Page 62 of Lies That Bind
‘Then train her on weekends,’Liana said.
Valor smiled for the first time in weeks. “Even the fact that you’re considering it makes me feel so much better.” She leaned forward and pulled me into a hug.
I squeezed her hard, relishing the contact. Valor wasn’t a hugger, so this was probably the last one I would get for a while.
When we pulled away, I met her gaze. “While I’m considering this, I want you to train with Gwen during the week, and me on the weekends, on how to survive in the Wilds and how to form a bond and everything.”
She nodded eagerly. “I will.”
I was exhausted. I’d need a couple hours of sleep before taking on the day, but I wouldn’t get it.
“I have to go now, Valor. I am needed back at base.”
She frowned but gave me a small nod.
I decided then that the way my father had run our family to think love was a weakness was all wrong. All I’d ever wantedsince I became a sister to the triplets was to tell them how much I loved them.
I was empress and leader of this family now, so I was going to start new rules.
I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me. “Valor Everhart, I love you. And I’m going to start saying that because I want you to know it. I would do anything for you and I will always be here if you need me, no matter what my obligation to this country is. Do you understand me?”
A single tear welled in her eye and spilled over her cheek and onto my thumb.
They weren’t alive to hear our mother say I love you; only I had experienced that. So, me saying it was the only exposure she had to the words and how much they could make you feel.
I released her chin.
“It’s okay to say those words. Father isn’t here anymore, and my new house rule is that love isn’t a weakness. It’s a blessing. Okay?”
She looked confused but nodded, wiping away her tear. “Okay.”
When I left the house, I wondered if I was doing this right or screwing my sisters up. Parenting was not for the faint of heart.
Now, there was just one more person I needed to say I love you too. Kohen Badshah had my heart fully, and I had to tell him that.
Chapter
Fourteen
Ifell asleep on the ride back to base, but it was only a few hours, so I still felt groggy when Liana landed at Sky Reach.
I’d had her tell Onyx that my sisters were safe and to get that message to Elaine before she lost her mind with worry. Even so, Elaine was pacing the courtyard, waiting for me when I returned. Now that it was daylight, I took stock of the base, noting the two huge impact marks that had been made in our south wall and on one of our training fields. But all in all, the buildings were still standing, and repairing the wall and the training field was doable. The base was crawling with soldiers, so I was guessing we suspected the attack was over and it was back to business as normal. I’d have to check in with Commander Ledger about that, but first Elaine…
She ran to me the second I leapt off of Liana.
Her voice shook. “Are they okay?”
I nodded. “They’re safe. The bows were taken from my father’s house after the Lottery.”
She exhaled all of the breath she’d seemingly been holding. Her hair had sprung loose from its bun, and her eyes were rimmed with deep shadows. The only person who possibly lovedmy sisters more than me was Elaine. She had been with them since they were tiny babies.
“What did the letter say?” I asked her.
Now that I knew my sisters were safe, I was curious about the reply.
She swallowed hard. “It said he will give you three months to reconsider his proposal, at which time he is following through on his promises. And the bows were proof that he can.”
“Bastard!” I growled.
