LOGINIvara's POVXlynor made a short, dismissive sound. “Brother? I don't recall Alpha Kethan having two sons. Am I misremembering?"Godmother Eira’s jaw tightened. “Cousin. Even though it doesn't matter, he's family and a Darkazov.”“Mm.” Xlynor looked at her for a moment. Then he pushed off the door frame and stood straight.“I don't appreciate this kind of morning. If it were anyone but you at this door, Eira, this conversation wouldn't be happening. You know exactly what I mean.” His voice was cold. “If you have grievances about Eryndor's situation, bring them to the elders. I have pressing matters to handle.”I blinked from where I stood. Just that? That's all he could say?Eira turned away from him, then pressed her forehead while letting out a bitter chuckle. “Seriously? I just wanted to know why. I didn't want to believe you really locked my son up because he took that slave girl.” Her tone had shifted, like she'd found the absurdity of it. “You locked up family, Xlynor, over a —”
Ivara's POVI stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of the elegant dress Zane had arranged for me yesterday after I found out I couldn't get into my room. He’d quietly taken care of everything after I asked—new clothes, toiletries, the basics I’d been missing.It was a short, flowing dress in deep emerald, but it did nothing to change the fact that I looked horrible.That was the conclusion I could arrive at after approximately three minutes in front of the mirror.The dress was fine, but everything above the neckline was a different story entirely.I stepped closer, examining my reflection. Dark circles shadowed my eyes. I looked like I’d been dragged out of a nightmare.After I managed to get back to the room, I found out that Xlynor was nowhere to be found. It was supposed to ease me of my worry and panic, but I’d tossed and turned for hours, until sleep had finally claimed me, but only for a measly two hours.I wasn't surprised that I looked this terrible, and it was al
Ivara's POVI forced my eyes away from Xlynor's face, down to his chest. His injury was why I ended up here. I reached for the buttons with hands that absolutely were not going to cooperate and tried anyway.Wait, this was harder than I thought. I wanted to give up approximately three buttons in but when I dared a glance up, he was staring at me so intently I quickly looked back down as heat crawled straight up my neck.I fumbled with the buttons, finally peeling the wet shirt off his shoulders. Only then did he release my neck. But the second the fabric hit the floor, his hand was back, gripping lightly.“Maybe you should look at the host of the body too.”I groaned. “I can’t do both. Stop teasing me, please.”He chuckled. “You said I should stay wary of you. That you’re a pervert. Fortunately, I’m into girls like you.” His head dipped slightly. “So show me what you’ve got.”I hissed inwardly. Insufferable jerk. How could he just force me into this?My hands shook as I began wiping hi
Ivara's POVI didn't even have to stand or turn away before my heart betrayed me. It had already done that the second I locked eyes with Xlynor while cleaning up his injury, and it was still doing that.It hammered so hard and fast against my ribs I was sure Xlynor could hear it.“You're really stupid,” I told myself.From the second I agreed to help Xlynor, I had already begun regretting it and the fact that he became a jerk proved that my gut was right.I had to lie about being a pervert just to make him uncomfortable enough to shut up and leave me alone. That was the point.I turned away so he couldn't read through me while I lied, so I could pretend like my entire nervous system wasn't doing anything.How exactly did he expect me to keep treating him when he kept looking at me like that? He wasn't looking at the wound or what I was doing, just at me. Of course, I couldn't concentrate.In fact, what had gotten into me, getting that close to him in the first place? Oh, how stupid of
Xlynor's POVIvara gasped, hands flying up. “Did I poke it that hard?! I barely touched it. How did you get hurt that badly? Why isn’t your healing working? What’s wrong with it?”I contorted my face further. “Seriously, Ivara? I’m in pain and your primary concern is why it isn’t healing? Do you even care? I’m dying here.”She ran a hand through her hair, flustered and wide-eyed. “Dying? How did… I… You… Never mind. Let me see.”“See? You just want to see it? Just leave me alone.”“What do you want me to do? I don’t know—if it’s that bad and not healing, I should call Zane. Where’s your phone?” She reached for my pockets in full panic mode.And for a second, I almost broke character and laughed at her, but I forced myself to stay in character.I caught her wrist. “Zane is… It’s nothing to call him for. Stop panicking. You’re not the one hurt.”“But you’re—”“Why are you so bothered that I’m hurt?” I pushed, watching her closely. “You could just let me bleed out. Then you’d be free.”S
Xlynor's POVI didn't move when I got back.I killed the engine and just sat there in the dark driveway, my hands on the wheel and the engine off, staring at nothing in particular while the castle loomed in front of me.Ivara was probably asleep by now and Zane had left too after attending to her.My thoughts drifted to the Lunari festival. Today was the last day and I needed to be there, which I knew was impossible. I was hurt.I reached for Zane's link, which connected almost immediately.“Zane, stand in for me tonight. I won't be able to attend the festival.”“Understood, Alpha.” He simply responded, no questions.I severed the connection and silence returned.My eyes dropped to the cut across my chest. The stupid wound had refused to close and instead throbbed painfully despite the bleeding having slowed to a sluggish seep.Eloise must have coated her blade with something vile that made the pain from the cut linger.The drive back had been fine for a short while when, suddenly, th







