“Kaede!” I screamed. I tried to rush forward, but Ryzen wrapped an arm around me. “Kaede!”
“Are you insane?” Ryzen hissed. “He is the enemy!”
“Unhand her!” Kaede growled, flashing his fangs. “She isn’t yours!”
“Let me go!” I screamed, wiggling in the emerald twin’s embrace. “He’s mine!”
“I can’t let you do this, Selena.” Ryzen shook his head. “He knows our location and just ruptured our lifedome. I can’t allow you to go to him.”
Everything about Kaede screamed lethal power as he stalked closer. I could feel the rage radiating off him, demanding obedience.
“Unhand her now and we will leave in peace. Resist and die!” he snarled. “Your choice.”
“Call off your drones and I’ll let her go.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?” He spat, chopping the air with his hand. “My drones aren’t even attackingunless they are attacked. You started this fight with your psy-daggers.”
“Kaede, just do what he says, please,” I begged, clawing at Ryzen’s arm. “I just want to go home.”
He stared at me in silence for a moment, then sighed. Slowly, the drones started to retreat. He offered me his hand. “I called them off. Now give me Selena so we can leave.”
“Are you sure about this, Selena?” Ryzen asked, yanking me back once more. “We could get you a ride home.”
“You don’t understand. I know him!”
“You know him?” His voice was laced with shock. “How?”
“Yes!” I beamed. “He’s my guard!”
“How did he find us?”
“I followed the Stars and they led me here,” Kaede replied. “Now that you know our connection, give me back my liege.”
“As you wish.”
