The compliment catches me off guard, making my throat tight.
“Pretty face,” Marina continues, her gaze assessing but warm now. “Those eyes are striking. And that hair—Seth always did have a weakness for auburn.”
“I can hear you, you know!” The words burst out of me again. “I’m standing right here!”
Marina’s lips curve into a genuine smile. “Yes, you are. And you’re absolutely adorable when you’re flustered.”
Catherine clasps her hands together. “You’ll need to move into the family estate now that you’re mated. We’ll help you pack—”
“No.” The word comes out flat, final. “I don’t want the bond.”
The room goes silent. All four women freeze, their expressions shifting from warmth to shock to something harder.
“Excuse me?” Marina’s voice drops by several degrees.
“I don’t want Seth.” My voice wavers, but I force the words out anyway. “This bond was a mistake. I’m trying to find a way to break it.”
A heavy, suffocating quiet fills the room.
“Did Seth hurt you?” Marina asks, her voice quiet now but somehow more dangerous.
“No,” I lie automatically, but even I can hear how unconvincing it sounds.
Catherine moves closer, her expression gentler than before. “You’re lying. What did he do?”
The concern in her voice—genuine concern—makes my chest tighten. “It doesn’t matter. I just—I can’t do this. I won’t.”
“That absolute fool.” Vera shakes her head. “I’m going to murder him.”
“Get in line,” Marina mutters over her shoulder to her. She turns back to me, and her expression has shifted entirely—no longer just protective, but fierce. “Listen to me, Selene. We won’t let Seth mistreat you. If he has done anything to upset you, you leave him to us. We’ll handle it.”
“Handle it?” I echo.
“He can be an idiot,” Eloise says quietly. “Especially about things that matter. But you’re family now, which means we protect you. Even from him, if necessary.”
I’m blown away. Family. These intimidating, powerful women are calling me family. Promising to protect me from their own brother.
These are the people Seth said would eat me alive?
“You should still move into the estate,” Marina continues, her tone brooking no argument. “You’re a Rowan now, whether you like it or not. That mark on your neck makes it official.”
“I’m a healer in the palace,” I say, grasping at the excuse like a lifeline. “I can’t just leave. I have duties, responsibilities—”
They exchange glances, silent communication passing between them.
“We’ll tell Seth to discuss it with the King,” Marina decides. “If there’s an issue with your position at the palace, he’ll sort it out. But you have to live at the estate, Selene. That’s not negotiable.”
“And we’re going to have a very pointed conversation with Seth about proper mate behavior,” Veraadds darkly.
“You don’t have to—”
A knock interrupts me. I quickly open the door to find a palace messenger standing there, holding an official-looking scroll sealed with the royal crest.
“Healer Selene Thorne?” With obvious nervousness, he looks past me at the four women crowding my quarters. “You’ve been summoned by His Majesty.”
My stomach drops. A royal summons. From Lucian himself.
I take the scroll with trembling hands. “Thank you.”
