Page 97 of Clash of Storms
It weighed upon him.
All he'd ever wanted was a chance to make things right, but....
Was Andri's life worth the risk?
"Who will you become?"Reynar insisted, and this time Sirius realized it wasn't just a memory, but a question demanded of him now. "Because the moment of your choice is upon you, Sirius. Zilittu. Or Zini."
Malin was making her way up the hill toward him, a blue wool gown he didn't recognize setting off the lush coppery strands of her braided hair. She looked so beautiful in the sunlight. She looked like everything he'd never dared touch.
He wanted her more than he could ever admit. He wanted to be worthy of her.
What is the price you will pay to make things right?
When he turned back to the king, there was nothing there.
Reynar had vanished.
But the knot in Sirius's gut remained.
* * *
One by onethe prince's allies were forced back, overwhelmed by trickery.
The princess had accepted her mother's challenge, only to be cut off from her allies when twodrekicircled her, and the queen withdrew. Prince Rurik was hard-pressed by Stellan, though he held his own. Árdís's mortal husband, Haakon, fought Roar valiantly, but Florian lurked behind him with a knife in hand. Everywhere Malin looked, she could see the prince's demise.
This would be the end of all she'd dreamed.
This would be the end of the prince's rebellion.
If Rurik fell, then drekling and loyaldrekiwould die. There would be no hope left in her world.
"Please," Malin whispered, looking up at her dark prince. "Please don't let this happen. You could stop this. You're the only one here who can."
Sirius closed his eyes. "This is how it was always going to end."
She argued, but though he did not take the field, she could see his expression resolve itself into an implacable set. The threat to Andri bound him from entering this fight.
In all the stories her father had told her, the mighty and honorable won. It was only now she saw the truth; the scales could be so easily tipped. A single choice could twist the outcome of a battle, condemning honor to a ragged death and bringing utter ruin in its wake.
There was only one thing left to try.
"Please be a hero," she begged.
"I'm not a hero," he snapped.
"Then bemyhero," Malin whispered.
Emotion warred across Sirius's face, no doubt weighing up the costs in his mind. He couldn't see himself through her eyes; someone else had tarnished his very soul and made him believe he wasn't good. He wasn't honorable. But he could be the one who twisted fate. All he had to do was believe it too.
Her belief would have to be enough for both of them.
But finally, his gaze settled on her, and all the indecisiveness suddenly vanished as if the simple sight of her anchored him.
Malin's breath caught.Please.
"Stay here," Sirius told her softly, pressing his dagger into her hands. "And don't let anyone near you."
Relief flooded through her. All would be well.
