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Chapter 18

“We’re safe now.” Bash closes the cabin door behind us.

I gasp and lean against the wall, not feeling any better. Not after the memories of this place.

“Nobody knows about this place,” Bash assures me. “And nobody followed us here. We lost them in the woods near the academy.”

Memories of fighting his aunt and uncle flash in my mind. I remind myself Shane is dead and Coral is in jail without the chance of parole. Although, who’s to say Tiberias won’t let her go? He probably wouldn’t have any hang-ups with someone who tried to kill my dad.

“Your aunt could return any moment.”

“From the castle prison?”

“Why wouldn’t Tiberias exonerate her?”

Bash pulls me close and rubs my back. “She’s not even on his radar, trust me. We have this place to ourselves until everything calms down.”

“When will anything calm down? I’m Drake Ayers’s daughter. Everybody wants me dead as much as they want him dead.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

I wish I found that reassuring, but in a fight between an angry mob and Bash—muscular as he is—there’s no way he stands a chance. Not even close.

“Let’s have a seat.”

I’m too tired to argue, so I follow him to the couch where we sit. He pulls me onto his lap and holds me tight. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“How can you suggest that at a time like this?”

He kisses my cheek. “It’ll be a good distraction from everything going on.”

“You mean the fact that the entire kingdom wants to kill me.”

“Not everyone.”

“Fine, you and Halen don’t want me dead.”

He plays with my hair. “Or the band, or Halen’s friends. I’ll bet even your dad and Mrs. Middlebrooks don’t want you dead. What about your uncle? Where do you think he stands?”

“He seems to be on my side.” Or maybe that’s only because of my connection to Queen Sirena. He was so obsessed with her back in his office. Actually, he knew more about her than anyone else so far.

“What are you thinking about?” Bash’s forehead wrinkles.

I don’t answer him. Not when I need to figure this out. If Tiberias is so obsessed with Queen Sirena, he might know that she had to kill her dad. Actually, he probably does know that. He’s been enamored by her for his whole life. He had to have looked through the same books I did.

He wants me to kill my dad.

What if that’s all he wants from me? My uncle could turn on me the moment I remove his competition.

“Marra?” Worry floods Bash’s expression.

“I’m not so sure I can trust Tiberias.”

He tilts his head. “Why not?”

“It’s a really long story.”

“I hardly have anywhere to go. Lay it on me.”