Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

find it hard to take any of them seriously. When you’re as rich and well appointed as I am, it’s amazing how adorable one becomes. I have only ever loved one man, my dear Jacob, and his death has not changed that. But a woman alone cannot hope to survive long in this changing Empire without powerful friends and supporters, so I let them cluster around me, and reward them with the occasional smile or encouraging nod. As long as they still think they have a chance with me, they’ll make my enemies theirs, and thus I have a certain amount of security, if not safety. I trust I don’t shock you with my frankness, sir Deathstalker?”
    “Not at all,” said Owen, charmed in spite of himself. “Such honesty is refreshing in this day and age.
    Perhaps you could continue the openness and explain precisely what I can do for you. I confess I’m not entirely sure what you might have in common with a man who’s sworn to kill your son.” “Valentine? Kill the degenerate, with my blessings. He brings shame to the House of Wolfe and always has. I have reason to believe he murdered his own father.” Owen raised an eyebrow. “Now, that I hadn’t heard. Though I can’t say it surprises me. I’ve always considered Valentine capable of anything.” “I am the Wolfe these days,” said Constance. “Even though I’m only a member of the Family by marriage. There is no one else.
    But it’s hard to be the head of a largely discredited Clan. My people are still loyal, as much to me personally as to the Family, but how long they will hold out in the face of ever increasing pressure and bribes I don’t know. I need your help, sir Deathstalker.” “In what way?” said Owen. “You must know I’m not exactly popular among the powers that be. What influence I have is strictly limited. And if all you want is a bodyguard, allow me to point out that there are any number of excellent fighters looking for work now the rebellion’s over.” “No, that isn’t what I want from you.” Constance frowned and shook her head slowly. “This isn’t easy for me, sir Deathstalker, so please… make allowances for me, and permit me to approach this in my own way.” “Of course. But please, call me Owen. I’ve never been much of a one for the formalities.”
    Constance smiled briefly. “So I’ve heard. Very well. It will make things simpler. And you must call me Constance.” She turned away for a moment, composing her thoughts, and then turned back, her face quietly determined. “My life… has not gone the way I thought it would. You can understand that feeling, I’m sure. When I married Jacob Wolfe, I thought my life’s path was set out before me. I’d have children by Jacob, raise them for him, and walk by his side all my days. And then he was dead, murdered, and my new Family was rocked by one blow after another, and I… was left alone. I had to take charge of my own life, something I’d never done before, and had no training for. But it’s amazing what you can do when you have to. I learned by doing. And I grew up fast, because the alternatives were poverty or
    death, and quite possibly both. It made me stronger. It also made me hard, ruthless, and someone I’m not always sure I approve of. You see, Owen, we have a lot in common, after all. That’s why I want you to marry me.”
    Owen stared at her. He was sure his mouth was hanging open, but he didn’t seem to be able to do anything about it. Whatever he’d been expecting when he strolled so casually over to join Constance, this sure as hell wasn’t it. The impulse to turn and run and lose himself in the crowd was almost overpowering, but he fought it down. Apart from shockingly bad manners, it wouldn’t do for word to get around that he ran from anything. He managed to force his mouth closed and swallowed hard.
    “Why me?” he said finally, and just a little plaintively. Constance shrugged. “It’s clear I must marry someone, and after much thought I’ve decided you are the best choice. We have much in common, we’re both of old, established bloodlines, and I need someone untouched by the evil and corruption that has swallowed up so much of our class. I need someone I can trust. My position as head of Clan Wolfe is… precarious, and with my Jacob gone, I see no reason to remain in a Family I no longer have any stake in. It wouldn’t be a love match, I know, but we both have a duty to marry well and continue our lines. We would make a strong alliance,