Seeing him so distant and detached around them ignites a fire in me. My vision blurs, and all I picture is a boy who was constantly told he wasn’t good enough. The way he shut down as soon as they started talking about his non-existent flaws tells me how deeply their words still cut him.
It’s self-preservation. He’s clinging to whatever shred of patience and lingering love he has left for them, but watching him go quiet like this, stripped of that smile I love so much, is killing me.
How long is he going to let them walk all over him just because they’re his blood? Angel may not be ready to put themin their place, but I will not let them take him for granted anymore.
They want someone to push around?They should try me.
I paste a sugary fake smile and turn to the ‘parents’. It’s tempting, but I can’t act on the burning urge to drain their rotten souls out of them.
“Seiji’s parents are older than both of you, aren’t they? And yet they’re still working. Waiting untilSeijithinks he’s ready to take on the responsibility.” I squeeze Angel’s hand, a silent apology for bringing it up.
“My Papa lost his only family and still worked for another decade until he physically couldn’t. If you truly believe the kingdoms are falling apart, why are you vacationing instead of stepping up to help?”
They say nothing. Of course, they don’t. What excuse could justify their cowardice now?
When I feel my mate’s burning gaze, I turn to find him staring at me blankly. I give a warm smile and speak the words to him instead of the two waste of oxygen seated across from us.
“Anxo is doing his absolute best, and it’s more than enough. He has his mate by his side now. I hope your concerns will fade with time.”Just like you will.
After an uncomfortably long silence where they stare at my face, stunned and struggling to form words, Luke finally says, “Of course. We have immense faith in both of you.”
The sperm donor’s face flushes red with shame. Now he knows that I know every vile detail of his disgusting acts.
I smile sweetly at Kiara.I wish “kill with kindness” were something literal.“Enjoy your vacation. Maybe, with time, you’ll start visiting less and less.”
I catch a flicker of anger lighting up in Kiara’s eyes at the insinuation.
Yes.Stand up, woman. Give me a reason to show you I am indeed my father’s daughter.
I was hoping she’d drop the act and show me her real face,but Kiara purses her lips together when her mate clears his throat to reel her back in.
I tug Angel’s hand. “It was nice meeting you both, but we’re on a tight schedule.”
I’m still simmering with rage as we step into the elevator. The moment the doors chime shut, Angel is on me. Caging me between his arms, he purges the anger right out of me with a mind-numbing kiss. I cradle his face and kiss him until my lips throb.
When Angel pulls back, the light in his eyes is blazing like he fought his way back to life. I never want to see the dull, defeated version of him I saw in front of his parents again.
When we finally leave Conquer, everyone is waiting outside the castle. They all look exhausted, but we have one final stop before we can head home.
So imagine my surprise when Harvey starts leading Grace and the others back to the Horsemen palace.
“Hey, where are you going?” I call out, stopping Harvey.
He hesitates, looking over his shoulder at his mate before replying, “Back home. Figured you might want some alone time with them.”
Something’s off. And when Harvey wraps me in a tight hug and tells me how much he loves me, my heart falls to my feet.
With every cell in my body, I pray my conclusion is just paranoia. My brain playing yet another cruel trick on me.
I wish I didn’t know better. I wish I didn’t have to step foot inside the Castle of War with Angel trailing behind me, tense and quiet. I wish I could crawl into bed and forget this entire thing until morning.
No no no no no.
A shrine glares back at me. Right in the middle of the hall, so people can pay their respects as soon as they walk in, but I didn’t come here for that. I didn’t come to mourn because this isn’t real. It can’t be.
I drag my feet to the framed pictures, telling myself over and over that this is just another nightmare. It has to be.
Stella and Henry Adler.
