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Allowing my calling to seep into our bond, I urge her to wake. And she melts against me, finding relief in the safety of my embrace. “What is it, my love? What has frightened you?” I purr softly; my voice laced with the desire to calm her as she sobs in my arms.

“She didn’t do it,” she whispers, and a wave of relief floods our bond alongside profound sadness. With heavy breaths filling the room around us, I listen intently as she continues speaking.

“She didn’t Kyson...I saw it clearly...She didn’t do it...You have to believe me,” she pleads, attempting to free herself from my grasp and sit upright.

Gently cupping her face in my hands, I meet her gaze. “I believe you, my love. I believe that you believe your words. We will find a way to uncover the truth.” Drawing her closer once more, I hold her tight against my chest, offering reassurance amidst the storm of emotions that threatens to engulf us.

“I can prove it...Cedric was there...I heard him,” she reveals; her voice filled with a mixture of grief and vulnerability.

My brow furrows in confusion. Cedric? Why is she dreaming about him? “Heard what?” I ask, needing clarity from the tangle of her nightmares.

“I heard Cedric...She was trying to tell him something...I remembered...I remembered that night,” she confesses; her voice cracking.

“It’s okay. It’s okay,” I murmur soothingly, my fingertips gently wiping away the traces of tears that stain her cheeks. But before we can delve deeper into the revelation, the door bursts open, causing both of us to startle.

Azalea jolts upright, her eyes wide while I slide her off me and rise to my feet; a growl rumbling forth at the intrusion. It is unlike Dustin to barge in without permission, and his presence only adds to the tension that hangs in the air.

“My King,” Dustin begins urgently; his voice laced with urgency, “Elder Larkin has arrived. He demands the return of his son.”

Anger simmers within Azalea palpable even as she hastily wipes away tears and stands up; dream-induced fury fueling resolve. Oblivious to lack of clothing, she storms towards the door leaving poor Dustin momentarily stunned as he averts gaze; eyes fixed on ceiling.

“Azzy, my love,” I call out to her drawing her attention as she glances back over shoulder.

“You need to put on some clothes before you confront him. I won’t allow you to face Larkin in such a state unless you want me to remove his eyes from his sockets,” I chuckle softly; a hint of amusement coloring my voice. She looks down, realization dawning upon her as eyes widen and with a hurried squeak, she rushes towards the closet. I can’t help but laugh softly at her flustered state reaching for my pants as she calls out to Dustin.

“Dustin?”

“Yes, Azalea,” he responds promptly; his eyes still on the ceiling.

“Have someone find Cedric while we deal with Larkin,” she commands, determination shining through her words. Dustin glances at me for confirmation, and I nod in agreement.

“You heard your Queen,” I tell him, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips before he hurries off to carry out orders.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

AZALEA

It takes me only a few minutes to dress before following Kyson out of our bedroom and down the stairs. Our ears are alerted to the commotion as soon as we enter the corridor on the bottom floor of the castle. I know what Kyson is going to say before he says it. I’m prepared for his words as I hear him growl furiously. A sigh escapes my lips as Kyson stops in front of me.

“You want me to wait here until you see what is going on?” I tell him before I exhale. I hear a loud bang from the end of the corridor to the main doors as voices from the end of the corridor begin to grow louder. When Kyson glances over his shoulder, I recognize one of the angry voices instantly as Damian, who can be heard shouting in frustration.

“Just let me go ahead; you can…” he growls before letting out a big sigh. “You can come with me, but stay back with Dustin until I know it is safe. Please,” he says, almost pleading with me. It is not until I look past him to the doors that I see guards rushing out of those doors. When I nod my head, he lets out a sigh and grabs my face in his hands, kissing the top of my head as he lets out a breath.

“I’m trying not to be controlling. I just don’t want to put you in unnecessary danger,” Kyson whispers as he lets me go and turns on his heel, stalking toward the main doors. He snarls, stalking after the guards rushing out the doors. As they flatten themselves against the walls to get out of his way, I watch him slip outside, and I turn to Dustin, who twists his arm and extends it to me.

“You did the right thing. I know technically you overrule him, but you have powers that are only just awakening, and you aren’t sure how to use them yet,” Dustin tells me, and I sigh heavily.

“Kyson has been ruling for decades. He is a good King, and you can learn a lot from him, Azzy, if you pay attention. I know you are done being a pushover; that much is apparent, but he is your mate and a King,” Dustin reminds me. However, I am done arguing with Kyson. We will be fine if he sticks to his word and gives me the same trust I give him.

“I know, and I don’t want to overrule him. I rather have him in charge because I don’t know what I am doing, but I don’t want to be shut out either. I can’t learn if he doesn’t let me,” I tell Dustin.

“He is trying,” Dustin says, and I nod in agreement, and so am I.

“And that is why I agreed. It would be foolish if I ran through those doors and into an ambush,” I tell him, and Dustin smiles. I am so glad to finally have Dustin back by my side. Gosh, how I have missed him.

“I sent Liam to get Cedric for you,” Dustin tells me, and the arguing outside goes quiet when I hear a feral growl tear out of my mate, his aura rippling through the air, almost vibrating with his fury.