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I dive at him, not holding back any longer.We go down, fists flying through the air as we roll on the ground.He pummels me in the ribs, not tamping down his strength either.

I find purchase in the fabric of his tunic, kneeling over him and holding him down as I slam my knuckles into his face.“If you come near Elsie again?—”

He bends his leg and knees me in the groin.“Maybe you should let her decide who she wants around her.”

Son of a dragon.I hit him again, hard enough to register the pain in my knuckles.“You deceived me.You masked my own mate from me.”

“That was me,” someone says at my back.

I pause with my fist in the air.Turning my face a fraction, I take in my father who stands at the edge of the clearing.He’s wearing his crown, which means he was attending official and very important business.He only wears it for ceremonial events in the palace.

He walks to us with easy strides, his face giving nothing away—I’d even go as far as to say he appears bored—but I sense his coiled anger.In many ways, our father is like Kian.He only shows people what he wants them to see.He’s not easy to read, but I’ve learned to pay attention to the energy rolling off him rather than visual clues.

I let go of Kian.“What did you say?”

“That was me.”My father stops next to us.“I shielded Elsie’s mind and mirrored her emotions.”

My father possesses the most deceitful of all powers in the five kingdoms.He has the ability to not only copy but also store in his mind anyone’s sentiments at any given time.His specialty is the unique connection that exists between mates, allowing them to sense one another through their bond.

That ever-growing pool of personal information in his mind is an infinite source he can tap into whenever he wants.He can camouflage several minds at the same time, making it impossible for mates to feel their bonds.He can go one step further and project a memory he recorded to fool anyone about the whereabouts or feelings of their mates.

The most famous use of his power was when he kidnapped my mother from the Red Kingdom.He married her before her father could catch wind of her disappearance.As far as my grandfather was concerned, my mother was still safely locked in her tower, far removed from the vicious prince of Lona, who, very unfortunately, turned out to be her mate.

“Why?”I push to my feet.“Why would you let me believe Elsie was safely in my quarters when she could’ve been in danger?”

“Kian is right.”My father gives my brother a hand to help him up.“We needed to know where we stood with Elsie and how far her power extends.”

I grit my teeth.“Did you get your answers?”

“Yes.”My father smiles.“She behaved very commendably during the crisis.She could’ve fled, but she used her power for a greater good.”

“You mean she didn’t abuse it,” I snap.

“We doubt she’s able to command more intelligent species.If she were, it would’ve manifested by now.”

“You had no right to do that.”

“I’m the king.If the safety of Lona is at stake, I can do anything I want.If you two have eaten enough dirt, we have guests waiting.You’d better clean up before meeting them.”He looks me up and down.“We don’t want to make a bad first impression.”

The sideways glance Kian shoots me says he knows who these surprise visitors are.Why do I get the feeling I’m the only one in the dark?

“Who?”I ask as my father opens a portal and strolls to the circle of lights.

“Elsie’s uncle and aunt, the king and queen of Marikanea.”

“What?You want her to meet her family?”I want to add, “Now?”Our relationship is much too unstable.Too much has been happening.I’m not sure Elsie is ready for this.“Why?”

He turns around.“It’s time for Elsie to see where she comes from.”

He can’t mean what I think he does.

And then he proves me wrong by saying, “It’s time she visits her birthplace.She leaves with them.Tonight.”

Chapter12

Elsie

With my feelings still bruised from Aruan’s callous words, I arrive at the quarters where Karl and the women are housed.I go to the women’s side first.