“The northern coast.”
“Too far. Once Leif learns Owen is in Ixia, he’ll return to the Citadel. Even if your agent had the fastest horse in Ixia, it would still take her twelve days to travel that distance. And messages aren’t effective. If Leif doesn’t understand something, it will be a twenty-four-day wait until he does. Plus, you can’t brainstorm ideas.”
“No.” The word sprang without thought from his primal core. The place deep down inside him that screamed, You will stay with me!
“You know it’s logical.”
To hell with logic. “We’re stronger together. You said so yourself.” Ha. She couldn’t logic her way out of that one.
“Yes, for when we go against Owen. Not against a gang of Storm Thieves. I’ll just be in the way.”
“Fine. I’m coming with you to Sitia.”
“You can’t.”
“I’ll wear a disguise.”
“And what happens when the reports keep coming in from MD-1 about those Storm Thieves?”
He crossed his arms, refusing to acknowledge her point.
She answered for him. “The Commander learns you committed treason.”
“I’ll stay in Sitia.”
“And let Owen win?”
Determined to remain stubborn, he kept silent.
“All right. We let Owen win, and he eventually convinces the Commander to invade Sitia, where we’ll be living. You, me and our child. How long do you think Sitia will last? I guess we could go into hiding, wear disguises and live in constant fear. That’s a healthy environment to raise a child.” Her tone indicated it would be anything but. “And we both know it’s a matter of time before the Commander hunts us down.”
Damn it all to hell! Valek growled every single curse he knew as impotent fury surged through him. At this moment, he hated logic. He wanted to take his knife and stab it through its cold calculating heart. Why couldn’t he be selfish and irrational for once? Damn it all to hell!
“I’m not happy about it, either. But I won’t be gone long,” Yelena said in a soft voice. “We can rendezvous and return to the castle together.”
“Have you forgotten there’s an assassin after you?” he asked.
“I’ll head straight for the Magician’s Keep. I’ll be safe there.”
“Then take Ari and Janco with you. Please.”
“Will the Commander agree?”
“I’ll make sure he does.”
“All right.”
He pulled her into a hug as he accepted the inevitable. “This is the last time we say goodbye.”
“Don’t say that. We have many more goodbyes and hellos left.”
“I meant—”
“I know, and that’s a sweet sentiment, but even you know it’s impossible.”
“You mean you won’t let me lock you in a tower so you can never leave?”
She gazed up at him. “Tempting...but no.”
“You’ll promise to be extra careful?”
“Of course.”
They finished packing just as the guard knocked on the door to inform them that Ari and Janco had arrived. The man retreated back to his post. Valek slung his pack over his shoulder and grabbed Yelena’s.
He grunted. “What’s in here? Rocks?”
“Books. And don’t you start being all...” She tugged on the handle. “I can carry it.”
“Being all what?” Keeping a firm grip on her pack, he strode to the door.
She hustled beside him. “Being all...my-wife-is-pregnant-and-she-can’t-do-anything...overprotective.”
“Me, overprotective? You must have mistaken me for another man,” he teased.
She swatted him on the arm.
“You’re the one who had to pack books.” Valek waited while she opened the inner door. “What kind of books?”
“Ones about how to spy and stuff.”
“Nothing’s better than actual training.”
“I know, but I can still learn a few new tricks.”
“Tricks?” Janco asked as they exited the main entrance.
“Yes. You’ll need your bag of tricks,” Valek said. “You, too, Ari.”
“Why?” they asked in unison.
Valek explained their new mission. “All you have to do is protect Yelena.”
“Easier said than done,” Janco muttered, then shot her a sweet smile. “What about the Commander?”
“After you pack, we’ll swing by his office and I’ll obtain permission. I’m sure he’ll want to ensure she arrives in Sitia without incident. She may no longer be the Liaison, but he wouldn’t risk a diplomatic incident. At least, not yet.” He fervently hoped.
As they headed to Ari and Janco’s apartment, Valek asked Ari about Reema.
“She left this morning,” Ari said.
“Any problems?”
“None.”
“She loved her gifts,” Janco chimed in.
“What gifts?” Yelena asked.
Valek swallowed a groan as Janco listed the various weapons they’d given the girl.
“Opal’s going to kill you,” Yelena said.
“Not me,” Janco protested. “Ari bought them. I just gave her a set of lock picks.”
“Ari?” Yelena turned to him.
“Sitian knives are too flimsy. She’s going to need a quality set.”