But I held his gaze as he turned on his heel and stormed away, his boots crunching over the gravel like thunder in the night.
I didn’t stop him.
Because if Remy wanted to see me as the villain… so be it. I had people I trusted and he was no longer one of them.
Chapter
Twenty
The morning sun filtered weakly through the high windows of the dining hall, catching in the floating dust and painting everything in gold. I moved on instinct, grabbing a tray, some dried fruit, a hunk of bread, and sitting beside Naia without a word.
The rest of Thrall Squad was already gathered, loud and boisterous in the way that only people who’d survived another battle could be. Ferrula was practically in Jax’s lap, her leg draped over his as he whispered something that made her snort.
“You are such a lucky bastard,” Teren said, grinning across the table.
Jax smirked. “Don’t I know it.”
Naia rolled her eyes, and Cordelle threw a crust at him. The energy was light, electric. Safe.
And I couldn’t feel further from it.
I pushed the bread around my plate, staring into nothing until Riven’s voice cut through the haze.
“You’re quiet,” she said, frowning. “Too quiet. What’s going on?”
The table went still, all of them suddenly watching me with that sharp kind of concern they usually reserved for after battles or Kaelith’s more dramatic antics.
I took a breath and told them.
About the lost horde.
About the vote.
About the pact made between dragons long separated, and the pressure I felt.
And then, softly, I added, “Remy confronted me last night. Said I was being selfish for choosing Zander. That I was putting my personal life above the realm.”
Cordelle blinked, stunned. “He what?”
Ferrula’s expression went instantly hard. “He’s lucky Kaelith didn’t roast him.”
“She nearly did,” I muttered. “He accused me of being a threat. Said I wasn’t the Ashlyn he used to know.”
Naia reached over and grabbed my hand. “Then maybe he never really knew you.”
Jax leaned forward, all traces of amusement gone from his face. “We’ve seen what you’ve sacrificed. You’ve never once put yourself before anyone else.”
Riven nodded. “And Remy’s wrong. You didn’t choose Zander over the realm. You chose himwiththe realm. There’s a difference.”
I looked around the table, at their loyalty and their quiet, fierce understanding.
“I haven’t told Zander yet,” I admitted. “I’m not… ready.”
Ferrula’s eyes softened. “Tell him when you want to. When it’s right. He’ll understand.”
I nodded, grateful for them in a way I couldn’t explain.
And for the first time that morning, I picked up the piece of bread and took a bite.
