Page 118 of Adversary to the Villain
“My dad locked me in a prison cell and tried to blow up my sister, if that helps,” Lyssa stated with sympathy, patting Blade’s arm.
No, this wasn’t a conversation for a child.
Fortunately, Lyssa was as oddly adjusted as the rest of them.
Rebecka bit her lip. “That’s not funny, Lyssa.”
“It’s a little funny.” Blade snorted when Rebecka splashed him with water from the fountain. “I’m…a bit worried for my father, actually.”
“Why?” Rebecka frowned.
“If there was any truth to what I was shown, he’s fallen out of favor with the king. And…I think it’s because of me. This is why I wanted no part of the family legacy of public governing; it all leads to blurry confusion.”
Rebecka went rigid. “Some of us do not have a choice, Bladen.”
Blade’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake too late. “Rebecka, I know that.”
Lyssa looked between them and grabbed another piece of meat. “C’mon, Fluffy. Give your mama and papa their alone time.”
“We are not his parents!” Rebecka called after the little girl, with a scrunch of her nose Blade found endearing. She rubbed her temples. “Why is it you think your father is in danger?”
“Because the Valiant Guard dragged him off in chains. I figured they weren’t taking him for an afternoon stroll.” He began tidying up Fluffy’s area, straightening things that need not be straightened. “He’s not a bad man. He just… He never understood my mind, and he never really tried to. But now I know he stood up for me to the king. It’s such a small thing, I know, but I can’t stop thinking about it.”
It had been plaguing him for days, so much he’d hardly been able to speak with anyone, especially Rebecka. “Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?” she asked.
“I didn’t want to—” Blade winced. “That sounds like the worst excuse. I apologize.”
Fluffy huffed, and Blade spotted him and Lyssa spying behind the half wall; they yelped when they were caught and disappeared once more.
“Is this because I died for five seconds?” Rebecka folded her arms.
Her limp body. Her eyes closed. Leaving him. “It was more than five seconds, I assure you.”
Her brown eyes were warm when she tentatively reached for his hand, and he took hers in his, laying a gentle kiss to the inside of her wrist. “I’m fine. And this is all going to end soon.”
He reached out, feeling too vulnerable, too tenderhearted. Brushing a strand of silky brown hair behind her ear, he followed the path his finger took with his lips. “Don’t do it again, please.”
He looked deep into her eyes, feeling like a bit of her soul had spilled onto his and now they were forever a part of the other.
She smiled, holding his jaw gently. “I won’t.”
“Good. Now, what was your upset over my politician comment?” Blade asked.
“It doesn’t matter.” Rebecka waved a hand.
“It upset you. Of course it matters.”
“It was just a difficult thing to hear when you know that my future will land me as head of the Fortis family. That will require living there and making public appearances and working diplomatically. All things you’d probably hate.”
Blade had to ensure he understood this correctly, but when he did, a smile slowly formed as he asked, “Are you saying you’re upset because you see a future with me?” He moved closer to her, and closer still when she grabbed his collar, bringing him inches from her face.
“Bladen. I’ve told you I love you. We are together. It stands to reason I would be thinking of what we might look forward to. But if you see this as temporary, then I’ll tell you—”
“I do think of you as Fluffy’s mother.”
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Rebecka burst out with a hysterical laugh. “Slow down there before you make me your coparent— We just started—”
“I know. I just thought you might like to know where I stand on the subject.” He breathed her in like vital air. “When I think of the future, lovely Rebecka, you’re all I see.”
