Ruins of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #3) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,23

is true, my wife was a ruse, planted in my life, and yet she bore me a son? No. Someone is wrong here, and it isn’t me. Sven existed, and he was mine. He was my son, and I loved him more than I cared for anything else. He was my world.”

“It’s what she heard, but it doesn’t make it correct, Knox. She told you what she thought was the truth. Aria told you that. You keep hurting her because you’re hurt. She’s right. It isn’t fair. You can’t want her and hold her at arm’s length to protect yourself from the pain you feel over the dead. There are four of you in this relationship; two want one another, but the shells that house them are fighting tooth and nail to escape what is happening. Who the fuck do you think is going to win that fight? Your beast, because he is absolute power in the purest form, and she’s a fucking newborn who doesn’t even realize what she is yet,” Killian growled as Knox loosened his hold, and I felt him staring down at me, burning my face with his ocean gaze.

“If they planted my wife, then it means Hecate and her witches dictated my entire life. Who had the vendetta against me? Hecate. We know Hecate forced the witches to murder my son and my wife, which is why I intend to end her line as she has done to mine. Why plant my wife into my life, intending to take her away?”

“You wouldn’t have loved Liliana if you didn’t feel she was your mate. Providing her scent ensured it would draw you to her. As for taking her away, Liliana left on her own, seeking death after losing Sven. If I had to guess, I don’t think the witches planned that part. We’re not made to love normal women, brother. We mate for eternity, so they have to be our perfect match in every way possible. We follow our mates into death, and you didn’t. Why? Was Liliana your perfect mate, Knox?” Brander asked, his tone carefully controlled as both Knox and Killian rattled in warning.

“You ask me that now?” My attention focused on my pain, dismissing them, and their self-discovery session. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t listening, but my brain was shutting down. Exhaustion and pain was one hell of a combination. “Liliana gave me Sven,” Knox growled.

“I didn’t ask about Sven, Knox. I’m not the right-hand man to the king right now. I’m your fucking brother who loves you. The same brother who would give his life to protect yours,” Brander explained, emotion causing his tone to grow thicker. “Did Liliana ever seem like your perfect mate, other than her scent? Did she do everything you needed as your mate? Or did you pull back and put distance between you and Liliana to protect her from your beast?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“I do know that answer, but do you? Your perfect mate would go toe-to-toe with your beast. She wouldn’t back down, and she would savage the fuck out of him in bed. She’d give you bare-bones and rip the heads off anyone who tried to hurt you. She’d be able to handle you in any form and be more than willing to take your beast when his need arose. Did Liliana do that?” Brander asked. Something smashed against the table, then Killian’s scent exited the tent, and Brander exhaled slowly.

“She was my mate, end of fucking discussion. This is exactly what the witches want. They want us to question everything, to disorientate us and throw us off our course. Sew her damn tongue back on and put her into my bed when you’re finished. I need a drink and time to think. My guess is this, Brander. Someone created Aria, who just happened to check all my fucking boxes. Suddenly, Liliana’s name is brought up, and her image tainted amid me finding someone so utterly fucking perfect that I want her with everything within me. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a premeditated plan played against us flawlessly. Aria even carries my battle ravens on her flesh and couldn’t discern that mine had joined with hers. My tattoos adorned her skin, and neither beast nor host felt them. That’s impossible, and you know it. We’d have to be perfectly matched for her not to have felt them. She’s too fucking flawless and everything I’ve ever wanted, which means she isn’t