Page 90 of Under the Lion Star

“Orin and Liras will remain here with me. Once it is done, and I know the castle is safe, you can return to Galvord.”

“You are not going to send me away.”

“Z,” I sighed. “If anything happened to you– if you were ever hurt because of me–”

“You’re hurting me right now,” she shouted, pacing toward the windows. “Don’t you see that?”

I could see it, and it gutted me. Yet my resolve held firm. I knew she was looking into the issue herself. Orin and Liras had confirmed as much when they refused to divulge anything to me. Even if I let her remain in the castle, I knew that she would continue trying to figure this whole thing out. I’d briefly considered having her work with me, but the longer she was around, the closer we got to the truth, the more danger she was in.

“Leor will be able to focus better if he doesn’t have to worry about you and his sister,” Atlas said in an attempt to soothe her anger.

“So sorry for being such a fucking distraction,” her words her venomous as she spun to face me.

“That’s not–”

“Both of you shut the fuck up,” she hissed. “I am not going anywhere. I am not a hindrance. I am not a distraction. I am the Gods damned queen, and I will not stand idly by as you two morons fumble about trying to determine who has been attempting to kill my husband for months.”

That’s my girl.

“It’s not safe,” I stood, failing to hide my grin.

“I am aware of that,” she snapped. “You told me it wouldn’t be when you first proposed that we get married.”

“Alda,” Atlas sighed.

“Why do you even care?” She spun on him. “I’m not your wife to protect.”

“You’re important to me,” he replied, hurt crossing over his features.

She ran her hands over her face. “I appreciate that both of you want to protect me. But it isn’t necessary. I’m twenty-eight years old and can handle some asshole trying to kill me. Quite frankly, you both need me.”

“Okay,” I nodded, reaching out to take her hands in mine. “I’m sorry.”

“You gave up burying your head between my thighs for this pathetic attempt at an ambush?” Z scoffed. “Stupid man. You should have done it first so that I’d have been more pliant.”

“Welp,” Atlas tapped his knuckles on the table. “I’m out.”

“You’re still taking Sanna to Keldsfen in two days,” I called.

He gave a lazy salute as he exited, pulling the door closed behind him.

“I’m mad at you,” she ripped her hands from my grip.

“Zialda,” I sighed, moving toward her. “I meant no offense. You’re the smartest, bravest, most infuriating woman I have ever met. I never once meant to imply that I was sending you away because I doubted your ability to help. I just don’t want you anywhere near this.”

She stared at me while I cupped her face in my hands.

“And I know,” I continued. “We had an agreement on the boundaries of this arrangement, but how could I not fall in love with you over the course of these months? You own me, Z, every single broken piece. The thought of something happening to you is physically and emotionally unbearable.”

Z’s lower lip trembled, and I traced it lightly with my thumb.

“I know this isn’t what we agreed to,” I said. “But loving you has never been added work or a burden. It’s been a light. A privilege I will never fully deserve.”

“Leor,” she rasped.

“I know, Z,” I pressed my forehead to hers and closed my eyes. “I know.”

“Please don’t send me away,” she whispered.

---