Free Dark Fate: The Gathering (The Dark Fate Chronicles Book 1) by Matt Howerter, Jon Reinke Page B

stronger. She reminded me of the king, actually.” He leaned against one of the high-backed chairs scattered about the room.
    “Wonderful.” Arece threw a hand into the air. “The one person I truly wanted her to take after.” She shook her head and sat down on one of the plush chairs in defeat. The thought that Sacha might come to emulate the model of Hathorn and his icy reserve horrified Arece.
    Bale shrugged. “Better that than broken.”
    The words rang in her head and Arece’s first inclination was to agree with them, but she had other hopes for her daughter and they did not include her loss of soul. “No, I will not let Sacha become like her father. You must do something for me.”
    “Anything.”
    The lack of hesitation in Bale’s reply warmed her heart. Her next words came with more confidence as the idea solidified. “I need you to go to Basinia with my daughters. You must keep them safe.”
    “You know I would do anything for you, and not just because you are my queen. But leaving your side wasn’t what I had in mind.” He stepped around the chair and slowly walked toward her.
    She knew Bale wouldn’t like his part in her plan, but it was the wisest course of action. He was the only one Arece fully trusted, and she needed the space his absence would give her. She would be able to rest with some measure of confidence in her daughter’s safety and decide what to do about her and Bale’s relationship. “There is more,” she continued as he came to kneel beside her.
    Arece slowly stroked his finely cut beard and looked deep into his fiery brown eyes. “There was a man, a noble, who came here from Basinia several years ago. For the salt and grain trade agreement. Do you remember him?”
    Bale furrowed his brow and slowly nodded. “I spoke with this man. Yes, I remember him.”
    “His name is Sir Banlor Graves.” Her voice picked up speed as her confidence became resolve. “You must meet with him on my behalf to set up a liaison for Sacha. It is time to find a match for her, as was done for her sister.”
    “I understand.” Bale smiled slightly. He looked away for a moment, the smile fading into a frown. “And what of us?”
    “What of us, Bale?” Arece asked in return, letting out a long breath. “You know as well as I there is no place we can go where he would not find us. How long can our secret remain our secret? It’s only a matter of time...” She let the words fade. It was too frightening a thought for her to finish.
    “So you would end it?” he asked, still not looking at her.
    The words bit deep, more than she believed they could. Arece had been pondering breaking off the affair for some time, but each time she considered it, her heart quailed, and she found herself more enthralled with the man. This growing infatuation was reason enough to end the dangerous bond as quickly as possible, but the lack of anything remotely resembling human connection that waited for her in her own relationship kept her from action. And then there was the terrifying possibility that she might love this man. “I... Bale, I don’t want to, but...” Words simply lacked any semblance of adequacy. Arece shook her head in frustration.
    Bale laid his large, calloused hands over hers. “I can find a way for us to be together, just give me more time.”
    “You will help my daughters? You will go to Waterfall Citadel with them?”
    “I will. For you.”
    Sacha and Sloane had to come first. Once her daughters were safe in Waterfall Citadel, she could risk a real attempt at a life with someone she might actually love. But not before. “Find our escape, Bale. I will wait for you.”
    He smiled deeply, brought her hands to his lips, and kissed them softly. “I will not fail.”
    She flushed at the gesture, and it dawned on her that this might be her last chance to embrace the warmth of her lover. Arece looked into his eyes to see the same hunger she felt in her heart, and she let go of her trepidation one