“Good.” His gaze doesn’t waver.
“Good?” My eyes widen. I couldn’t have possibly heard him right. Who would ever saygoodto such a thing?
“Theyattackedyou,Serafina.” His eyes darken in a way that’s both terrifying and exhilarating. Predatory and primal, and I wouldn’t be surprised if hegrowlswith how angry he seems. “It was self-defense, and you will not be punished for that. I’m fuckinggladyou killed him. I’m glad at least one of those bastards got what they deserved.”
His knuckles crack as he works each finger, the action far more casual than his tone, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like him. A hidden storm in human form, quiet but deadly, calm but dangerous, and I hate how much I like it.
Shaking my head, needing to clear it, my mind settles on what he said.It was self-defense. Char told me that wouldn’t matter. But Jax is saying the opposite.
And I need to believe him.
Iwantto believe him.
I want to trust that what he’s saying is true, that this isn’t some cruel trick at my expense.
If only trust wasn’t such a difficult thing tofeel.But there’s one thing I need tostopfeeling. This guilt and overwhelming shame.
I killed someone.
I did.
Butheattackedme.And now these feelings need to die. Right here and right now.
And they do.
My eyes lock on Jax, and I nod, a silent thank you, one he seems to understand.
I shake out my hands, my eyes now pinned on the sand, watching as the waves come dangerously close to where we stand.
“So I’m just supposed to…go with you?”
He steps toward me. We’re nearly toe to toe, which means I have to look up to meet his gaze, and I almost wish I hadn’t because my goodness, those eyes of his. Watching me so carefully, so intensely, like he’s desperate to learn every secret, every tiny hidden thing.
“That’s up to you.”
I swallow, and his gaze finds my throat before meeting mine again.
“Can I trust you?” My voice wavers because I feel foolish forasking. Who would ever answer “no” to such a question? Even if “no” was the truth?
“You can.”
I suck in a sharp breath and clutch the necklace my mother gave me.
What the hell. It’s not like I have many options. I can’t exactly go back home, at least not until they receive word from the royal family that I’m notan evaderora murderer.
And if I don’t go with him…then I’ll be completely alone out here. It doesn’t look like surviving by myself is going to be very easy. Char was supposed to be with me.
Char. My hand moves to my lips, to where his once rested.
Norin said he’s alive. He has to be alive. And in two moon cycles, on the day of the third trial, I’ll see him again.
“Okay,” I say. “But first, tell me why you were outside Village 28. What were you doing there?” It’s not normal for people to travel between the villages. Especially when those people are from the Imperial City.
He runs his hand through his hair again, and I wonder if it’s a nervous habit. “The prince ordered me to follow some of the rivers, see which ones had gone dry.” He looks away.
It may not be a lie, but I don’t think it’s the whole truth, either. I know it’s not, but I also know that pressing for answers won’t do me any good. And if I want any chance of seeing my parents again, seeing Char again, then I need to go with him.
“To the Imperial City?” he asks, eyeing me cautiously.
