Why keep something like that from me? Did he not trust me?
Or did he not trust these halls?
“How much did you hear?”
Glancing to Fee, my hands wave over the parchments. “Is that really why you’ve been training me? You all are going to start a coup and needed me to fight?”
She sighs, taking the vacant chair, her black dress blending into the shadows. “No.” With her one word, I feel her conviction. She taught me because she cares. “And I told you a war was coming. I just didn’t tell youwhichwar.”
“We have literal enemies coming here,” I hiss, stepping close to the heir, finger poking his chest. I ignore everyone else and their furrowed brows. Apparently, no one is brave enough to do this to him. “Griffin is still out there, lookingfor me, trying togetto me. And your father wants to use me. And you want to start a coup, becausewhy?”
We’ll have two enemies. He can’t think it’ll be easy to fight both at the same time.
Kaden grabs my finger, pulling me so we’re pressed intimately close. The raging inferno between us breaks out into a delicious burn, and my body relaxes, as if it’s found something it’s been missing.
The bond.It’s missing its other half. It’s painful apart, but comforting when close.
“I’ve had this plan in motion for decades,” he mumbles, voice deep. “Zelos is not the right king for the Shadowlands. He is not the ruler we need. Villages are hurting, people starving. But things have changed, recently.”
“Why?”
He looks away, avoiding my eyes.
Fee sighs. “Tellher.”
He curses quietly. “Because ofyou, Max.”
My heart drops, stomach warming with his words.
Fee, Reid, even Kaden said he was risking everything for me. I changed the plans. I assumed that meant world domination, a power struggle against the Humans he hates. Not this.
These people, who were never my enemies, allowed me to believe it to protect me. To keep me safe. Everything they’ve done has been for everyone else, regardless of the consequences to themselves.
My admiration doesn’t win over the hurt at being lied to—again.
“You lied to me,” I breathe, heart and mind warring. “You said I’d be safe here with you. But you’re bringing a war to this palace. You’re going to rip this kingdom apart.” I step away, unable to fully breathe. I admire what they did—what he did—but this is insanity. “People will die because ofme.”
“Niece.” Oslo steps forward, kind eyes and smiling face calmingthe anxiety in my gut. “Kaden has been planning this for some time. But we’ve only sped up the timing to help you.”
The heir stalks to the wall, leaning against it, eyes glaring at me. Crossing his arms, he’s effectively shutting me out.Again.
“Would you rather I let Zelos finish his plans and allow him to use you?” His words cut into my heart. “Would you rather behispet? Because I can attest, it’s not pleasant. Everything I’m doing is to keep him away from you. I’mprotectingyou.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask softly. “Why didn’t you trust me with this?”
Kaden’s jaw clenches. “These halls are not safe, kitten. Everywhere has eyes, everywhere has ears. You should have learned that in Griffin’s palace. Here? It’s much worse.”
Although the explanation makes sense, my heart focuses on other things. Things he isn’t telling me.
“You didn’t trust me with the information.” I nod once, fists grabbing at my dress. “You thought I’d use it against you.”
He smirks, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You wanted to escape. You could have easily used that information for freedom. Told my father of my plans, used it to barter a way out. I had to be sure you wouldn’t use it to upend all of our hard work.”
Prick.
I don’t let that hurt get to me, and instead go on the offensive.
“Fine. We’re sharing secrets now. Tell me, who is Sose?”
