“Yes?”
Tiri’s eyes narrowed at Zane who still stubbornly refused to look at him. “I know your heart hurts.”
The dragon finally turned his head, and his eyes were wet. “What did I do?” he asked brokenly.
“Nothing,” Tiri responded resolutely. “You did nothing.”
“Exactly, and now he’s stuck in dragon form.”
“There was nothing you could do. We have limitations. No one can see everything and know all.”
“It’s my job, Tiri.”
“If Costas or Damian had been there, they would’ve handed Ellery the same mug. We’d still be standing out here like this.”
Zane’s head shook slightly. “You can’t know that.”
Tiri placed his hands on Zane’s cheeks and lifted up on his toes to press a single kiss on his lips. “Idoknow that. Use your energy to be angry at the person or people who hurt our Ellery instead of being furious with yourself.”
“I don’t think I can,” Zane whispered.
“You must. You are the Ducblanc.”
“The Ducblanc swore to protect him. I should never have been the Ducblanc.”
“Is that your plan then? You wish to resign and flee?”
“It’s for the best.”
“Where will we go?”
Zane swallowed visibly. “You don’t have to come with me. I don’t want to rob you of anything, including your new family.”
Studying him until Zane shifted from one foot to the next, Tiri dropped his hands to his sides so he didn’t do anything rash like slap his dragon into next week. “You wish for me to be alone?”
“No, you’ll have Ellery and the others.”
“But not my mate.”
Zane’s head bowed, and he said nothing.
“Look at me,” Tiri demanded. Their eyes met, and Tiri’s soul wept for the pain he found in Zane’s, but he forced steel into his spine. “You made me a promise. I know you to be a man of your word. I believe the word you gave me was forever. I will not accept anything less. I won’t argue over your desire to resign as Ducblanc. I already know no one in our family will allow you to do so. I can only hope when the shock of this afternoon fades a little and we fix Ellery that you’ll come to your senses. I’m not going to tolerate you being cruel to yourself for something for which you should take no blame. You’re better than that. Smarter than that. I love you, Zane, and I willnotlet you go.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when he was crushed against Zane’s broad chest. Tiri’s lips curved upward as he wrapped his arms around his other half and hugged him tightly. Somehow at least some of what he’d said had penetrated the stubborn dragon’s mind.
“I love you, Tiridythas,” Zane murmured close to his ear.
“Are you going to allow me to do my duty and be at your side during this trying time?”
“I shouldn’t have shut you out even for a second.”
“I agree, but I understand how this is devastating you, so I’m willing to forgive you. I can’t promise I’ll be as tolerant the next time this happens.”
Zane chuckled. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
“We’re going to fix him. It won’t be long now.”
Pulling back so they could see each other, Zane offered him a half smile. “Promise?”
