Warlord's Ward

Casting a Spell

"How determined are you to get that book?"

"Very."

I wasn't exaggerating. I was already thinking that first chance I got, I was going to go downstairs and try to take the staircases up to the highest level and see if I could find the king's chamber.

"Will you let me protect you?" He was almost hesitant in asking. Making my eyes shoot to him.

At first, I wasn't wholly certain I'd even heard him correct.

He wants to protect me?

He's going to go with me? I had never thought I'd be able to persuade him to that.

My brows shot up. "You'd work with me to do it?"

"No. I don't think it's possible. They'd spot me a long way away and know I'm not in the tower where I belong."

"You're going to let me go?"

"Let is a strong term for it. I'm simply learning with you that whatever you desire is only a matter of time before you pursue...But I think if you intend to go on a mission so foolish, I intend to make sure you don't pay a consequence for it."

What consequence? He said it in such a way that it made me think he truly feared what could happen to me.

What would he fear?

"How?"

"You have to submit to me. Give your will to me and trust that I won't abuse it."

I gave him a wary look.

He reached out and lightly caught my hand. Letting my palm run along his until his fingers and thumb could pin my fingers in his grip. "I know what I'm asking. And how hard it could be. I don't need you to do this. Truth be told, I don't want you to. I want you to change your mind. Now." He urged. "But if you will not. Then let me help you before you have another choice to abandon me as you did before and elect to find a book in a dangerous chamber rather than escape like a sensible girl."

I frowned at him. Crossing my arms over my chest. "Are you saying I'm not sensible?"

His lips tightened and he shook his head. "Oh, no, Miss. I have two sisters. I'm not biting that bait."

I felt my lips twitch faintly in humor, but I forced my expression to be solemn. I lifted a haughty brow.

"It'll do naught but get me into trouble."

***

"Give me your disguise, Warlord." I uncrossed my arms and dropped my hands to the table. Wondering how he'd do it.

And if it'll hurt.

"Trust me?" He asked warily. Giving me a sideways look and easing from me as though he feared my answer.

He wasn't wrong to do so.

I was very reluctant to respond to that. Because the truth was that I didn't. He'd broken that.

"No." I sighed. Looking away. Thinking of how cruel he'd been so recently. I summoned my courage and that stubborn streak that ran rampant for me, and I used it to make me stronger. "But I can trust you in this."

He sucked in his cheeks. Thinking. Eventually he gave a quick nod. "That'll do."

He walked over to the table and pulled out the wooden chair. "Sit."

I hesitantly obeyed.

"Close your eyes."

I did. Closing them made my ears attune more keenly to his movements. I heard liquid pouring from a vial. A potion?