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His smirk widened. “You’re going to have a shock with Julian then.”
“What?” I narrowed my eyes at the dragon, no longer feeling generous toward him. “Why?” Julian would absolutely be down to do whatever I wanted. I could go home to him right now and he’d kiss me and stuff. “Besides, I thought you didn’t want me thinking of anyone else.”
“I’m just warning you.” Titus brushed his sleeve. In the span of a few seconds, he’d completely put himself back together—not that he’d been frazzled much to begin with—and it was as if wetotallyhadn’t been doing what we were doing out here. “I find it charming when you challenge me. Damen thinks it’s amusing—”
Amusing? Damen was the one who needed to be challenged themost. That was quite possibly the most insulting thing I’d ever heard. He should be terrified.
“—and Miles…” He paused, his nose wrinkling in mild disgust. “Well, Miles is turned on by it. ButJulian,” he said, and the serious look he gave me shot a shiver down my spine. “Well, actually, I’m not sure how he’d react. He’s not entirely himself right now, especially with you. But normally, he’d see a challenge from you as something to address.”
That reminded me of Anthony’s conversation, and I frowned and touched my finger to my chin. “I know.”
Titus sighed before moving past me to lean on the bannister with his arms crossed over the railing. He was silent a moment, eyes dark as he gazed out over the mountainous view. It was dark, only the light from the moon and stars filling the sky, but I knew he was probably able to see much further than me.
What was he looking at?
“The veil that separates the two courts,” he replied, still focusing on that place out in the distance. “Right now, we’re in-between realms. It’s neutral here, but there’s going to be a time when you’ll have to go there.”
There, to the left. Then probably the Unseelie court first. That’s what everyone seemed so worried about.
“They’re right to be worried,” Titus said. “But we have something else to complete first. Julian and Damen are both struggling, especially with everything that’s happened recently.”
I leaned back against the bannister. My stomach twisted nervously at the idea that either one of them needed help. Especially because I had no idea what to do about it.
“You need to bond with Damen.”
Why would he bring it up this way? I mean,thatmuch was obvious. I’d been told from the beginning that I’d have to connect with them all, and Damen had always been last on the list.
So now it was his turn.
“No, you don’t understand.” Titus stood back up and began to pull his hair back into a ponytail. “Damen is last for a reason. Despite him being codependent and needing you, he’ll be the one who resists the most. And to be honest with you, I don’t think he’s going to do it, especially after what happened. Seeing you die—twice—has changed something in him.”
“He’s seen me die before. It’s not like it’s a big deal.” At Titus’s questioning—and almost affronted—look, I explained, “In past lives. This can’t be the only time something like this has happened.”
Titus’s jaw tensed. “No,” he answered. “But it’s different this time. You’ve beengone, and he was finally starting to feel comfortable allowing you back in. Then the bond vanished again. He’s furious and is terrified of turning you into even more of a target.”
That was stupid. “I’m a target just being who I am, right?”
Titus’s reply was thick with guilt. “Yes, but that’smyproblem. I’m meant to defend you. So it’s not his fault. That reasoning makes it easier for him to plan around. But this time, or any time, you’d ever get hurt because ofhim, he’ll take it personally. Honestly, I get it. And right now, he’s not thinking clearly.”
That wasn’t anything new. “So, I’ll just talk to him. He’ll understand eventually.”
Titus chuckled. “Good luck with that.”
I wouldn’t need luck; this wasmy job. “What about Julian?” I didn’t understand how this would help him.
“Julian carries around a lot of hate and anger,” Titus answered. “Because of things that had happened in his past and feelings he’s brought into this life. Right now, he’s redirecting his issues onto onmyojis in general, but mostly Damen and Finn.”
“Yes.” Ihadnoticed this, especially toward Finn.
“When I think he’s moved on, one of them will do something to set him off again.” Titus leaned back against the railing.
Moved on from what though? What kind of grudge was he carrying?
“Don’t get me wrong. Julian has reason to be angry,” Titus said, glancing at me from the corner of his eyes. “But he’s taking it out on the wrong people. That’s why, right now, it’s dangerous for him to use his abilities to control Damen. Because, honestly, I don’t trust him to stop himself.”
I studied the dragon, wondering if it was even worth pressing my luck to askwhyJulian was angry at onmyoji.
“That’s something he’ll have to talk to you about when he’s ready,” Titus said. “But even outside of that, he’s naturally cautious. Onmyoji are the quickest group to misuse their abilities, followed by the fae. I watch over both courts to make sure that they keep their shit in their world and out of ours, even if”—Titus interrupted me before I could protest—“you were fully in your role. That isn’t going to change.”
