Chapter 17
Skye
“Skye,” Rafe tried again, but I ignored him.
My heart hadn’t stopped pounding since we left the dungeons.
He hadn’t been wrong. I was definitely about to bolt when I’d heard his great-grandfather had his Telekinetic Key killed, but I was only going to run back to Rafe’s bedroom. Or the dorm at the academy. Anywhere Rafe would’ve been able to find me.
I was a little ashamed that I hadn’t grabbed Aiden. And I was also carefully ignoring how pissed all three of my Links were when Isaiah moved to defend me from Rafe. I barely even knew him.
I slipped into Rafe’s bathroom, using my affinity to close and lock the door behind me. I splashed my face with water, ignoring the knocking on the door and the prodding at my mind that reminded me of the early days at the academy.
Things were so much simpler back when my shadow was just a stalker and not a descendant of affinates who killed Telekinetics.
After a few minutes of silence, Rafe emerged from the darkened toilet chamber, stepping into the main room of the bathroom. His jeans were less-ripped than usual today, since we’d seen his mother, but his black t-shirt clung to every muscle on his chest almost indecently.
I hung my head, squeezing my eyes shut. How could I be checking out my Link right now while he was upset with me?
“Skye,” he whispered.
Ugh. He wasn’t even using a nickname for me right now?
His boots echoed on the fancy marbled tile as he approached me, though he didn’t come as close as I thought he would. Somehow, the heat from his presence was just as overwhelming, as if he were pressed up against me.
“I’m sorry,” I breathed. “I’m so sorry.”
Rafe huffed a laugh of disbelief, making me jump slightly. “What could you possibly be sorry for?”
“I…was gonna run. Aiden freaked and lit up his arms, and it scared you?”
The silence stretched between us, longer and longer until it was almost unbearable. I didn’t know what else to say. I wasn’t so upset that he’d restrained me, I truly was more upset that Aiden had scared him.
Then, Rafe laughed.
He laughed.
So loud and sudden, I winced, then jerked my head up to see his reflection in the mirror.
“You’re apologizing to me after I restrained you? Fuck, I don’t deserve you.” He closed the distance between us. “Please, darling, let me hold you. This whole thing was so stupid. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry you were so scared in my presence.”
“But I…I attacked your mom and then–”
“Please, you barely pushed her.” Rafe pulled me into a tight hug, and I squeaked as he continued, “Besides, that was hot. I’ve never had a woman other than my mother defend me before. Just imagine, my Key attacks a Crown Princess to protect me. I am immeasurably lucky.”
I blinked several times, then relaxed into his familiar warmth, breathing him in deeper and deeper as my nerves began to calm.
“You were hot, too,” I mumbled.
Rafe’s chest vibrated with a laugh. We didn’t speak for several minutes, just hugged until our heartbeats began to sync.
“How can I make you forgive me?” he asked, running his fingers down my back. “Do you want to spank me?”
I stifled a laugh, shaking my head. “It’s fine, Rafe.”
“Really?” he hedged. “You don’t want to punish me? Not thinking about that cock cage again?”
I giggled, shaking my head again and wondering if Rafe actually wanted me to cage his cock. He’d brought it up twice now. After a few seconds of silence, Rafe cleared his throat.
“In all seriousness…I’m so sorry I made you feel unsafe,” Rafe said, his voice rough. “You are always safe with me, even against my mother. Against anyone. I swear it. Tell me you believe me.”
“I believe you,” I replied, taking his face in my hands. “Listen. When I found out about you, after I did my Link-testing…one of the first things I wondered was whether or not they’d kill the Key to a prince.”
Rafe didn’t speak. His dark eyes darted across my face as I spoke.
“And then I felt a little guilty, like you probably deserved better.”
“Skye–”
I didn’t let him continue. “I’m not upset you restrained me. I’m…a little more upset that my affinity decided not to work.”
Rafe chuckled. “I’m surprised mine did. The shadows didn’t want to hold you. I wonder if the two affinities could sense that from each other somehow.”
“This doesn’t make any sense,” I whispered. “My affinities have never behaved this way.”
“Same here,” Rafe said, his hands still running up and down my back soothingly. “Do you feel like having another chat with old Vince?”
“Maybe,” I replied. “But–”
A banging on the bathroom door made me jump, and then Wyatt’s muffled voice came through. “Rafe. Your mother’s concubine is here.”
Rafe furrowed his brow, shaking his head slightly before he went to the door.
“So if you’re not in uniform, does that mean you can get sued if you punch someone?” Aiden was asking as we came into the bedroom. He turned upon sensing me, then made a beeline for me, shouldering Rafe out of the way.
Wyatt widened his eyes like he was about to scold him, but Rafe only shook his head, his attention on Raaz.
Raaz…who looked much better than he did several hours ago. He was freshly showered, his skin glowing, his curly hair styled to perfection, and his outfit…was very official, resembling something I’d seen Rafe wear. It definitely wasn’t his uniform.
“Raaz? I know you come and go as you please in my mother’s chambers, but I cannot allow that here, especially not while my Key is in residence.” Rafe said, his tone irritated. He glared at Isaiah for some reason, but Isaiah only stared at him.
Raaz grinned. “Your Key’s red-headed concubine let me in.”
Rafe turned his glare on Aiden.
“What?!” Aiden cried defensively. “He’s a guard!”
“Not anymore,” Raaz said, making Rafe bristle. “There’s been some changes around here, boys.” He glanced at me. “And lady.” He clapped Rafe on the shoulder. “Come to your mother’s chambers. We have a lot to discuss.”
“What the fuck is a concubine?” Aiden whispered as we headed for the door.
“Mother, your mental health needs an evaluation. My father hasn’t been dead for a week and you’ve already moved on with the guard?” Rafe stood with his hands on his hips.
We were back in the Princess’ chambers. The entire Royal Chain sat in various places around the room, watching the four of us.
“My love life is none of your business, as yours is none of mine,” the Princess said, narrowing her eyes on Aiden, specifically. Aiden gave me a look of what the fuck while she continued. “Anyway. I heard you took a trip down to the dungeons. Again. Why?”
Rafe stared at her for a moment, then glanced at Wyatt, who had his arms crossed while engaged in a staring match with Hugo.
“I heard a rumor and needed to investigate it for myself. Someone tried to kill Wyatt and I the night of the gala.” Rafe explained. “While Raaz was with Skye and Aiden, someone followed me and Wyatt down to the dungeons and set a fire.”
The Princess sat up straighter. “A rumor?”
“Yes. A trusted source told me there were affinates being held captive in the dungeons, forced to use their affinities.”
Ramira pursed her lips, looking to Raaz. “So he was lured down there. This was a coordinated attack.”
“The Crusader wanted the younger Royal Key,” Raaz explained with a nod.
“He accused me of bringing her to him, which I did not do intentionally.” His dark eyes flashed to me, and I looked away quickly.
I believed him, I just didn’t want to think about how I’d essentially abandoned him in that ballroom with Alex and the Crusader.
“What does he want with you?” The Princess asked me.
I froze. Everyone’s eyes were on me.
The Princess. Her Links. My Links. I suddenly couldn’t breathe.
Rafe stepped in front of me. “We don’t know.”
“I don’t believe that for a second,” the Princess replied without missing a beat, “But no matter. This man comes here, tries to break into my mind, then attacks my son’s Key and Link-mate? He must be dealt with.”
“Mother, what do you know of the Sensors your grandfather had locked in the dungeons?” Rafe asked abruptly.
The Princess froze, her expression initially defensive, then horrified as his words sank in. “What?” she whispered, her eyes wide.
“A lie,” Hugo said, standing straighter.
“I saw it myself,” Wyatt snapped.
“Wyatt and I went into the dungeons and witnessed several Sensors and Trackers being kept alive with machines. They were all quite old, and we spoke to two of them before they died.”
The Princess blinked several times, then looked to Eduardo, sitting closest to her. She took his hand, placing her other on her chest. “You spoke to them?”
“A man and a woman. The man died as soon as he realized how long he’d been imprisoned. The woman explained she was imprisoned on the coronation day of Rogelio II, and she expected his son to free her.”
The Princess swayed slightly, then leaned into Eduardo, who was closest to her.
“I didn’t know any of this,” she whispered. “I…I’d heard a rumor, years ago, but…”
“Alejandro was always in those dungeons,” Julio hissed. “I told you to pay closer attention to him!”
Hugo made a sound of disapproval.
“That is your future Queen you’re speaking to,” Rafe snapped at the same moment I snapped, “Don’t talk to her like that.”
The Princess seemed surprised that I was defending her after attacking her earlier, but she only pursed her lips as Julio turned away sharply, running a hand down his face before pressing his fingers into his temples.
“The woman’s name was Josefa. She showed us that Alejandro and the Crusader visited her often,” Wyatt went on. “She told us…” Wyatt’s eyes darted to mine for just a second, “She told us that Alejandro was helping the Crusader search for someone. She believed it to be Rogelio II’s missing Key.”
“No,” the Princess said. “The King is always Key to the Chain.”
“Well, that’s not true is it?” Rafe sounded exasperated. “You’re the first female Key in centuries, supposedly.”
Ramira narrowed her eyes at him. “‘Supposedly?’ What are you implying?”