Page 75 of Shadows of Light
“I think you were right and she was in love with me.”
“Oh, I was definitely right.”
He smiled as he stroked her cheek. “She denied it, but after her treachery in that outer realm, she must have been the one reporting to the Lord.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“She was in love with you; I’m not sure she’d risk telling the Lord anything if there was a chance you might get hurt.”
“I don’t think she believed he would hurt me. She wanted you out of the picture and would do whatever it took to ensure it happened.”
“Maybe.”
He traced the dark circles under her eyes. “Now, what about you? Are these because of me? Have I been keeping you up at night?”
“You… and other things.”
“What other things?”
“I spent a lot of time searching for an answer to help you in the palace and then more time poring through those archives with the others. I snuck out at night a lot.”
“I know.”
She smiled at him. “I didn’t like you watching over me with the shadows.”
He grinned. “I know.”
Her smile slid away. “I’ve also been having nightmares about the war, the Lord, and… and… failing. I’m so scared I’ll let everyone down, do the wrong thing, get more killed, and be a completely inept leader.”
“You’re not.”
“You can’t be sure of that.”
“I can. You would have killed me if it came down to it.”
She recoiled from him, and her lips skimmed back to reveal her fangs. “Don’t say such things!”
“It’s true.” She started to shake her head, but he clasped her cheek to stop her. “It’s true, Lexi, and it’s okay. You would have done it to save countless other lives. You would have sacrificed the one you love the most, and therefore yourself, to save them. Thatisa good leader.
“Are you going to make mistakes? Of course, but you’ll recover from them, try to correct them, and learn from them. You’ll be fair and fight for your people. That is the best anyone can ask for from you, and youwilldo it.”
Her eyes searched his face as she caressed his cheek. “I’ll do my best to try.”
“That is what counts.”
“I ordered the death of the prisoners in the dungeons. It hasn’t happened yet; it was supposed to be this morning, but something else came up.”
“Me?”
“No, a new development in my abilities. I’ll show you when we return to the palace. But more lives will be lost because of my command.”
“Do you think it’s the right one?”
“Yes.”
“So do I.”
