It all happened so quickly, and my heart hammered in my chest as the wheels in my brain spun on what to do now.
Gabe wrapped an arm around me, like a vice at my waist as he cursed Steele. Everyone steered clear of us, directing their attention to Bastian for the first time.
Oh no.
I could have warned them, from the little I knew about the man, that it was a bad idea to fuck with him. Instead, I watched with glee as the combatants around him were frozen in time before getting within a few feet of him. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up, offering Steele an annoyed look. It was much like the look he’d given me when I interrupted his daydreams in front of the portal.
The Caster sighed and brushed off his clothes before his gaze darted to mine, lust filling his eyes momentarily, as if he realized how much I loved watching his display of power this time.
Before he could say anything or approach me, a massive roar vibrated the space as a now full-grown Niz landed right next to me. I meanrightnext to me, causing Gabe to tug me further against him and almost off the ground as the wyvern landed and bellowed loudly at Steele. The air practically vibrated with power.
Ronan never gave Niz the whistle to change, and that was a startling realization. Had he done this entirely for me?
The soldiers around us stumbled back, some falling onto their asses, with the exception of those caught in Bastian’s magic. The sizzling sound of acid dripping onto the ground from the wyvern’s open mouth caused apprehension to slide onto Steele’s face. I enjoyed the way he quickly shifted from a cocky demeanor to one of tension and uncertainty.
He may have an army, but I was beginning to realize that I had one of my own as well.
KIERAN
Iknew the right move was to de-escalate the situation…buthowto do that was a completely different question. I had a full-grown, acid-spitting wyvern at my side, seemingly ready to reduce these people to ashes. On the other hand, I had the jackass leader of the Rebellion belittling me and threateningmypeople too.
What to do, what to do.
It was clear Steele was waiting on my move, and that fact alone brought way too much joy to my heart. I was perhaps feeling a little bit petty after his insults and wanted to even the playing field, but that wouldn’t help anyone other than myself.
The rumble and stench of acid rolling through the air made me trulylookat the people who opposed us, outside of Steele. Countless eyes were widened with fear. I saw a couple people literally shaking and clutching each other. Shame fluttered through my mind. This isn’t the way I wanted to be introduced to these people. The very people who I wanted to join and work for a cause alongside of.
I turned my head to look at Niz with so much gratitude for his protective nature. Sliding out of Gabe’s arms, despite his sound of distress at my doing so, I smoothed my hand over Niz’s scalesat his neck, being careful to avoid the drops of acid dripping from his mouth and onto the cement. One would think he was simply drooling, if it wasn’t for the way the concrete was slowly being melted by the liquid.
“Hey,” I spoke softly as I rubbed what I hoped was soothing circles on him. “I’m okay, and Ronan will be okay—I promise. We don’t need to hurt anyone. I love you so much for defending me, though. Thank you.”
A chuff came from the large beast as his head seemed to nod slightly in understanding.
My gaze darted momentarily over his shoulder, finding that Ronan wasmostlyokay. Physically, he seemed perfectly fine. In fact, I had a feeling that if he wanted to, he could break away from the men holding him, but emotionally, the man was far from fine. I could see the fury sparking in his gaze as he stared at Steele, his breathing a bit rougher than normal, making me feel like the bond he had with Niz was probably fueling both of their reactions.
Looking back at the Rebellion’s leader, I offered a command of my own, hoping some logic had flowed back into his tiny brain with Niz staring him down like his next meal. “Release him. Now.”
His silver gaze lit with challenge as his expression grew dismissive. “I’m not sure who you were in Alfemir, Kieran, but you don’t make decisions here. Ever.”
There was my answer. He was literally too pig-headed to ever back down, even when he was in the wrong. How he ever got into a position of authority around here was beyond my comprehension, and honestly, his behavior was really starting to plant a seed of doubt in my mind about coming here.
Had I traded one deplorable place for another?
“The three of you and your destructive creature are a threat that need to be removed?—”
Removed.That word in specific reference to Niz had me surging forward, my temper lashing out, as I slammed my finger against Steele’s chest and spoke in a harsh whisper, “I would highly suggest not finishing that threat. Especially if you want your stupid fucking dagger.” A wicked smile curved my lips upward as my voice dripped with condescension, “Or did you forget about that little detail already? There’s a reason Gabe couldn’t bring it back with him. If I go, so does the dagger.”
A dagger I actually didn’t find stupid at all and wasn’t a huge fan of parting with now that I knew who it would be going to.
There was a lot I could deal with, especially regarding myself, but I would never let him threaten Niz. He wouldn’t be alive to even give commands right now if Niz decided Steele was to be exterminated. He should be on his knees thanking the wyvern for being a hell of a lot more merciful than he was being with us.
Steele stepped further into me, his rough fingers capturing the wrist of my hand pressed against his chest in an almost bruising hold. His other hand grasped my chin between two fingers, causing me to roll up on my toes because of how tall he was compared to me. I’d be damned if I let him intimidate me.
His voice was hard and low, dangerous enough it caused a shiver of apprehension to roll up my spine. “You’re here in my home, Princess. If I want something from you…” he trailed off, dipping his face closer to mine until his breath fanned over my lips, “Iwilltake it.”
My confidence faltered momentarily at his words as I blinked repeatedly back at him. I wondered if he realized how they came across or if he saw evidence of the flush of heat that crawled across my skin at his threat—prickling in awareness at his proximity.
Apparently my expression was enough to snap Steele out of the moment, because in a flash of a second, I was turned sharply,my back pressed tightly against his chest. A blade slid to rest against the soft flesh of my throat before I could even react.
