Because the princess loves him.Because I need her to trust me. Because I don’t want her to hate me.
It’s more than that, though. It’s about Asher, too. I don’t know how to explain that I simply couldn’tleavehim there—just like I couldn’t leaveherthere. Individually or together, they’re both intriguing. Compelling. Striking, if I’m being honest with myself.
But they’re also exasperating. Complicated.Messy.Between Asher’s complete lack of a plan to kidnap me and the fact that Jory convinced him to do it, I can’t decide if they’re the bravest pairing I’ve ever met, or if they’re so wildly chaotic that they might one day lead each other straight off a cliff. Something about these two makes all of my protective instincts flare. Dane grabbed her arm, and I threatened to declare a war. When he backhanded Asher in the throne room, I wanted to set him on fire.
It settles something inside me to know I have them both in a carriage, safe and sound.
Even though they both hate me for it.
I’ve been silent for too long, because Callum is saying, “I know whatI’dlike to do with him.”
His tone is low, but it’s not full of promised violence atall. Beside him, Garrett snorts. “Leave it to you to lust after the Draeg spy because he’spretty.”
“I didn’t say I want to build a life with him,” Callum says, aggrieved.
“Just that he’spretty,” Garrett grunts.
“Actually,yousaid that he’s pretty—”
“Enough,” I snap, and they shut up.
As soon as I say it, I regret it, because I don’t sound commanding, I sound resentful. Sev’s eyebrows go up, and he glances over, but he says nothing.
I’m not even sure which part of that little bickering match sparkedit. Callum flirts with anyone, and he’s attracted to everyone. He teased me about the princess being beautiful, and she absolutely is. I’m not surprised to hear him make a comment about Asher.
I’m more startled by my reaction. Am I annoyed? Protective? Or something else entirely?
I remember Jory’s voice, so soft in the drifting snow.
Sometimes...sometimes I wonder if he letsanyonetouch him.
Between the violence and the circumstances, I hadn’t thought about Asher being pretty.Intriguing, yes. A little bit fascinating—while also somewhat tragic. I don’t know what’s happened to him, but I’ve begun to build a picture of it.
Sev looks over and studies me for a solid minute, then turns back to stare out at the snow. When he speaks, his voice is low. “I know that look,” he says. “But—”
“What look?” I demand.
“Thatone. The one on your face right now.” He pauses. “They attacked you and took you prisoner, Ky.”
“I know.”
“Violently.”
“I know.”
He makes a frustrated sound. “They could have—”
“Sev! I know.”
“Oh. Well!” His eyes flick skyward. “As long as youknow.”
I set my jaw, but I’m not angry. Not really.
He glances over and drops his voice even further. “After a few hours, I started to wonder how we were going to control Victoria.”
My sister. She’s so innocent—and so dangerous. My chest clenches.
When I speak, my voice is rough. “It would be no different if I fell in battle.”
