Page 96 of Reluctant Rebel

Mikhail took a deep breath, letting the weight of Sabre’s words sink in. He knew she was right. Even though it stung to hear his weaknesses laid out so plainly, he remembered when he was decisive and confident and acted without second-guessing every move. He remembered being a king. “Ihavebeen terrified of making things worse. I don’t want to fail again, Sabre. Ican’tfail.”

“You won’t. As long as you stop running.” She gripped him by the back of the neck, her forehead resting against his. “I know it’s scary, but sometimes you have to lean into the scary stuff rather than push back against it. And trust that you’ll come out the other sidebecauseyou fought for it rather than ran from it.”

Mikhail nodded. “Stop running from fate, Jinx, my fears, and Z. Act. Don’treact.”

“Now you’re getting it,” Sabre praised. She squeezed his neck one last time before releasing him.

He straightened, savouring the rush of oxygen that filled his chest with an invigorating warmth. It was almost intoxicating, this new surge of vitality that coursed through him. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, he was free from the heavy, overwhelming fatigue that had been his constant companion. He felt lighter, more centred, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “I feel good,” he confessed, almost in disbelief. “Strong.”

“Youarestrong,” Sabre declared. “And you’ll be stronger when you’re with your mate.”

His mind was quiet in the best way. All of the angst, regrets and fears that had been his constant companion were gone. Justpoof, like they were never there. In their place, he now felt determined, confident, and powerful. “I can already tell you’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself,” he added.

Sabre snorted rudely. “Because you’re a pig-headed male with a fragile ego.”

Mikhail turned his nose up and gave Sabre his back, snubbing her completely. “I was going to say that fate already did me a favour, so I should have known that Jinx would end up being just as much of a miracle. But I don’t think I will now.”

“What miracle?” Sabre demanded, marching around in front of him.

“Really?” Mikhail rolled his eyes, pressing his pointer finger against Sabre’s third eye and causing her to rock back on her feet. “You of course, you brain-dead angel.”

“Oh …” She shoved her hands into her pockets, looking flustered and uncomfortable.

He grinned because he loved seeing her squirm. Opening his arms wide, he fluttered his lashes at her. “Want to hug it out?”

Sabre hissed like a pit viper, and Mikhail stepped backwards into a portal, laughing as he made his escape.And I’m back!

38

“Carrick? What the hell are you doing in my room?” Jinx snarled, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.

“Yourroom?” Carrick scoffed from his position on the floral settee. “Let’s not pretend that anything in this palace isyours.”

Her heart pounded with anger and adrenaline. She could not believe the audacity of the man. “You’ve been a pain in the arse for months, Carrick. But this is too much. Get. Out.” Jinx's words dripped with venom.

Carrick stretched his legs, utterly unconcerned. “Did you like your gift?” he asked, his tone casual, almost bored.

Jinx’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Gift? The collar? That was you?”

Carrick's lips curled into a smirk. “Of course, it was me. Who else would know exactly what you desire?”

“What I desire?” Jinx repeated, her lips barely moving.

“Don’t pretend you don’t miss the collar. I know better,” Carrick taunted, his tone laced with a hint of sadistic pleasure.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Have you lost your mind? I barely know you, you fucking idiot!” She looked aroundthe room as if it would give her some clue about what was going on. Her senses told her nothing else was amiss; they were the only two present. “Why would you want to taunt me—to hurt me?”

“Hurt you? You misunderstand me. I don’t want tohurtyou. I want tohelpyou. All of this …” he gestured around the room, “it isn’t you. Admit it; you miss how things were when you were collared, bound, and at the mercy of your superiors.”

Jinx couldn’t believe her ears. It was like she’d stepped into an alternate reality. “Where are you getting this from? You sound like a stalker.” She thought about it for a moment. Was it possible to have a stalker and not know?

Carrick shrugged one shoulder. “Barely a stalker. I may have followed you a few times and tried to break in through your window at your sorry excuse for a home. But I’ve since found another way to get what I want. And for Purgatory to get what it needs.”

“For Purgatory to get …? You’re working with X,” Jinx stated, realisation slamming into her. “Did he put you up to this? He’s taken over your mind, Carrick.”

Carrick rolled his eyes, pushing himself up from the settee. “You’re being very dramatic. X has no need to control me when I’m a willing participant. I appreciate a man with foresight—and power. He knows what a kingdom like Purgatory needs and he has the means to make it happen. He was most impressed when I told him about your surprise birthday present.”

“Of course he was. He’s as sick as you are,” Jinx drawled.

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