Page 201 of The Fifth Heir

“I gathered that.”

“I kissed Rafe.”

“I witnessed it.”

“And Bastian.”

His expression changed. “Bastian.”

“Sebastian.”

“I know.”

“They don’t cancel one another.”

“No.”

“Does that bother you?”

His jealousy did not entitle him to an accounting. Still, I needed to know whether he wanted me as I was—or only a version of me who could belong to him alone.

“Yes.”

The blunt answer surprised me.

He continued before I could respond.

“But my discomfort does not give me ownership over you.”

Something inside me loosened.

“You’re very good at saying the correct thing.”

“I have spent my life learning the correct thing.”

“What do you want to say?”

Leander stood.

I remained seated until he came around the desk.

He stopped close enough that I had to tilt my head back.

“I want to tell you that Rafe is reckless, Sebastian will choose a mystery over sleep and possibly survival, and Torren believes protection solves every problem.”

“None of that sounds entirely wrong.”

“I want to tell you that I am the only one prepared to protect your position when power is not enough.”

“You already failed once.”

The words struck.

He did not retreat from them.

“Yes.”

I rose.