Midnight Truth (Shifter Island #4) - Leia Stone Page 0,60
to show them mercy?” Rage asked.
I nodded. “Starting with not killing off their heirs.”
Although, Reyna had said each high mage had half a dozen other heirs in their castles, training away.
“Fine,” Rage replied. “Then I want you to stay with me, in the alpha castle, between your lessons here every single night. I want to know you’re safe—and clearly, your grandfather isn’t able to guarantee your safety here.”
The urge to defend Grandpa swelled within my chest, but I tamped it down. Rage was right—even more than he knew.
“King Rage is strong,” Donovan said, darting a wary glance at my mate.
With that, Rage dropped a barely conscious Julian to the ground and then leaned low by his head. “If you ever even look at my mate again in a way that makes her uncomfortable, I’ll remove your manhood and force it down your throat.” Rage sucked in a breath: “And that will be the warmup. The only reason you’re alive is because of Nai’s mercy. Don’t make either of us regret this.”
Julian nodded, a whimper dying in his throat, and then Rage turned to Donovan and offered an apologetic smile. “Thank you, young man, for helping me and my mate. The alpha king owes you a debt of gratitude.”
“Family,” Donovan said, dropping his chin to his chest.
“Donovan is my cousin,” I explained, approaching him. “His mom is my aunt Sariah.”
“Cool,” Noble said, and Justice nodded.
“Then I’m doubly indebted to your family,” Rage said, sliding his arm around my waist. He pressed his lips to the crown of my head, taking a deep breath while he held me. ‘I nearly lost my mind,’ he admitted through our bond. ‘I’m sorry it took so long to get here, and I’m sorry about our fight.’
I nodded, nuzzling into him. “Me too.”
“Which is why I want you where I can get to you—on Shifter Island.” He doubled down.
After giving Rage a kiss, I pulled away and held my hand out to Donovan. “Let’s go talk with Grandpa.”
Donovan shuffled out from behind the bushes and took my hand. “Grandpa keeps us safe.”
I think that was Donovan’s adorable way of challenging what Rage said, but sadly, I didn’t have the same faith in my grandfather’s ability to do that anymore.
We all returned to the spirit castle and found Grandpa and Reyna in the kitchen, having a late breakfast.
When I explained what had happened, Gramps and Reyna looked surprised.
“Why didn’t Donovan come here and get me?” Reyna asked, her brow furrowing.
Donovan shook his head. “Rage is good king.”
Yep. I’d told him to get Rage, and he did.
‘I like him a lot,’ Rage told me. Then he explained to the room how he’d felt me getting attacked through our bond and that he’d spared the heirs at my request. “I won’t allow Nai to stay here overnight anymore since it’s clear that you can’t ensure her safety. I’d like her to stay at Alpha Castle unless she’s here having a lesson.”
Grandpa’s shoulders fell, and his eyes filled with tears as he looked at me. “I’m so sorry, my girl. It isn’t right that you should be at risk here. Your mate is right.”
Whoa. He agreed.
“I can stay with him … in Alpha Castle?” I asked Gramps as I slid into the empty chair next to him at the table.
The old mage nodded. “I think it would be best. Today, I’ll watch you create a portal in the real world a few times, and by the end of the day, you’ll be able to portal right into the castle and be there with Rage in case the mages close them.”
Rage frowned next to me, ‘Portal? Close?’
‘I was trying to tell you about the high mages threatening to close the portals to keep us apart when you stormed off,’ I told him, and he winced.
‘I’m sorry, my love. If they closed the portals to keep us apart, that’d lead to a war.’
I nodded. ‘That’s why I’m learning to create them.’
He sighed, and everyone around us seemed to understand we were communicating mentally. Rage then reached up and cupped my face. ‘Are you okay with this? Staying with me at night and coming here for lessons?’
‘Definitely.’ I leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. Then, facing the rest of the group, I winced. “I still have a problem. One of the mages blew that magic-canceling powder in my face. I don’t have any of the special flower to counter that.”
Reyna snorted. “Those stupid selkies should have never discovered that.”