Page 129 of Queens

“The bracelet trapped me within Wrath and Lust,” Cassia says. “I could travel freely between the two kingdoms, but I couldn’t set foot outside them.”

I’m rarely stunned silent, but this sure does it.

Cassia continues. “Only my parents could remove the bracelet. I tried everything to get it off, even had David dislocate my thumb, but it wouldn’t budge. Silas was alerted whenever I tried to cross the border, too. I suspect my whereabouts were always available to him, but he only showed up when I tried to leave.”

I turn and sink into the nearest chair.

I’ve never been so angry—so disappointed. It’s no fucking wonder Cassia hated me so much. Not only was she forced to leave Greed and abandon her mission, but she was punished for trying.

They should never have punished her. I don’t necessarily agree with Cassia’s decision to sneak into Greed, but she’s an adult. It was her decision, and there were better ways for her parents to handle their fear.

They could have spoken with her, to start. She’s not an unreasonable woman.

If they treated her like the adult she is, she probably wouldn’t have felt the need to sneak into Greed in the first place. She could have presented her plan to them, and they could have worked together to find a solution that everyone was happy with.

Assuming Silas came clean about having sent me into Greed, Cassia might have succeeded. She and I could have worked together.

Cassia played the character of Luna well, and she’s intelligent enough to maneuver through Greed undetected. Had she gotten some better guidance, she could’ve done it.

“Rexton?” Cassia asks.

I hum.

“Say something.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I admit. “I’m frustrated.”

Cassia shrugs. “Aziel removed the bracelet during the ambush.” She pauses, brushing her foot along the ground. “I’m still angry, but I miss my parents.”

I slide my hands down my thighs. I can’t intervene. It’s not my position. I have a long history with the Wrath Trio, and I consider Charlie one of my closest friends, but it’s Cassia’s family.

This is her decision. She’s already had several taken from her, and I refuse to do the same. I’ll support whatever she wants.

“We don’t have to go if you aren’t ready,” I say. “I’ll follow your lead.”

—————

Cassia stands at the head of the table, staring silently at each of her seated parents. They were shocked to see us appear at the manor, and they were quick to comply when Cassia ordered them into the dining room for a family meeting.

I stand in the corner of the room, too antsy to sit.

Charlie glances at me, and my emotions get the better of me as I level her with a sharp glare. She had a part in Cassia’s punishment. She and her mates operate under a majority vote for big decisions, but there are exceptions to the rule. Charlie should have fought against imprisoning Cassia.

It should’ve never even been a conversation.

Gray clears his throat. There’s an astounding amount of negative energy pouring from Cassia and me, which I’m sure is making the incubus uneasy. He’s always been sensitive to it.

Aziel is the first to speak. “We owe you an apology.”

Anapology? They owe herseveralapologies.

Cassia nods. “Yes, you do.”

She waits. I wait.

Gray is the first to go. He lunges out of his seat, a blur of movement as he throws himself at Cassia. She stumbles back as he slams into her, her eyebrows furrowed. She looks annoyed, but her love for him seeps through our bond.

It’s an odd feeling. I don’t love my parents, and I haven’t spent much of my adult life considering the emotion. It’s warm, though, and it’s unnervingly comforting. Cassia feels safe with Gray, and despite her anger, she craves being close to him.