Jaxs didn’t answer. Honestly, his expression bordered wanting to tell me versus weighing out if he could keep a secret.
“Why did the king get so mad because he thought Hael and I were together?”
“It’s not really my story to tell,” Jaxs said.
“Okay, then this conversation is over.” I gestured toward the door.If he wasn’t going to give me answers, I couldn’t do this right now, not with Dahes inside my head.
“Explain,”the command was sharp.
I figured out who Hael is,I thought back for Dahes to hear.And I’ve been spending time with him to try to figure out his weaknesses. King Elion was pissed when he found out, and I have no idea why.
“Interesting.”
“It’s also not safe foryouto stay here,” Jaxs added, clearly not done with this conversation.
“That’s convenient.”
“It’s the truth. What happened during breakfast was nothing. Elion can and will make things worse for you.” He paused. “Hael asked me to get you out of here, so can you just make things easier and agree?”
“No.” I crossed my arms over my chest as I focused on his blue eyes. “Why does Hael even care?”
I regretted the question the moment it left my mouth, but it was too late.
Jaxs looked taken aback. “Look. I have no idea, but he does, and he asked me to do this, and he never asks me to do anything.”
“Well, that’s your problem. I’m not going with you.”
“I also happen to agree with Hael,” Jaxs whispered, lowering his voice. “Elion isn’t?—”
“I don’t think Elion is a good person either,” I cut him off. “But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving.”
“I promise it’s for your own good. I heard you’re running away from the Dead King, and Hael said Elion’s going to use you as a bargaining chip. If there’s anything the king wants, he doesn’t care who he uses to get it. It might not be right away, hell, it could be years from now, but it will happen.”
I didn’t answer, and the silence from Dahes was stifling. I had no idea what he thought of any of this, but it was hard to focus, hard to formulate my own thoughts, while trying to keep my mind blank.
The pain helped—gave me something to focus on, even if I didn’t want it.
Jaxs took my silence as progress and kept talking. “The two kings don’t exactly get along. Think about it. King Elion agreed to keep you the moment he found out Dahes was after you. It’s not safe for you here. Even if you aren’t scared of Elion, which you should be, the chances of him sending you back to Moriann if you stay are significantly higher.”
“Where does he want to take you?”
“Where does Hael want me to go?” I asked, closing my eyes. Suns, I needed to lay down. I needed this entire interaction to be over, and I needed Dahes out of my head.
“He has a safe haven.” The moment Jaxs said it, Dahes’ grip loosened around my head. Just the slightest fraction, enough for me to think.
“A safe haven?” I repeated, my eyes snapping open. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought he was going to tell me to hide in the Fourth Province like he said when I first came here. My heart was beating so fast. I wasn’t sure if I should keep baiting Jaxs for information.
“Yeah. Only Hael and I know where it is, so no one will be able to get to you there. Not even Dahes.”
I wanted to believe it so badly, but I knew it wasn’t true. My deal with Dahes wouldn’t let up just because I was somewhere else. He owned my soul and nothing I could do would change that.
His nails scraped down my temples at the thought, sending agonizing waves of pain through my spine. It took everything in me not to scream.
“That’s right, little ghost,”he drawled, his voice lowering.“You’re mine.”
“Why did Hael sendyou?” I asked, trying and failing to compose myself. I was pretty sure I was stuttering now.
“He… uh…” He paused.
