A Beast's Tale

Chapter 74

"I'm still mad. I still hate 'em. Sometimes, I can't even look at Jin without wantin' to kill him. But if I do that, then I'll end up in jail or dead or on the run, an' that'll leave Ivetta with one less bodyguard, an' I ain't doin' that right now. Not with everythin' that's goin' on."

Luke's voice carried with ease to where I stood outside the cracked door to the chapel, arms crossed over my chest, leaning against the wall. Moonlight filtered through the stained-glass windows of the church foyer. A hollow thunk echoed off of the walls.

"And you don't want to upset her, do you?" Gilbert asked, a knowing smile in his voice.

"Well, yeah." Luke sighed. "It really was a dirty trick, Chevie bringin' her to the embassy that day," he muttered.

Gilbert chuckled. "'Chevie'? You'll give him a nickname like that, but you won't call me 'Papa'?"

"Ew, no, that sounds weird. Let's jus' say you're my guardian an' leave it at that."

Gilbert laughed. "You're always so touchy about that. But if that's what you want, fine, although if you ever change your mind..."

"No way. So, what d'ya want?"

"I want to catch up with you. We haven't had a chance to talk since I arrived."

Luke snorted with laughter. "Yeah, right. Ya called me out here in the middle of the night jus' to 'catch up.'"

"Maybe I'm trying to help you keep up your new 'good boy' front. People think all sorts of nasty things about anybody associated with Obsidian, after all, and if you're still set on getting your revenge, you'll want everybody to think you've turned over a new leaf. Or is this the new you?"

"Not a chance. I'm only doin' this 'cause of Ivetta. An' if you're so worried about people hatin' anybody ya hang around with, why're ya pesterin' her all the time?"

"In her case, it won't matter for long. But you've made no long-term plans yet, have you?"

"No, I haven't. What d'ya mean by—"

"Have you thought about resuming leadership of the anti-monarchy faction once you've completed your bodyguard duty?"

Luke sighed. "I dunno."

"He he. The little dove removed your fangs."

"No, she didn't. All I ever wanted was to find the guy who murdered Leila an' kill him. I never thought about anythin' else. I never really cared about the anti-monarchy faction, to be honest. But now..." Luke sighed. "It was a lot easier when I didn't know any of 'em."

"Hm. Well, you know I'll support you, whatever decision you make, although it will complicate things when I invade Rhodolite if you decide to stay and become a true Rhodolitian prince."

"That ain't happenin'."

"Really? What about all the studying you've been doing?"

"That's jus' to stay near Ivetta. Now, stop dodgin' my questions. What's your deal with her?"

Gilbert chuckled. "If you come back to Obsidian with us, I'll tell you."

"Ya got another thin' comin' if ya think I'm lettin' ya take her back to Obsidian."

"Luke, is this the thanks I get for saving your life?"

"Thanks. Obsidian was great for me. But she'd hate it there, an' I'm not lettin' ya take her."

"What makes you think she'd hate it so much?" Gilbert asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

"Well, she prob'ly wouldn't if ya didn't keep her locked up, but that's what you'd do, yeah? I've seen the way ya glare at anybody who even looks at her too long. Ya wouldn't let her go anywhere or do anythin', an' I get that she'd be safer that way, but she's happiest when she's helpin' other people. She'd never smile again."