I don’t want to wake everyone at this hour, so I asked Khatri to tighten security and keep things quiet until we’ve had the chance to sit down with our family and explain everything first.
For once, Hazel doesn’t argue, but she hasn’t uttered a single word since we left the human realm. After I sent that message to Eldoris, she went quiet.
The fear of what Tiberius might do next is eating at her, and somehow she thinks what happened today is her fault.
I sneak another glance at her, but she keeps walking silently.
I don’t know why she’s so worried. Tiberius could be God himself, and we’d still find a way to take him down.
She’s not alone in this. Not anymore. Never again.
The Death Castle comes into view, but the idea of walking inside while she’s drowning in her own thoughts doesn’t sit right with me.
Hazel isn’t chatty, but this deadly silence is starting to worry me.
I reach for her hand, ready to assure her that we’ve got this, but I freeze when she pulls away.
What the fuck?
I try again, but the stubborn siren folds her arms, blocking me out.
Now she’s doing this on purpose.
“Damn it, woman, just let me hold your hand.”
“No.” She turns her head, jaw clenched.
Wait, she’s not worried… she’shurt. But why?
I reach again, but this time she dodges me completely, jumping far away like I’m contagious. I have to admit that hurts.
That’s it. I’m done playing this game.
My mate just had the worst day because I took her out of the safety of my kingdom, knowing full well about the Crab king and his obsession with her.
I can’t even say it was an oversight. I was just too selfish, wanting some alone time with her, that I abandoned all security protocols and put her in danger.
I fucked up, but I’d rather she curse me out than avoid my touch like being around me hurts her.
Before she can move again, I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into me. I’m not letting her run.
Hazel keeps her glare fixed on my chest until I tip her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Why won’t you let me touch you?”
Hazel squeezes her eyes shut.
I’m starting to realize just how stubborn my siren can be.
“Hazel…”
“You walked away! You let go of my hand.”
My head jerks back like she slapped me, but that would’ve hurt less than the disappointment in her eyes.
“That’s why you’re upset? Hazel, I let go so I could do my move. I wasn’t leaving you.”
She’s crazy if she thinks I’d ever leave her. I’m her mate for fucks sake.
I cup her face, fingers tangling in her hair. “Leaving you never crossed my mind. Not once. I wasn’t going to let those assholes lay a hand on you. I wanted to rip their heads off for even thinking about hurting you.”
