Drevakin

As we stand alone in the study, Clara tucked into my arms, I think. Various options come and go in my mind, all with the pressure of knowing time is scarce. House Lo'ara can withstand a siege for some time, but Rathorin has enough of a force he could overrun it eventually.

Politically, it would not be a smart move for him to sacrifice a multitude of people he does not have to. He may be the Prince of House Ti'ana, but that does not mean he is immune to being overthrown, given the correct provocation. Sending his people to die when it is unnecessary could well be enough.

I do not know if he will take the politically expedient path. It is obvious that the power of his position as Prince of a Major House has poisoned his mind, given him an inflated ego. He may believe he can say and do whatever he pleases, using fear and force to ensure nobody rises against him.

Even though he might be wrong in this case, the political ramifications will not help House Lo'ara after the fact if he decides to use numbers to overwhelm the border walls. And that brings me to a reality I cannot avoid.

I cannot leave House Lo'ara to its fate.

Every male, female, and child in that House is my responsibility. They have put their faith in me, looked to me for guidance and safety. I have a duty to protect them to the best of my ability. A duty I have never taken lightly and cannot now. If sacrificing myself is the only way, I will do so.

"I have to turn myself over to Rathorin," I say out loud.

I knew what my decision would be after Elorshin first informed me, but I needed to ensure I had exhausted all possibilities. My promise to Clara, to keep myself safe as possible, rings in my ears. I didn't know the test of it would come so soon. Clara leans back so she can look at my face.

I expect her to argue, tell me I can't do this, that I need to keep myself safe. I would understand. She has already lost a mate and knows the excruciating pain of that loss. A pain I hope never to experience. I do not want to deal her that blow again. But she surprises me as she seems to have a knack for.

"I know," she says simply, a wistful smile on her face. "You wouldn’t be the man I care so much for, that I love, if you didn’t do what’s right."

Relief flows through me in a cool rush as I lean down to rest my forehead against hers, looking into her beautiful eyes.

"I do not know what I did to deserve you," I murmur.

"I don't know either," she says with a smile, a twinkle in her eye.

Chuckling in response, I'm happy she can find humor even now.

Her face sobers. "But you aren’t going alone," she says.

I frown, my heart clenching in panic.

"Clara—"

"No," she interrupts. "Rathorin isn’t asking for you alone. He’s asking for me too."

I shake my head, my stomach dropping and my heart beating faster. Fear is much more real at the thought of her in Rathorin's power than it is when facing my probable death. I cannot bear to think of her hurt.

"He only suspects you are still alive. I can mollify him by turning myself in," I argue, ice cold desperation trickling down my spine.

Clara shakes her head almost in apology. I am reacting harsher to her decision than she did to mine. Maybe I'm not as strong as she is.

"You know he’s more likely to back off if both of us go. Do you think he won’t tear House Lo'ara apart looking for me after you turn himself over to him? You’ll be proof he was right! That you tricked him to believe we died."

"You are both wrong."

Clara and I turn to look towards the doorway at Elorshin's voice.

In our focus on our discussion, we didn't hear the door to the study open. Elorshin smiles as he stands just inside the doorway with Margot.

"I apologize, but your voices carried out into the hall where Margot and I were discussing matters." He looks over at Margot, who nods, her face tense. "Margot and I have spoken about the situation." He turns back to us, shaking his head. "If you believe Rathorin will leave House Lo'ara intact if one of you, or even both of you, turn yourselves over to him...you are deluding yourselves. He is a Prince of a Major House and you have defied him in public." Elorshin waits for that to sink in before continuing. "I can tell you from my experience, he will not relent until he has decimated House Lo'ara. Naefaren has a much more level head, but even he did not hold back with House Ki'lar. Whether or not you sacrifice yourselves, House Lo'ara will know Rathorin's rage."

Elorshin is saying what the voice at the back of my mind has been trying to tell me while I do my best to ignore it. I cannot accept that there is no hope for my House. Anger and grief at the thought makes my response harsh.

"So, what? You propose that I do nothing, stand by while he destroys my House? When it is at risk because of my actions?" I shake my head. "You, of all people, know I cannot do that."

Elorshin steps forward, his face sympathetic. "I would never advise you to do such a thing," he reassures me. "No. I am advising you to fight."

I laugh harshly, the rough sound more like a bark. "You know a fight would lead to the same conclusion, the death of House Lo'ara. It may even speed up its demise."

Elorshin nods, not arguing with my assessment. "Yes, I would agree with you. But only if you fight alone."

I stare at him in shock. I do not know what to say to that.

"Are you saying you will fight with us?" Clara asks, breaking the stunned silence.

"I am," Elorshin confirms, nodding his head.

"I cannot ask you to take such a risk," I start.

"You are not asking," Elorshin retorts. "And this is not just for you. It's for all of us. For all the Minor Houses. I know the Major Houses still believe the only reason I won when attacking House Ki'lar was because a Major House allied with me. That Prince Naefaren was the real driving force behind that attack, behind my decision to fight for what is mine." He looks back at Margot, his love for her clear in eyes. "They are wrong," he says in a low voice, exchanging an intimate, lingering look with his Pari. "We will never be safe until we force the Major Houses to recognize we are strong on our own merit, that they cannot beat us down and take what they want from us. We need to show we will fight back."

Elorshin's face is as intense as his voice, his belief in what he is saying undeniable. He is not wrong. But the risk...

"Elorshin, you have a Pari, a baby. You have a family."

"Yes," he agrees. "And what I do, I do for them. I do for my daughter. For her future." As he closes the distance between us, I loosen my hold on Clara and turn toward him. He sets his hands on my shoulders, his eyes focused on my face. "If we stand together, we are a formidable force."

As I look back into his sincere eyes, I want to believe in his message. I want to fight for our future. But reality is undeniable.

"I do not disagree with you. But even with your help, there is no guarantee of success. Rathorin's forces will still be greater."

Elorshin smiles.

"You must have faith, my friend. He may have greater numbers, but we have the will and the strength of the Minor Houses." He takes a deep breath. "And if we fail, I know Prince Naefaren will take care of House Do'ana. Fear of failure will not hold me back, hold us back. I will fight for what is right, for the future. Will you?"

I take a deep breath, overwhelmed by the show support. Overwhelmed by the gravity of this crossroads. But there is no choice here, is there?

I nod, my frustration and anger at the Major Houses re-igniting in the face of Elorshin's deep emotions.

"My thanks," I say gruffly. "My thanks."

Clara sets her hand on Elorshin's shoulder.

"Our thanks," she corrects, giving Elorshin a level look.

Elorshin nods sharply. "Now. We must plan."