“You will not speak of my brother again.” Helaina didn’t even recognize her own voice. She felt possessed. She could feel eyes on her, but all she saw was a fog of red.
Fee shuffled to Helaina’s backside, like she might attack.
“Stay out of it, Fee,” Breyer warned.
Her mate backed away, returning to her seat, her regal expression predatory.
“Family’s a touchy subject, I see.” Breyer’s eyes danced to the side to peer up at Helaina. “Let me guess, he beat you? Or maybe you’re one of those highborn families that getreallyclose?” She licked her lips. “Did he find love elsewhere and break your little heart? Is that it?”
Helaina jerked Breyer’s head up by that maroon hair just to slam that infuriating face down again. The movement forced the tip of Breyer’s blade to reopen the side of her scarred neck with a small puncture. She didn’t even feel the sting. The only thing she felt was satisfaction when Breyer let out a painful grunt.
“You’ll regret that.” Breyer chuckled. Then her muscles tensed. The blade at Helaina’s throat trembled, as if the fae were struggling against an invisible force.
“Bry?” Fee questioned.
“Something’s wrong,” her mate declared between clenched teeth. “I can’t shift.”
Helaina didn’t understand.
“Fuck!” Breyer bucked.
Helaina refused to relinquish her hold.
“What are you going to do? You have no weapon. I can make you choke on your own blood right now if I want to.” Breyer was trying to reason with her, but Helaina didn’t care.
“Then do it,” she seethed, eyes still fogged with rage. “Do it now or I will.” She pulled Manos’s dagger from her side.
A lupine smile stretched across Breyer’s face as her eyes darted behind Helaina.
“Prove it.”
Helaina risked a glance over her shoulder.
Manos and Theodon stood right behind her. Theodon glared downward, his thin black cuirass stretched tight over his muscular physique as he flexed his boulderish arms across his chest.
“Both of you, back up.Now.”
Helaina realized the whole cavern had fallen silent, every single soldier watching their squabble.
What is wrong with me?
Against her greater instincts, she released her iron grip, taking a few red strands between her fingers.
Breyer dropped her weapon and sat back, fae eyes screaming a promise of violence as she stared at the princess.
Helaina glared right back.
“Captain.” Fee gave a nod of respect and stood. Breyer dipped her chin, refusing any eye contact, busying herself with smoothing her hair and checking her braids. Although she seemed vicious, seeing her former lover did not produce the response Helaina had anticipated. There was a glint of terror there, maybe even regret.
What had he done to her?
“You.” Theodon pointed at Helaina.
Her pounding heart settled as the rage dissipated.
Theodon’s jaw tensed below that grainy stubble, his dark features glowering at her. “I told you to keep your hands off my soldiers.”
She squeezed her hands into fists. “I didn’t hurt her.”
