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[assassinrue]

Phillip straightened his spine. "The Order requires help. We believe this a bigger matter than just us."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia cleared her throat and stepped forward before Phil could screw this up. "May I speak, sir?" she asked. When he nodded, she went on, "The reason you should get involved is because this might involve more than just the wizards. The son of an Order member first; who next?" Her eyes went from the High General to the man sitting beside him. "Your daughter?" To another council member. "Your wife? Act now before it's too late."

[assassinrue]

Phillip's lips involuntarily curved at the corners. He adored Olivia and this ability to sway people was just one of the reasons he loved her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The general raised his eyebrows at her. "You make an excellent point, ahh....?"

"Olivia, sir," she said. "Olivia Donovan."

"Olivia. Let me discuss this with my council and I'll give you my answer within the hour."

[assassinrue]

Phillip waited until the men were gone before turning to Olivia. "You, love, are absolutely brilliant." He wrapped a lock of her hair around his finger and brought it to his lips.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia started to smile but then jerked away from him. "You're still married, Phillip," she said. "Please don't do this."

[assassinrue]

Phillip sighed, letting his hands fall harshly to his side. "One day you'll realize that the only thing that matters to me is you, not that wretched woman I'm bound to, not my house, not my life, you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia made a sound of frustration. A part of her screamed to tell him to leave his wife and his job, to forget it all and run away with her. The rest of her told her that Phil was a great man meant for great things, and the world needed him more than she did. And that was that. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. Then she walked away with the soldier that was to show them where to wait.

[assassinrue]

Phillip watched her go amo meant before following her. If only she could understand how much he needed her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The soldier settled them down in a small room with a couch and a small table with two chairs. It was the Guard's equivalent of a 'sitting room.' Olivia took a seat at the table and crossed her legs, her face impassive, lips tight.

[assassinrue]

Phillip sat next to her but kept his chair more than a respectable distance from hers. His entire being, every cell, every piece of his soul yearned to be near her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia glanced over at him and then looked away. The soldier had left, but a minute later a man entered with a tray of refreshments. He set it down on a stand beside the table and offered them a smile. "If you need anything else, please let us know."

[assassinrue]

Phillip didn't budge or blink, he sat still and surly in his chair.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

A few seconds after the man had left, Olivia reached for one of the glasses on the table and poured herself some water with the metal pitcher. She took a sip of the icy water and closed her eyes briefly. "Phil..." she said. "I'm sorry about before."

[assassinrue]

"Don't." He said sharply. "Don't apologize. I know what you think of me whether or not I'd like to admit it. We're here about the guard, not our...relationship." The last word oozed from his mouth like a filthy sin. Yes. He knew what she thought.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Oh?" Olivia said, her voice turning defiant. "And what do I think of you?"

[assassinrue]

"Not now, Olivia." Phillip crossed his arms and refused to look at her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"When, then?" Olivia asked. "We've got nothing better to do."

[assassinrue]

Phillip looked at her with his dark, passionate eyes. "When we aren't trying to conduct official business."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"We're sitting alone in a room while we wait for the council's answer," Olivia said. "You asked me to come with you, and now I'm asking you to talk. Answer my question."