Page 75 of Immortal Sentry

“Queen Lessa has offered me the role of commander if I accept her offer.”

“Congratulations! What of your men?” Though happy for Kerric, something in Eron’s chest squeezed. Would Kerric want to resume his old life? A life without Eron?

“Some have returned to their homes, having been gone for too long. Two now guard your nephew. Those remaining will help their commander undo the damage caused by Bain.”

“Are you staying?”Please stay with me.Eron wouldn’t beg. Kerric had had little enough control over his life recently. He deserved to make his own choices. And commander? No bad for a man who still appeared thirty.

“I’ve long been planning revenge I never thought I’d get. Now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do,” Kerric admitted.

“Ever thought about living a genteel life as the consort of a nobleman?”

“Not really.” Kerric grinned. “I have considered life as a part-time highwayman. Are you in need of an apprentice?”

Once more, Eron put the good of another before his own wishes. “Kerric, you can do anything you want to with your life now. You don’t have to stay out of duty. Let me ask you. When did you last do anything simply because you wanted to?”

Kerric placed his warm palm against Eron’s cheek. “Every time I take you to bed. Every kiss we share. Fighting to protect you. Shall I go on, or do you get the idea?”

Eron grinned. “I think I understand. What would you do if you could do anything you wanted?”

“Is it too forward to say I’d want to spend every moment with you?”

Tight iron bands unwound from around Eron’s chest. “Not forward. And if you never ask for what you want, you’ll never get it.”

“Then I want to spend time with you. But how will we arrange that? The queen’s brother and a guard.”

Eron reached out and laced his fingers with Kerric’s. “I’ve heard tell of someone with an estate in Dillane who might have a use for you and me. Come with me? You have nothing holding you here, do you?”

“No. My family is long gone; my men have scattered or no longer need me. My quest for revenge is gone. I’m ready for a new adventure. A new reason for living.”

Eron leaned in, claiming Kerric’s lips. He locked their gazes when he pulled away. “Nothing is keeping you here.”

“Nothing at all.”

A smile stretched Eron’s cheeks. He couldn’t remember having ever been this happy, even with the bulk of his memories now restored. “Then come away with me.”

Kerric stiffened. “Now?”

“I want to say goodbye to Lessa and the boys, let her know I’ll be back if she needs me. Kene is staying here. She’ll watch over my family while I watch her estate.”

Kerric leaned in, kissing Eron once more. “Then I can’t wait for what life brings next, Lord Night.”

“Nor I, my immortal sentry.”

---