“And the city is also intersected by dragon spines, ley lines. So long as I stand near them, I can walk into the central fort undetected.”
Her two colleagues regarded her dubiously.
“Geomancer.” Adele pointed to herself.
“Mamoru has taught you to do this? To hide from vampires?”
“Yes. Apparently he says I’m quite good at it.”
“Madness!” Anhalt shouted. “You cannot survive alone at the mercy of thousands of vampires!”
“She will not be alone,” Greyfriar said quietly.
Now it was Adele’s turn to be outraged. “Oh no. You can’t go this time. I can’t protect you. I won’t have you die in Grenoble.” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “Not after nearly killing you in Africa. Only humans will survive what I’m going to do up there.”
“I’m the only one who can safeguard you to the rift in case something goes wrong. Once you’re there, I will leave you to do what you must.”
Anhalt exploded at Greyfriar. “I can’t believe you’re agreeing to this?”
“It would give us Grenoble, and we both know she is more than capable of protecting herself against vampires.”
Adele said softly, “General, I know you fear for me. And I understand your argument that I am the empress and, therefore, irreplaceable, but at heart, I am still Adele. My people remain more important to me than the crown or my own life. In order to win this battle and move forward, everything that can be done must be done.”
The conviction in Adele’s eyes outweighed any counterpoint General Anhalt could muster. This was not about law or protocol or any sense of reason. This was an attempt by Adele to safeguard her people.
Anhalt let out the breath he had been holding, the fire in his eyes fading as he faced Adele. He nodded his consent. “I do not pretend to understand what it is you do, Majesty, and if I could take this burden from you, I would.”
Her hand reached out to touch his shoulder. “Have faith.”
Anhalt laughed humorously. “I have faith in you. It is the magic I cannot see that worries me.”
“Then trust me,” Greyfriar said. “I know what she can do, and it is terrifying and powerful. But it won't stop me from standing beside her.”
Adele opened her mouth to protest once more, but Greyfriar stared at her. His cold, mirrored glasses betrayed nothing, but it was enough to still her protests. She whispered, “I would be grateful for your company.”
“So be it then,” Anhalt said, disheartened but realizing his private concerns fell flat in the wake of winning the war. Only determination remained in all of them now. “We’ll throw everything we have at Grenoble to draw the vampires down from the Bastille.”
“We’ll name it Operation Bengal.” At Anhalt’s frown, she replied, “I promised Simon I’d name something after him. I can’t disappoint him.”
“Yes, your brother, the prince of Bengal, would appreciate that. Just so long as it isn’t named Forlorn Hope. Isn’t that the usual name of something so foolhardy and reckless?”
“I’ve heard that survivors of such hopeless operations get to name their reward?” noted Greyfriar.
Adele laughed. “And what riches would you ask for?”
Greyfriar replied without hesitation. “For you to finally show me your library in Alexandria.”
Adele reached out to touch his arm. “I know we haven’t had much time since my coronation and the start of the war. I’ll grant your wish. The moment we return home.”
He nodded and then commanded, “Come with me.” With a turn of his heel, he strode toward the gangplank to nearby Edinburgh. Adele followed, her heartbeat building. They marched up onto the deck, and with the crews’ heads pivoting to follow the pair, they disappeared down the companionway. There was a lone glow from a chemical lamp in a recess of the wall. Greyfriar held the door to their old cabin and she entered.
The moment the door closed, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him in a deep embrace. She crushed against him, her mind filled only with the desire of him. His leather glove held the nape of her neck and tilted her head up as she pulled the cloth from his sharp-featured face so he could kiss her. His long dark hair brushed her cheek. She thought only of the long days and nights without him, filled with worry and want. His rough, desperate touch spoke the same.
Then she realized smoke was rising between them. She tried to pull back. “No, it’s too soon. I’m hurting you.”
“Hardly,” he whispered hoarsely, refusing to let her go. He drew her back to him and captured her lips.