The tension in the air relaxed as if the men had found something in common with the Prince: disliking disrespectful women.
Alis finally answered, “Audacity, milord. She has it in spades.”
Weston’s gaze flicked to me in amusement as he walked the perimeter. “Does she? And who are you to her?”
“Her future pledged,” Alis said with conviction.
I shot him a look of annoyance.
Weston didn’t miss a stride; his expression darkened around the edges, but his words were light. “My condolences.”
I rolled my eyes. Cute.
The men laughed at that. They thought they were getting chummy with the Prince.
But I knew Weston better than that.
“Who touched her?” The question was indifferent, but the insinuation filled the easy air with heavy expectation. They each stilled, uncertain of what they should do. Alis eyed the scene as if trying to figure out the reason for Weston’s involvement and what I could mean to him.
Weston came up behind one of the men whose eyes were wildly fixed on Alis for direction.
“Him?” Weston asked me.
I paused for a moment but then shook my head, the man looking visibly relieved.
Weston watched me, licked his lips thoughtfully, and then snapped the man’s neck in one smooth move. He dropped to his knees before falling to the dirt.
The men each took a step back, their wide gazes focused on their dead friend. “She said he didn’t do it!” Raymond rushed out.
“Association,” Weston replied blandly.
Alis took a step toward me, his eyes full of anger and questions. I meaningfully wiped some blood off my cheek with the back of my hand, while offering, “Jealous streak.”
“Him?” Weston asked without looking at me, his attention on the man who ‘knew one thing I was good for.’
I shook my head. But I didn’t know why I even did, because a sickening crack and then the sound of a lifeless body falling to the dirt still hit my ears.
Anger contorted Alis’ face as he stood his ground, hesitantly looking determined not to give up. He was the only one with the ability to protect himself magically. Raymond, though seemingly only a truth-teller, turned to run but didn’t get very far without Weston fast-traveling in front of him and snapping his neck.
Silence filled the area, but there was a ringing in my ears from the carnage on the ground. You’d think I’d grow used to dead men surrounding me whenever Weston was near, but I just couldn’t. And it was at that moment, that I realized he wasn’t an ordinary man to have fanciful thoughts about. This, killing like this, was not something you could just walk away from. He was not a blacksmith, and he never would be. That every time I had let him touch me, he spread blood across my body.
Weston’s gaze focused on an enraged Alis. “Maybe you haven’t realized I’m not your average Titan?” he said, taking short steps toward him. “Your mind tricks don’t work on me.”
A vein stood out in Alis’ forehead. “She is a witch. One manipulative witch. Trust me, you aren’t the only one she’s fucking.”
I closed my eyes for a moment at Alis’ stupidity, but then realized that was a horrible idea, and quickly blinked them back open—at just the right time.
I practically threw myself in between them, putting a hand on Weston’s chest, pushing against him. He didn’t look down on me, a muscle in his jaw ticking.
“Wait,” I rushed out. “Just wait.”
Alis sneered. “I don’t need your help.”
“Stop being an idiot,” I snapped at him.
My mind spun. I thought of my mother, that even though she’d sell me out to this bastard, I didn’t think I had the heart to let something happen to her stepson. Alis was her family, and unfortunately mine in return; idiotic and psychotic family, but family all the same.
A calm settled over me when I thought of the perfect solution. Meeting Alis’ eyes, I laid out his future: “You’re going to offer for Juliana. You’re going to love her and make her the happiest woman in the world. You’ll never stray, and you’ll live life as dutifully as a law-abiding citizen.”