"Nikolas, please bring me with you. I'll try to help! Please bring me with you!" Ruby pleaded.
In her apparent, innocent concern, his irritation faded. Of course. She was kind. She wanted to help. It was one of the things he'd admired.
"I think it's dangerous. You're safer here in the capital," he reasoned, his tone attempting finality.
She shook her head. "I'm safer close to you. Nikolas, I need to be with you."
The words were meant to be endearing, but at this moment, they felt like chains. This stubbornness, this need to cling, was the last thing he needed. He needed her here, managing their political foothold, not becoming a liability in a war zone.
"Ruby…" He softened his voice, pulling her into a brief, tight embrace, more to still her protests than to offer comfort. "I will be alright. Please believe me. You stay here, and I'll be able to focus and return to you faster. Father needs me. You… you stay here for now, okay?"
