Kyler's Justice (Assassins of Gravas Book 3) - N.J. Walters Page 0,61
From the very beginning, they’d been drawn to each other, their love impossible, yet undeniable. He looked over her head at the king. “All my assets belong to her and the girls.”
“What? Stop it.” She slapped at his chest and then shook her hand when it stung. “He doesn’t agree to that,” she told the king.
The man who decided their fate was leaning back in his chair with a frown on his face. Not a good sign. “I accept my fate. None of that my life for his.” On that she was adamant. “Keep the girls safe for me.” It was a lot to ask of Kyler, but if he promised, it would give him a reason to go on. If anyone deserved and needed a family, it was him.
The girls had been quiet, but they stepped up to stand next to them. Sera took her hand. Maggs went up to Kyler, patted his leg, and lifted her arms.
Without hesitation, he scooped her into his strong arms, holding her securely.
It was a declaration, a sign he wouldn’t fight. Having his hands free, being able to access his weapons, was as natural to him as breathing. They all understood he was purposely making himself vulnerable, showing he would not attack.
Loyalty. It was everything to him. Somehow, he was trying to balance things so he betrayed none of them.
But what about him?
She glanced at the group who’d joined them. The women were beautiful in their own ways. Each of them had weapons strapped to their bodies. She didn’t think it was for show. Ivar she knew. But the man beside him was like Kyler. And he looked enough like Ivar and the king that he had to be related.
Heart breaking for what might have been, she took control of the conversation. “Can we get this over with? The waiting is only making things worse.” She transferred Sera’s hand to Kyler’s free one. “I’m ready.”
The king shook his head. “That’s not how this works. Not any longer. You are his wife. It is his honor to protect you.”
“Gods save me from men and their honor,” she muttered, drawing a frown from all the men in the room. The dark-skinned woman smirked. “You’re all about honor and loyalty. I understand and even admire that. How many people have died to avenge your son?” she asked the king. “A dozen? Two? More? And I don’t blame you. Children should be protected. But he’s not a child.” She pointed to Ivar. “He infiltrated a dangerous place, lied about his identity, carried weapons that would spark attention, and then ate and drank something that a stranger gave him.”
Probably not smart to point out that the king’s son hadn’t exactly been smart, but it was the truth.
She took a deep breath, adrenaline and righteous anger giving her strength. “It was wrong of me to drug him. But if it hadn’t been me, it would have been someone else.”
“And that excuses you?” The icy tone almost burned her skin.
“No, it doesn’t. But it doesn’t excuse you for letting your son go out there without the proper training.” She was on a roll now. If she was going to die, she was going to have her say.
“Kyler ate and drank nothing. He pretended to. Nor did he draw attention to himself.” Not strictly true. He drew attention just by walking into the room. “Ivar sat among the regulars, talking and laughing. It made them curious. It made Balthazar curious.”
And he’d paid for that. Her righteous fury died, leaving her exhausted. “I know what my brother must have done to you. And I’m sorry for that. He deserved his fate. You didn’t deserve what happened to you. Being careless shouldn’t have cost you so much.”
And where had she been going with this? It was difficult to gather her thoughts there were so many of them bombarding her. “All I’m saying is you went to great lengths to protect and defend your son. Your love and honor demanded it.”
The king gave a curt nod.
“Then why should it surprise you I’d do the same for my sisters? They have no family, other than me. Helldrick, that spawn of a demon, doesn’t count. They have no army to defend them, no fancy weapons or assassins to exact revenge. They have me. That’s it.”
Exhausted, she leaned back against Kyler. He adjusted his hold on Maggs so there was room for her. Sera took her hand again. They were bound together by love. They were family.