Page 163 of The Chains You Defy

“I never wanted any man or male in my life.”

“That is valid, but so is changing your opinion.”

My head was buzzing. Antas’ ability to assess a situation in a different light had become invaluable to me, and I was always grateful for his advice. He never tried to push or sway me, but instead nudged me to reevaluate my sentiments and face facts I didn’t want to acknowledge.

Especially when it came to my inner workings.

Lately, I couldn’t deny anymore how much Dion and I complemented each other. Yes, the prince was infuriating and insufferable, but the more our walls came down, the more he actually at least considered my side of the story, and if he didn’t, he ignored my opinion because he was in the right. He’d learned to read me on an instinctual level, and I was closing in on that point as well.

My parents and society had drilled into me I had no choice but to follow the norm and marry, something I despised so much, and I pushed back against the sentiment so hard that my resistance had brought me nothing but trouble so far.

But the world wasn’t always black and white. Would being with someone really turn out to be so horrible if I chose a partnership out of my own free will? I’d mull over this question in the days to come.

“Thanks, Antas.”

“You are very welcome, as usual.”

In the next two days, I was never alone in Dion’s quarters. Even at night, at least one of my friends was staying in the sitting room, sleeping on the couch, or whatever they did during their vigil.

Turned out, they were all territorial to some degree, even if I’d never realized their behavior before, because their prince was so much worse. But somehow, in the last few months, I’d become one of them, had been accepted into their tightly knit circle, and this made me very happy.In a way, I considered them family, a chosen one, and not one by blood.

“There’s an envelope addressed to you in the antechamber, sweet thing.”

“Oh, who wrote to me, Thain?”

“The letter bears the royal seal, so it’s probably nothing good.”

Ever since winter solstice, the relationship between Thain and me had changed for the better. While I’d been wary of the seemingly airheaded flirt before, finding out how a part of his impossible behavior had been an exaggerated act he was playing for Dion’s sake—as weird as it sounded—had adjusted things, and we were on the verge of becoming good friends. Not that Dion had any inkling—he’d possibly threaten to slaughter the redhead, as usual.

When I picked up the envelope, I broke the seal, removed the parchment, and concentrated on its contents.

Gods, this wasn’t good.

“There’s another ball in two days? And I’m invited?”

“Oh yes, I’m on guard duty during the revelry. We hoped that Galrach announced the event in an attempt to make you feel excluded. You being invited changes circumstances.”

“I have a bad sense of foreboding about this.”

“You’re not the only one, darling. But we’ll keep you safe.”

“Can you?”

“Oh please, have some trust.” Thain grinned at me and brushed some of his red hair out of his face. “Also, I’m not supposed to mention this to you, but we finalized the plans to evacuate you from court in a few days.”

“To where?”

“Sorry, I can’t tell you yet. The less you know, the better.”

“Have you ever considered involving me in your plotting sessions?” My eyebrow arched. I wasn’t too fond of the way I was left in the dark until my friends had decided on my fate.

“Bring that up with Fig, darling. He has taken charge once more.”

A huff tumbled from my lips. If Fig was at the helm again, I could bury any hope that he’d include me. He barely included the others.

“Damn.”

“At least you’ll have enough spare time to meditate on another vital decision.”