It"s twilight when Kent wakes.The quietness of the house makes him think that it"s dawn, as opposed to dusk, but he has no way of knowing for sure.
Either way he chastises himself over sleeping so much.
He gets out of bed and makes sure he"s presentable before leaving the room.
He needs to find her.
He needs to know why she"s here.
When he finally finds her in a room with maps spread out, he"s not in the least bit surprised by the trickle of anger the sight brings.
She must have felt him enter because she speaks without so much as looking up.
"You should still be in bed. I haven"t seen you in that bad a shape since… well ever. Not even when Lord Auron was testing your limits."
He ignores the comment.
He didn"t come here to discuss his health.
"Why are you here?"
She shrugs, but doesn"t look up from the map she"s studying intently.
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Too intently.
"I thought you gave up being a tactician."
He still remembers her vehement claims that she will never be responsible for more senseless killing.
He still remembers her breaking down over her first brush with battle.
"What can I say? I always had a weak spot for the Aurons."
He grits his teeth at that.
"You"re doing this for Sonia?"
The thought is unpalatable.
Sonia of all people should understand why Helena would never want to go back.
The very idea that Sonia could ask something that cold-blooded has bile rising in his throat.
"Sonia is the one who approached me. She had some compelling arguments. In a sense I"m actually doing it for you."
He"s not sure if that"s worse.
"What does that mean?"
He"s not sure he wants to know the answer.
"Why don"t you ask your precious Sonia?"
Her bitter tone only stokes the flames of his ire.
She knows the truth and the fact that she continues to throw that in his face at every turn rankles.
He knows he"s hurt her and that she"s lashing out.
But that doesn"t make it easier to take.
"I"m asking you."
His voice is full of menace but both of them know he won"t hurt her.
Not physically.
"Fine. You want to know the truth so badly? We made a deal. If this rebellion against the king succeeds then she will give you to me."
He tries not to think of the implications of that.
"And if it fails?"
"If it fails we"ll probably all be executed as traitors to the crown, but if that doesn"t happen then you remain as you are and I will never have any claim to you."
Her voice is far too casual when she says it.
It annoys him that she can talk of his fate as nonchalantly as one discusses the weather.
"So that"s it then? I either die or become yours? I have no choice?"
He doesn"t bother to hide the bitterness in his tone.
Once again he is powerless about the direction his life will take.
She frowns at that but remains silent.
"I"d like to add my own term to the agreement."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I will only become yours if both Lady Aurons survive."
He sees her stiffen.
"I see. You"re always going to protect House Auron, aren"t you?"
It"s not really a question, but he still answers.
"It"s my duty."
She"s silent for a moment and he begins to think she will turn him down.
She has no reason to honour his request - not when she"s already made this deal with Sonia.
"Very well. If either Lady Auron dies before the king is toppled I will forfeit my claim."
He sketches a quick bow and leaves the room.
At the door he pauses for a mere second.
A muttered thank you and he"s gone.
He doesn"t know if she heard him.
He"s not sure he wanted her too.