“I’m not hiding you away. I’m merely situating you close by. You can rest or read or—”
“What if I want to see my sister?”
He considered her request. The idea of her not being completely alone actually comforted him, but it was a risk. Grace Hartzler was not a likely threat to Larissa, but the female was young, which meant her thoughts were often unguarded. It wouldn’t be difficult for an elder to overhear musings of her sister’s return.
“As soon as I speak to The Council about our situation, I will send for your sister, but I’m afraid you should stay isolated until then.”
Her disappointment was bottomless, and her acceptance brought him no satisfaction. “Fine.” She stomped past him, in the direction of his home.
“Larissa, you can see her in a day or two. These are simply precautions.”
“I don’t want to discuss it anymore. I said it’s fine.”
Over the centuries, he’d heard countless jokes about mates and wives and their tempers. He was now grasping how dangerous the word fine could be. Nothing about his mate’s mood was fine.
As they marched toward his home, her tension did not loosen. He reminded himself that the consequences of her first husband’s actions would linger and would also be his.
Her resistance was not a complication Larissa invited willingly but an obstacle that came from abuse. Yet, in a strange way, her defiance showed signs that she was not broken as she believed, but healing and still very strong.
There would be moments when she needed to defer to him. But in those instances, he would do his best to deliver any command as gently as possible, never forgetting that she once survived a relationship with no autonomy of her own.
When they arrived at his home, entering through the offices of the safe house and traveling the empty corridors that led to Council Hall, David greeted them. The young male attempted to overlook the bishop’s shredded attire and Larissa’s presence, but there was no ignoring the curiosity of his thoughts.
“David, Sister Larissa will be borrowing a room for a time. No one is to know of her presence, so please guard your thoughts. In the meantime, alert The Elders that I’ve returned with urgent news.”
“Yes, Bishop. But there is a minor situation you may want to address before I send for the others.”
“What is it?”
David glanced at Larissa and hesitated. “It’s, uh, private council business…”
Eleazar delved into the young male’s mind and understood right away why he hesitated. Then he sighed. Another complication.
“I will first see that Sister Hartzler is situated, and then I will deal with that right away.”
“Yes, Bishop.” David stopped at the entrance to the bishop’s private quarters, lingering in the office corridor.
Tension knotted in Eleazar’s shoulders—a sign that he was officially home. Only because Larissa was, in fact, his mate would he deal with this unexpected complication first. But he would keep his new concern hidden. No need to worry her.
Larissa looked at him with uncertainty, but he blocked his thoughts, guiding her toward his private rooms.
“As soon as I show you to your room, I must see to an urgent matter.”
“Fine.”
He purposefully forced a calming breath into his lungs. Another fine…
Chapter 28
Jonas pulled his face away from his palms as the echo of heavy footfalls approached. The cement floor held the damp, musty scent of rain and a welcoming sense of hollow abandonment. It would only be a matter of time now.
He ached for it to be over and shoved his body off the cold floor to sit up and face his incoming visitor. He waited, staring through the barred wall. The glow of an approaching lantern grew, illuminating the long hall leading to his cell, and the impeding footsteps grew closer and louder.
He sensed the bishop’s intolerant attitude before he spotted him. When the bishop’s figure loomed outside the cell, the male’s eyes glared and his skin wore the fresh scent of soap, but nothing smelled stronger than his irritation.
“Why are you here?” he snapped by way of greeting.
Jonas battled for the forte to speak. His hunger had become an all-consuming ache that sapped away his strength for even the weakest thought. “It’s the safest place I could find.”
He was no longer a danger to just himself.
“Tell me you’re not here for the reason I suspect.”
Jonas stood with aching joints. His muscles were weak with starvation, and his mind had not settled long enough for him to find the solutions he sought.
He met the bishop’s stare. “I’ve come to beg for The Council’s mercy, Bishop King. I wish to be executed.”
The bishop swore under his breath, massaging his temples as if his head ached—an altogether strange ailment for an immortal. “I cannot kill you, Jonas.”
“It’s my wish. You must.”
“Is it true then? You have been called to another female?”
“I only want one female. Abilene—”