Page 81 of Knowing Trust

I gave her a gentle hug. “Then you don’t make big decisions, twit. You just heal and hang the fuck on, okay? Just get better and we’ll figure this out the best we can.”

Colton gave me a grateful look and took over for me.

I was glad when the other commanders were watching as I approached them to leave. I lowered my voice as Stefanie sought comfort in her mate. “Spread the word that if anyone mentions her retirement or being out like she’s fucking roadkill after saving the life of the future queen, I will demote and toss people out myself.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Talila accepted. “I’m sorry our worry and fear made us heartless. Again.”

I might have said more, but I saw the fear in her eyes. Stefanie was what every fairy feared. Death was preferable to some fairies than losing their wings or flight.

Yeah, they said that, but fucking wait until they were in the situation and be better people so maybe it wasn’t so difficult for those who suffered.

I actually blew off classes, wanting to talk to Hudson.

He just opened his arms for me when he saw me, hugging me tightly. “I think I have the answer if you give me a bit of time to talk to you.”

“Always. Always, beastie. I heard your upset, and I agree that we need to change things. I do. I just don’t know how and—”

“I do, shorty, and your dad likes the idea,” he whispered as he kissed my hair.

I sagged against him, relieved someone had the answer, and… It was so fucking difficult being the boss and always having to handle it all.

We met up with my dad and got some food, talking through the idea as we ate. It was perfect. It was exactly what I was looking for… Except one thing.

One very big thing.

“No, we’re not asking Iolas to do that,” I argued.

“He will never betray you,” my father argued.

“Great, I’m glad to hear it, but—he’d do it out of loyalty, Dad. He needs to live his life and stop living for our family,” I said gently. “First it was being Mom’s best friend. Then being in love with her. Now it’s for me because he loved her and his guilt—enough.”

“I agree,” Hudson muttered. “And I don’t even know that position needs to be the same. I think it just needs to be better separated and—I want them to answer to me as Tam’s advisor. It’s all too intermingled.”

“Agreed.” I gave my dad a look that I did agree. “But we can change it. If this doesn’t work—everything is not all or nothing. We can adapt and learn from our mistakes. Do better going forward. Okay?”

“Yes, yes, okay, well, I hope you assign that to Iolas or he is the one who reports to your mate in that way.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. I nodded and squeezed it back. Clearly, he’d been affected by the attack as well.

I fully understood. I really did.

And it was time to end this threat against me.

I just had to figure out how.

22

Friday night was an event at Artemis to blow off some steam before finals. It was like an informal Power Playoffs but for the master’s students… And clearly, I was exempt. Funny after how many times I’d been forced to compete and participate and now people made sure I was excluded.

It also wouldn’t be fair given I could easily take on everyone in the stadium, so I just wanted to enjoy the time off and support Izzy.

So of course, shit had to go wrong.

Edelman had just finished with the introductions and thanking everyone for the livestream when I felt something off. And I wasn’t the only one from the way some of the faculty glanced around.

But what did we have in common or what would we sense that others wouldn’t?

It hit me the same time every fairy in attendance dropped, magic knocking them out.

The barrier. We felt the magic in the barrier change.

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