Why isn’t Pedro saying anything? What kind of trouble?
“Something happened with Roran?” I don’t give a damn about their literal union right now.
For some reason, my pulse is rising. Worry seeps in.
We haven’t been home for two days. Pedro was supposed to help her, let me know if something was off... and he came here.
I clear my throat. “Pedro.”
Only now he groans, annoyed over Bay’s lips, and turns to me, small electric bolts flickering from his hand.
I don’t give a damn.
“What happened at home?”
My voice is sharper now, but I can’t mask the concern on my face.
“Your mom needs you home. Something about Roran’s sickness—she said she knows what it is,” he finally answers, still not thrilled I interrupted his makeout session. Bay’s tail’s still latched onto his like a leech. These two need to quit it in public—I don’t know how they only have one son.
Wait. “Mom knows what’s wrong with her?” I raise an eyebrow.
What’s going on with her lately… That day at the office, I could tell she was hiding something, she was too tense. She seemed... off.
I couldn’t name it then, but whatever it was, it clung to the airalmostlike regret. Moments like this make me wish I could speak to her the way I can with Myko, instead of relying on our bond's shared emotions alone.
And if she’s hiding something… why Pedro? Now of all times?
He nods, but offers nothing more. “She said we should head home. Not another city.”
“Good. That political crap’s not my thing anyway. And the only thing the king gave me was the last known location of his son before he vanished.”
“Oh, and I took his daughter.” I chin-point at Onyx, still limp in my hold.
“The king’s son?” Pedro shakes his head, as if avoiding my last remark. “Another royal’s gone missing?”
I nod as Bay finally unwraps herself from him, her brows drawn as she answers before I can.
“He was last seen at the Hunter’s Port. That’s where I used to hunt humans—it’s a prime spot for unregistered ships. Calmer waters, fewer risks of exposure.”
“He went there to follow his sister. To check on her.” She adds, pointing at Onyx in my arms.
Pedro blinks. Once. Twice. Glances between the two of us.
“One missing prince and one unconscious princess in your hold?” he snaps. “You’re not just bad at politics. You’re chaos. Worse than your father.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, fake-smiling as I roll my eyes.
“Let’s head back. I’ve got one more problem to solve.” The Roran problem.
Her strange soul that pulls me in. Her scars. Her shields. The way she tears them all down for her sister.
Just her pleading face makes my jaw clench. My grip on Onyx tightens. Maybe it’s because she’s a problem I haven’t solved. Yet.
A problem with a god-touched ass and curves, and those blue eyes I never want to see turn red again. I want them bright—like summer skies. Happy.
Free.
I want to trace every one of her scars with my fingers, memorize them—so I can carve the exact same set into her father. And I’ll add some decorative touches for free.
