Page 49 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
“You may be Queen, but—”
“I wouldn’t finish that,” Marco snarled. I placed my hand on his chest in comfort, Jacob’s gaze narrowed on the sigil ring. I wasn’t positive if he was supposed to see it or if the twins wanted him to know, but I guess it was too late for that now.
“Where the fuck did you get that ring, girl?”
“Mom gave it to her,” Anani said bravely, and I felt a tiny relieved breath escape me. I knew he was furious and upset, but it was good to hear him keep talking. His father didn’t deserve that much power over Anani—no one did.
I also understood it, though. When you’d gone through that type of pain, no rational thought could fully erase the fear.
“Your mother is dead,” his father spit out, looking alarmed but also furious. “She’s dead because ofyou.”
Burton let out a deep growl, and Katherine tensed. “No, she died because of you. Because you wouldn’t take her to the medical center because you’re a greedy fuck and it was expensive. She died because she gave birth at home when she had a high-risk pregnancy. You’re the reason she died, and because of your fucking guilt, you punished us all.”
Oh wow.
“Are you serious?” Ledger barked out a slightly crazed laugh. Apparently this was new information for him. “You piece of shit.”
I noticed briefly that my fathers were keeping people back from the line, and I knew we couldn’t keep this up forever without it breaking into violence. Suddenly, I stepped forward into Jacob’s space and examined his face, seeing how angry he was and how much Burton’s words hit home. He knew Burton was right, and the twins had suffered because of it.
It had been an odd experience meeting the other parents, but this wasn’t odd—this was just wrong, and I didn’t want my mates to have to deal with this anymore.
“I want you to leave,” I said softly but firmly.
“What?” he growled.
“I want you out of our home, now,” I demanded. “You can leave on your own or I can have you removed, but I don’t want you around my family.”
His face turned red, and I saw him consider moving towards me, his anger very blatant, but when Henry released a violent, vicious sound, he reconsidered. After another furious look at his sons, he stalked away.
This wasn’t done—not fully. Jacob would come back.
I deflated slightly as Anani wrapped his arms around me, Ledger intertwining our fingers. I could feel the intensity of their emotions, and I suddenly wanted to be alone with them, to make sure they were okay.
“We should’ve asked him to leave from the start. I’m so sorry he’s here,” I whispered.
“Not on you, firefly,” Ledger breathed out, brushing his lips against my temple. “Burton, do you have a moment to talk?”
“Absolutely.” His brother nodded, and the two of them stepped to the side. Anani turned me into him and tucked me under his chin as my mom approached, looking over us with concern.
“Anani, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation with your father. We would’ve never informed him of what was going on if we’d known,” my mom expressed, looking heartbroken.
“Thank you,” Anani said, “but this falls on him. He knows he shouldn’t be here.”
“And he won’t be. Not in the Dreki realm either,” my mom murmured, the threat not veiled in the least. I nodded, glad that she was set on handling it. I didn’t want the twins to have to live with the threat of their father constantly showing up.
“I need a moment alone with my mate. We’ll be back,” I explained clearly, not feeling bad in the least as I took Anani’s hand and walked towards the house.
Despite the tension of the moment, I felt a connection and strength from those we passed, especially from those who lived here in the Earth realm. I had no idea how large our kingdom would grow, especially since my mom said she would offer the new option to those in Dreki once we were fully established, but I was starting to understand why leading a group of people became fundamental to who you were.
These people were now my responsibility.It was both terrifying and wonderful.
Once we were in the house, Anani lifted me into his arms and sped upstairs, his breathing a bit uneven from emotional strain. I whimpered as I was suddenly pinned to the large comfortable surface of his bed, the sheets smelling like his amazing electric scent.
“I’m so sorry he was there—”
“I’m glad he was. I’m fucking glad I heard the truth from Burton,” Anani hissed. “We always blamed ourselves for her loss, but no more. If Burton was able to forget our father and move on, have a beautiful family, find happiness in the face of being raised by him, then I’m not going to let this damn shit haunt me anymore.”
“Anani,” I whispered, hearing not pain but strength in his words. I pressed my forehead to his and he let out a low rumble, brushing his lips against mine.
