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“Stand down,” he barked. “Don’t you recognize your own king when you see him?”
“Alpha!” one of the guards cried out, gesturing for the others to lower their weapons. “Where have you been? Are you injured?”
Without waiting for Zen to respond, the guard shouted more orders at his underlings.
“Find the healers! Send for Endora!”
“I don’t need the healers or Endora,” Zen started to say as I was also flocked.
“Miss Mirielle, are you well? Please, come this way. We’ll find your private guard immediately.”
Zen stopped mid-stride to whip out commands of his own.
“Put her in the north wing and send a healer to her. She is to be watched constantly—that means a guard in the room with her at all times!” Zen barked.
I paled at the order. “I don’t—”
His icy glare stopped me from completing my sentence in full.
Zen stalked toward me, waving his guards away. “Give us a moment.”
The Royal Guards stepped back, and I folded my hands nervously, gazing humbly at the ground as he neared. I lowered my voice so as to not catch the attention of the staff. “Ze—Alpha, I don’t need guards—”
“You may not, but the kingdom needs guarding from you!” he whiplashed, piercing my soul with his words. I bit on my lower lip and blinked rapidly, willing the tears away.
“You don’t need to worry about me, Zen!” I whispered, horrified that he believed that about me.
“You will go to the north wing only because that is the best place to keep an eye on you. It sickens me to put you there, so close to me and among my mother’s belongings, but it’s either that or the dungeon, and the latter will rouse too much suspicion inside the castle,” he growled. “The healers will look you over and ensure you’re not injured.”
“I’m not hurt,” I promised.
“Stop arguing with me and listen,” he snapped. “Can you do that?”
I pressed my lips together. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Tonight, you will stay in the north wing—under full guard. That means that you will have guards with you at all times. Not outside the room—in the room where they can watch you constantly. You will have no privacy where you can shift and run off to inform your lover about my movements.”
My head jerked up in disgust.
“Agnan isn’t my lover!” I spat.
“Hm.” He didn’t look convinced, but I was sure I caught a gleam of relief in his eyes. “Those are the terms. You can take them, or you can go right now and take your chances on your own.”
I bit down on my lower lips so hard, I was surprised my tooth didn’t go through. “And what am I supposed to do tomorrow?”
“That’s your problem, Mirielle. You have today and tonight to figure it out. I can’t do everything for you, but I suggest you be grateful I’m letting you off the hook so easily.”
He started to turn away, and I reached out to stop him. His eyes trailed toward my fingers, his face softening, but only slightly.
“What is it?”
“Why are you letting me go?” I whispered. “You’re clearly furious with me. Why aren’t you…?” I couldn’t finish my own sentence.
He scoffed. “Are you testing me?”
“No! No, I’m grateful. Thank you. I just…” I clamped my mouth closed and looked down. “I’m just trying to understand why. You obviously don’t trust me.”
“I don’t,” he agreed. “And punishing you will make me look bad, like I’m not in control. I let you into the castle, didn’t I? It’s the only way to save face.”
