“I needed to get your attention somehow after being denied entrance. These dramatics are surely unnecessary.”
My fingers grazed the plain dagger on my belt. Perhaps it would finally find a home in the prince’s chest. At the thought, I stood to my full height and banished all memories of my own imprisonment.
He would not take anything else from me.
“Thedramatics,” I threw the word back at the prince, “are likely to stop me from killing you immediately.” Tol and Cyph shifted, and I locked eyes with the Engrossian heir. “Though I doubt they’ll try too hard to hold me back.”
My heart nearly stopped when he met my glare. My father’s eyes—my eyes—stared back at me.
“Hello, brother,” he cooed.
“Don’t call me that,” I growled.
I stepped forward, standing behind Ophelia, Tol and Cyph close to my sides. It was only their support and pure, undiluted rage keeping me upright. Because the man before me shared more of my father than even I did. He was a warped version, pale skin and a cruel mouth, a slightly pointed jaw and higher cheekbones, but looking into his dark green eyes—Lucidius was there.
The guilt I had been suppressing since my father’s death snapped free, rising up in me, threatening to drown me.
He was dead because of my friends.
He was dead, and I missed the man I thought he was.
He had done horrible things, yet I wassadbecause he had not wanted me. A piece of me wished he had. A larger piece of me was so fucking grateful he was gone.
“He was not a good father to me either, you know,” Barrett muttered.
I clenched my jaw.
He’s dead. He didn’t want me. He’s dead.
I promised Ophelia no fatal injuries, but dammit, that promise was stretching thin.
“You say another word to him, and I’ll slice out your tongue myself,Your Royal Highness.” It was the voice of the Revered, but it tangled with a saccharine animosity only Ophelia could muster.
Tolek watched her with a smile, adding, “I’ll hold down his shoulders for you.”
Barrett’s eyes swept over my friend twice, and he fucking grinned. “I’d rather enjoy that.”
“Flirting, pretty boy?” Tolek quirked a brow.
“Perhaps you should take your chance now, Tol. If he doesn’t cut the jokes, he won’t be as pretty by the time he leaves this room,” Cypherion said. Though they jested, their voices were as lethal as the weapons they carried.
“It’s an honor to earn the attention ofroyalty, Tol,” Jezebel drawled, mocking the title.
Barrett was unfazed by the threats and jokes. He leaned back against the wall, stretching his legs out on his cot. “You must be the younger Alabath.” He observed Jezebel. “We never had the pleasure of being introduced.”
“The pleasure is all yours.” She smirked.
“I can assure you that in this moment, it’s not.” The prince raised his wrists, chains clanking against each other. The sound made me flinch. “But I can think of uses for these in whichpleasuremight be shared between us.”
Jezebel rolled her eyes, crossing her arms, but Tolek, Cypherion, and I all tensed, a low growl rumbling through me.
“Relax, boys,” Barrett said, dropping the act finally. “I truly do wish to talk. Besides, I’m a committed man and would never do anything to jeopardize that.” A flash of nerves passed through his eyes at the mention of his consort, likely wondering if harm had already come to him.
“Beyond flirting with my guard, why are you here?” Ophelia asked.
Barrett reclined against the wall, shifting the pillow behind his back, rifling his dark hair. Even that simple movement reminded me of my father. My heart thumped in its cage, but I told it to shut the fuck up.
He cannot take anything else from me.
