Before today, I’d have been Talis’s focus too. Even when I’d been an arse to him, his first instinct had always been to protect me. Like he had in wolf form at Gabriel’s house, and again at Yate’s compound a couple of months ago.
But not now.
His gaze didn’t once drift my way, Lady Sarhin commanding all his attention.
I’d expected it to hurt, but not like this.
Not like a hoard ofglaharal blachwere eating me from the inside out.
This is what you wanted. You made him act this way.
“Before they get here,” Lady Sarhin continued, seemingly oblivious to the weight pressing on my chest, “I’d like to talk about your safety, Axel.”
That got my attention. “What do you mean?”
“I know you don’t like the constant protection you’re under at the moment, but with Zh’alek’s whereabouts still unknown, it’s necessary.”
“I’m aware.” This was nothing new. Where was she going with this? As usual, her body language gave nothing away.
“For him to remain undetected, there was probably more than just Gren Melhak who helped him escape and is still helping to hide him. We don’t know if they’re fae or other non-humans.”
“Like witches?” Dathal asked.
“I don’t think we can rule it out.”
I huffed. “Chlah Ferath. I thought all witches were accounted for?”
She shot me a sharp look, and it took me longer than I’d like to realise that I’d cursed in fae.
“I’d rather not rely on the word of the paranormal police or the witches’ council considering they lost track of their witches before.”
Dathal cleared his throat. “I don’t think they can take all the blame for that.”
Brave of him. He didn’t give a fuck about the witches’ council, but since working with the paranormal police, he’d become quite protective of them.
Predictably, Lady Sarhin ignored him. “My point is that it’s not just Zh’alek we have to worry about. But without knowing his location or his plans, for now we have to assume the worst, and that means guarding Axel at all times.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“We are guarding him.” Dathal tensed, as though she was insinuating he wasn’t doing his job.
Nudging his shoulder, I turned to face her. “Dathal’s here a lot of the time. And when he isn’t, Rys’s pack take over.”
Talis remained quiet. Probably wondering what any of this had to do with him.
He wasn’t the only one.
“Dathal,” her voice softened, which wasn’t a good thing in my experience. “A newly completed joining pact is both intense and volatile at times. It needs tending carefully in these first few months. Between your work with the paranormal police and guarding Axel, you’re stretched thin as it is. How are you coping with all this separation from your chosen mate?”
His hesitation was barely noticeable… to anyone but me.
I fuckingknewit.
“You told me it wasn’t an issue.” I twisted to face him, blood turning to ice in my veins.
He gripped my wrist. “I’m not lettinghimanywhere near you again.”
It hadn’t escaped my notice that he’d avoided answering. “Dathal.”
