Page 41 of To Love a Dark Lord

“The fact that you don’t know is also part of the problem.” Picking up the edge of his cloak, she drew it tighter around herself. “Not all the elementals are on the rampage. Some just want to live quietly on their own. There’s a big difference between going to war against a few and declaring genocide against an entire group of people.”

“You would wait for those to attack you before avenging yourself. I simply wish to cut the problem off before it has a chance to strike.”

“You can’t kill people for the crimes they might commit. That’s not how this works!”

“I beg to differ.”

“Can we—” She sighed and placed a hand over her eyes. “Can we not. Not here. There’ll be a time to fight about this.”

“I agree.” The last thing he wished to do was ruin either of their enjoyment of the day. “I must admit, I wish that mutt of yours were here.”

“He misses you, you know.” She smiled. “Calls you Dad.”

That did twist something in his gut, he had to admit. He had once let his dogs run amok in the same way that Gwendolyn preferred to do. But the loss of holding them as they passed became too much over the centuries. For he was destined not to die, and they fell within the same seasons of life as all of nature should follow.

But watching Gwendolyn cherish her friendship with the beast…made him miss those days deeply. “He is a good hound.”

Perhaps those days were not gone for good.

“He’s the best. Even though I really wish I couldn’t understand him.” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s really weird to hear a dog comment to you when they’re?—”

“I do not need the details, thank you.” He chuckled, and she joined him. “You will adjust to your magic in time. It will become more natural to you.”

“I hope so. It’s still so weird. And I keep forgetting about it. Like, the other day, I was walking along for about two hours, complaining to myself how thirsty I was, before I remembered I could just make myself a drink.”

Grinning, he hugged her tighter for a moment. “Speaking of which, who knows that you command iron, the same as I?”

“No one.” Her shoulders fell a little. “I figured if they really hated the fact that one person could void all their powers, they really wouldn’t like it if there were two.”

“You were wise to keep it a secret. Even Galahad does not know? What of your villager companions?”

“No one.”

“Good. Very good. We can use that to our advantage.” He was not certain how he would leverage such a reveal, but he knew it would come in handy.

“Seriously. Change of topic. No more discussing your impending murderous rampage.”

“Yes, yes. Forgive me. I will only conclude the matter by saying this.” He combed the claws of one hand through her hair. She hummed and leaned into his touch. “No matter what may follow, my firefly—I love you above all. Promise me that you will hold that close to your heart.”

“I promise.” She wound her fingers into his other hand. “And promise me the same thing in return.”

“Of course.” He kissed her cheek. And when she turned her head to him, he paid the same attention to her lips. He would do anything to protect her. To preserve this world of Avalon for her. Even if he had to turn the rivers and fields red, he would see her safe.

He would see her smile at him.

No matter the cost.

Galahad returned home, concern and anger clutching at him, sending his muscles tense with every step as he ducked under the jamb into the cottage he shared with Zoe.

The Gossamer Lady was sitting by the fire, wrapping a bandage around her arm. She was bruised, and a black spot marred her cheek by her ear. He hurried to her side, kneeling beside her, taking over the task of tending to her wounds.

Zoe watched him, her pink eyes searching his for information. “You let her pass.”

“Yes.” He made no attempt at excuses. He would not lie to his wife. “There was naught I could do to stop her, save…attempt to take her life.”

She frowned, leaning back in her chair to gaze into the fire. “I did what I had to do. If Mordred is now free, we—we are all lost.”

He paused for a long moment, not knowing in what order to best broach topics. “I am certain the Prince in Iron walks this land once more. We had best prepare as though he is free.”

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