I bit my tongue against berating him further. He nearly killed Gyrak, flying off in a rage. Mother had to put him in his place. I had no authority over him beyond the dinner knife I would gladly stick him with when I got the chance.
He groaned, eyeing our father with a heavy-lidded stare.
“Bed.”
Father’s growl turned his voice to gravel. His face shut down, but his eyes speared through me, piercing mine as if he saw into my soul, laying bare all my secrets. My spine stiffened, and the room tilted beneath the weight of his glare. The hairs on my nape bristled.
“Fine!” Ronan flung his arms and dragged himself upright. He shuffled out without sparing me a glance.
As the door clicked shut, I deflated, my shoulders caving in. Mother guided me to the chair my brother abandoned, and I sank into the thick cushion, rubbing scabbed hands over my tender face.
“Nereus, hear her,” she said.
“Ronan filled me in.” His words were so cold. Detached. Wroth.
“He doesn’t know the whole story.” I wrapped my arms around myself, braving my father’s fury. “He waited all of a breath before threatening to burn Radaan.”
“That’s where we differ, Nienna.” His nostrils flared, and the leather of his goggles creaked beneath his tightening grip. “I wouldn’t have waited. I would’ve set her ablaze then and there.”
“Stop–”
“Did he rape you?”
I flinched. “No!”
“That doesn’t save him.” Teeth bared, my father scanned the window above my head as if even looking at me soured his stomach. “He swore an oath—in blood—to protect you, to wed you to his son. And instead, he attacked you!”
“That’s not what happened!” I screamed, matching his shout. “I love him!”
He froze.
Mother shut her eyes. Shame thundered in my chest. I’d said too much. But I couldn’t let him believe Kallias hurt me.
“It wasmyfault.” The words cracked in my throat.
A vein pulsed at Father’s temple. He didn’t move.
“I pursued him.” My voice trembled. “Please—don’t fly to Radaan. Kallias–”
“Signed a Draconis Blood Oath.” He cut me off. “His life is forfeit. And if a king’s life is forfeit—so is that of his nation.”
“We cannot sustain a war on foreign lands,” Mother snapped.
His glare sliced toward her. “You’re taking her side?”
She met his ire, unflinching. “I stand with Draconia. Asyoushould.”
“Our daughter was,” he choked on the word, jaw working as if the words tasted foul, “violated! I won’t need to start a war. I’ll set Reem ablaze!”
What else could I say? I would’ve begged—on my knees—if it might make him reconsider. But it wouldn’t. The sight would only enrage him further. Draconis didnot beg.
“Nereus,” Mother’s tone softened.
He inhaled through flared nostrils. Argos roared outside, stone quivering underfoot.
“She’s here. She’s safe,” she continued, hand pressed to his chest. “I’m not saying let it go. Retribution will have its place. Just—give her time.”
My head fell forward in shame, and my nails dug into my sides, clawing at my sanity. He hated that I was hurt, but didn’t see that he was still causing me pain.
