But Zale isn’t weak. Not even close.
So what changed?
Dean follows my gaze. And as if he can feel my eyes on him, Zale’s head snaps toward me. His steps falter, then speed up. His movements are jerky, like he’s not thinking anymore.
I expect Dean to strike, but he doesn’t. He just stops Zale with a hand on his chest, holding him from coming any closer.
Then it clicks. He wasn’t coming for Dean… he was coming forme.
“Not now,” Dean murmurs, making Zale blink, snapping out of his daze.
He nods, then gives me a look that, for some reason, pinches my heart. Like I’m supposed to know why he’s here.
Being near him again feels… familiar. I always felt like I could breathe freely when he was around, but I can’t trust that instinct anymore.
A lot has changed since I last saw him.
Before he turns away, I swear his eyes turn glassy, but then he’s off, barking orders at warriors who are following him instead of Tiberius, taking down their own people.
Is he… helping us? Why?
Dean turns to me, and the guilt on his face makes it hard to swallow.
“You know him.” It’s not a question. They looked very familiar with each other.
“Elijah has chosen him as Eldoris’ next king. He’s the only heir Tiberius couldn’t corrupt.”
The only one worth saving.
He’s hiding something back. I can feel it.
But Dean never hides anything from me. I have to beg him to keep some things to himself, but he always ends up blurting out whatever he’s thinking.
I don’t like that he’s keeping secrets, but I take a breath and shove it down for now before it starts competing with what’s important right now.
“He’s on our side?” I hate how badly I want that to be true.
The boy I knew could’ve been a great king with the right guidance. If he were able to hold onto even a fraction of the kindness from when he was young, I know he’ll be a far better leader than Tiberius ever could be.
At least with the Diablo Towers watching, Eldoris won’t fall the same way again, even if Zale isn’t the right fit.
Dean starts to answer, but we’re hit witha powerful blast of Divine. The impact leaves us on our knees, trying to find our footing again.
And then I seehim.
Tiberius walks through the smoke and corpses, his eyes fixed on me.
Seeing him after a decade makes me freeze in place. He smirks, stopping right in front of me before his hand reaches to grab me.
But my mate catches his wrist.
“You don’t get to touch her.” Dean’s voice drops to something dangerous, then his shadows hurl Tiberius back, and he hits the ground hard.
As his warriors close in, Tiberius snarls, “Finish Zale. I’ll take care of her.”
They don’t wait another second before taking off after Zale.
Tiberius pushes to his feet, but I’m already turning to Dean. “You need to go. Protect Zale.”
