187 Fight For You

RETH

Reth's gaze, glinting and fierce, bored into hers, his hands at her face warm and solid.

Elia blinked and sucked in another breath. "But you said—"

"If—if!—I lose that fight, if my every effort comes to nothing and I lose… I will not harm my people for doing what they believe is right. If I were convinced that a ruler was a traitor, I would remove them myself. I cannot condemn others for holding the same strength."

She stared at him, hope and fear warring in her eyes, then her face crumpled. But before he had to comfort her again she caught herself.

"Oh, Reth," she said, stroking his face. "I never dreamed that the things I loved most about you would be the very things that threatened to take you from me," she whispered. "You are the most amazing man—I… I don't know if you realize that."

"Elia, it isn't—"