He didn’t get to act like I was beneath him one moment and pretend he cared the next. “Leave. Now.”
“You’re our shield. I have a right to know how someone got past the palace guards. If he can’t keep you safe, we will.”
“I am not your shield.” I vibrated with anger. “We’re not in Legacia, and you have no claim on me.”
“She’s right.” Remy loosened his tight hold on me as his hands clenched into fists. “She’s not your shield. She’s your destiny. I heard you talking to her. Mind your place? No decent man talks to a woman like that. Especially not his destined bond.”
Grayson crossed his arms over his chest. “Not mine.”
Remy’s eyes narrowed. “You’re an idiot.”
I placed a hand on the prince’s arm. “It’s okay. Really.”
“It’s not. Z says it will take all six of us to protect you.”
“I understand Grayson’s point. He would never choose me. Fate meddled. I don’t blame him for rejecting her machinations.” Gladys would have to find another woman. I turned away, eager to find something better than a blanket to cover myself.
“Haven!” Remy’s voice had changed. Gone was the protective tone. Something else had taken its place—something that made my stomach drop.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw his face. The color haddrained from his cheeks, and his mouth hung open. “What’s wrong?”
“Your back. What the hell happened to your back?”
“It’s nothing.” My voice came out too high, too fast.
Remy took a step closer, his hand half raised as if he wanted to touch but didn’t dare. “Haven …” He seemed to struggle for words. “What—who did this to you?”
The fight went out of me all at once. I pulled the blanket tighter around myself, but it was too late. He’d seen. And now I’d have to explain.
Chapter
Sixty
HAVEN
“Grayson, leave now.” I wanted him out of my bedroom, plus there was a very real chance Remy would kill him when I explained the scars on my back. Or I could kill him; that might be more satisfying.
He crossed his arms. “You don’t give the orders.”
Remy or I—one of us would have his blood on our hands if he kept testing my patience. With a deep breath to steady myself, I forced calm into my voice. “Grayson, leave now, please.”
“No.”
“Fine. Have it your way.” I glanced at Remy. His face was still pale—my scarred back had left an impression. “The guard took me from my grandmother’s home.”
Grayson snorted. “You shouldn’t have been there to begin with. You’re a shield. It was your duty to serve Legacia as soon as you turned fifteen.”
Now that I knew how the guard treated fifteen-year-olds, I was even more grateful to Grandmother for protecting me. I glared at him. “So guards could ground me under their heels?”
He had the grace to look slightly uncomfortable. “We had to take you. That kind of power?” He rubbed his hand across his mouth. “Besides, you killed Wolgen Smit.”
Remy’s brows rose. “Smit is dead?”
“How do you know Smit?” Grayson’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“We know about everyone on the king’s council. Smit was a nasty piece of work.” Remy offered me a proud smile. “How did you kill him?”
“It wasn’t on purpose. His death magic rebounded.”
