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My father holds up his hand, and I shut up. I hate that it still works.

“Calm yourself, Aya,” he says and faces Ezra. “I’m trusting you to nurse her back to good health in your care.”

My mother presses her lips tight. I find the blanket fascinating. Ezra sits back down next to me and takes my hand.

“But he electrocuted my daughter,” my mother says.

Beside me, Ezra lowers his head. The guilt is back in his scent and heavier than before. I squeeze his fingers until he squeezes back.

My father tries to speak up, but my mother hushes him.

She rounds on Claude. “What if he does it again?”

“Mom—” I swallow the rest. You don’t argue with my mother when she’s like this. Even my wolf knows to lie low.

“I know it was an accident and he hadn’t intended on hurting Aya,” she says, “but he doesn’t have control over his dragon. What if it happens again?”

“That’s not something you’ll have to worry about,” a voice says from the doorway.

Everyone turns as Tyrion steps into the room. “I will be training him personally,” he continues.

Ezra loosens his grip a little at the sight of his father.

My mother scoffs. “But you should have been training him.”

Claude comes to stand beside her mate. “You know exactly why he hasn’t, Nia.”

My mother huffs and backs off.

My father joins Tyrion and eyes Ezra and me. “One week, Aya. If your room is properly prepared and you haven’t completed the mate bond with Ezra, then you’ll return home.”

I scowl at him and hold my tongue. If I argue, he’ll force me to stay with Jacob, and I am not having that. My wolf is with me on that one.

My father turns to Ezra. “I’m taking accountability for this, boy.”

Ezra’s hand goes hot in mine as smoke puffs out of his nostrils. “I’m not⁠—”

My father cuts him off. “Oh yes, you are a boy. You think the community lands is a good home for my daughter and your future pups?”

“Hatchlings,” Ezra corrects.

“Whatever.” My father waves it off. “Fix this shit with your clan, and go home.”

“You’re the one that’s been stalling on the cabin build for Aya’s arrival,” Ezra shoots back.

My father groans. “I’m working on that.” His eyes go hard. “I can assure you that you’ll have a stable home for Aya. But you work on your clan.”

Pressure fills the room until my ears pop, and everyone freezes. My wolf whimpers. King Amir appears in the middle of the floor with his hands clasped behind his back and a big grin on his face.

Tyrion bows to him. My father mutters under his breath but follows suit. Ezra slips free and stands to bow too. With my legs this useless, I stay put on the bed.

Amir takes in the room and fixes his golden eyes on Ezra and me. He’s in his usual black tunic and loose pants with sandals. Small beads dot the locs hanging past his shoulders.

“We have the situation handled,” my father says.

“Yes, everything is fine,” Tyrion adds. “There’s no need⁠—”

Amir ignores them and studies me instead, from the dirt and grass still tangled in my hair down to the stains on my nightgown. I’d kill for a shower. His pointed ears twitch as he lifts his chin.