Page 262 of The Ascended
The weight of his words settled over me, reminding me of all that was at stake—and of the conversation we needed to have. I patted the space beside me, and he joined me on the bed, pulling me against his chest as if he couldn't bear any distance between us.
"Tomorrow I break free," he said softly. "No more hiding. Nomore pretending. Whatever happens, whatever he tries to do to us—we face it together."
The moment had come. I took a deep breath, gathering my courage.
"There's something we need to discuss," I said. "About what happens after the Forging."
He tensed slightly. "What about it?"
"I know which domain I’ll choose."
"Draknavor," he said immediately, as if it were already settled. "There’s nothing to discuss."
"No," I said firmly. "I'm committing to Sundralis."
His expression darkened. "Have you gone mad?"
"Thatcher's there," I explained, holding his gaze. "And that's where I need to be right now."
"This is quite an idea, starling. A hasty one?—"
"I'm not choosing anyone over you," I interrupted. "We've decided on each other, and we have an eternity to explore what that means. But I'm not going to sit idly by in Draknavor while all these plans unfold around me."
He was silent, his jaw clenched tight enough that I could see the muscle working beneath his skin.
"Xül," I said softly. "You and I can be fully together after all of this is over—when Olinthar falls. Until then, I have to be with Thatcher. He needs me, and I need to be there, in the heart of Sundralis, close to Olinthar."
"Where I can't protect you," he said, his voice dangerously low.
"Where I can protect myself," I countered. "Where I can be useful."
He turned away, shoulders rigid with tension. "It's too dangerous."
"More dangerous than falling for Death's son while plotting against the King of Gods?" I asked, a hint of dark humor in my voice. "Everything about this is dangerous, Xül."
He was quiet for so long I thought he might refuse to discuss it further. Finally, he turned back to me, his expression unreadable.
"You've already decided," he said. It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"And nothing I say will change your mind."
I snuggled closer, placing my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat beneath my palm. "Not about this. But it doesn't change anything between us. When Morthus takes the throne, I can come back here. To Draknavor. This isn't goodbye. It's strategy."
A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Using my own tactics against me, starling?"
"I learned from the best," I replied. "Besides, you're the one who always tells me to see the larger picture."
He covered my hand with his own. "I'm beginning to regret that particular lesson."
"No, you're not," I said softly.
His eyes searched mine for a long moment before he nodded, resignation and pride warring in his expression. "When this is over?—"
"When this is over," I echoed, "we'll have all the time in the universe."
Chapter 61
