Gray swallowed, moisture brimming in her eyes. “Doesn’t matter. It would be better for everyone if you hadn’t found me.”
“That’s…that’s the complete opposite of what it would’ve been,” I argued, mind blown that she had come to that conclusion and convinced herself of that. If anything, it would’ve killed every hope we had for our world if I hadn’t found her in time. If Chrome hadn’t had whatever connection tying them together, all would be lost.
“I’m weak. I’m no leader.” The princess’s voice cracked, thick with emotion as she fought to hold it back. “A defect.”
I shook my head vehemently. “No, no, you’re not.” My soul felt weary and heavy from the pain she carried on her small shoulders. I reached for her hand, cupping both of mine around hers. “I have to ask,” I paused, gauging her despondent reaction. “Does your father normally hurt you?”
Gray sniffled as she clenched her eyes shut. She didn’t answer my question, but the way she clutched my hand told me what I needed.
A headache began to pulse, my chest wanting to implode from suppressing the urge to storm out and run a sword through the king’s throat. I took a deep breath, focusing on slowing the exhale to contain my anger in front of her. That was the last thing she needed. What she needed was for someone to make her feel safe. And I’d gladly be that person. As would Chrome if he could be near her.
“I’m so sorry, Princess,” I whispered, scared my voice would betray me. “For how long?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she answered blandly. “No one would care.”
“It does matter,” I responded with conviction. “Icare.”
Princess Gray pulled in a shaky breath, her voice quivering when she said, “Everyone just watched. They even cheered for my punishment.”
“Not everyone.” My thumb soothed gentle, small circles over the top of her hand.
Gray closed her eyes again, biting her trembling bottom lip to hold back the tears that needed to be released. “They all hate me. Always have.”
“I…” I began, saying my thoughts aloud. “I didn’t think it was that bad.”
Gray snorted, pulling her hand from mine. “Of course not.”
I frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
The princess sighed. “Because you’re a hero. Why would you care?”
My heart sank as guilt tumbled through my insides, bulldozing through every moment I thought she had chosen to be alone like a boulder decimating every tree down a mountain.
How had I never truly noticed how badly everyone treated her?
“I just always thought you enjoyed being alone. Some people do,” I admitted sheepishly.
No matter how hard she seemed to try, she couldn’t stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks. “I’m so tired of being alone. I only have one friend. Scarlett. And seeing or talking to her for more than five minutes is nearly impossible, thanks to my dad.”
“You’re not alone anymore.” And I meant it. “I promise you. You’re gonna get trained to fight. And when you do, you’ll see just how strong you truly are. And how verynotalone you are.”
With a heavy sigh, she sniffled again, wiping away her tears. “I’ve already told you,he’llnever let me.”
I chuckled. “I think you’ll find I don’t break my promises, Princess.”
“We’ll see about that.”
The front door into the Helair suite clicked shut behind me. With my backpack draped over my shoulder, I headed to the kitchen to find my mom.
Drained from the events involving the princess, I just wanted to shower and crash. But I needed to eat first. The scent of roast beef wafted throughout the suite, and I groaned. “Mom!” I called.
Chrome hadn’t taken the news of Gray’s reaction earlier too well. I spent the better part of the early evening calming him down before he annihilated the Kinetic Palace with his power. Once I told him I made sure she made it to the King’s Suite safely and with no one finding out what had happened, he seemed to calm.
Silence greeted me when I entered the kitchen despite both my parents being present. I paused.
My father stood with a severely rigid posture and pinched expression. Mom’s concerned eyes and drawn lips told me she felt guilty for filling Dad in on what happened with the princess, but I hadn’t expected her to hide it from him. I was just too wiped to deal with the fallout.
“Slate.” My father crossed his arms, leaning against the countertop.
