[BL] I Didn't Sign Up For This-Chapter 35: In Which I Crash a Date (For Business Purposes) II

Chapter 35: In Which I Crash a Date (For Business Purposes) II

We drank.

The wine was excellent, I pretended to know anything about wine and hoped I wasn’t embarrassing myself.

"So," Lirien said, setting down her glass. "The business I wanted to discuss, the London transfer you’re proposing."

"Yes. I believe your talents would be better utilized in our European operations."

"How diplomatic." Her smile was sharp. "We both know you’re trying to remove me from the board, because I made your human uncomfortable."

"Because you violated professional boundaries," Azryth corrected. "Making advances toward a married colleague is grounds for relocation in any professional setting."

"Married." She laughed, the sound like honey and poison. "Yes, let’s talk about this marriage. So sudden, so unexpected, some might say... convenient."

"Some might say a lot of things," I interjected. "Most of them would be speculation by people with too much time and too little information."

Her eyes swung to me, assessing. "You’re bolder than you look. I appreciate that."

"I’m protective of what’s mine, you should appreciate that too."

The temperature in the room shifted. Not literally, but the energy changed, this was no longer polite dinner conversation, this was a challenge.

"What’s yours," Lirien repeated slowly. "How possessive. How... human." She leaned forward, and I felt her power push against me, a subtle pressure, a test. "But tell me, Riven. Do you really think you can hold his interest? Long-term? You’re mortal. Fragile. He’s eternal, powerful. Sophisticated."

"And yet he chose me." I met her eyes steadily, refusing to let her power make me flinch. "Not you. Me."

Through the binding, I felt Azryth’s approval. His satisfaction.

"He didn’t choose you," Lirien said sweetly. "He got trapped by circumstance, a binding neither of you wanted, you’re convenient. A survival mechanism, not a choice."

"That’s where you’re wrong," Azryth said, his voice cold. "The binding was circumstance, what’s developed since is choice. My choice."

The words hit harder than any power play.

Lirien’s expression flickered. Surprise, then calculation.

"How sweet," she said. "Though I wonder how long that choice will last. Bindings can be... complicated, especially when one party develops feelings that aren’t reciprocated." Her eyes slid to me. "You do know about the soul consumption clause, don’t you, Riven? What happens when love becomes unbalanced?"

Ice formed in my stomach. She knew, of course, she knew about the clause.

"We’re aware of all the binding’s terms," Azryth said, his hand tightening on mine. "Which is irrelevant to this conversation, this is supposed to be a business dinner. So let’s discuss business."

"Oh, but this is business." Lirien’s smile was predatory. "The business of ensuring Valek Industries’ interests are protected, and I have concerns about your... stability. A CEO married to an ordinary person, developing complicated feelings, potentially vulnerable through that connection. The board has questions."

"The board can direct those questions to me during official channels," Azryth replied. "Not through ambush dinners disguised as social invitations."

"This isn’t an ambush, it’s a courtesy. I’m trying to help you, Azryth." She leaned back, and her power receded. "I know what bindings can do, how they manipulate emotions, create artificial attachments and make you think you feel things you don’t actually feel."

"I’m aware of how bindings work."

"Are you? Because from where I’m sitting, you’re exhibiting all the signs of someone who’s let the binding dictate their feelings instead of maintaining appropriate separation." Her eyes were sharp. "It’s dangerous. For you, for him, for the company."

"My relationship with my husband is not the board’s concern."

"It is when it affects your judgment, your priorities, your vulnerability to threats." She gestured at me. "He’s a target, the Covenant wants him. And by extension, they can use him against you."

"They can try," I said. "They haven’t succeeded yet."

"Yet." She smiled. "But eventually, they will. They’re patient, methodical, and they have centuries of experience hunting wardens." She paused. "Did you know your great-great-grandmother killed seven of their operatives before they finally got to her?"

The room went very still.

"How do you know about my great-great-grandmother?" I asked carefully.

"I pay attention, I research, it’s what makes me valuable to the board." Her smile widened. "Emma Kael. Legendary warden. Terrorized the Covenant for decades, until they found her weakness, her family, used them to lure her into a trap."

"Is that a threat?" Azryth’s voice was dangerously quiet.

"It’s history. A lesson." Lirien’s eyes met his. "Love makes you weak, family makes you vulnerable, attachments give your enemies leverage." She gestured at me again. "He’s your weakness now, and the Covenant knows it."

"Then the Covenant is welcome to test that theory," Azryth said. "They’ll find I’m significantly less accommodating than Emma Kael’s enemies."

"Will you? Or will you hesitate when they threaten him? Compromise when they offer trades? Negotiate when you should be eliminating?" She leaned forward again. "I’ve known you for centuries, Azryth. You’ve never hesitated before, never compromised, you were efficient, ruthless, feared. And now? Now you’re transferring board members because they made your human uncomfortable."

The accusation hung in the air.

"Yes," Azryth said simply. "I am, because my priorities have evolved, and anyone who threatens or disrespects my husband will find themselves removed from my sphere of influence. Efficiently, ruthlessly, with the full weight of my resources behind the action."

Lirien stared at him, then laughed.

"You’re serious. You’ve actually developed feelings for him." She shook her head. "The binding worked faster than anyone predicted, how fascinating."

"The binding facilitated nothing that wasn’t already possible," Azryth replied. "And this conversation is over, you’ve made your position clear, you disapprove of my relationship, you question my judgment, you’re concerned about my vulnerability."

"Azryth—"

"You’re also relieved of your board position, effective immediately. Your severance package will be generous, the London position remains available if you choose to accept it. Otherwise, I’m sure you’ll land somewhere that appreciates your particular talents."

Lirien’s expression went cold. "You’re firing me from the board I helped build because of him?"

"I’m protecting my interests, which includes him. Non-negotiably." He stood, pulling me up with him. "Enjoy your dinner, Lirien. Send the bill to my office."

"This is a mistake," she said. "The binding is making you weak. Sentimental. Human."

"Perhaps." Azryth moved toward the door. "Or perhaps I’m finally strong enough to admit what I want and protect it accordingly."

We left her sitting alone in the private dining room, her carefully planned ambush derailed.

The walk to the car was silent. I was processing what just happened. Azryth had fired a board member.

For me.