20 #3
“You all have had too much on your shoulders—ridiculous amounts that would have made seasoned government workers drown. It’s beyond impressive and I’m glad you have help now. I’m sorry you didn’t have it sooner or know who to trust.”
Myriam cleared her throat. “Yeah, it was a few days of tripping up and there will be some more training for sure, but damn those women are smart. We basically got a whole team of hardworking, happy to pitch in, and dedicated help when we needed them most.”
“And loyal,” Treena chuckled. “I…” She shook her head and looked lighter.
I was glad it was going better for them. It probably wouldn’t last long, but it was a win for now.
One of Benson’s right hands who was working with us to “make us useful to protect the queen, not just to try to impregnate her like our fucked-up families wanted” came out and announced it was time for sparring.
If nothing else, I loved how some of the people in the castle made it crystal clear how loyal they were to Sagan, not just the royal family.
Hopefully, that helped her heal from what she’d learned and been through.
I saw the opportunity I’d been wanting and grabbed Vigor from Clovergarde by the collar, yanking him back. “I’m stepping in.”
“You’re not who I’m paired up with,” Rigel, the Alpha of Selka’s son, said nervously as he backed away from me. “I don’t even know you. I think Kole’s a dick too and haven’t said shit about you going against your family.”
“Yeah, not about that and we both know it,” I chuckled darkly and smiled brightly at him. “This bill is long overdue.” I wasn’t sure if he thought I was fucking around with him because he stupidly rolled his eyes at me. “Don’t ever disrespect her again.”
And then I knocked him out with one punch. I let out a long breath, my dragon smirking inside of me as well. Then I spun around and locked gazes with Thorn.
“Your turn, mother fucker.”
He ran his tongue over his teeth. “Sure, I’ve got a few things to say as well.”
And yet we both knew we weren’t going to be talking at all.
“Hey, this isn’t for brawling,” the Queen’s Guard who was coordinating all of this called over.
It was actually amusing when we both gave him the one-finger salute as we walked towards the other.
Thorn swung first and seemed shocked when I easily blocked it. I landed a hit to the stomach that I wanted to hurt.
I wanted all of this to hurt, not just to make a point and knock him out like Rigel.
He managed to land a few shots, one to my shoulder especially that would definitely require some ice and take a bit to heal. But I was older and definitely stronger—took training and survival more seriously.
There were a few times that it was clear Thorn knew how to take a punch and that made me pause, sad for his situation because evidently his uncle wasn’t just a bastard but an abusive one.
It didn’t justify what he’d done to Sagan though—was doing to Sagan by dragging her into his mess and not helping her enough to make it out unscathed.
I landed a particularly painful-looking shot to his face and blood exploded from his nose. It took him down to one knee and I leaned in with a smirk, lowering my voice. “That’s for whatever you did that hurt her and keeps her from waking in my arms, you piece of shit.”
Rage filled his eyes, putting it together that we’d slept together, so he didn’t even notice that I was lying that I didn’t know what happened. I wouldn’t betray Sagan’s trust that she’d told me the truth. She took keeping confidence seriously and I respected that about her.
I really did, but there were things I needed to know if I was going to be involved with her, and that was fair to ask of her.
He tried to get back up and come for me, but I easily smacked him right back down, mocking him as I did.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she’s healed by treating her as she deserves.
I’ll make sure she gets everything she needs, and my new priority is giving you what you need so you can get the fuck out of here and her life. ”
Then I knocked him out. I let out a happy sigh and stretched my neck, wincing at my shoulder before mentally wincing when I saw Sagan standing there watching intently.
I decided not to ignore it and went right for her. “We had a few things to discuss.”
She glanced from where Thorn was unconscious and back to me. “Evidently.” Then she shocked everyone there by standing on her toes for a kiss.
My dragon practically smacked me into action when my surprise made me freeze for a split second. I met her the rest of the way and kept it brief but more than a quick peck.
“I look forward to seeing more of your impressive moves,” she said as she pulled away.
Her face turned every shade of red when people started coughing and having an array of reactions.
She glanced around and about melted into the ground right in front of me.
“Oh, you’re all porn addicts! That’s not what I meant, and this is real life. ”
She gave the most adorably exasperated sound and stormed over to Belinda like the ancient would be of any help and not the one with the worst reaction.
I’m in so much trouble and I don’t want anyone to save me.