The Black Gods War

have to fight again.”
    Until the next war. “Let’s hope so.” Come on, this is your chance . “I really … I can’t wait to hear about all you’ve been doing. Everywhere you’ve been. And, what you’ve done here.”
    “Ilario, I feel like I’ve been tasked with one thankless burden after another, year after year.” Lucia stared at the fragrant smoke and let out a deep breath. “I’m tired of the traveling,” she paused again, “and I’ve seen enough death and gore now to last me the rest of my life.” She turned her attention back to Ilario with a sober look. “I don’t have any more time to waste. I feel like I’m still looking for something greater.”
    “And you deserve that. You … deserve the very best.” Why does everything coming out of my mouth sound stiff? “What else are you looking for?”
    Lucia stared at him even more intently, yielding the next move.
    “You probably want to marry,” Ilario said. “I know your father’s pressured you.”
    “I’ve had offers. The problem is that I would like to be happy, above all else. I haven’t found that anywhere.”
    “I think you will find it. I’m sure you will. And you will make one lucky man very, very happy.”
    Lucia looked away and ran her fingers along her face.
    “The journey from Remeas—” Ilario began to say.
    “What do you want for yourself, Ilario? You’ve had romances with a good number of ladies, haven’t you? Maybe you’re not cut out to be with just one woman.”
    Gods, this is my chance.
    “No, I think I am—I know I am. I would like to be with just one woman. She would have to be very special. But it seems my duty doesn’t really allow me the time.”
    Lucia looked away again, not quite hiding her disappointment.
    “But maybe,” he said.
    “Why maybe?”
    “I’m not sure. If the right woman came along. I don’t know. It doesn’t really make sense.”
    Lucia stared at him with a sharp, tender look in her eyes. A smile tugged at one corner of her mouth.
    “I’ve been thinking about you a lot, actually,” he said. Her smile widened, but she obviously wasn’t going to make this any easier for him. Ilario cleared his throat. “I really enjoyed being with you the last time we saw each other. I felt like I was finally beginning to know you.”
    She cupped one side of her face, from chin to ear, and waited for more.
    You want me to say it. All right.
    “I absolutely loved that time with you, Lucia. I would say I care for you, but that wouldn’t be proper for me to talk about, would it?”
    “Why not?”
    “Who am I to think about you? I’m the furthest thing from royal stock—I’m not even a native Rezzian. And your father employs me. I’ve thought about this more than you’ll ever know, but I’m already lucky to be so close to your family.”
    “You’re where you are because my father admires you. He knows your heart is good. My life is mine to live. Whatever I decide, my father will need to accept it. And he likes you.”
    Ilario lowered his shoulders along with his glance. “I respect your father. He’s given me so much. I could never do something to upset him. You couldn’t be with me, anyway.”
    “I can do whatever I want.” She patted the bed. “Come sit by me.”
    Ilario’s heart raced with excitement. All right . If that’s how you feel about it … I won’t be afraid either. Who knows? Maybe your father would approve. He already trusts me with his son’s life.
    He sat next to her and stared at her soft skin and proud face. Lucia looked as receptive to him as he’d ever seen, though her eyes were fearless. Ilario could barely breathe. No man could be worthy of you. But if you give me the chance, I would try.
    He leaned forward and kissed her. She met him without hesitation. Her lips were soft and confident; his lips tingled against her flesh. She responded to his forceful movements, answering with even greater passion.
    Ilario felt whole, reunited with some part of himself Lucia seemed to possess. He pulled her closer.
    She pulled away and squeezed his knee, looking deeply into his eyes.
    I want nothing more than to know the depths of your heart, Lucia.
    “We’d just have to start somewhere and then find out where things go,” she said.
    “That’s what I want. We need to defeat Pawelon and get out of this valley. Get back to Remaes, discuss this with your father, and,” he tried to win her over with his wide smile, “keep both you and Caio in the holy