan to keep Sagrine distracted?” Nev inquired. If she was going to agree to this plan, then she needed to understand all of the details. It was already risky. She wouldn’t risk any more than necessary to chance.
“These prowlers seem to like to talk, so I’ll talk to him. Just don’t take too long,” Wyatt replied, sounding more and more confident.
Nev sighed as she thought about Wyatt’s plan and realized there was a chance it could work. “You are right. You can do this, and so can I. Just promise me you will be careful,” Nev relented, smiling briefly at Wyatt.
“Of course. And you know I won’t break a promise to you,” Wyatt reassured her. Lifting Nev’s face to his, he kissed her tenderly. He happily chose to ignore his sister’s inevitable disgust.
Addi grumbled and wished they would wait to do that until after the plan was finalized.
Nev blushed a bit at Addi’s reaction. Clearing her throat, she turned her attention to Nellis and Addi. “So, Wyatt and I get Sagrine’s attention with the amulet, and then Wyatt hides me until I can strike. Addi and Nellis will be back up and plan B, assuming you are coming,” Nev stated, watching for signs they would indeed help.
“I would be a pretty poor excuse of an older sister if I didn’t stand by you, even if you two are nuts,” Addi noted, smiling at Wyatt.
“I will, of course, come with you and help,” Nellis added, bowing his head briefly towards Nev.
Addi looked up with surprise. “Are you sure, Nellis? It’s going to be dangerous,” she asked.
“Well, I survived being engaged to you. How much more dangerous can it be than that?” Nellis replied, laughing out loud.
Wyatt laughed so hard he almost fell out of his chair. “Wow! Just, wow!” he stammered. Wyatt was left stunned and suddenly fearing for Nellis’ life.
Nev lowered her gaze and shot a concerned glance at Wyatt.
“Oh, I see how it is. Two on one… so mature,” Addi snapped, her cheeks going red from embarrassment and anger.
“My dear lass, I was only teasing. You know I still treasure you above all others. I just thought we could all use the mood to be a bit lighter for a while,” Nellis offered before turning to Addi. He took her hand in his and kissed it lightly.
Addi looked surprised, but pleasantly so. Her cheeks flushed with warmth, and her breath fluttered as her anger vanished.
Wyatt grinned at Addi. “You know… Nev and I know a few great ways to relax before undertaking something horribly risky. Maybe you and Nellis just need to relax a bit,” he teased, winking at Addi.
Nev smacked Wyatt on the shoulder and glared at him.
“Ouch!” Wyatt hollered.
Addi laughed and looked at Nev, thankful for the distraction and for Nev’s handling of her brother. “You know, I think I’m growing to like you more and more,” she said.
The four of them all laughed for many long minutes. Nev smiled at the sight of it. Sitting around a table while eating and laughing was an unfamiliar activity for her. Sharing a moment like this, with friends and the man she loved, would have seemed an impossible dream only a few weeks ago. Now, she couldn’t imagine her life without experiences like this. She dared to let herself start to daydream about what her life might be like after everything settled.
For the longest time, she’d simply been fighting for survival. Then it was for her father’s memory and making things right. Now, despite the throne growing closer to her grasp, her desire for it waned. She didn’t want to be an empress. What she wanted, all that she wanted, was this. Moments to laugh, love, and live with the man who had come to mean everything to her. She watched Wyatt and smiled to herself. Someday, this is all my life will be like, and it will be marvelous, she thought. Nev continued to listen and watch the trio sitting with her as they joked and reminisced. After a couple of hours, she found herself again daydreaming about her future with Wyatt.
Wyatt sensed Nev’s thoughts drifting off somewhere happy. He turned away from the banter around the table and smiled at her as he squeezed her hand.
Nev returned his smile and then motioned towards the back bedroom.
“Me?” Wyatt mouthed, as he raised an eyebrow at her.
Nev tried to look cross with him and failed as she started to giggle.
“Well, my lady and I are going to take our leave. I suggest you two don’t stay up too late,” Wyatt suggested, winking at Addi as he grabbed Nev’s hand and led her to the back bedroom.
Nellis raised his glass to them and saluted, “Sleep well, destiny awaits us tomorrow.”
Addi and
