They stood there in silence for long minutes while Leonie mourned the family she had never even known. It felt as if someone had taken from her the possibility of a peaceful, happy life. Even if she did go to the elves now, she would still be an outsider, just as she had been among humans. What was left for her then?
She didn't even realize that in her constant search for something in the present to cling to, she had already found it. Dorian, standing with her on the cold, bare road, was offering her exactly what she craved most: safety.
And Dorian himself didn't realize that he hadn't been this close to anyone in centuries. He gently stroked her hair, soothingly, until she calmed down a little.
"We'll figure out what to do next," he assured her. He released her and stepped back so he could look into her tear-filled eyes. "First of all, we need to work on making you stronger and helping you master your magic."
Leonie dropped her gaze and shook her head almost imperceptibly.
"And if I can't?" she asked quietly. She felt so exhausted she doubted she was capable of anything at all.
Dorian watched her with a furrowed brow. She looked so fragile and broken, yet he knew how strong she really was. She had proved it more than once.
"I have an idea," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "What would you say to a deal?"
Leonie looked up at him, frowning.
"What kind of deal?" she asked warily.
"Today you rest all day—after all, last night you were still dead. But from tomorrow on, you train every day with one of us, and you do the best you can."
Leonie studied his eyes for a long moment. She didn't quite understand what he stood to gain from this, and that made her wary.
"Why is this so important to you?" she asked.
Dorian had just decided he wouldn't lie to her again. Perhaps that had been foolish.
"I don't know what you're capable of," he said. "But your magic is incredibly strong; you've already shown us that. I'd rather you didn't kill Aeson the next time he annoys you…" He smiled briefly, then his expression turned serious again. "Our power is weaker here on human soil. Once we cross back into our own lands… I'll have to protect my people as well."
Leonie flinched at his words.
"I don't want to hurt anyone," she protested, horrified. She hadn't meant to hurt that soldier either… it hadn't been intentional. Slowly, it began to dawn on her why Dorian wanted her to control her magic—he was afraid it would happen again.
"I know," he said, and gently slipped his fingers under her chin, turning her face toward his. "We're taught from childhood how to bend the elements to our will, how to rein in our emotions. We make mistakes sometimes too—but for you, all of this is new. We'll help you, I promise. In return, I swear I'll try to find out what happened to your family."
Silence. Only Leonie's pounding heart broke it. Could it be true? Would Dorian really do that for her? But how? And why would he?
"Are you serious?" she asked, so startled she didn't even notice that he was still touching her.
"Completely serious," Dorian replied, smiling. "We didn't come to human lands by chance. There's a lot I still have to tell you. But not now. I'm asking you to trust me—and to trust that I'll talk about everything when the time comes."
Leonie held her breath. It was time to decide whether she would give him a chance or not. Whether she dared risk him betraying her again. Did she even have another choice? What if he hurt her again?
"Will you swear it?" she asked, uncertain.
"I swear," he said.
Only then did Leonie realize he still hadn't let her go, so with slightly trembling fingers she touched his hand. Deep down she was terrified, but her desire to belong somewhere was far stronger. Slowly, she nodded. Dorian's shoulders visibly loosened, and he finally let his arm fall back to his side.
"We'll start tomorrow," he promised, and left her standing there, rooted to the spot.
He was running—from his own feelings. Leonie's trust shook him to the core. After everything he had done—endangering her, forcing her into something she hadn't wanted—she was still capable of placing her faith in him. There had to be something very wrong with this girl if she could accept his terms after all that.
And her touch… Dorian's heart twisted as he recalled what it had felt like to hold her. Her scent, the softness of her hair, the delicate curve of her jaw… He shook his head hard. What in the world had gotten into him? He couldn't look at Leonie as a woman. He couldn't desire her—that would only lead to disaster and ruin. He would have to smother those incomprehensible feelings and focus on their goals.
Whenever she was near, he forgot that he was doing all of this for his people—not for Leonie. He had come on his father's orders, and even though the mission hadn't gone the way he'd expected, she might still be the key to his people's survival. That was why she had to learn. Starting tomorrow, the others could train her…