He accepted her explanation without argument as he inhaled the soothing scent of mint from his drink. Though his hand was steady there was a soft clink of ice in the glass as it melted and shifted in the alcohol. Had her actions been foolish? In hindsight, yes. But they had also been brave.
And impulsive.
She had the right to be mad at him for not trusting her control of her temper, but the stubborn pride that she displayed did nothing to dissuade him that his own actions had been wrong, either. It did not make for a comfortable conversation, but that was always a risk with honesty.
He took another sip of his mojito as she spoke, meeting her earnestness with his full attention as he heard her out. When she finished he inclined his head in acknowledgment of her views but when he met her gaze again it was with a questioning tilt of his chin. ”This time…” He tested the phrase, a small wrinkle appearing between his brows. ”Mmh. But not everyone at the meeting was prepared to face the threat. Yes, we rally. But no one who is not willing is forced to risk themselves.” He gave a single slow shake of his head. ”Our actions almost took that choice from them.” Not only from Evie and her son, but from Flora and Danta as well, who in his experience had never claimed to be warriors or knights. And Deimos and Sunjata had people they wished to protect in that room; the cost of a battle would almost certainly have been too high, given Dahlia’s reported strength and abilities. ”We cannot change what we did. But we can learn from it.”
And impulsive.
She had the right to be mad at him for not trusting her control of her temper, but the stubborn pride that she displayed did nothing to dissuade him that his own actions had been wrong, either. It did not make for a comfortable conversation, but that was always a risk with honesty.
He took another sip of his mojito as she spoke, meeting her earnestness with his full attention as he heard her out. When she finished he inclined his head in acknowledgment of her views but when he met her gaze again it was with a questioning tilt of his chin. ”This time…” He tested the phrase, a small wrinkle appearing between his brows. ”Mmh. But not everyone at the meeting was prepared to face the threat. Yes, we rally. But no one who is not willing is forced to risk themselves.” He gave a single slow shake of his head. ”Our actions almost took that choice from them.” Not only from Evie and her son, but from Flora and Danta as well, who in his experience had never claimed to be warriors or knights. And Deimos and Sunjata had people they wished to protect in that room; the cost of a battle would almost certainly have been too high, given Dahlia’s reported strength and abilities. ”We cannot change what we did. But we can learn from it.”
