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Then he was wincing for an entirely different reason when his father’s hazel eyes flicked over to Katya. It was the only answer his father was going to give to his question, and it was the only answer he needed.

Axel’s foot dropped to the floor, and he sat up straighter as his father started speaking once more. “As I said, this hearing shouldn’t even be occurring. Because the other rulers are still holding this ridiculous affair, it leads me to believe they are attempting to alter prior agreements. I do not trust them.”

“None of you trust the other,” Axel said, trying to figure out how this was going to involve him and Kat.

“That’s a fair statement,” his father agreed. “But the nobles in our kingdom trust them even less. They are growing increasingly worried with Theon’s failure to maintain control over the narratives and rumors that are circulating about her.”

Axel’s brow furrowed. “You mean Tessa?”

Valter nodded, his fingers drumming on his desk. “Your claim of a fire Fae certainly helped our cause, and the other two we claimed after Theon’s recommendation are also promising.”

“But?” Axel pressed, his palms beginning to sweat where he was gripping the arms of his chair.

“But we all agree a show of good faith would go a long way,” his father said.

“Who is ‘we?’”

“The nobles and my advisors.”

Axel saw the subtle glance to his right where Metias sat, and he couldn’t stop the next words that came from his mouth. “These fuckers?”

Valter’s lips thinned as he rolled his eyes. “Always fucking theatrics from you.”

“When did these two join your godsdamn advisors?” Axel demanded, ignoring the insult. “And why, for that matter?”

“Not that you have any right to question anything I do, but Metias and Pavil are not my advisors, Axel,” his father said, his tone telling Axel just how close his father was to snapping entirely. “They are here on behalf of Julius and Mansel.”

Axel felt the blood drain from his face. He knew those nobles well. Theywerehis father’s top advisors with tempers and tastes as vile as his father’s. The things he’d been forced to witness—toparticipatein—because of them.

His father stood, buttoning his suit coat. “The nobles would like to spend some time with the fire Fae. They believe seeing her power in person will help quell rising concerns. I’m in agreement.”

“How in the fuck will that help anything?” Axel asked, scrambling to his own feet.

His father sent him a look that told Axel exactly how stupid he found his second son to be. “Observing how powerful Theon’s replacement Source will be will certainly placate them.” He rounded his desk, Eviana standing as he approached, but he bypassed his Source, coming to a stop in front of Katya.

Her chin was dipped, eyes down, hands clasped in front of her.

It took every ounce of self-control Axel had to stay where he stood when his father reached out and brought her chin up with the tip of his finger.

“You are a pretty thing, aren’t you?” Looking over his shoulder at Axel, he added, “I will admit I can see the appeal, Son.”

Axel bit the inside of his cheek so hard he tasted blood.

Valter turned back to Kat, twining a curl around his finger. “But I do believe once our allies see how much more…obedient she is compared to Theon’s current choice, any remaining concerns will no longer be an issue. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Scrambling to think ofsomethingto stop this, Axel said, “I think Theon will be most upset if he learns his future Source was provided as entertainment to Julius and Mansel.”

“Then perhaps he will remember the cost of failure,” his father answered.

“You were already upset she was marred,” Axel argued further. “You know she will come back worse than that.”

“They were given strict orders of what is and is not acceptable,” his father answered dismissively.

“You cannot be serious,” Axel said, his voice rising, and that had his father turning to face him fully.

Darkness swarmed Axel, forcing him to his knees and lower. The pain of feeling his father’s power seep into his veins and strangle his own shadows, had him curling in on himself. When the darkness cleared, his father was crouched over him, rage lining his features. The dagger he was twirling in his hand had blood dripping from the end, and it was only then that Axel registered the pain in his shoulder.

His father’s voice was low and steely as he said, “You assured me there would not be any of your godsdamn tantrums when it came to her, yet here we are. If it weren’t for your mother insisting we all be there for the fucking Solstice holiday celebrations this week, you would go with her to witness exactly what your unfavorable choices have wrought.”