Page 32 of Magic Forsaken

The dragon just sat there watching me with an annoyed look until my chuckles finally died out.

“And here I believed Kira when she said you don’t have a sense of humor.”

Callum, bless his inflexible little heart, didn’t even crack a smile. “I wasn’t kidding.”

Oh. I sobered up in a hurry. “Then there is something very wrong with either your logic or your sense of hearing,” I told him flatly. “I can’t be your bodyguard. The idea is beyond ridiculous, and no one would ever buy it.”

“Talia would.”

Point to the dragon.

“Raine, you may not believe me yet, but the power you demonstrated was deeply impressive. You’re probably more than capable of holding your own against most of the attendees of this Symposium. And after the events of last night, it should be evident why I mightneeda bodyguard at an event like this.”

Actually, it did sort of make sense. He could probably deal with any of the other sovereigns single-handedly if they were ina space where he could shift, but while indoors in the middle of a city, he had certain vulnerabilities.

“Okay, maybe—technically—I could do it,” I allowed, before clenching my hands around the edge of the cushion in a white-knuckled grip. “But evidently you missed the part where Iwon’t.”

The dragon’s expression did not change. “I’m not asking you to take a bullet for me,” he explained coolly. “If that’s what’s worrying you. In fact, any actual violence is highly unlikely. No one wants to start an open war, especially if they’re likely to fail and risk looking weak.”

Which was exactly what had happened to Talia.

“And if you’re concerned someone might stab you in the back, your position as my employee should prevent any of the delegates from making attempts on your life.”

Should?“The answer is still no,” I replied stubbornly.

“Why?” His voice was low, quiet, and oddly intense.

It was a question that he could never learn the answer to. “It doesn’t matter why.” I stood up. “I’m sorry, but if this is what you wanted me for, I’m going to have to decline.”

Callum’s jaw clenched so hard, I thought it might break. His lips thinned as he pressed them together in frustration for a moment before he finally spoke up. “Is it your magic you’re so afraid of? Or is it me? How can I convince you to at least consider this?”

He sounded so certain. So intense. So… desperate.

“Why?” It was my turn to ask the question. “Why do you care so much? Give me one good reason why I should for even one second think about making myself a part of this world. Why should I risk myself for something that has nothing to do with me?”

He shook his head. “You don’t get it. This Symposium haseverythingto do with you. And every other ordinary Idrian likeyou. We need laws that will protect our people from others like Elayara. From those who want to use and manipulate the vulnerable for their own benefit. From the powerful who believe they’re above petty things like consequences. There have to be consequences, and if we don’t establish those, who will?”

His argument was surprisingly compelling. Or maybe just surprising, that anyone with power would use it to protect those who had none.

But that didn’t mean I was prepared to risk everything for a dream that was already too late for me.

“I wish I could help you,” I said soberly. “I really do. But…”

But how could I justify benefiting from a power that didn’t belong to me? How could I risk using magic that became harder to suppress each time it was set free? And how could I do so in front of Callum, when each step down this path led us closer to him discovering my secrets?

And yet… what were my choices? We needed a home. Needed safety, stability, regular meals. Where could I go to find those if I walked away now?

My heart felt ripped in half, torn between two impossible options. I had to make my choice. Had to decide which was less likely to destroy me and everyone that I loved. And while my head was urging me out the door, it was my heart that sat me down on that couch again. Picked up my tea and took a sip out of a mug that trembled against my lips.

“Only as recently as last night, you didn’t trust me,” I said, setting down the tea and looking Callum dead in the eye. “You thought I was out to murder your family and destroy your precious Symposium. What changed? How do you know I’m not an undercover saboteur? Waiting until you let your guard down to strike?”

He picked up his own tea, took a sip, and then shrugged. “You’re not.”

My eyes narrowed. For some reason, his bland certainty made me itch to prove him wrong, which was all kinds of messed up. Why would Iwantthe dragon to think I was his enemy? “What makes you think you know me that well?”

He gave me a long look. “Am I wrong?”

I refused to dignify that with an answer. “You’re just guessing.”

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