20
Benson
Onyx had Sagan and I wanted to bash his face in. Hearing he’d gone to her room and then came out demanding why security wasn’t better to protect her left me with only one thought.
He slept with her. He’s had her.
And I hated him. I wanted to break him into a million pieces just like that fucking little shit Kole.
But Onyx Conley wasn’t some brat like his nephew. He was a driven Alpha dragon who would be overbearing and could be a serious problem for Sagan given how young and naïve she was.
And she had enough fucking problemsincludinghis nephew.
“Why don’t you handle your nephew who won’tallowour princess to end their relationship, is embarrassing your family at every turn, and is refusing to leave the castle with threats to go to the media?” I threw right back.
“I will handle all of that, but it doesn’t change the fact the future queen should be in a better room,” he said firmly. “And better guards posted at the residence wing since they had trouble keeping up with me.” He moved closer and jabbed his finger in my chest. “The elders weren’t the only ones who gotlazy under Rhys. You know it will be different protecting a woman ruler with more threats.”
I smacked his hand away. “I know that.I know that, but I also know the elders bought a lot more of my people than I knew. We’re on a hiring freeze because of those issues and I don’t have the budget for training…” I swore under my breath realizing I shouldn’t have told him any of that.
“No, you shouldn’t have,” he grumbled in agreement, realizing where my head was before turning away. He chilled when he understood that I wasn’t being as neglectful as he’d thought, but I still shouldn’t have let him see the cracks in our protection or any of it.
Yeah, we needed a complete overhaul of the royal family’s protection.
And like yesterday. Great.
I wasn’t surprised when Darren came at me next and I could tell him what I’d found. He was horrified and said the priority over everything else was figuring this out even if we locked down the castle and kicked everyone out.
“No, Benson, you keep Sagan alive. Nothing else matters.” He shot me a disgusted look when I tried to argue with him how that would look. “Maybe stop spending so much time trying to deny how you feel for her and actuallyact likeyou care about her. Or are you so fucked up that letting people think you’re detached from your feelings is most important?”
I swallowed loudly, hating how easily he’d busted me. I gave a swift nod but was still at a loss on how to handle all of this.
You only got your job because it was Father’s and he died protecting Princess Maple. You’re completely incompetent.
The next morning, I felt even smaller when I witnessed exactly what Sagan had told me… Namely, Elira dropped her mask when there wasn’t an audience.
“I heard the high priest is planning to go on the record and say everything in your interview was lies,” she mocked as I hurried to catch up with Sagan.
Elira couldn’t see me, so I not only stopped but decided to record from where I was ducked off to the side. This was a blind spot in the security cameras… And I had a feeling that was intentional.
“That he plans to have weekly meetings with all yourprospectsto make sure their relationship with the gods is on the right path and you’re not leading them astray like a whore since your parents aren’t here anymore to keep you in line,” Elira continued when Sagan didn’t rise to the bait.
I was dying to know her reaction but couldn’t see since her back was to me.
“Oh, and did you learn this from his bed? Is that why he’s so obsessed with you?”
Elira giggled. “People like me, Sagan. Don’t be jealous.”
Sagan gave an elegant snort. “I could never be when they like your act, but I notice you don’t deny it.” She held up a hand to Elira. “It’s fine, I already busted him and he said there was nothing wrong with having a relationship with my adopted sister since you didn’t actually have royal blood.”
“He told you?” Elira hissed. “He actually blabbed? Seriously, can no one be trusted?”
Sagan shook her head. “Oh, the hypocrisy of that statement coming from you is unreal. Whatever, it’s not going to happen, Elira. Leave with grace or you will leave in disgrace. Don’t force my hand and ruin the goodwill you still have here with some.” She didn’t flinch when Elira chuffed and stepped closer, towering over Sagan.
“I’m not going anywhere, and you will make me at least an aide, Sagan. People are beyond pissed that you gave my position to a tiger from a mafia family.”
“Take a step back and stay civil or I will make you,” Sagan warned, her voice cold. It worked and Elira caved, knowing if it got physical with Sagan, it would still cause trouble for her. “The position was never yours. It’s not one you had with Mother and I took. You—this is done, Elira. And I would trust Myriam.
“I would trust her andher integrityto have complete access to the vaults. I don’t trust you to handle anything not under Raquel’s watchful eyes. You’re a liar and a snake.” She stepped into Elira and made the bigger dragon back up. “And you of all people don’t get to judge the parents of others, savvy? You might have been an orphan but—”
