"Half of them. That doesn't sound that hard," Gabriel said.
The king just shook his head at him. He knew Gabriel was just joking. It would be hard. Damn impossible just to get half.
"Right. Then go try," I said.
"Maybe I will."
I rolled my eyes, and Gabriel just chuckled.
"They are all old and boring. Why do we even allow them to have this power?" Gabriel said, but it sounded more like he was speaking to himself.
"It worked once," the king said.
"Too fucking long ago."
"You know I can't just become the only one with power. No one would like that in the society we live in now."
"Maybe not," Gabriel said. "But if it stands between you and them. I know the people would choose you."
"Not if I became his queen," I added. "No one wants that."
The king's arms tightened around me, and he growled a little, sounding very displeased.
"Don't sell yourself short," Gabriel said. "I think some people might surprise you."
"If I was just wolf or vampire or even just human, they would be a little more accepting, but I am not. I don't belong to any side, and they don't like that," I said.
They couldn't deny I was right, and that was why we ... or they were in such a tricky situation unable to figure this out, without lives being lost. I saw though, that there was no way out of it, so I didn't want to use my energy on it. It was better I just left. I knew it. This way I didn't have to cost my mate his life.
Chapter 31
-Dominic-
We were quiet for most of the night. We ate together but didn't say much. Gabriel tried winning over Ace again, but he seemed a little less enthusiastic about playing this night. We all knew why. We were trying to figure this puzzle out. How could I keep Lara without anyone trying to kill her or me? It was a hard one. Lara had pointed out some important things. Things I already knew, but I tried not to think about them too much, because the idea of a life without her, was simply not an option.
It was that simple.
I needed her to just fucking breathe, and therefore she wasn't going anywhere. A few times while having dinner, I feared I was squeezing her too hard, but everything in me was so afraid of losing her that I couldn't help myself. I knew no female I chose as my mate would be safe. Being queen was a hard thing to be, and was seen as the king's weakness, but it was easier being the queen if you also had a powerful family behind you to protect you. Lara didn't. She had only had herself, so people would be less afraid to go after her. I was really the only one who stood in the way, not that I was going to let anyone come close to her. I would protect her with everything inside me.
Lara wanted to go to sleep early though. I understood. After the night she had had, I could understand why she wanted to get some sleep, or maybe just some time to think. I went with her though. Wherever my little mate went, I would go too, but I also noticed how quiet she had become. She didn't even argue with me about sleeping on the bed on not. She just went over there and climbed under the covers, not even trying to fight me on this. After she had tried running away once, I would not let her sleep on the couch again. It was just like when she lost the privilege of her own chair, but I had still expected somewhat of a fight.
"Lot on your mind?" I asked and reached out.
I was lying beside her against the many pillows, that she hadn't even tried using for her wall. She was facing away from me, so I settled for just running my fingers along her shoulder and touching a little of her hair.
"Just trying to sleep."
"When will you learn, you can't lie to me?" I asked with a little smile.
She sighed and then finally turned around, using her arm to support herself, so she was sitting up a little.
"And when will you learn that me being your queen simply is impossible."
"It isn't," I said.
"My life is dangerous enough. As your queen, it will only get more dangerous. Wouldn't it be better if I got a chance to actually live?" she asked me.
"I won't let anything hurt you."