AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The entire Order will be after me. If Noxx would just come at me directly, I might be able to take her, but she would hide behind an army and military-grade tech.”
“You can’t take them on. Do you know what they did tonight?”
“How they burned a witch alive?” Her voice went cold. “Yeah, I got that. It’s not the first one I’ve witnessed Noxx roast. She liked to make me watch her torturing other people. Sometimes, she made me heal them so she could start again.”
He couldn’t process the abuse she’d suffered. How could she stand for anyone to touch her? Or sit so calmly with the courage to hold his hand? “They set bombs at the hotel. If those explosives had gone off, the upcoming leadership of the three big supernatural factions for the West Coast would’ve been taken out.”
“Do you mean when you sent me outside with Nita?” Her question sounded strangely disconnected—the words stiff, her tone strained.
“Nita wouldn’t have let you come to any harm. She’s a lethal and loyal soldier.” He wanted Joelle happy, the way she’d beamed when she’d arrived at the party as though without a single worry weighing her down. “I rushed you out of there as soon as I heard about the bomb threat.”
“Which turned out to be more than a threat?” She didn’t meet his gaze.
“You were safe.”
“What about you?”
“I keep trace detection charms that can detect any explosive material, and my sister has handled more incendiaries than most bomb squads. Alys said the wiring and detonators made for easy dismantling, probably because they’d been installed in a rush.”
“How many bombs did your sister take apart?” she asked.
“Two. The Order put them in the main speakers beside the stage. More humans would’ve been killed than us, and they must’ve known we would find them if they had someone in the building to set the fire on the roof.”
“Not necessarily, and Noxx wouldn’t allow anyone else to do the burning. She likes to watch. But you’re missing the point.” She snapped out the last with such harshness that thetmight as well have been a verbal stake she’d readied to hammer into someone. Alexei’s gut twisted with the possibility that thesomeonemight be him.
Both men in the front flinched as if preparing for him to retaliate with sharp words because they feared his vengeance for good reason. Yet he couldn’t help but adore her audacity. “Then enlighten me.”
She locked on his gaze as if challenging him to look away first. “You’re a prince, but you stayed.”
“It’s my duty to protect those who matter to me. Alys could disarm the explosives faster than anyone, and I couldn’t leave her.”
“You also have a responsibility to your people, those who depend on you and trust you to lead. Royals don’t get to play the hero whenever they want.”
He wouldn’t let her believe that lie. “I’m no hero.”
“Your actions speak to the contrary. You risked your life to rescue me. You could’ve been killed infiltrating an unknown enemy’s home base, or in flying off to fight an army by yourself—”
He cut her off. “Yulia and a few of her foot soldiers don’t equal an army. I explained the situation, and we resolved it with no fighting necessary.”
“What did you give her?” Joelle sounded so certain. Had she seen more than he’d realized? No, he’d made sure that her helicopter took off before he engaged. Yet she knew.
“Not a promise of marriage.”
Joelle’s expression closed off. “Why would she want that?”
“Our parents contracted a marriage for us when we were children.” The day he’d met the girl in the park. No, he had to remain in the present and not let his demon side get wrapped up in screaming,Mine.“The arrangement didn’t take, and I understand her ex treated her badly. Still, I wouldn’t match with the Yulia for all the oil money in her father’s kingdom.”
“So whatdidyou agree to give her?”
“I turned over the remaining humans from the Order stronghold for her judgment along with the seizing of any assets, whether tech or magic. It was a no-brainer when most of the place stood on her family’s land, and it gave her an easy victory with clear rewards, which meant no reason to fight.” He thought the explanation sounded complete, except she glared at him as if she could sense he’d left out an important part. “I also made a small contribution to her son’s education which is a worthwhile investment in the future of our kind. Her son Tai is a genius.” He’d given it as a token of friendship since calling it a fine would have made it into a political nightmare.
“So you’ve put yourself at risk twice now while making sure I got clear of any danger?” Fury spiked her tone with tiny fangs and claws.
He bit back a grin. “Keeping score?”
“I’m not helpless, and I don’t want to play anyone’s victim. I’ve done my time as the helpless damsel.” She tugged her hand as if to let go of his, and he snagged her fingers to keep her from pulling away.
The grind and skip of tires passing over metal grates let him know they’d made it to the enormous bridge spanning over the port where barges, cranes, and miles of ocean would dominate the view. Yet, although she’d said she wanted to see the water, she held his gaze as if she could force him into agreeing with a glare.Not a chance.
