“My brother always had an eye for the prettiest omegas,” the alpha finally said.
Ehlian blinked. “Pardon?”
“You shared a cell with him.” It wasn’t a question.
The unease solidified into certainty: the disturbing familiarity was no coincidence. But unlike Hayce, Sandar’s face carried a permanent shadow, erasing any trace of warmth.
“Not voluntarily,” Ehlian replied, unable to keep the coldness from his voice.
“I heard you didn’t part well,” Sandar said conversationally. “You weren’t the first, and won’t be the last he uses and discards. He tends to get bored quickly.”
The words were needlessly cruel, even if Ehlian already knew the truth about Hayce’s nature. “You came all this way just to tell me that? Bit of a waste of time.”
“Feisty.” Sandar seemed amused by Ehlian’s sharpness, but Ehlian didn’t miss the way his fingers tightened around the box. “I can see why he liked you.”
“He didn’t.”
Sandar didn’t argue. “That’s just who my brother is. He always knows how to get what he wants and fool anyone along the way.” His gaze lingered, assessing. “You shouldn’t blame yourself for falling for it. But if you don’t mind me saying… it’s a little naive of you to think you’re ever out of his reach.”
Ehlian frowned. “What does that mean?”
Sandar tilted his head slightly. “Did it never strike you as odd how cleverly he uses his power?”
“It did,” Ehlian admitted. “He said he was taught self-defence.”
“That too,” Sandar said dismissively. “Our father prepared us for the worst from a very young age. The daily training was relentless.” A faint shadow passed across Sandar’s face, there and gone. “He wanted us unbeatable.”
The Cartivairs had to be one of the most protected families, with countless guards ensuring their safety. Not that it had saved Hayce’s father, but Ehlian still asked, “Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
“Ransom demands aren’t unheard of in our circles, though they rarely succeed,” Sandar said lightly. “But that didn’t stop our father. It didn’t make the training any easier or less frequent.” His mouth twisted. “I suppose he brought that on himself. I doubt he ever imagined one of his sons would use those very skills in prison to survive… and end up there for no reason other than killing him with them.”
“Your father trained you so relentlessly for a potential attack,” Ehlian said sceptically, “but he didn’t prepare himself?”
“He did,” Sandar replied. “Far too well. Even at his age, he could fight us off without much trouble. That’s why Hayce chose… other connections. Other circles. To sharpen those skills and learn smarter, darker techniques.”
Ehlian didn’t understand why Sandar was so forthcoming about his family’s private life. It was a bit odd. He was treating Ehlian like an old friend, like someone who deserved that kind of trust.
“What… other circles?” Ehlian asked warily.
“The kind you call when you want something done fast and quiet.” Sandar’s lips twitched, his voice smoothing into something almost pleasant. “That was the final straw for my father. Endangering our family and the empire with those connections was something he’d never tolerate.” He paused.“Father wanted to disown him, so Hayce put those new skills to use and made sure he never got the chance.”
Distant memories of lying in the warmth of Hayce’s arms swamped him suddenly, like they should still mean something. A beacon. An anchor to Hayce’s nature. He tried to chase them away. “What does that have to do with me?”
“You think he wouldn’t hesitate to use those… questionable connections against you?”
“Why would he? He has no reason,” Ehlian said, genuinely puzzled. “I’m no threat to him.”
“You might not know, but I’m certain he’s quietly planning something.”
Ehlian said nothing.
“You do know.” Sandar took his silence as confirmation, something odd glinting in his eyes. “I’d hate for you to get caught up in whatever he’s planning. Because if he is planning something, he might decide to silence you.” Then he smiled reassuringly. “If it comes to that, you would need my protection. I’m more than willing to offer it.”
Ehlian finally found his voice. “He told me nothing.”
“You shared a cell with him for nearly a year. Forgive my scepticism.”
“He didn’t keep me as his therapist,” Ehlian said, refusing to show how much it still upset him that Hayce had never shared anything. “You’re mistaken. I still don’t think I’m any threat to him.”
