Page 59 of The Blade in the Ashes
He shouldn’t be doing this.
Not for me.
“I’m not a Queen.”
I wasn’t anything, not really.
Powerless. Princess of a stolen kingdom. Daughter of a vengeful God.
I didn’t deserve this kind of loyalty.
This loyalty would only get him killed if Hyrax ever found out.
Veric didn’t even flinch at my denial; he just stared up at me with an expression filled with so much trust I was sure he had made a mistake in coming here. He’d watched me sit at Hyrax’s right hand as he’d attacked Damon. How could he possibly still look at me like I was someone he considered a friend?
“You’re so much more than just a Queen, Thea. You’re a Goddess, and I know you’ll fight back against him. I know you. I know you’ll stand up for what’s right.”
He didn’t understand.
He didn’t realize that I’d lost any advantage I might have had.
“I don’t have magic anymore,” I spit out the confession, my eyes falling to the threading along the collar of his shirt. I couldn’t bear to look at his face, knowing there would be a flash of disappointment when he realized that he’d come here for help I couldn’t offer him.
“Look at me,” he said, the words like a question. “Please.”
Fire sparked in his eyes, a flash of gold so similar to how Clay’s eyes flashed, I felt my heart lurch with longing.
I needed Clay.
“I was prepared to marry you and spend the rest of my life serving you because I saw your kindness when you came to Tenebris,” Veric explained, still straight-backed on his knee before me. “I saw your willingness to sacrifice your own happiness for your kingdom. And today in the throne room, I saw that same self-sacrifice again. I saw you willing to face Hyrax in defense of Damon.”
His voice cracked as he said his prince’s name, emotion flooding him so intensely that he had to clear his throat and shake away the moment.
I recognized it then.
I recognized the fire in his eyes. It reminded me so much of Clay because it was howmyprince looked when he spoke about me.
It was a look of love.
“I want to serve those whom I believe in. That’s you, Theadora, with or without magic. My monarchs may have pledged their loyalty to Hyrax, but I am here to remain loyal toyou.”
I didn’t know what to say. I barely even knew what to think.
“I—”
“I’ve come on behalf of Damon as well,” he continued, his words coming in a frantic rush. “He sends his thanks for your intervention and a request that I make this vow for both of us.”
“Vow?”
He bowed his head, resting his forehead against my knuckles. “We would like to vow our loyalty and honor to you, Theadora, Goddess of the Veil. We would like to vow our lives to you.”
Powerless.
Powerless.
Powerless.
I didn’t deserve this. I hadn’t earned this.
