Page 25 of Daniil
“That’s not fair.He wasn’t even there.”
“But if he had been, he still would have gotten Casey to safety first.”
“He would have saved us both.Or died trying.That’s who my husband is.He would have carried me while ushering Casey and Levi out of the tunnels.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“And what if he couldn’t?It took him and I together to get you out of there.”
“I don’t know,” she admits.“But Casey would have helped in any way she could.”
“She was carrying the baby.”
“Why do you want to fight about this?”she asks after a moment.
“I don’t.I’m just pointing out a reality you don’t see because you love him.And you’re also a Royal Protector.I just don’t see myself in your shoes.I can’t be with a man who puts someone else’s safety before mine.Before that of our kids.”
“I think you’re selling them short.And yourself.”
“Regardless, I don’t love Daniil.”
Ilustafter him, but I was never in love with him.At least, I don’t think so.
“Could you?”
“It doesn’t matter.I’m never going to find out because it would be a lesson in futility.I can’t be you.I’ll never swear an oath to the royal family, and that’s the only way we could be together.”
“You wouldn’t have to be a Royal Protector to love him.Elen isn’t.Ace’s wife Shannon isn’t.”
“I know but Xander and Ace aren’t royalty.Daniil is.I would be a princess, and that’s not for me.”
“How do you know?”
“What?”
“How.Do.You.Know.”She speaks slowly.“You haven’t even tried.Haven’t even gone out on a real date with him.Haven’t given it a chance.Maybe you’d like it.I didn’t think it was for me, but look at me now.”
“I might like him or even being a princess,” I admit grudgingly.“But I’ll never be okay with the life.”
She sighs.“Will you come to visit?See the twins?Seeme?”
“I’m not sure when, but I will eventually.”
“All right.”Another hesitation.“Will you keep in touch?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Of course I do!We can disagree on some things and still be friends.”
“I’m sorry, Lennox.For everything.I know I was a shitty friend.”
“You’re a good friend,” she counters.“I understand that you would have been putting me in a terrible situation with my husband if you’d confided in me.I get that.”
“Then we’ll talk soon.”
I hang up and stare at the phone for a while.
