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“I never considered that she would have us leave for his sake,” he admitted, eying me apologetically. “I mean… no offense.”
I was mildly offended, but I didn’t show it. I understood Saint’s take. Glynda had two children to care for without worrying about the king’s affairs. Why would anyone think she had tried to protect me, too?
“Oh, Glynda…” I mumbled, realizing how much truth was in her words. I found myself staring at Elix again, my chest tightening as I saw the resemblance between her and her late mother.
Just like Elix took off to protect me, too.
“She loved you, Jace, as much as you would let her,” Elix went on. “But she didn’t know how to protect all three of us. I’m sure the secret tore her apart.”
Pain ripped at Elix’s own admission, and I put my hand on her knee to reassure her. “I loved her, too,” I told my mate. “And she did the best she could. She did protect us all, in her own way.”
“But she’s gone now.” Elix cleared her throat. “And we know the truth. There are no more secrets among any of us.”
Saint shook his head. “You still shouldn’t be here,” he insisted. “Maybe we know what’s going on, but I’m not wrong about what’s going to happen when everyone else finds out about you.”
“And if I’m not here, Lysandra will come for me out there,” Elix reminded him, sending chills of apprehension through me.
My fingers tightened on Elix’s bare leg, and she winced.
“She never did before,” Saint said.
“But she never came out of the shadows before,” Elix reminded him. “Now we know she’s out there, and she’s made it very clear she’s not going to leave me alone. I’m safer here than anywhere else.”
Saint looked pained as he shot me another scathing look. “I can keep you safe, too,” he growled.
Elix smiled at her brother before turning to me.
“That’s not the only reason I want to stay, Saint,” she said quietly. “I belong here. With Jace.” Her brother flopped back and folded his arms over his chest defiantly, but Elix wasn’t finished. “He’s my mate.”
My chest burned with the reinforcement of her words, the arch in my chest reminding me that I would burn down the entire world for her if need be.
“I won’t let anything happen to her,” I vowed, reaching my other hand toward hers, our eyes locking as Saint continued to scowl at us. “I’ll protect her with my life.”
“Elix…”
She broke our gaze to look at her brother. “Saint, this is what I want, and nothing you can say is going to change my mind. I know that Jace put you in a nice condo in the north end of the city?—”
“I don’t want his goddamn charity,” Saint spat, jumping to his feet. “I want you to come home with me. Where you belong. Family belongs together.”
Elix exhaled. “Why don’t you come and stay with us here if you’re so worried about me? You’re right. Family does belong together.”
For a minute, Saint was lost for words at the suggestion, sputtering.
“This isn’t about concern, it’s about control,” Elix added quietly. “But I’m taking that control back. I’m not going anywhere, Saint. I’m safer here—and I’m happier.”
“There is always room for you here if you change your mind about staying,” I volunteered, but Saint was already on his feet, stalking toward the door in a fury.
“I still think you’re making a mistake by staying,” he muttered, storming out the door and slamming it behind him.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke, the tension thick in the room. I tried to smile at Elix, but she had gone waxen.
“Do you really think that the guards will turn on us if they find out about me?” she mumbled, eyes darting toward the closed door as if she worried that we were being listened in on.
I stood and wrapped her in my arms, pulling her against my chest to fold her into a bear hug. “No. Of course not,” I said firmly. “My guards are loyal to me and to Goldhaven. They wouldn’t ever act against my wishes. And my wishes are you, Elix.”
She relaxed slightly against me, but I could still feel the hardness in her shoulders. She drew her head back and stared at me with haunted eyes.
“And no one is going to tell them anything,” I added. “Nothing is going to change around here.”
