Page 23 of Oath-Maker

Cornelius bowed again. “As you wish.” He held a hand out to Lucius. “Give me your hand and you will be healed.”

The mate bond flared between us. Lucius’s magic billowed just below the surface. I swayed on my feet. He was going to attack once healed.

“Lucius, don’t,” I warned.

Anger roiled off of Lucius in waves palpable enough to cause members of the court to draw back against the walls of the room. Shadows danced in spots light didn’t reach. “Do what you must. Just remember your vows.”

Hurt was laced in Lucius’s tone. It cut right through me to my very core.

Did he not trust me? Could he not see a larger picture forming?

Or was he only seeing his mate leave his side to join the enemy?

Lucius held his hand out to Cornelius, who wrapped his fingers around Lucius’s the moment their skin touched. He pulled Lucius forward, and my mate stumbled but caught himself, only to shout out as Cornelius flooded his body with radiant light. It poured across Lucius’s skin, entering his body, and even glowing out of his eyes. When Cornelius let go, Lucius collapsed to his knees. A few seconds later, the light went out.

I wasn’t sure why, but I was surprised to find Cornelius was not a Fallen. He was a full celestial.

I knelt beside Lucius, already unbuttoning his shirt to check the light sickness cracks that had previously been on his chest. No more. They were gone, as was any other trace of the light sickness. It’d been burned out of him, leaving only angry red patches in their wake.

“It is done,” Cornelius said.

I met Lucius’s gaze, my own eyes becoming teary. Lucius held my face and wiped the few teardrops that had fallen with his thumb. “Trust me,” I whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

Lucius nodded, but the hurt hadn’t left his expression. His anger still pulled the mate bond taut between us. “Go.”

“Lucius…” My chest squeezed tight. We’d agreed to fight the Fallen together. Why couldn’t he see that was what I was helping us do? I couldn’t sway more paladins to our side from Alastia. I couldn’t see exactly what forces the Guardian and the Fallen had from here. No one could.

Lucius dropped his hand from my face. In the span of a single moment, it was like all familiarity was gone and we were once more only paladin and Angel of Death. “Do what you must, my queen.”

It’s an act for Cornelius. It must have been, right? But why divide us this way in front of the court?

Because it’s not an act.

“We will win.” I leaned in and kissed him. He kissed me back, but there was no passion behind it. “We will. Trust me.”

Cornelius interrupted. “We must go.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. As I left Alastia’s throne room, the scandalized whispers of the court ringing in my ears all the while, the last thing I saw as I turned over my shoulder was the pain in Lucius’s eyes.

Trust me. Please, my love.

CHAPTER10

Cornelius and I walked to the city’s border flanked by demonic guards. Our people watched with bated breath. Ian even followed as far as he dared to Alastia’s city line, but no one intervened. And why would they? Alastia’s king had allowed this, and so while our people vocalized their disagreements and dissent, no one acted.

I wished Cornelius had instead made use of whatever teleportation capabilities Merek seemed to have now that he was the Guardian. But maybe that sort of ability was only reserved for a few higher celestials—of which Cornelius didn’t appear to rank.

I kept my gaze ahead of me, afraid that if I looked anyone too closely in the eyes, I’d lose my nerve, return to the palace, and plunge Alastia and its people straight into a war. This way, I might get a better look at the Fallen’s abilities, the size of their armies, and maybe even their plans. I’d get a chance to be closer to the Guardian, since it was clear Merek wanted me by his side. And he might fully expect me to use that against him. But maybe still he’d let down his guard and then… then what? I could kill him?

My stomach twisted around itself at the thought. Not just because I couldn’t fit “kill him” and “Merek” in the same sentence with any semblance of a conscience—even after those lost in the last battle. But also because that’d been the exact plan I’d had for Lucius. Before our mate bond had solidified our fate. Before he’d convinced me that some celestials were evil.

Before so much had changed.

I could only hope thatthistime, this plan would work significantly better.

“It is a brave thing,” Cornelius said unprompted as we crossed the city line. “Coming with me to save your love.”

I turned to him, studying his stoic features that seemed far too perfect and Romanesque. “Do you consider itbraveto fight for someone you love?”

---