559 Defying the King - Part 2

ELIA

Gahrye pursed his lips. "I will think about it," he said carefully. "But if I decide to go… I'm not going to tell you when. So that if I am caught, you can honestly say you didn't know."

Elia's lips twisted. "Thank you for trying to protect me, but—"

"No, Elia, listen… this is real. What we're doing isn't for fun. It has to be done. And that means that we have to protect each other. If something happens to one of us it can't happen to both of us. If I go, I only go on the agreement that you will not try to save me if he finds out. That you'll let him punish me, or… or whatever. Because someone has to be here to help the Protectors if I'm gone. Even only for a time."