I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. “I had been on an expedition and they had to come find me. I didn’t have a chance to fully—”
“Yeah, great, you handled the wild man look,” Kole snapped. “Stay out of our business and—”
“Protecting my future queenismy business,” I said coldly. “And she was walking away from you. I warned you. I also warned Vex. Did your father tell you what I said?” I felt better when he flinched.
“Thank you, but I can handle this,” Sagan muttered, still staring at me funny.
Then it hit me, hope filling my heart. “You remember? You remember me.”
Kole glanced between us and looked ready to throw a fit.
Sagan licked her plump lips. “You were a professor. The professor when I gave my first lecture while I was still an undergrad.”
“Wait, you met my uncle and never told me?” Kole demanded.
Sagan sighed and shot him an annoyed look. “I was a junior, Kole. I was—it was all a blur of nerves and trying not to embarrass my family, okay? I barely remembered what I wassaying as I said it. I met you…” She frowned. “Years later. I’m sure I’ve met others in your family. You don’t talk about your uncle and—I didn’t put it together. I’m fairly busy.”
I snorted, glad when the tension in her shoulders eased a bit when she understood I agreed with her.
“Yeah, that’s fair, of course,” Kole muttered, realizing he really was just making things worse.
“You were fantastic, Your Highness,” I said genuinely, bringing the conversation back. I nodded when she did a double take. “I’ve always sung your praises. That topic was rough and they clearly set you up to try and embarrass you. I know tenured professors who couldn’t have given such an impressive lecture. You were astounding.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. She cleared her throat. “Really. I always felt a bit paranoid and maybe immature that I thought they tried to embarrass me, but hearing you say that…”
“Healed an old wound and worry.” I smiled when she nodded. “Then I’m sorry I didn’t sooner. And I’m sorry it was my class they used to do that to you. I had no idea until the day of.”
“I knew that and you were very kind. I always appreciated that,” she said with a gentle smile. “I knew you were on my side even if others weren’t and it helped.”
I wasn’t sure what I was going to say next, but I was distracted by Kole’s annoyance. It was bubbling over and he was ready to explode.
Kole let out an evil chuckle, waiting until Sagan focused on him. “That was probably when Onyx became obsessed with you. It makes more sense now. He’s always been jealous I’m with you and in your bed. I—”
“Whoare you?” Sagan whispered as she took a step away from him. “Seriously, who the fuck are you, Kole? What happened to you? I don’t even—I would never have ever…” Sheshook her head and walked off, not remotely able to hide her disgust.
At him. Not me, buthim.
“Nicely done, fuckhead,” I chuckled under my breath. “Oh yeah, you totally have this in the bag.” I snorted and looked him over, not hiding how I found him lacking. “You’ll be out before she’s queen for sure.”
“Maybe, but she won’t be with you after I’ve fucked her all—”
I knocked out my nephew right there in the main hallway of the castle. I huffed knowing I couldn’t just leave him there, so I grabbed his leg and dragged him to my brother to tell him what happened and give him the last warning to heed me before he lost his son.
