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"How so?"
"I’ve sensed it for a while. That royal aura comes out from time to time. I doubt the others noticed, but I did, especially when we were racing to save Willow," he admitted.
My face must have shown a glimpse of my hidden pain because he whispered, "You should take the same advice she gave to me."
"Your advice is for something you had no control over," I quietly countered while my eyes were locked on his. "I, on the other hand, had the skills to pick up suicidal tendencies and I didn't catch on."
"None of us did," Onyx whispered, his eyes drifting to Willow. I could only follow his lead, and there she was, sleeping comfortably on her side with the light blanket covering her up. The soft silk material only outlined her figure perfectly, and it was hard for me to ignore what her femininity did to me.
No distractions.
I had to keep myself focused if I wanted to trigger the assassin in me, and after the close call we’d experienced, I couldn't allow any more slip-ups.
Especially when it came to Roberto.
I may not work for him anymore after Willow's resignation, but his death would have some benefit to our enemies and we had enough on our plate.
No need to add more misery to our current sorrows.
"What are your concerns in regard to Neo?"
"It's not necessarily concerning." Onyx went along with me changing the subject. "It's the mate bond that is bothering me."
My eyes lowered to Willow's hand that gripped a bit of her pillow. The branding in colored ink displayed a frosted oasis hidden by the shadows. I already had my guesses about what that mark meant, but the specific detailing would need more research to confirm what I was sure he was assuming.
Royal mates.
"You're of royal blood," I got to the point. "As to what exact pack, I'm unsure...though, it finally all makes sense with how strong your abilities have been since your childhood. Not everyone can appear out of nowhere and control the very shadows."
"Do you think my royalty is related to Nico's?"
That was a good question that left me as curious as he surely was.
"You sense similarities?"
"Yes and no," Onyx replied. "I sense similar power structures, and his magic obviously has a dark essence, but there are definitely differences. I don't have a duality in my personality and I'm certainly not that bloodthirsty."
"I thought he'd kill Willow," I admitted. That information held vulnerability to it, but that was something I was perfectly fine with sharing with Onyx. He wouldn't consider me weak in the slightest, just as I'd never judge him for being open with his concerns.
"Truthfully, he had no intention to," Onyx revealed. "He enjoys the gamble of others' reactions, but her defiance and acceptance of that side of him were uncalled for. He didn't calculate her waking up."
"I was a bit impressed by that," I acknowledged. "She was dead asleep seconds before."
"Willow could be an assassin if she wished to be."
"And take my job? I'd be heartbroken."
"Bullshit," Onyx commented with a smug grin. "You'd go on vacation. But without Willow, you'd be an anxious mess and probably watch her for shits and giggles."
"It annoys me when you're right," I huffed and turned around. "I'll look into the symbol for you. It'll take time because it looks like a generational mark, and from the looks of it, royal shifter packs enjoy hiding their heritage."
That part was definitely clear seeing as my memory of being assigned to Willow as her Royal Protector had been wiped out and replaced with me being hired by Roberto.
It wasn't necessarily a lie, but there's a big difference between Royal Protector and bodyguard. Big fucking difference.
"I'd appreciate the assistance," he admitted. "Get going. We’ll be in contact by the morning if things are going south."
"Agreed," I replied and reached for the doorknob.
