All this distance from her felt so pitiful and useless right now. He couldn't stand seeing her wither away in that cell like a flower cast on a cold, concrete floor. “I won't leave you alone in there.”
Pressure squeezed his chest until he felt like popping. He needed so badly to rip her away from what came next and ease the pain he knew throbbed in her heart. His arms needed to wrap around her and carry her away from the Phaedra and his ruthless empire.
When he stood, he perfectly controlled his expression, not betraying any of the pain tearing muscles all over his body.
Damn. His father didn't hold back.
“Stay behind me.”
Kira followed him out and grabbed the back of his shirt as they walked down the hall. Distantly, Zayne heard voices and descended the stairs toward the noise, holding up a hand for Kira to wait.
He eased quietly into the doorway.
His father was holding Mom's shoulders, talking to her in a quiet, gentle voice, but she tried to rip away from him.
“I had to respond,” he said. “The Phaedra will want blood.”
“Damn you, Brandon.” She beat her fist against his chest.
“Our children are soldiers.” He shook her shoulders once. “I'm their High General.”
She shoved him with her forearms, and he stepped back, releasing her, only for her to slap him hard across the face.
Zayne's eyes widened.
“You're their father.”
He didn't complain about the slap but just turned his face back to his wife. “That's all I want to be, but I have responsibilities. Do you understand what's at stake?”
“Do you?”
“He wanted to take it for her, and I let him. Would you rather I hit her?” His father froze and turned, seeing Zayne.
Mom gasped. “Zayne.” She ran to him, carefully touching his face, eyes on the remnants of blood.
“I'm fine.”
“Your teeth are covered in blood.” His father touched her, and she pushed him away. “You get far away from my son. And I don't ever want to see those soldiers who blocked me from the stairs again. Ever.”
Father groaned, lines deep on his forehead. “I didn't have a choice.”
“You never do. You're so helpless, High General.”
He didn't come to his father's rescue. That never helped when his parents fought, because Mom wasn't a fool.
“Did you tell her?” Zayne asked.
“Tell me what?” Mom's voicequivered with fear.
“He's sending Kira back to prison.”
The devastation wilted Mom's body. “No, Brandon. Don't do that to her. Let me help her.” She gripped her chest. “Don't do this.”
“It's already done,” the High General said and charged for the front door, ignoring Mom as she cried out to him.
“Do something. Do something for once in your life. She doesn't deserve to be held captive in that prison.”
His father didn't even look back.
