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“How could he ever pick her?”

Their words make me stop halfway between them and where I just left Ryker, unable to move.

Is that really what they think? Even after all these years, after all the times me and the guys have gone running to save them, putting ourselves in danger.

Sol almost died to save them, and Lyle…

My vision blurs as I hover in the air, a tear running down my cheek that I quickly wipe away. I’m high enough up that they won’t be able to see, but I refuse to cry over their opinions.

“No, she saved my daughter a few weeks ago, and her mates helped to rebuild her village.”

“She and her mates found a way to put the chimera’s fire out. They saved us.”

Slowly, others join in with their accounts of us helping, but it doesn’t outweigh the bad; it just makes it less loud.

“People believe what they see. Talk is cheap. Anyone can say they’ve changed, but if you give people proof, it’s harder to argue,” Ryker says from beside me, his wings brushing mine and making me shiver.

“I won’t let them talk to you like that. I know who you are.” I turn away from the crowd of people, done with them and their shitty opinions. Ryker turns to meet my gaze, and I hope he sees how serious I am.

“I know who you are even if they can’t see it or you lose sight of it.” I tap the side of my head and then rest a hand over my heart. “Nobody deserves to be treated like that, Ryker. I know you grew up with that asshole, but I can’t watch you hurt. It breaks my heart.”

His eyes go wide at my words, and I can see the shock written on his face.

Nobody’s ever cared about Ryker, but he’s stuck with me now, so he better get used to it.

For a second he seems too stunned for words, but he quickly gets himself under control again, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

“Well, we can’t have that now, can we, Darling?” he teases, but I hear the warmth in his words all the same.

He can try to hide from me, but I see him.

I dart forward, my hand closing around his wrist before I drag him behind me down to the castle garden, choosing to ignore the mix of voices around me. The hate, the love, the appreciation, and fear—they can think what they want.

I know who I am, who we are.

At least I thought I did…

Rosalynn and Darian are waiting for us when we finally reach the garden. Nero stands in the corner, his face even more scrunched up than when he looks at me, and I almost laugh. I’ve finally found someone he hates more than me; I wasn’t sure that was possible.

The rest of the guys are close, but not here yet. All but Garrett, who lands on the wall, still in his wyvern form.

Coward.

It was his idea to bring Ryker here, but that’s fine. I know he doesn’t really like him, and while I don’t blame him, I’m more than happy to vouch for Ryker.

The second my feet are on the ground, my shadow wings vanish, leaving Ryker with nothing to hide behind. I can feel his nerves, hear the way his heart rate picks up, his shallow breathing, and I know he’s panicking.

Without turning around, I let my hand move from his wrist down to his hand, threading my fingers through his with a squeeze, hoping to comfort him, if even just a little.

It takes a second, but his heart rate slows, and he squeezes back.

“Serena?” Rosalynn sounds unsure as she takes a hesitant step forward before stopping abruptly.

With Ryker no longer on the verge of panic, I turn my attention to the King and Queen.

“Rosalynn.” I move toward her, pulling Ryker behind me. “This is Ryker.” Stepping to the side, I put Ryker on full display, and once again feel him stiffen, but he doesn’t run.

That’s a good sign.