Forbidden Honor (Dragon Royals #1)(77)

“What happened to you?” I blurted out.

“I have zero interest in discussing my extracurricular activities with you.” Jaik sounded more cross than ever.

Although that was no surprise at the moment, since he had to be in a lot of pain. When he shifted, white bandages were briefly exposed at the neck of his tunic, as if he had broken ribs.

“Why don’t you have the physician heal you?”

He snorted. “I’ll have the physician save his juice for you. You’re in worse shape than me by the end of training.”

Well, he sounded glib as ever. But it wasn’t true. He looked as if he’d been beaten even worse than Branok or Lynx usually did to me. And on top of that, I didn’t understand why he was unhealed unless … maybe there was an enchantment preventing the physician from healing him.

My white-hot rage at what happened in the tunnels suddenly warred with concern he didn’t deserve.

“We need to talk. I’d like to hear your side of what happened on Friday night.” I sat down stiffly just outside their little knot.

The distance between us felt vast. The four of them clustered around Jaik as if they were protecting him. The intrepid leader who bossed us all around so mercilessly was someone they felt the need to protect at the moment.

And why did that make me soften toward them all, just a little?

“My side?” Jaik’s voice came out dangerously cool, no matter how red and swollen his lower lip. The healed-over cut split open again, and he staunched it with the bloodstained handkerchief he clutched in one hand.

“Why did you lock me into the labyrinth?” My voice came out level.

Branok leaned forward, his gaze blazing, blocking me from Jaik. “Why did you violate my sister?”

The word violate jolted me, stole some of my anger. “So it was revenge then. Did you plan to kill me?”

“Kill you?” Jaik asked from behind Branok. He rested his hand on the other man’s shoulder, and when Branok glanced toward him, they shared a look.

The next moment, Branok leaned back, resting one booted foot on the bench ahead, his posture relaxed. It was a lie, but these men lied very well. He stared fixedly ahead as Jaik faced me.

“That was the same little game we have all played after our first shift.” Jaik’s tone was mild. “It’s a simple game compared to what the Elders will put you through, so I hope you won’t always be so dramatic.”

I’d have punched him in the face, but someone had already done that for me, quite thoroughly. “Where did the monster come from?”

Jaik’s gaze sharpened. “What?”

Every face was turned toward me now, even Branok’s. Maybe they hadn’t known. But the bastards were so hard to read.

“After you assholes locked me into that Labyrinth, I discovered I wasn’t alone.”

It was hard to see Jaik’s expression on his damaged face, but I could’ve sworn there was a spark of curiosity. Maybe even concern.

“This is new information to you? Did you know that there would be a hybrid loose with me?”

They scoffed. Jaik looked doubtful. “Hybrids? Really?”

Lynx leaned forward, studying my face, before he asked, “A hybrid? Are you sure?”

“Wouldn’t you know?” I couldn’t stop staring at Jaik. “You’re the one who trapped me in the labyrinth.”

Branok and Lynx wanted me dead, but they would follow Jaik’s lead.

“Let’s go see this monster.” Jaik rose abruptly even though the instructors were beginning to speak at the front of the amphitheater.

“It’s a corpse now.” Pride threaded my voice. I couldn’t hide it.

“I’d expect nothing less from a dragon shifter.” Jaik’s voice was bored, stealing my thunder.

“You want to just leave the academy in the middle of the day?” I demanded.

Talisyn said, “You’re not a very good student anyway, Lucien.”

As the six of us strolled out of the amphitheater, every gaze turned our way—student and instructor—and there was a murmur of voices, but nobody stopped us.

While we descended the dark stairs that led down to the tunnels, a muted, shivery feeling came over me. My fingers clutched the metal bannister so tightly it bit into my skin as I turned and turned and turned around the spiral stairs. The air grew steadily colder, but I felt flushed and cold all at once, sweat beading along my hairline.

“You look a little white,” Branok observed. He was always watching and he was too damn good at seeing.

“Last night wasn’t my best night,” I said lightly, but the truth of that statement was in the constant, desperate drumbeat of my heart.

As we threaded the tunnels, I hung back, falling behind the others. I wouldn’t risk being trapped again. Branok cursed when he waded into the cool water that flooded the passage up to our knees. Jaik glanced at me, as if he wanted to say something, but left me alone.

Talisyn stayed by my side and tried to make small talk, but I couldn’t stand it. Not when I was so close to the spot where he’d betrayed me.

His usual amusing prattle in that low, honeyed voice was making me murderous at the moment, and I raised my hand to stop him. “Can you please pause the incessant chatter?”

Talisyn stared at me, and a lead weight dropped into my stomach. He’d used that same phrase, incessant chatter, when he was comforting Honor.