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“I did it to protect you.”

“That’s bullshit,” he snapped. “You did it to protect yourself.”

I sighed, relaxing back in my own chair. “I’m taking Bryn with me to check on the portals within a week’s ride. If she stays here, she’s just going to get herself in trouble.” I rubbed along my jaw, adding, “It will give me time to explain life on One to her.”

Adrian scoffed. “Why waste your time?”

I averted my gaze, allowing him a moment to fit the puzzle pieces together.

“You plan on keeping her here permanently, don’t you?” he whispered.

“It will be her choice if she stays or goes back, but she needs to know the truth about what this place means to her,” I pushed on. “With the most recent attack, The Nine would be fools to consider imprisoning or executing me. I’m the strongest ally to all the realms, and they know it.”

“That cocky attitude will put you, and her, six feet in the ground.” Adrian’s voice began to grow louder. “I don’t think you fully understand the risk you put her life in by allowing her to stay here.”

“I understand the risk,” I bit out, cracking my knuckles out of habit. “But I’m not the same man I was all those years ago, Adrian. I was scared when I hid her away before. I’m not scared anymore.”

I pushed up from the table, sure in my plan. “If The Nine comes for me, or for her, I’ll end them all.”

I knocked on Bryn’s door, half hoping she wouldn’t answer.

I’d rather her stay where she was. Hidden and safe.

But she would hate me for that; her soul too restless.

So, the next best thing was to have her by my side where I could protect her, should it come to that.

I almost laughed to myself at the thought of defending her. She hardly needed my protection, for she was just as fierce as the old Bryn. I mean, The Guard? Only she would seek out the most dangerous job on Six, when I had put her there to protect her.

Heavens, give me patience with this woman.

When I knocked again, the door flung open to reveal Bryn, her lips set in a soft pout.

“Yes, King?” she said, crossing her arms across her chest in annoyance.

Clearly Adrian wasn’t the only person currently mad at me.

I flashed her a sincere smile, a smile she had once told me she found charming in a past life. “What gave me away?”

“The painting of you and your parents in the meeting room.” She arched a brow. “Your mother’s eyes are the same color as yours.”

“Were,” I said quietly, looking away before her face showed pity. A brief silence filling the space between us. “I apologize for not telling you I was the king. I don’t prefer that title. I was commander before the unwanted promotion. Now Adrian holds that title.” I placed my hand over my heart, laying the charm on thick. “It was only a half lie, I promise.”

Bryn sighed, shrugging her shoulders.

I took that as a somewhat accepted apology.

“I want to see the portal we came through,” she demanded.

“I’m heading there myself, care to join?”

She nodded, her light brown hair bobbing slightly from the movement. It was still damp from her bath, the ends reaching just below her shoulders; a tad shorter than before, but the waviness to it the same. I’d be willing to bet once we got outside the sun would highlight the hint of copper woven throughout the strands, stunning against the green of her eyes and fairness of her skin.

She was even more beautiful than I remembered, if that were possible.

I cleared my throat and stopped studying her hair. “I also need to check on a second portal entrance. It’s a few days’ ride on horseback.”

She looked down at herself as a hint of blush stained her cheeks. “I don’t have any more clothes . . . for a trip.”