Page 140 of Warlord's Plaything

She flinches.

Just barely.

But enough.

Enough for me to see it.

The doubt.

The guilt.

The goddamn weight of everything pressing down on her.

And it makes me fucking furious.

"You want to win this war?"

Menias spreads his arms wide, like a generous fucking king.

"Then take the deal. You want to survive? You want your people to survive? You want your lover over here to live long enough to be useful again?"

He grins.

"Then do what needs to be done."

I see it.

The moment she cracks.

The moment she starts to fold.

And I can’t fucking stand it.

"If you do this,"I growl, dangerously low, stepping in front of her now, blocking her from his view."I will burn that fucking clan to the ground before I let them take you."

A flicker of something dark passes through Menias’ expression.

Amusement.

Challenge.

Like he’s waiting to see who she’ll choose.

But I already know.

I know Hira.

I know this woman.

I love her.

And she loves me.

And she won’t do this.

She won’t fucking do this.

She meets my eyes.

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