King of the Seditious
Changed

As usual, Savage was watching over Dimurah from a far corner of Winters Haven. Sitting across the table from Phalanx as they enjoyed their drink, his mind was elsewhere.

He’d been consumed with thinking of that last conversation with Sebastian’s valkyrie. Somewhere in his mind he’d thought that he would go in there and replace out she needed help. He’d intended to free her and take her back to Sebastian.

Because I truly thought they belonged together.

There was no doubt that some of their relationship was difficult.

He kept her prisoner for far too long.

She’d become tired of being there because he required it and not because it was what she’d wanted.

Then when their daughter had died, it had changed everything.

He lost her.

Savage’s gaze followed his precious redhead walking around Winters Haven.

She’d gone from the bold girl he’d first found to a confident woman. She no longer wore the green cloak he’d given her so long ago. She strode fearlessly around Winters Haven. Knowing she’d earned her place in the Blue Lark. She now exuded some kind of confidence she’d not had before.

When she’d discovered what she was, what she was capable of, it had changed her.

And Savage was beginning to believe when he’d found how Elsabet had turned on Sebastian, it had changed him.

I couldn’t stand to lose Dimurah like that.

But she’d never turn like that. A small part of his mind defended. Believing in her whole-heartedly.

She had always been by his side.

Even when I insisted she go, she found her way back.

“What is so heavy on your mind?” Phalanx murmured.

Savage realized he’d been talking the whole time, but Savage hadn’t heard a word.

“I think I’ve been wrong.”

“You?” Phalanx blinked in shock. “You’re never wrong.”

“I’ve been so secretive with her.”

“Because knowing what you are, where you go, what you do, can only endanger her.”

“She’s not a fragile flower, Phalanx.” Savage turned icy blue eyes on him.

Phalanx considered that. Leaning back against the seat of the bench. “No, she certainly is not.”

“She has her own ways of defending herself.”

Those wings were quite impressive.

And she healed that tracker with them.

Neither of them even knew everything they were capable of. But Savage was beginning to understand that he wanted to replace out.

With her.

Dimurah was delivering a couple tankards of ale.

A man reached to strike her rear but before Savage could do more than tense, she’d blocked that wrist and turned to soundly slap the man.

Well done, Sweetheart!

The assassin leapt to his feet to stand over her.

But like always, Dimurah didn’t flinch, didn’t back down.

Fearless as a hellcat.

She faced the man. Glaring up at him. Daring him to strike her.

Savage concentrated on not intervening. Though he was ready to, if the man so much as twitched, Savage was going to tear his head off.

But her bodyguards had already wove through the crowd, caught the man and were hauling him off while he shouted apologies. Pleading to stay.

Too late for that now. She has no mercy.

She watched them taking the man out, as unmoved as he knew she would be.

My fierce Barter Queen.

“All of our fights, all the dissension between she and I,” Savage murmured sideways to Phalanx. “Are because I am so cloaked with her.”

“And you don’t want to be anymore?”

“No.”

“Then don’t be.” Phalanx leaned forward to prop his elbows on the table and urge. “You’re both fierce. You’re both adults…And I’ll always be here to protect her when you’re not.”

Savage nodded slowly.

***

“Murah!” Savage stood and barked.

She turned. Her eyes hooded as she faced him proudly. Though she didn’t skitter to him despite his fierce tone, nor did she object to him calling her by the intimate nickname.

Which pleased him.

He nodded outside. Indicating she should meet him there.

He caught the hint of a smile turning her lips.

He was waiting outside, leaning against the building near the door, when she stepped out onto the floating dock.

He caught her arm and whirled her around to pull her against him.

“Aren’t you a feisty one, tonight?” She said with a saucy grin. Turning her face up to his as though awaiting a kiss.

One I very much want to give her.

But not yet. I need to tell her.

“I could be, if you’d like me to be.”

“I would…”

“I’ve something to tell you.”

More than one, truly.

She reared back. “That is never good.”

I think you might consider this to be.

He studied her for a long moment. “Come with me?”

She nodded.

Treading his heels as he headed for his tent.

Once inside he caught her hands. “I want to give you all you desire.”

Her face scrunched and her body tightened. “But?”

“No, but Dimurah. Just be patient with me. It’s not in my nature to allow you to go unprotected.”

“I can protect myself.”

He heard fabric ripping and saw bits of the back of her dress hanging limply along her sides as those vibrant red wings rose from beyond her shoulders stretching slowly out until they filled the tent.

“I see that.” He acknowledged. “Just be patient with me.”

She nodded.

“I’m going to tell you what I’m doing. From here on, where I’m going.”

She tilted her head. Again, waiting for a ‘but’.

“In exchange,” He elaborated. “You have to keep Phalanx apprised of where you are and what you’re doing, so he can keep you safe when I’m gone.”

She tilted her head grudgingly. “I can do that. If you can keep your word.”

“Have I ever broken it?”

“No.” She said quickly. “Not you. Not ever.”

“Then have some faith in me.”

“I do.”

“I believe Sebastian Bodane, is my real father.”

“King Ocnomad-”

“Knew my mother was unfaithful.” Savage supplied. “Which I think is why he treated me like a monster.”

“You’re son to the King of Castle of Water?”

“I think so.”