I don’t get into the details. All they need to know is that I escaped Eldoris because of Tiberius. I briefly tell them the kind of man he is, how he rules his kingdom, and how he planned to force the mate bond on me, so they can understand that running was my only option.
Every word burns my throat, and it becomes impossible to stay neutral when I reach the night I thought I killed Timor.
Harvey stops me to ask what he did, but when I choke on the answer, he shakes his head, saying the details don’t matter.
But they can see right through me.
I know they see the gaps in my story, the pieces I’m deliberately leaving out, but they don’t push. And honestly, telling them everything would only hurt them. They know enough about my past to understand why Tiberius is still after me, and that’s all they need.
The rest would change the way they look at me, and I’m not ready for that. I don’t want to burden them with what Tiberius did… or Timor tried to do. Some things are too ugly to share.
Harvey’s jaw ticks once I’m done, but his face stays carefully blank. Anxo and Nevaeh don’t say a word, and I’m almost certain that’s because Khatri already told them what he knew.
That man has no boundaries when it comes to protecting this kingdom.
One thing I still don’t understand is how Timor survived that night. I know I wasn’t thinking straight because fear was clouding my judgment, but I’m pretty sure I saw him fall and stay down for several long seconds before my survival instincts kicked in and I ran.
My head falls into my head. “The dagger was laced withAsphyx,one of the deadliest poisons. It should’ve killed him. I was sure I killed him.”
Seiji mutters under his breath, “Well, you clearly didn’t.”
Jackson elbows his mate in the stomach with a warning glare that Seiji ignores.
“I made a mistake. I was fourteen,” I grit out.
“I would’ve finished the job when I was fourteen. But I get it… not everyone can beme.” Harvey leans back with a smirk.
I’m going to wipe that smirk off your face, you smug bastard.
My hand goes to my thigh, but Dean snatches the dagger from its holster before I can grab it.
Grace smacks Harvey’s arm, but he just whines, “What? It’s true.”
“It’s rude.” Grace offers me an apologetic smile, but I brush it off.
It’s not her fault her mate is such an asshat. Maybe he needs a reminder of how I wiped the floor with him a couple of weeks ago in combat.
“It’s also very wrong.” Nevaeh cuts in. “Do you not remember how Visha kicked both our asses before shekidnappedus? For a decade. Hazel clearly wins, dumbass.”
They fall into their usual bickering, but I don’t mind. It gives me a break from reliving the past.
“Stop worrying about what went wrong. If Tiberius tries anything again, you’ll have an entire army behind you.” Dean leans in, whispering, “And I’ll be here to help you do it right this time.”
I’m surrounded by a bunch of cocky assholes.
“I don’t need your help.” I glare at him, but Dean just grins.
“Of course you don’t. You’re my little hellfire.”
My face heats, and I look away before Dean turns me into a complete fool with that sweet-talking.
“How do you think Timor survived?” Anxo asks.
The question feels like a crack in something I barely managed to hold together. It sends a wave of unease through me.
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “He was bigger than me, a lot stronger. And honestly? Everything is a blur after the first swing. One minute I was covered in his blood, the next I was standing on solid ground, soaking wet, surrounded by humans who looked at me funny when I tried to walk, and my knees shook.”
Suddenly, Harvey and Seiji start giggling like teenagers.
