Page 7 of Reluctant Rebel

Brax snorted, rocking back on his heels. “This is nothing. They’ve been in the same room for two minutes now, and no blood has been shed. They’re on their best behaviour for you.”

“Great,” Mikhail murmured with a shake of his head. “Just what we need. Two squabbling angels. One with borderline personality disorder and the other in serious need of a good lay.”

Brax burst into laughter, wrapping an arm around Mikhail’s shoulders affectionately. “It's good to have you back, brother.”

Mikhail heard the truth in the words and was forced to swallow the lump in his throat before he could speak. “It’s good tobeback,” he promised as Brax gave him a final squeeze.

“Children, not before breakfast,” his brother said mildly, moving in front of Sabre when she took an aggressive step in Draven’s direction.

Brax led her to the table, and Mikhail watched as she stuck her middle finger in the air. He felt amused, grateful, and humbled. He’d nearly lost this. Hehadlost it for over a year.All that time away from my friends and family for what?he thought bitterly. He’d made sweet fuck-all progress while Brax and Sabre were left carrying the load. At least progress had finally been made. It just wasn’t in the direction he wanted it to be. Not in a million years did he think Zagan would be the mastermind behind the eradication of their family line.

He moved away from the happy chaos at the table, leaning against the wall instead. Even now, almost three weeks after learning the truth, his mind reeled as he tried to process the devastating facts. His baby brother, the one he had grown up with, shared secrets with and trusted implicitly, had been behindthe murders of his family, including their own father. The betrayal cut deeper than any assassin's blade ever could.

His hand unconsciously went to his left ribcage. The tattoo of a wolf’s head had been a gift from Z on his coronation day. Now, it felt like it was burning him from the outside in.

As he listened to the murmur of voices, both familiar and new, memories flashed through his mind. Memories of childhood adventures exploring the secret passageways of the palace, of whispered confidences under starlit skies, of standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they faced the weighty responsibilities thrust upon them as royalty. Had it all been a lie? Had Z always been a sociopath?

“It’s not your fault.”

Mikhail jumped. He hadn’t noticed Sabre move. “Huh?”

“X,” Sabre said, leaning her back against the wall, shoulder to shoulder with Mikhail. “Or Z. Whatever you want to call him. It’s not your fault he is the way he is.”

Mikhail grunted. When you were King,everythingwas your fault. But he didn’t say that. “Reading my mind?”

“Don’t have to,” Sabre replied. “You’ve got those wrinkles happening between your eyes. That only happens when you feel guilty. Most oftenmisplacedguilt.”

“How could I not have known, Sabre?” He kept his voice low, not wanting the others to overhear. It was only Brax, Draven, and Sabre’s good friend, Gage, but he didn’t want to be caught feeling vulnerable.

Sabre turned her head, stating softly, “Because he didn’twantyou to know. He’s an Ace, Mikhail. His psycho abilities are pretty much limitless. Toss in the fact that his legacy is a skinwalker, and you have an extremely dangerous demon who can literally become anything he wants. Including a murdering bastard.”

She made a good point. But it didn’t lessen the betrayal or the pain. “What are we going to do?” he asked, resting his head against Sabre’s.

“That’s what we’re here to discuss,” Sabre reminded him, making no move to dislodge him. “We’re just waiting on Jinx.”

Mikhail did his best not to react to the mention of Sabre’s charge. He had met Jinx numerous times over the past few months. But only as Hound. He and Sabre were used to being so careful about their relationship that their personal lives never overlapped. Sabre hadn’t even met Brax in person until recently. Plus, when Jinx had been so young and so hurt from her time as a sex slave, Sabre had been highly protective of her— including when it came to him. It was a fact he was grateful for. Nobody could possibly be in better hands.

He was looking forward to meeting Jinx with his own face. The fae glamour that concealed his true appearance and voice had been a necessity, allowing him to become a rebel and move about with ease. He hadn’t cared what he looked like as long as it did the job. But when Jinx flirted outrageously with him, he wished she knew his true face. Jinx was beautiful.

She’s also firmly off limits,he reminded himself sternly,for too many reasons to count.He just hoped he could remain professional and keep his inner beast at bay. Because, for some reason, his demonic soul wanted the white tiger shifter. Bad.

“She’s late,” Sabre said presently. “She’s not usually.”

“These rooms are on the opposite side of Brax’s, where you usually congregate. She likely didn’t factor that in,” Mikhail offered. “It’s not a problem.”

“I guess,” Sabre said with a shrug, causing Mikhail’s head to bop where it was still resting on her.

He sighed, kissing the top of her choppy, dark hair before straightening once more. “I should greet Gage and Draven properly. They’re going to think I have no manners at all.”

“As if Gage gives a crap,” Sabre said lightly. She scowled at Draven. “Golden boy, on the other hand …”

“Sabre …” Mikhail warned with a laugh. She simply tossed him a cheeky grin. “I care what your friends think of me. I want them to like me,” he admitted.

“Why wouldn’t they like you?” Sabre wanted to know. “Besides, you’ve met them all before.”

“I know. But I haven’t really had a chance to get to know them well. Or just hang out.” He’d spent the last two weeks practically trapped in his rooms. Nobody was ready to reveal his return yet. They had too much to plan. Only his, Sabre’s, and Brax’s closest friends knew.

Others would be included in their plans once they figured out what the fuck they were. Preternaturals who had proven themselves trustworthy, like Mercy and Phaedra, the royal guards, and a handful of rebels with whom he had become friends. Plus, there was the new edition of the young vampire, Eric. Mikhail had spoken to him a handful of times, and he seemed like a good guy. It was easy to see the affection Sabre and Brax held for Eric. Mikhail hadn’t wanted to be rude but had opted for Eric to be absent in the initial discussion.

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