My jaw ached from clenching my teeth so tightly. “Go. The fuck. Away.”
“No. You and I are sparring today,” Slate deemed from behind me.
I closed my eyes, focusing on slowing my heart rate. “I swear to the gods, Slate. You’re not my fucking trainer anymore. We’re not gonna reminisce.”
Void raised a solitary eyebrow, glancing between Slate and me. “Come on, why not?”
One side of Void’s mouth lifted, and I leveled him with a deadpan expression. “You dick,” I hissed. “You really love to torture me, don’t you?”
Void smiled wider. “Why, Princess—or, Queen Gray—I have no idea what you mean. I think it would be really helpful to know where you learned your shitty techniques.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I threw my hands up in the air.
Slate’s energy approached, brushing against my own. It was a confident yet soft caress against my aura, telling me he wouldget his way. “Come on, Gray. For old time’s sake? You can even unleash your anger on me. I know you’re dying to.”
“I usually save my energy for those who are worth it.”
Slate grinned from my side, so warm, reminding me of why I’d fallen for him so long ago. “Come on. Let’s see how far we’ve come.”
“Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I said, turning to face him.
“Noted. It’ll be my honor, my Queen.” Slate dropped into a bow.
I cringed. Not at him, but at the use of my title in such a formal way. It was true—Iwashis queen. But everything about it all just sat wrong with me. I didn’t like how I got there. And I especially didn’t like how he’d gone from calling me “Princess” to “Queen.” Just another reminder of how much shit had changed in such a short amount of time against my will.
I rolled my eyes, shoving my tongue into my cheek before I charged him without warning. Slate laughed, his hazel eyes gleaming with excitement as he fell into a defensive stance. I threw my strength into my front leg, using my legs and hips to land a powerful punch while summoning my element to give it extra impact.
Slate probably thought he knew my plan, having trained me himself when I was younger. I was sure he’d been watching me like a creep from the sidelines after I fled the King’s Palace, too. If I wanted to land the forceful blow I’d been desperately craving to hit him with since returning to Hollow, I’d have to surprise him.
At the last second, Slate shifted to avoid my punch. As I predicted. I spun to counteract his defensive move, and within less than a second, my fist smashed into his cheekbone with my element packed into the blow.
Slate sailed backward, crashing to the mat on his spine. He didn’t hesitate to rock up to his feet, pride shining in the suppressed grin on his smug face.
“You cheated,” Slate noted. “No magic.”
“You deserved it.”
The memory of my father informing me that Slate had died crashed into me. The sensation of being gutted and having my heart ripped from my chest resurfaced. I hadn’t wanted to leave my bed for weeks. I grieved him for nearly two years, determined to avenge his death.
Everything I believed had been a lie. And the one person whom I had trusted wholeheartedly had been a huge part of it. He’d known all along. Everything.
“I fucking hate you, Slate Helair,” I murmured.
Slate swallowed. “I know.”
My anger burned away the sorrow, especially as my conflicting thoughts of Chrome forced their way to the forefront. Chrome. Griffin. Whoever the fuck he truly was. Did anyone truly know? How many more secrets did he hold?
Both of these men had made me believe they truly loved me. Had helped me and brought me back to life. Had it all been an act? Because I’d never felt more used and discarded. Both of them were guilty of that.
Yet, my heart still raced when I felt Chrome through the bond, as weakened as it was and as different as it felt.
Letting my caged pain and anger drive me, I dove for Slate.
He easily grabbed me and spun me to the ground on my back, quickly moving to pin me.
I wrapped my legs around his thighs and thrusted upward, throwing an elbow to slam into his jaw. The movement allowed his grip on my arms to loosen, and I didn’t waste time knocking him off me.
“How fucking dare you manipulate me. I was vulnerable, and you used that!” I shoved his chest, making him roll away and jump to his feet. I followed quickly behind.
