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Skye had to drag the beast out by the scruff. He yowled the whole way.

Outside, Kato sprawled on an old patio chaise, head tipped back like he was enjoying the sun. Red stained his tunic and the powder blue cushions beneath him.

Skye dropped the vials in his lap. “Are you sure you don’t want a healer?”

Kato groaned when he shifted. The gapingholein his chest was still struggling to close. “My body might be wounded, but my pride is intact. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“You’re an idiot,” Skye muttered. His voice was sandpaper. It felt like he’d been screaming. Then he remembered—he had.

Collapsing into a seat beside his brother, he made himself breathe.

And breathe.

Andbreathe.

But each inhale dragged in more of the scent of Taly’s blood, warm and cloying, like incense left to smolder.

Dark streaks of it had dried into the cracks of his knuckles. His sleeves were damp and tacky, the fabric stiff where it had begun to harden.

It was everywhere. Blood.Herblood. The same blood he was supposed to keep from spilling.

His jaw tightened. The wrath inside him was a slow, steady burn—one spark from an inferno.

He’d known the risks when he accepted the bond. Known that it would mess with his instincts, and that soul-bonded mates were prone to violent fits of madness when the other was threatened.

But those men, today… He’denjoyedkilling them.

He’d savored every cry of pain, every last, shuddering death rattle.

And he was still hungry for it. It wasn’t enough violence, not nearly enough suffering—it wasn’t enough blood to match the raw agony of Taly’s back.

“I’m sorry.”

Through the fog came his brother’s voice. Soft. Quiet.

Skye looked up, and even though Kato’s eyes were still closed, tears streaked the blood on his face.

“About what?” The words came out strained.

Kato didn’t answer. Just breathed in sharp and whispered again, shakier— “I’m so fucking sorry,” as he hid his face with a hand.

Skye shook his head. “This isn’t your fault.”

Kato groaned, fighting to sit up, even as the wound in his chest gaped open. “I got there first,” he grunted through the pain. A blood-slicked hand pressed to his chest as he met Skye’s gaze. “I tried—I swear—I tried to protect her. I didn’t just say I would.”

Skye grabbed him as he pitched forward.

“I wasn’t that useless bastard, not this time. I didn’t lie, didn’tflake.” Kato sagged against him, breath shallow, teeth red. “I… I really did try.”

“Hey, take it easy,” Skye said, easing his brother back onto the chaise beside him. “Keep this up and you’ll split down the middle.”

“I’m sorry,” Kato whispered again, his voice hitching.

Skye stared down at his brother. He’d seen Kato lie before, but this…

It would’ve been easier to hate him. There had been too many years of hurt. Too many silences, too many cuts that never quite scarred over. And he could hold on, keep the wound open.

But in that moment, he didn’t want to.