Page 130 of Storm of Desire
"Even if Iwerewelcome,"Sirius said mockingly. "Icannot."
"You would choose your father over yourmate?"
"It's not—"He sucked in a sharp breath. "You forget the second creed my father's line stands for: Family before all else. It's what I've believed all my life."And he'd done things—horrible things—for that cause, for if he couldn't believe in family, then what else could he believein?
"Do you think they would give a damn? Do you think they would choose you?"shesaid.
"I know theywouldn't."
He'd learned that lesson longago.
Árdís's eyes flared gold."Then how can you choose to fight at their side, knowing what they'relike?"
"Because if I don't go back,"he hissed,"then he will kill my brother. I was the only thing stoppinghim."
Family before all else. And in Sirius's eyes, there was onedrekileft to him in this world that belonged in thatcategory.
"Andri."Rurik broke in sharply."He's threatenedAndri?"
"Andri betrayed Magnus when he saved you from my brother's wrath. And Magnus was father's favorite. Stellan doesn't believe in disloyalty."Unless it came from him. He turned to her."I made a deal, Árdís. Iwould serve my father's every whim if he allowed my brother to live. I would... I would mate with you, and secure the family's hold on thethrone."
"You let mego."
"A foolish plan made on the spur of the moment."He glanced toward Malin, who was watching the three of them as if aware they communicated privately."I hoped if you weren't there, then I could not be forced to mate with you, and could sidestep my part of the bargain. But my father will not accept such a loss. He demands your return at my side, and I fear if I don't, then he will renege upon his end of thebargain."
"You cannotwin."
"No."He gave a bitter smile."I cannot win. If you choose to stay, then you shall face me on the field as an enemy. I have nochoice."
Árdís pressed a hand to her temples."Damnit."
"You're not going,"Rurik toldher.
"There is one other thing you should know,"he told her."They are coming for you right now, and they are coming in force. Your mother rides with them. To confront your brother means she must accept his claim as a potential rival for her throne, but she's been in a lather all night. They'll be here within hours. If I hand you over, it'sdone."
"I can't," she said out loud. She turned to Rurik. "Ican't."
"I don't expect you to," Rurik replied. His eyes glittered queerly as he turned to glare at Sirius. "My sister is mated already. She cannot undo what is already done, and even if she weren't, I would not trade her freedom for another's life. And there is one last choice left to us.... Let your father and my mother come for Árdís. If Stellan dies on the field of war, then he can't lift a hand againstAndri."
"You don'tunderstand—"
Rurik hissed at him. "They're not invincible. We have weapons you cannot even dream of. When your father comes, I will challenge him. There's a reason he's afraid to faceme."
Sirius stared at him. "It won't be my father they send to battle withyou."
Lightning crackled in distant skies. He'd never faced the prince, not since they were bothkits.
And Rurik believed in honor, infairness.
As powerful as he was, Sirius had been molded into an assassin, a dark threat that leashed the court, and brought it to heel beneath his father andaunt.
We will fight, and I will kill you, no matter what it takes, because it's what Ido.
And Malin would watch inhorror.
"Sirius?" Malin whispered, her hands clenched in herskirts.
He looked at her, his heart freezing in her chest. "I'll have nochoice."
