Page 66 of The Hidden Guardian

Long into the night, Renall’s warmth is still absent from our bed. He’s either defending his actions to Zev, or mourning people he called friends. My anger is simmering underneath my skin, allowing my control on a petal I’m flipping between my fingers to barely hang on. Onai was right, some emotions are not dependable. Fear made me freeze, but anger … that’s a simmering flame waiting to combust.

A soft knock sounds at the door, so soft I barely hear it. I open to a hooded figure that pushes their way in. That petal in my hand has grown and sharpened to a shield as I spin around to defend myself.

When the hood falls back, Onai stares at me strangely. “Expecting someone else?”

“Sorry, I’m a little on edge today.” I drop the shield and a petal falls to the floor.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m here. How are you? Did–”

“I’m okay. No one–” The sentence trails off; I’m unable to speak the word.

“Good,” she sighs. “Good.” She nods as her shoulders relax.

It’s quiet before I remember something. “Oh my Gods, Trefaun—he …”

She puts a hand up. “I heard.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry—you must be furious with me. I mean, I brought him into your cave. If I had known he was teamed up with Leland, I never would have …”

“You? No, Onai, I don’t blame you. I thought you’d hate me. I got your boyfriend killed.”

“That pig was never my boyfriend. I keep thinking if there wasn’t an Alpha order, what would he have done to me?”

We both shiver. A nagging feeling inside me—it doesn’t have to be this way.

“Did he suffer?”

“I strangled him.”

“Good.” Her voice cracks. She clears her throat and adds, “He doesn’t deserve us talking about him.”

“Agreed.”

There’s a pause before I sigh. “Renall hasn’t come home since the incident. I can’t really get a hold on his emotions …”

“That’s what I came here to tell you.” She guides me to the couch. I’m not going to like what I’m about to hear.

“Oh, no.”

“Father said he has an announcement at tomorrow’s trial.”

“An announcement. That doesn’t sound good.”

“No, I don’t believe it will be. I overheard him telling my Mother that Renall threatened him. I have a feeling his fate is being decided tomorrow.”

“I knew this time would come. Renall and I are a liability they can’t afford.”

I have no doubt that’s what their decision will be. After tonight I will take no other mate than Renall—I’d rather die first.

“Onai, I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

When did this prison cell start to feel like a home? When did my babysitter start to become my friend? I will not let anyone take that away again. Not even the Alpha and his wannabe-Queen mate.

ChapterThirty-Three

---