A Wish Upon the Stars (Tales From Verania 4) - Page 80

“Sidekick,” Gary said, eyes narrowing. The air around him began to sparkle. “Who you callin’ sidekick, you little piece of—”

“The fact remains,” Justin said smoothly, “that I didn’t take what you’d gone through into consideration. I can’t imagine the pain you must have felt. And that was wrong of me. I’m sorry for that and ask that you one day consider forgiving me.”

The glitter disappeared as Gary blushed, looking down at the table and giggling. “Oh, you. As if I could ever stay mad at you.”

I glanced between the two of them. “What is even happening right now?”

“Don’t look so surprised,” Gary said like an asshole. “Just because the Prince of Verania wants to get up all in my bidness doesn’t mean you need to be jealous. You already have Justin’s castoff. What more could you possibly need?”

“Castoff?” Ryan exclaimed.

“Whoa,” Justin said, looking alarmed. “That’s not—”

“You trying to get yourself some ’corn?” Kevin asked, tongue flicking out dangerously. “You must got some big ol’ hairy balls trying to do that in front of his husband.”

“Ex-husband on a trial reconciliation,” Gary reminded him. “As far as I’m concerned, if a better deal came along, I wouldn’t say no.” He batted his eyes at Justin. “And it looks like one just did. Tell me, Justin. Just how rich are you? Not that it matters, of course. Except for how much it matters to me.”

“I have nothing,” Justin reminded him. “Because it’s all at the castle. Remember the escaping and the running and the hiding?”

“Riiiight,” Gary said. “Well, then. Justin, I’m sorry to say that we won’t work out. I ask that you respect my decision. Kevin! Good news, I’m considering you again!”

“Oh, happy day! Suck it, Justin!”

“You know what?” Justin said. “Doesn’t even matter. The point I was trying to make is that no one should ever have to suffer like you did.”

“That’s very kind of you, Prince,” Terry said. Such a kissass. “If only others felt the same way. There are people out there who don’t care. They try and take what isn’t theirs because they get all crazed with power.”

“I didn’t trust humans,” Kevin said quietly. “Not after what they’d done to me. Trying to take my hearts or my blood because of my magic.”

“People like Ruv,” I said bitterly.

Everyone turned to look at me. Vadoma’s expression was troubled.

“What about him?” Mom asked.

I looked down at the table at the map of the home that had been taken from us. “That day…. Shit.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “That day. In the house in Lockes. With Caleb. And Ruv. And Myrin.” I glanced at Lady Tina, whose eyes were wide and fearful. “I never said anything because there were other things more important going on.” Like the death of my mentor, but I didn’t say that aloud. “But that’s how I was trapped. Why I couldn’t fight back. Ruv had stolen dragon’s blood from Zero. There were… symbols. In a circle, written in Ze

ro’s blood. The moment I stepped inside, I was stuck. Ruv had taken something from Zero and used it as a weapon against me. I couldn’t stop Ruv from… when he—and Myrin—”

Ryan’s hand was on my shoulder, squeezing tightly, grounding me in a way that I’d missed. It felt different than it had before, but that made sense. I wasn’t the same person.

“And I know you’re asking me to trust you all, and I do, but what happened that day, what was taken from me, that’s…. I won’t trust her. She might stand at your side, but I’ll never let her have my back in case that’s where she decides to stick the knife.”

Lady Tina’s face hardened. “I don’t know how else I can—”

Justin held up his hand, and she fell silent. She looked frustrated and a little scared, but she appeared to listen to the Prince. “I get what you’re saying, Sam,” he said. “I really do. And I promise you that I’ll listen to your concerns. Always. But I need everyone here for what’s ahead. Okay? I asked you to trust me, and I meant that. I would never do anything to put those you love in harm’s way.”

I almost believed him. It must have shown on my face, because he sighed and shook his head. “We’ll come back to that. But first, Gary. Who was it that stole your horn?”

Gary looked a little startled. “Oh. Keith.”

“Keith,” Justin repeated.

“Keith.”

“And this… Keith. Where is he now?”

“Dead.”

Tags: T.J. Klune Tales From Verania Fantasy
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