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He must have known, too. He moved his hand up to my neck, cupping my chin. “I know you hate me, Jade. I know I’ve ruined everything. I deserve this. I deserve you ignoring me. But…”

I found myself leaning into his touch. “But what?”

“I can’t stay away from you, Jade. I can’t. I tried to give you space. I tried to leave you alone. But all I can think about every second of every day is how amazing your lips taste, and how much I need you in my life.”

Fire erupted in my stomach. I knew Malachi wanted me. That wasn’t exactly a secret between us.

But saying it this way…

I was about to respond when a loud siren wailed through the air. Malachi stood up instantly, looking out the window.

Still naked in the bathtub, I froze, adrenaline already pounding through my body.

“What is that?” I asked.

Malachi’s wings flared on either side of his body.

“Malachi,” I repeated. “What is that sound?”

Malachi moved to the edge of the room and grabbed my towel, tossing it to me. “Get dressed,” he demanded.

I obeyed immediately, standing from the tub and wrapping myself in the towel.

“Tell me,” I yelled. “What’s happening?”

Malachi spun around and closed the distance between us, grabbing hold of my shoulders tightly. “That’s the warning siren,” he said. “We’re being attacked.”

CHAPTER13

Malachi

The castle of Rewyth had been attacked twice in my lifetime.

And twice, I had assisted in killing every single enemy that approached us.

Victory was not a question. Death for our attackers was not a question.

Still. That didn’t stop my body from going into full-onwarmode. Every single muscle tensed with adrenaline, ready to protect this kingdom at all costs.

Ready to protect Jade at all costs.

Jade finished getting dressed in the bathroom as I took a deep breath, trying to clear my thoughts.

It could have been a test, I told myself. It’s entirely possible that this was just a test, or a mistake by whomever blew the siren.

Something inside of me knew that wasn’t true, though.

The pit in my stomach told me that the siren rang true.

We were under attack.

Jade emerged from the bathroom wearing leather trousers and a tunic. It wasn’t perfect battle attire, but it was better than a long skirt.

“Let’s go,” I demanded, sticking my hand out. She grabbed it without hesitating, and I pulled her into the halls of the castle.

Immediate chaos filled the halls. Guards were running in every direction, trying to figure out the best way to defend our castle.

They needed guidance from their king.