And yet Zael was suggesting he would take her as his mate.
He was actually pressing these four elders to accept her as one of their own, and allow Zael and her to live together here, at the colony.
“Zael… We can’t. Do I really have to tell you all of the reasons why this is impossib—”
He silenced her with a kiss. “Do you love me, Brynne?”
“God, yes. More than anything.”
“And I love you,” he told her intently. “I love all of you, Brynne. Every last cell. And I’m not about to live a single day—on this island or anywhere else—if I can’t do it with you at my side.”
His vow tore something loose in her chest. It was her heart, she realized. It sailed skyward as he drew her to him and kissed her deeply, without a care for the several pairs of Atlantean eyes that watched them.
ael nodded. “If anything, seeing the devotion you share for each other only fortifies the council’s concern that unless the colony has a permanent advocate in this alliance, the odds may always swing in favor of the Order.”
Zael inclined his head in understanding, even if it wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. He hadn’t expected the council to reverse their decision.
Hell, if he were one of the elected elders responsible for the security and governing of the colony, he’d make the same demand.
“Come,” Baramael said solemnly. “We can talk more later. Right now, we need to see to our fallen friend and this council needs to offer comfort to his widow and child.”
CHAPTER 36
They buried Nethilos at sundown, on the island’s highest hill.
Brynne had stood beside Zael and offered her condolences to Diandra and Neriah, both of whom were despondent over the loss of the good and gentle man who’d been so beloved to all in the colony, but especially to his family.
Brynne had felt Zael’s grief, too, but he had remained steady and stoic throughout the wrenching goodbyes and the final moments that his friend’s remains were laid to rest in the sole grave ever to be dug on the immortals’ island haven.
As the gathering dissolved and most of the colony began to return to their homes, the four elders strode to where Zael and Brynne stood on the hill near a grove of fragrant lemon trees. Zael’s arm around her shoulders flexed, bringing her closer to him as the two men and two women approached.
Baramael inclined his head in greeting. “It was good of you to speak at the gravesite, Zael. Nethilos would have been humbled by your praises. It was clear that his wife and daughter took a great deal of comfort in your memories of him.”
Zael nodded soberly. “He was a good man. One of the best I’ve known.”
“Indeed. He was a valued member of our council as well. We won’t have an easy time finding someone to take his seat on the dais with us.”
“No, I don’t imagine it will be,” Zael said. “And what about Tamisia?”
Baramael and the others exchanged a look. “She will be banished from the colony at first light.”
“Unfortunately,” added Haroth, “she has left us little choice.”
Brynne couldn’t deny the pang of sorrow she felt for the Atlantean female. Tamisia had been negligent in looking out for the colony’s best interests, especially in her role as elder, but her remorse had been painfully evident. She would have to live with the guilt of her unwilling role in Nethilos’s death for the rest of her immortal life, which was a punishment that would probably weigh on her more than anything else.
“If she can make repairs somehow, will you let her back in one day?”
The elders all looked at Brynne, but it was Nathiri, the light-haired female with the silver eyes, who spoke first. “Redemption can be a very long and arduous road. It will be up to Tamisia to find her way back, if that’s what she truly wants.”
Baramael’s unsettling green-blue gaze slid to Zael. “Have you thought any more about what you will do?”
“I have,” Zael answered, his tone serious.