“Jude.”
My heart hammers in my chest; a familiar sensation where my brother is concerned. “What does he know?” I ask, and she looks down at her feet before her eyes return to mine.
“That you're lying.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, hushed and hurried, when a snarl comes from behind me. Spinning on the spot, I stand defensively in front of the girl as my brother glares at her from across the room.
“How dare you take the fun out of it, silly girl,” he snaps, and it takes everything inside of me to remain calm, keep my defenses lowered and my shoulders dipped as I stare off with him.
“Brother?” I ask, and he huffs.
“Don'tbrotherme,” he grumbles, stepping further into the room, ignoring the people aroundhim like they don't exist, like they're not here to accommodate his every need.
“What's going on?” I query, and he grins that same wicked smile that I was just recalling moments ago.
“What's going on is I'm going to get the girl,” he states, and I exhale, relief flooding through my veins.
“Excellent. I'll come with you.”
He lifts a hand before I can take a single step. “You see, that's where you're wrong, Kael.” His tone shifts, leaving uncertainty to ignite inside of me.
“I’m not following,” I mutter, my pulse thundering in my ears.
“You were never smart,” he jibes, and I can't help but agree.
The vision that just reminded me of my traumas only confirms that I was never smart because I believed the words that fell from his mouth.
Refusing to let him knock me back, I roll my eyes. “You can give me shit on the way, but let’s?—”
He's moving before I realize it, his hands slamming against my chest as he launches me acrossthe room. My back hits the far wall with a thud as I drop in a heap among the subordinates.
His fangs elongate and his eyes darken as he aims a finger in my direction. “I knew you were lying even before I had her use her magic,” he snarls, and my gaze snaps to the girl in question, who sits with her head hiding in her lap, trying to shield herself.
Running my tongue over my lips, I return my attention to my brother. “What is it you think you know? We can discuss this,” I start, and he shakes his head.
“I knew the moment you arrived that you were lying to me.”
“How's that?” I retort, watching as his grin darkens and his eyes narrow.
“When you arrived, I asked you to tell me without making me force you. The glint in your eyes confirmed you knew what I was threatening you with, and in that moment, I knew you were no longer under my command. Because, Little Brother, I warn you with that statement every time, only for you to blink at me in confusion. But not this time.”
My chest hollows out at the implications, but despite the pain, I swallow it down and remainfocused on the plan as the burning sensation under my arm sizzles against my skin.
“Then see that I'm here by choice,” I protest.
He grins, offering me his back as he saunters toward the door, curling his fingers around the handle before he turns his attention back to me.
“Then, in doing so, you choose to be here as a subordinate,” he growls before the slam of the door echoes around the room, followed swiftly by the snap of the key turning the lock.
21
ELODIE
Bleary-eyed, I rouse awake, warm and protected in Rion’s arms. He sleeps softly beside me, and I nuzzle into his embrace, feeling even more content after my time in the Shadow Realm with Thorne.
It’s insane to think this is my life. Yes, it’s filled with chaos, pain, and destruction, but there’s also an abundance of love, joy, and hope. I never thought I would be associated with those three words, but now here I am, basking in it.
The door creaks open, snatching my gaze to reveal Thorne leaning against the frame. The curl to his lips is exactly the same as the one I saw in my dream, only now it’s with me in the real world, and it’s even more intoxicating.
