Chapter Seventeen #2
“My people need assurance,” she says softly. “And Rathe needs strength. If we bond fully before the ancestral flame, both realms are protected.”
Her thumb traces slow circles over my wrist, and the calm returns, stronger now.
We could. Maybe that makes sense. Maybe if I give Rathe a new queen they—
“Legend,” Knight barks. “Come here.”
He yanks me toward him, and Arabella’s hand falls away.
London grips my arm as my brother places himself in front of me like some sort of shield.
“You better know your fucking role, girl,” Knight rumbles. “Do not try to claim what isn’t fucking yours.”
“Isn’t it?” Arabella smiles.
A growl tips from his throat as he stomps forward, claws extended.
Lunging out of London’s grasp, I snatch Knight’s wrist before he can reach Arabella. “What the hell are you doing?”
“This is wrong,” he seethes. “All of this. Legend, we need to go home. Now.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Don’t let him make decisions for you, my king.” Arabella cuts in sharply. “You may be the youngest, but you are still a king. The strongest, I’d bet.”
I search my brother’s gaze. “Knight?”
He hesitates. “I can’t explain right now but trust me, brother.”
“Legend,” Arabella calls again.
I shake my head, fucking confused.
“Stay beside me,” Knight orders. “Shit’s fucked up, Legend. We never should have done this to you.”
My chest tightens, something tugging hard behind my ribs—tugging me backward. I resist it, forcing my feet to move forward, even when Knight’s fingers dig into my arm.
“The fuck is wrong with you?” he snaps.
I shake him off, pulling Arabella into my arms. Without hesitation, she dives in, clutching my shirt. Her face presses against my chest like she’s trying to crawl inside my skin.
“Walk away, brother,” I murmur. “You’re stressing her out.”
“No.” Knight steps closer, his jaw tight. “You’re acting like a fucking puppet. That thing—” he jabs a finger toward Arabella, “—is playing you, and you’re letting her.”
London moves to Knight’s side, her hand resting on his forearm.
“Careful,” I warn lowly. “That’s my mate you’re talking about.”
“Is she though?” Knight tilts his head, eyes hard. “Because I remember you acting pretty fucking different with someone else. Someone who didn’t hold your leash like you might fucking run away, Legend, but dared you to.”
My blood heats. “Don’t.”
He laughs, bitter and sharp. “You were ready to burn the world for her. Now you’re carrying around this Argent doll and pretending you don’t feel the difference. Empty versus full.”
London’s knuckles turn white as her grip on her mate tightens. “Knight.”
He keeps going. “Unsure versus certain.”
I take a careful step forward.
“Strong versus weak.”
“Knight.” My limbs start to shake.
He steps closer, his voice dropping. “You flinch when she touches you. Your eyes go distant every time someone mentions—”
“Enough.” I bite, baring my teeth.
“It’s our fault!” Knight finally snaps, and London’s eyes go wide.
Arabella stiffens in my arms. I don’t even get a minute to check on her before she turns in my arms and shoves away from me. Her chest heaves, blue eyes blazing as she rounds on Knight. “You want to talk fault, don’t forget actions have consequences.”
London’s eyes grow dark.
“Arabella.” I grab her wrist, pulling her back. “You need to calm down.”
“I will not calm down!” She rips free, whirling on me. “Your brother is trying to ruin us, Legend. He knows we’ll be stronger together. He will say anything to keep you away from me!”
“Hey!” I snap her out of her spiral. “Not a single fucking person can tear me from you.” My throat swells, saliva tasting like acid. “Come on. You just lost your parents; you must be having the worst fucking day ever.” I glare at both London and Knight as I pass them.
Why the fuck would they even start that shit, knowing how vulnerable Arabella is right now? Better yet, how have they flipped on her so fast?
And what the fuck is Knight taking the blame for?
Fuck, my mind is a mess.
“If that’s true, then let’s complete the bond. Here. Now,” she demands.
“I—”
A strange humming digs into my ears, and I shake my head.
“Are you out of your mind?!” London rushes toward us. “You have no fucking idea what will happen if this goes further! Remember your place, Argent.”
“How could I forget such a gift.” Arabella’s lips twist into a sneer, a complete contrast to her usual wide-eyed smile. “He’s mine now.”
“I will cut your—”
London leaps toward her, but her fingertips only manage to brush against my mate’s skin before I shove her back.
She stumbles backward, right into Knight, whose full attention is now locked on me. Shadows form around his features and the temperature in the room drops several degrees.
“I’m gonna give you this one time, but only because I pity you. But if you ever”—his arm locks around London’s stomach, holding her in place—“put your hands on London again.”
“Fuck. Lon, I’m sorry…”
Knight clenches his jaw. “I mean it, Legend. Brother or not, I’ll gut you both.”
He means it.
He sighs, cutting through the tension. “You’ve never been great at following instructions. But if there ever was a time?” He stays locked on me. “Now would be the time to start.”
“I’ll listen to you.”
“Legend!” Arabella claws at me.
“We go home now, just like you want,” I agree, and Knight’s shoulders seem to ease a little. “All you have to do is clue me in. Here and now.”
The change is immediate. His entire face hardens, his fists clenching before his eyes gloss over.
I scoff. Of course, he’s mind-linking our brothers.
I stiffen. He’s mind-linking our brothers—and I can’t hear what he’s saying. They’re blocking me out.
Is Arabella right? Are they trying to ruin this for me?
Again?
“Ledge,” London begs, “don’t do this.”
“It’s done,” I say firmly before turning to Aron, who has been silently watching from the corner. “Prepare whatever needs preparing. By nightfall, your sister will be crowned a queen.”