Naturally, my tale contains nothing about System or wanting to hide the amulet from it. System doesn’t enter into my decisions, and I’m tired of letting it rule me. My paranoia led me down a dangerous path.

After Lobo and I, with assistance from Kasz, finish our tale, silence reigns.

Minette just stands there, processing everything. Hans’ eyes pop, which on an elf is unintentionally amusing. Niall nods thoughtfully. Peridot zooms around us. Lamant is still and silent. Kaline breathes deeply. Lightning presses close to me.

Breaking the silence, Gussie squawks, "I don’t believe it."

Lamant turns to Kasz. "You know that raiding such a secret sanctuary could bring the anger of spirits on you and on this house."

Kasz straightens. "I consulted Master Niall about it."

"But in general, not about this specific situation," Niall corrects. "I should have guessed. Rumors have circulated for years about the depths of the jungle and hidden temples. Someone, possibly the thief or someone else, put the amulet in that temple for safekeeping. Maybe they did not know who it belonged to and thought it was cursed. It isn’t. But I can feel the energy of the oath. I’d like to take a look at that temple. Kasz, lead me and Peridot there."

Mumbling an apology to Lamant and Minette, Kasz is all too happy to oblige, and the trio departs. At least Kasz can soothe his conscience. As for me, I’m still in the doghouse, possibly.

[Blaze. Why did you do it?]

Lightning’s voice is soft, which makes me feel lower than if she yowled and clawed at me.

[For us, my love. I was going to surprise everyone at the tournament. I wanted to win. But winning at any cost is no victory at all. I’m so sorry.]

She melts against me. [Oh, Blaze. You are such a fool, but I can’t be cross with you. No wonder I had that nightmare! I must have known you were keeping something from me.]

[I’m sorry, my love. I am so sorry. No more secrets.]

Even that is a lie. But eventually, there won’t be any secrets.

Lightning curls around me. [Nothing matters more than having you safe and sound, and making sure our family is protected. The tournament is just a silly game.]

That’s what she thinks. But far be it from me to correct her.

[You’re right. My mate is wise.]

Minette’s serions voice intrudes. "BLAZE. LOBO."

We look up, and I expose my throat. Lobo rolls onto his back and exposes his belly. The animal version of groveling.

Minette softens. "Why did you keep secrets?’

I communicate to Kaline, reaching into the silence and the confusion. [I wanted to win so badly. And I didn’t want certain people working against us, like the Bottomsleys, to learn that we snatched this advantage from under their noses. Also, if the beast thieves were still around, I wanted us to be safe from them. But they’re in prison. I am so sorry. I will make amends. I will clean the entire villa with my tongue.]

Kaline responds with a disgusted face. [No. That’s idiotic. And nauseating.]

She relays my apology, while Minette repeats Lobo’s contrition. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Lamant picks up the amulet, handling it delicately. "This is, indeed, a great advantage, and we should use it. However, Blaze, you cannot use it unsupervised. Your punishment will be to only use this under my supervision and Kaline’s and Master Niall’s. Your training with it will be rigorous, more so than it would have been. And we will take special care to protect Lightning from its effects. After each training session, you will care for her and ensure that she rests."

My heart soars. [Kaline, tell him I would do that anyway.]

I’m not being harshly punished. Lamant’s judgment is fair. More than fair.

Minette stares at Lobo. "As for you, you will assist Blaze during these training sessions, and you will attend Lightning as well."

Lobo woofs and wags his tail, excited by the reprieve. His eyes shimmer with gratitude.

Kaline kneels and takes my face in her hands. "Never do that again. Never venture off on your own on some Kasz treasure hunt. Honestly, it serves him right that his goblins got out of control."

I give a little "mrrrp" and lick her hands. [I hope that I didn’t bring the beast thieves back into our lives with my actions.]

By that, I mean the way I tried to game the System.

Kaline repeats my thought. "I don’t think there’s a connection. Do you, Father?"

Lamant shakes his head. "Mere coincidence. The family lore doesn’t say anything about misfortune like that. It does suggest that those around you might feel the effects of a broken oath. Lightning has been a bit lethargic lately, more so than her pregnancy would explain."

[That’s why you owe me lots of pampering.] Lightning sounds thrilled about that. [Even when you are not training with the amulet. You caused my nightmare.]

I nuzzle her. [And you had every right to be grumpy with me. I think we should clear everyone out so you can have a nice nap.]

We stay curled around each other, and Minette reads the room. She encourages Lamant to take the amulet back to his study to examine it further. Kaline and Hans follow. Lobo remains as faithful attendant to Lightning.

We fluff the pillows and hunt up some crunchy exotic fruits and dried beef, Lightning’s current cravings. I make sure that she is in a cool spot, and Lobo fetches her water in a cup he carries in his mouth. She reclines, completely content, and within minutes, sleeps soundly. All nightmares have fled. We both take up a position on either side of her, guarding her rest.

[Naughty, naughty Blaze.] System taunts me again. [Thought you could outsmart me. But your conscience betrayed you. How very human of you. You’ll never win. And you’ll be mine.]

I growl. [If I am, it’ll be an honorable defeat. Now buzz off, I’m taking care of my mate.]

From now on, I’m done letting System control me.