famed lost library and sentenced Ian to decades in prison for suing them.
“Since I’m still on leave, honorable judges, I’ll take my remaining time to straighten out this situation so it poses no further issue when I return to work,” I said.
“See that you do,” one of them murmured, too low for me to catch who. I did catch some of their glances as a few of them briefly looked up from the crates. They contained combinations of reproach, disdain, and other unflattering opinions.
They might be impressed by Ian’s gift, but their opinion of him hadn’t changed. Having our marriage confirmed didn’t just complicate things for me personally; it would also throw up roadblocks professionally. I’d seen it with other female Guardians who’d married people the council didn’t approve of, though male Guardians seemed exempt from this form of career censure. Humanity didn’t have a monopoly on sexism.
That was a problem for a later day. My immediate problem flashed a devilish smile at me. “Shall we?” Ian said, holding out his arm. “Unless you’d prefer me to carry you over the threshold, my not-so-blushing bride?”
My glare promised vengeance, but we had to get out of there. Still, I ignored his arm as I brushed past him.
“Veritas.” Xun Guan gave me a pained look when I reached her. “I am so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” I said it briskly, but I meant it. I was responsible for this mess, not her.
She brushed my cheek. “If I could have spared you this—”
“You could have,” Ian interrupted, reaching my side. “You chose not to. Knew you would. I might not remember much, but I remembered that.”
I was trying to absorb I might not remember much when Xun Guan’s dark brown eyes turned green and her hand dropped to her sword. Ian saw it and snorted. “We’re at court where all duels require legal merit. You have none. Laws, eh?”
“Why are you antagonizing her?” I asked, low.
“Because of how she looks at you,” he responded, his eyes never leaving Xun Guan’s face. “Now that we have this moment, let me be frank, Xun Guan. If you act on what’s in your gaze, I won’t make the mistake of treating you like some poor, lovelorn lass. I’ll treat you like the dangerous warrior you are and rip your head off the first chance I get. Quite clear?”
Her gaze was now blazing green and her knuckles whitened on the hilt of her sword. “It will be a pleasure to kill you when your time comes,” she said in Mandarin.
“Back at you,” Ian replied in the same language.
I pushed him out the door, hissing, “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” while thanking all the gods that Mencheres immediately filled the space behind us. Now Xun Guan wouldn’t be tempted to follow Ian outside. Ian could beat her in a fight. Xun Guan didn’t know that, but I did, and I refused to play a part in her death.
Thankfully, Xun Guan didn’t follow us. My relief turned out to be short lived. As soon as we were outside of the amphitheater, Ian spun around. My hands were still in front of me since I’d been pushing him. He caught them, then hauled me close.
Time seemed to freeze. My grip on him instinctively tightened as I stared into his eyes, memories of the last time we’d been like this slamming into me.
I brushed my lips over his knuckles before releasing his hand. “Speaking of fighting, those demons screeching over their salt wounds aren’t going to kill themselves. Stay here. I’ll be back after I take care of them.”
Ian smiled, half teasing and half enticing despite being barely conscious. “Give me a moment and I’ll join you. Can’t have you tiring yourself out. We have a celebration . . .”
That’s all he’d gotten out before Dagon shoved that first bone knife through Ian’s skull. Once again, I heard my own scream and felt a surge of sheer panic as Ian’s eye began to smoke. “Don’t!” I shouted at Dagon. “Please, stop!”
Dagon had no intention of stopping. He’d only delayed to draw out my pain. I ripped my hands away, saying “Don’t touch me!” with all the vehemence of the grief I’d felt back then.
“Fine,” Ian said, stepping back. “I won’t touch you as long as you don’t attempt to disappear on me again.”
Panic of a new kind made me snap, “You heard the council. You can’t make me stay with you.”