Page 15 of This Blood That Breaks Us
“I’ll do whatever you want. Name your price,” I said.
“Luke,” Zach said.
There was a stirring next to me, and Will wiggled to try to get his mouth free. His dark eyes met mine, but his words were muffled. I’d almost forgotten they were in the room because I’d been so focused on Her. Thane was kneeling on the floor, staring at the queen with veneration.
“You must care about them a great deal.”
When it came to myself, I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but I knew for certain what I wanted for others and what I’d do to make sure it happened.
“I do. I can’t sit by and watch you kill them. I don’t want to try to fight, but I will.”
“We can’t allow them to live. It’s not right,” Sirius said.
I stepped forward, and Zach followed with his shoulders pulled back and his chest out. We couldn’t take them, but it didn’t matter. Sirius dropped down to the bottom step and unbuttoned his cuff.
“Let’s keep a level head.” Ezra stopped Sirius with a hand on the shoulder. “This isn’t how we want to start things.”
“Is that all it takes for your compliance? Sparing these two. That’s all you want?”
Want.When did it ever matter what I wanted?
“Yes. Well . . . one other thing.”
She tilted Her head to the side and waited for me to speak again while pulling Her hands through the ends of Her hair.
“Fix Thane. Cleanse his blood and make him normal again.”
“He’s more at peace now than his friend. He’s rightfully whole and fulfilled. But if it’s to make you happy, it is done. What will you offer in exchange for my generosity?”
Ezra pulled at Sirius whose body was shaking.
What could I offer that wouldn’t feel like an insult?
“I offer my unfailing loyalty as I have offered to my brothers. I promise to do my best here. To try to live here and train to be in The Guard to protect you. I won’t fight.”
“And I trust your brother feels the same?”
I turned to Zach with a sheepish grin. He was used to me doing this by now, and this was what he’d asked for on the plane. He wanted me to try, and this was me trying.
“Yes, Your Greatness. I agree to be at your beck and call.”
Ezra shook his head at the sarcasm oozing from Zach’s voice, and Will mumbled again.
“It’s a start. I’ll require you to see me every morning at dawn.”
Butterflies filled my stomach at the attention I’d receive from Her.
“You’re welcome to come.” She beamed at Zach, and his teeth grit together. “This one will be yours to watch.”
She moved the hair from Will’s forehead, and he flinched.
“And the other will be for you to watch, My Love. They must always be under observation, and they will serve you and The Family for two hundred years at minimum. After that time, we can reevaluate that sentence. What do you think, Love?”
She looked at me again, and I felt the pull, the need to sit at Her feet and collapse in Her arms. To beg Her to make this yearning end. I should have focused on what She was saying and the importance of it, but I was caught in Her affection for me and the softness in Her features as She spoke.
“Love?” I cleared my throat.
“Yes, Love. Will that make you happy?”
