Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(6)
My heart plummeted to the floor, and I clenched my fists in annoyance. I jerked my head over to look at Oren, but he was just as clueless as I was. He shrugged his shoulders, continuing to stare daggers at Alston. “What do you mean you’re part of my protection? I don’t remember telling anyone I wanted you to be a part of it. In fact, I specifically said I didn’t want you a part of it,” I snapped.
His slow growing smile looked triumphant. “Yes, I know, but since Sarette is my cousin and I look out for her, I put in a request to be able to protect her when she’s with you. She was with me when I asked for it, and completely agrees with me.” Gritting my teeth, I stiffened at the thought of my friend betraying me. I was going to kill Sarette for it, too … or at least kick her ass, whichever one came first. Alston continued, “You have a target on your head, as I’m sure you know, and I’m not going to let my cousin get caught in the crossfire without my protection. Wherever she goes with you, I go.” Alston reached up to touch my face, but I smacked it away as hard as I could, making my hand sting with the contact.
He laughed. “I look forward to spending more time with you.”
Oren advanced quickly, but Alston backed up and held his hands up in surrender. “No harm, just a love tap. She knows I like them,” he taunted, winking at my guardian before smiling at me. Oren’s anger was palpable through our bond, but I know he knew very well that I could take care of myself when it came to an old lover.
“The next one won’t be just a tap, Alston. I’m sure you remember how you weren’t smiling after the last time,” I snapped back at him. His smile disappeared, and thankfully, he squelched his next comment and left the training room before things escalated further.
A couple of months ago, he tried one of his many attempts at getting me back. However, all it did was infuriate me, and I ended up giving him two black eyes and a broken nose. Granted, he healed quickly after that, but at least I was able to show him he couldn’t dominate me. I know what made it worse was that we were in front of other warriors when I did it; they never let him live it down.
“Is he going to be a problem, ai dulin?” Oren asked.
Aggravated, I sighed. “When is he not a problem?”
I began walking hastily to the door, determination in each step as I made my way out of the palace. I had someone to talk to and it wasn’t going to be pretty. My best friend was going to pay for what she did to me.
“I don’t like where your thoughts are at. I sense anger, and when you get angry, people get hurt. Where are we going?” Oren demanded, keeping his pace alongside me.
“I have someone I need to talk to, and that someone is going to give me answers, right now!” I exclaimed.
Oren’s chuckle could be heard loudly inside my head. “Let me guess … Sarette.”
Glaring at Oren, I knew my eyes were ablaze with fire. “You’re damn right.”
Sarette had a lot of explaining to do, and she had better come up with a good reason for doing what she had done. Instead of taking horses, Oren asked if I wouldn’t mind walking, thinking it would cool off my nerves the longer it took. Reluctantly, I agreed, knowing very well I tended to do things irrationally when I was pissed.
It didn’t take long to arrive at Sarette’s dwelling once we headed out of the palace and into the village. She still lived with her family most days, but usually she was with me in the palace. Her parents didn’t mind, and neither did mine. They all figured we were safer there anyway, instead of gallivanting out without the protection of the palace walls.
When I tried to knock on the door, Oren stopped my hand from making contact for fear I would knock it down. “Are you serious?” I hissed at him. “I’m not going to beat the door down.”
Oren shrugged. “Better safe than sorry, ai dulin.”
Rolling my eyes, I stood back while Oren knocked twice on the door and then came to wait by my side. Almost immediately, Sarette answered the door with a genuine smile on her face, but when she saw Oren’s expression her gaze quickly landed on me.
“Sorcha, what’s wrong?” she asked, concerned. Sarette pushed through the door and grabbed me by the shoulders, searching my eyes for an answer.
Not wanting to waste time, I cut right to it. “Why did you request Alston to be one of your protectors? You do realize we have thousands of other warriors that would kill to watch over you,” I replied heatedly. “How could you do this to me knowing I try to avoid him as much as possible?”
Her shoulders sagged in defeat. “I know you do, Sorcha, but he told me he’s trying to change. He came by here earlier and went on and on about you, and I felt bad for him. He really wants you back.”
“Bullshit! He may want me back, but I didn’t see anywhere in his demeanor earlier that would tell me he’s wanting to change. He still seems like the same Alston from before; he’s arrogant, demanding, cruel, and manipulative. Do I need to go on?”
Sarette flinched at my words, but I was furious. Her voice was apologetic when she spoke. “I have to believe in him, Sorcha. He’s my family, and the closest thing to a brother I have. You of all people should know how important family is. When he tells me he wants to change, I have to believe him. That’s what family does.”
We stood there staring at each other, waiting for the other to give in. Groaning, I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her. I did understand the importance of family, and I couldn’t help the fact that one of her closest relatives was a dick. Sarette had never really liked my brother, Brayden, so I guess I could see where she was coming from.