Tas had puffed up as he spoke. The fire of his conviction lit his eyes, and he shed the penitent villager-next-door persona like a cloak. It was Ravi’s turn to take a step back. He could see the brother Tas used to be now, and it made him wary, even as Tas’s words struck a chord.
Last night—and honestly for the last several years—he’d spent a lot of time concentrating on all the things he wasn’t. How long had he trudged along, hiding and mourning the life he’d left behind, running away from everything instead of running toward something else?
If what he’d learned so far was true, Tas’s entire world had been turned upside down too. But even through a complete upheaval of his life, he’d still figured out who he was and who he wanted to be. It was time for Ravi to do the same.
“Thank you for being honest with me.”
Tas blinked at him, seeming a little nonplussed, but then he offered a hesitant smile. “Of course. As I said not so long ago, I was as overwhelmed as you must be now. If there is anything I can do to help you, I will.” His smile turned rueful. “In that vein, I should warn you now that Lyuc usually gets what he wants. No matter how infuriating he can be, he is a force to be reckoned with, and he isn’t wrong often.”
When Ravi grimaced, Tas rushed to add, “But of course he won’t force you to do anything you don’t want. He’s a good man. He cares about people and all of Kita. I’ll let him tell you his story. It’s not my place. But you’ll understand when you hear it. He only wants what’s best for everyone.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that,” Ravi hedged. “Our plans aren’t settled yet, obviously, but I’m sure we’ll at least be willing to hear him out. I should, uh, probably find my friends now, though.”
“Of course. I understand. I believe I saw Shura and Fara headed toward the stableyard, but I’m afraid I haven’t seen Daks.”
“I’ll find him. Thank you.”
“Come find us when you want to talk.”
Ravi gave a noncommittal nod, and Tas headed off in the direction he’d been going earlier.
Ravi’s feet led him down toward the river without any real intention, but he wasn’t surprised when he spotted Daks sitting alone on the rocky bank, obviously deep in thought by the frown on his face. Ravi’s heart swelled along with his smile.
He loves me. He accepts me for who and what I am. I can be myself with him. And maybe now I know who I want that to be.
What a wondrous thought.
“Hey! Don’t strain too hard, you might break something,” he called.
Daks started and jerked his head up, but his confused frown soon twisted into a smile. “Don’t worry about me.” He tapped his forehead with his knuckles. “Hard as a rock. Won’t break as easily as that.”
“Everyone was gone when I woke up,” Ravi complained as he sat down beside him.
“Sorry. I had some thinking to do. I didn’t realize Shura would be able to be up and about so soon. She was still there when I left.”
“You don’t sound very happy about that.”
Daks grimaced. “Of course I’m happy she’s feeling better. But if I don’t have concern for her welfare and ability to travel to use as an excuse anymore, I can’t really put off making a decision much longer.”
He picked up a small rock and tossed it in the flowing water, staring after it broodingly.
Yesterday, that statement would have made Ravi’s gut twist with anxiety, but not today. With his newfound preternatural calm had come a bit of clarity.
“I might be able to help you out there, if you’ll let me,” he offered hesitantly.
Daks’s confused frown returned as he turned back to him, but Ravi took a breath and plowed on. “You see, I’ve been thinking through everything you’ve told me, and the whole situation we’re in, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this isn’t really your decision to make, or even Shura’s. It’s mine.”
Daks opened his mouth, but Ravi held up a hand. “Just hear me out, okay? You told me Mistress Sabin needs to stay here. For her family, her friends, and her cause, this is the best place for her to be. You told me Shura’s fallen in love and has to choose between her honor and following her heart.” He ticked off the first two points on his fingers before pausing and slowly lifting a third. “Then, you told me you loved me.” He paused when Daks’s sexy grin came out from behind the clouds of worry. “But you also love Shura and want her to be happy, because you’re a good man who has a soft heart under all that bluster and surliness.”
Daks snorted and cocked an eyebrow at him, but Ravi turned his gaze to the river before he could get distracted.
After clearing his throat and straightening his shoulders, he said, “So, the way I see it, each of you seems to be faced with an impossible choice. Therefore, logic dictates that the only one who should be making the decision is the one whose choice is not impossible… and that’s me.” He rushed his next words so he could get them all out before he lost his nerve. “You see, my choice is to either stay in my home country, where I might be able to do some good and possibly find a home for my friends, or to force you and someone you love to drag me all the way up to some town I’ve never been to, in a kingdom I don’t know, so I can learn to use a gift you yourself told me no one has ever managed to control completely. I mean,
