“It’ll be a war zone out there,” he bit out. “I can’t focus on Malcarion and worry about you, too.”
“Then assign me a guard, whoever you choose,” she pushed on when he opened his mouth. “What good are these abilities, then?” She waved her hands, fighting the surge under her skin. “Why train me? Make me feel like I’m your equal when you don’t mean it? You’re not protecting me, Race, you’re sidelining me.”
“If anything happens to you, I can’t promise I won’t choose your life over the mission,” he ground out.
“Good. Because I’ll choose yours, too,” she shot back, her eyes burning. “But don’t pretend this is about my capacity—it’s aboutyourfear.”
He swallowed. Then, “Yes…” A rough exhale. “I am afraid.”
“Because I’m human, I’m a liability. That’s what you’re really saying, isn’t it?” she asked, disappointment sweeping through her.
“That’s not?—”
“Don’t you dare say it’s not what you’re doing,” she breathed, her voice fraying. “Because it is. And it hurts. Not because you don’t care—God, I know you do—but because you don’t trust me to stand beside you. To matter.”
His mouth tightened, eyes darkened as his composure faltered, but she wasn’t done.
“You think locking me away keeps me safe? It just makes me feel useless.”And less than. Just like Paul and his snobby mum. Like so many others have made me feel, all my bloody life.Desolation swamped her. “I survived your venom last night. I trustedyouwith my life. But you won’t trust me with yours.”
“Ash—” He reached for her.
“Don’t.” She backed away, her throat tight with tears, and hurried out of the arena before she broke.
Fuck.Race slammed his fist into the wall, gravel scattering across the floor. Bones shattered and skin split—but it barely registered over the ache in his chest.
The air still smelled of ozone. Of her.
His dragon stirred.I cannot leave you alone. You mess up everything.
Stop.His jaw ground down. He hated this rift between them—more, he hated that she slammed a mental wall over their bond.
Fix this,his dragon rumbled.Mate hurt.
The door swung open. Lore strolled inside, his metallic-green eyes sweeping over the damage. One brow lifted. “I just saw your female. She looks like her entire world just caved in. Weren’t you two supposed to be celebrating being newly mated?”
“Shut up,” Race gritted out.
Lore chuckled. “My mate’s taken her to the kitchen.”
He strode for the door.
“Race, wait. She’s upset. Give her some space. Fight me—work off that frustration. Trust me, it’s a better way to clear the mind, or you’ll barge in there and just make it worse.”
He growled low and stopped, every muscle straining to move.
Lore summoned two swords from the stand and tossed Race one. He grabbed it.
The former angel circled him, his own weapon braced. He lunged with an upward swing, and Race countered. They moved hard and fast as they fought, steel blurring. The blade bit into his biceps, and he staggered.
Fuck.He couldn’t concentrate.
He held up a hand. “She wants to go with me back to Lemuria. It’s too damn dangerous. I can’t lose her. I just can’t.”
“I get that,” Lore said, lowering his blade. “Believe me, I do. But she’s a psi, and from what I’ve seen, her powers are off the charts, or she wouldn’t even be here.”
“That’s beside the point, she’s human…” And Ash’s words crashed through his head.
I’m human, I’m a liability.
