Athena

Aaron slammed the door behind him when he walked in, and I jumped and looked at him.

“What’s wrong?” I said.

“It’s like she stopped thinking the minute they put that crown on her head,” he growled, “promising Lefty our naval command without even discussing,” he poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it.

“Aaron,” I said softly, he grunted, “Love, look at me,” he stopped and turned. “Who promised what?”

He sighed and sat down.

“Lisette is being,” he shook his head, “I don’t want to talk about it, but what can you tell me about the invasion possibilities?” I pressed my lips into my mouth.

“Well,” I sighed, “I’d want to evacuate the city, and fortify the guard here, and at the manor, plus on the cliffs in between. We don’t have much naval power, except what my grandfather offers, but if they try to come ashore, I think we’d be able to keep them from rolling further inland.” He sighed and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “We may all be over reacting.” He looked at me.

“You don’t really believe that,” he mumbled.

“No,” I sighed, “but you should go home,” he looked at me, “I think it’s why you’ve been so edgy. Go home and prepare for harvest, I’ll come when I can.” He smiled. “She’ll get by, she did when you went last time. I might lose my mind a little, but you like it when I’m crazy.” He kissed me gently.

“After what we’ve talked about these last few days,” he shook his head, “I won’t leave you alone. Last time I went, Tristan was there, remember?” I grinned. “And he won’t be at Pantona until the wedding.”

“I didn’t tell you,” I said excitedly, running to the desk and grabbing a letter, “Carolina DuKarras’s father wrote back. They are coming to the wedding, and he expects to negotiate, then.” Aaron snorted.

“I thought you were keeping all the weapons for our children,” he said.

“He seems awfully proud,” I mumbled, looking over the letter again, “and he’s offering a good little sum for her to bring with her. I’m going to offer a spot in the guard and Trey’s house as inheritance.”

“Are you authorized to will away Trey’s house?” Aaron raised his eyebrows. I waved my hand and exhaled out my nostrils.

“Bah, he wants this as much as DuKarras does,” I said. “And it isn’t as though I’ll need it, and Alex will be in Dorin.”

“True enough,” he said and kissed me. “I could give them some land, if you think it would help.” I frowned.

“No,” I said. “Maybe a house though, in Pantona?” He nodded. “Something in the village maybe?”

“You just want him close by,” he said and kissed me. I smiled. “But I think an appropriate place can be found. I’ll write to William.” I nodded.

“Now, your turn,” I said. “This can’t just be about Annalise and Harran.”

“It is though,” he muttered, “she’s not thinking past single moments, she refuses to see the bigger picture, fine, but then trust me to handle it, but she won’t do that either.” He sat down. “She’d have trusted my father.” I looked at him.

“You can’t spend your whole life comparing yourself to him,” I whispered gently. “I loved your father, he was a great man, but you aren’t him, and you don’t have to try to be.” I kissed him softly. “You’re a great man too.” He smiled. “Aaron, look at me,” he did. “I started falling in love with you when I saw how fiercely you loved her, how big your heart is.” He kissed my hand then. “But you can’t keep living your life for other people,” I whispered. “Unless of course other people is me. You can live for me.” He laughed.

“How you manage to give me hope and be ridiculously cynical,” he said, “is truly a feat.” I grinned. “You really ought to write to Tristan.”

“He’s busy,” I insisted, “he’s wooing. Alex and Lotte have been updating me. It’s apparently going quite well. He’s hasn’t thrown himself off a balcony, or inappropriately fixated on any of her relatives. So, for Tristan, really, aces.” He snorted. “We’ll all be together again soon,” I said softly. “At home.” He exhaled. That seemed to calm him down.