“How could you?!” I scream, my voice raw with anger and hurt. The words tear from my throat, each syllable laced with the sting of betrayal.
What hurts the most is having been so completely wrong about someone I thought I knew. My hand throbs with pain, and I instinctively curse, shaking it to alleviate the discomfort.
“I deserved that,” Kian admits, rubbing his jaw.
“Of course you deserve it!” I hiss, poking him in the chest. “You betrayed your king.”
Kian drops his head, shoulders slumping.
Tears of anger burn my eyes as I step closer. “You betrayed me.”
Raiden steps up next to me, his wings flaring. “Is this true?”
“Yes,” Kian replies, lifting his head and looking over my shoulder to Raiden.
So many thoughts bubble up inside of me, and I really struggle not to burst into tears. It’s Tristan’s low growl that gives me pause, snapping me from the feelings warring inside. Silence falls, blanketing the room in a thick tension.
Tristan’s eyes mirror the same sense of betrayal I feel.
Kian raises his palms, his lavender eyes pleading with me, silently begging for understanding. “Can I explain?”
“You fed the Seelie Prince–”
“Oh,nowI’m the prince,” Alivar interrupts with a mocking tone that grates my nerves.
Gritting my teeth, I continue, “You allowed him access to the castle. To my chambers.”
Alivar responds, cutting in before Kian can speak. “In all fairness, he didn’t know I’d find you naked.”
My cheeks flush with embarrassment, heat creeping up my neck. I swing my head around, pinning Alivar with a glare. “Not helping,” I snap.
Unfazed, Alivar shrugs. “This all seems like a moot point. All Kian did was keep me updated on your progress and memories. I wanted to know if you were indeed the princess the prophecy spoke of.”
“You had a cabin stocked and ready for me. You were planning on taking me at some point and using him to help.”
“I was intending to take you. But that was before you mated with Maxon. Seeing his mark on you, I realized it would be a waste of time to take you. Plus, despite what others may think, I’m not that sort of person. I would never break a bonded pair. Especially not fated mates.”
I drop my eyes to the ground and take several deep breaths. One thing I know from my short time with Alivar is that he doesn’t lie. As for Kian, I’m still pissed off that he would go behind our backs like that.
“Princess,” Kian interjects softly, “I only did what I did, so Alivar was aware of your presence. It was for your safety in case something went wrong here.”
I look up at Kian, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. The betrayal stings, but I know deep down that he believed he was acting in my best interest. The complexities of our situation swirl around me, making it difficult to see a clear path forward.
“Your safety was my priority,” Kian continues. “I never intended for things to get this complicated. I thought if Alivar knewwho you were, he could offer some protection, should something happen to the king and things become unsafe for you here.”
I sigh, feeling the stress pressing down on me. The prophecy, the Shadoweaver, the bond with Maxon, the spies, Outcasts, Alivar’s unexpected involvement—it all seems too much to handle. But I can’t afford to crumble now. There’s too much at stake.
“What’s done is done,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “We need to focus on what comes next. Getting Maxon back. We need to find a way to navigate this together.”
Alivar nods in agreement. “I understand. And I promise, whatever my intentions were before, my goal now is to ensure your safety and see the prophecy fulfilled.”
“We don’t even know what the prophecy means,” I huff, twisting my fingers in my cloak.
“Yes, they can be open for interpretation,” Raiden adds.
I flick my gaze back to Kian. “I don’t want to be mad at you.”
Kian’s gaze softens. “I understand if you are.”
