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“Jade,” I said as I turned around. “I know I said you have nothing to worry about, but I need you to listen to me.”

“What’s going on, Mal?”

I took a step toward her. How could I tell her, though? How could I get her to explain that I wasn’t as calm as I appeared? The Paragon had haunted me for decades. If they were here, something was wrong.

Something was very wrong.

Panic threatened my senses.

What did they want? It was possible this had something to do with my new reign of Rewyth. Best case scenario, they wanted to express their condolences for my father. It was possible that they only meant to congratulate me on becoming king.

It was also possible they had heard that my human wife was actually not so ordinary, after all. Perhaps they had heard of her abilities. Did Seth turn her in? Did he go running to them about exactly what happened in Trithen?

Maybe they wanted to see her for themselves.

And that thought was the one that terrified me. The Paragon would not take Jade. They would not lay a single finger on her.

Because I knew, deep in my bones, that I would kill anyone who tried to take Jade away from me. Paragon or not.

“Tell me,” she pushed. She closed the small distance between us and grabbed both of my wrists. “Tell me, Mal. What are you afraid of? What are we walking into?”

“Nothing,” I lied. “It’s going to be okay. I just need you to stay silent, and stay behind me. Okay? Don’t trust them, whoever they are and whatever they want.”

She nodded, as if she understood perfectly.

“I love you, Jade,” I said, pressing a kiss on her forehead. “I’m not letting anyone hurt you.”

“I know,” she whispered back. “I know you won’t.”

I slid my hand into hers, and together, we began walking downstairs to meet our fate.

The castle looked different this early in the morning. It wasn’t the same hustle of people that frequently filled these halls. No, the halls were practically empty, aside from a few servants who scurried in the shadows of the morning sun.

It was quiet. Saints, one might even say the castle was peaceful this early in the morning. That alone was an eerie thought, though, because I knew exactly how cruel this place really was. I didn’t think any amount of quietness could make it truly peaceful.

Especially when I knew what awaited us.

Jade’s hand was an anchor in mine, bringing me back to the moment. She had no idea what was awaiting her. Neither did I, though. Not really. It was possible that the Paragon had changed in the decades that I hadn't heard from them. Maybe they had changed their ways now. Maybe they ditched their methods of violence and blood for more peaceful methods.

I almost laughed at the thought. No, they most certainly hadn’t changed for the better.

I pushed open the front doors to the castle, and my black wings immediately flared outward on instinct.

I tugged Jade’s hand slightly, pulling her closer to my side.

Three black-hooded figures stood ahead of me, accompanied by Serefin, who was trying his best to distract them. Dozens of guards covered the surrounding area.

As if that would stop them.

“Ah,” one of the figures acknowledged, stepping forward and pulling the hood from his head. “Here is our king.”

He lowered his head just an inch. I knew that was the closest thing to a bow I was going to receive. I nodded in acknowledgement, and the figure returned to standing.

“I am told that you wish to speak with me,” I stated. I didn’t move from my position near the door.

The three guests looked at each other before the leader answered, “We have something we wish to discuss with you, yes. Is there somewhere more…private we can speak?”

I rolled my eyes. “If you have something to say to me, you can say it here. Everyone here can be trusted.”