He failed to protect her from Dr. Cooper. He failed to protect her from himself when he walked into this trap. He'd been on the defensive and let these bastards outmaneuver him. No more.
As much as he wanted to forget holding her icy body close—needed to forget—his anger kept him locked in that moment.
No matter. His mind was sharp again, and he knew what he needed to do, which was not to allow emotions and personal bonds to cloud his judgment.
“I meant medically,” Zayne said.
“She'll recover. I'm sure she felt like death, but she had more time, as long as Dr. Cooper didn't drown her. But you know how that feels.”
“Yes.” He snapped his eyes up to his friend. “I do. I need you to update me on her vitals and any damage to her health.”
“She'll make a full recovery, your highness.”
“Brock—”
“I told myself to be patient with you. You wanted to be there with us searching for our friends.” His voice rose. “But I lost them too. I can't do this right now. I can't give you the patience you need.”
A soft sigh fell from Zayne, and he clasped his friend's shoulder. “It's okay, brother. I'm okay. And I'm sorry I wasn't there to help bring them home. You don't need to protect me.”
Brock closed his eyes, his jaw balling. “What are we going to do with her?”
“I don't know.” He checked his watch for Reinard's signal. “I'm trying to get her out. But we only have another few minutes before we lose the surveillance system. Offer her comfort. I'll be in soon to help her get back to the prison.”
“She wants you.” The challenge in his friend's stare burned.
“She already suspects I'm trying to help her. There's a dangerous amount of bonding happening.”
Brock barked out a laugh. “Only you could say something so ridiculous. If she trusts you, then she'll listen to you, and you can guide her through this.”
“She's too smart. If she knows I'm trying to help her without the Phaedra knowing then she's going to put the pieces together and figure out information that'll be very dangerous for her. You want to see her undergo real interrogation? The kind that doesn't end? I'm not letting her learn anything else about me.”
Brock scratched his chin. “Or you're too afraid of her getting close.”
“That's not what this is about.”
“Yeah. Well.” His friend held his eyes. “I know who she is, Zayne.”
Hot frustration spread over his chest at the implication of what he said. “Do not—”
“You always send me to her when you're too much of a coward to do it yourself.”
“That's not fair.”
“It's incredibly fair. You've asked me for all these favors over the last three years, not wanting her to know you're looking out for her, not wanting her to see you. You're hiding.”
“Six people died in the North because I'm my father's son, and you want me to put Kira in a position to be next?” Zayne struggled to keep his voice under control. The reek of their blood clouded his senses. “I won't get her tortured for my secrets.”
“She already is. We have to find a better way than this.” Brock backed up a step. “I'll go today, but we're fixing this.”
All the suffering of this week overcame his anger. “I need your help with her. Okay?” He breathed out slowly. “I need help.”
Brock's face softened. “We'll go to our friends in the territories and make a plan.”
“Okay.” A look at his watch. “I should get back to the doctor.”
“What will you do?” Brock asked.
“It's already done.”
