Page 58 of A Surrender Of Hope

“Like… a Lady in waiting? That's a thing here, right? Does he have to wear a dress if he gets that title?” Meyer snorts, making Ranger Drakos flip her off.

“Try it, babe. I’ll still be able to kick your ass in a dress and look good doing it,” he says confidently, making Creed burst into a fit of laughter.

“Oh my God, can we do that?” he asks, looking at me as Raz stiffens in the corner where he leans, watching over us. My attention immediately moves to him as he frowns, the shadows around him swirling as he slowly stands and walks toward me.

“What is it?” My magic sparks to life, circling Meyer in under a second as Razar reaches out and tugs her from my arms, confusing me all the more. I let her go, knowing he’s in protective mode and know better than to question him at the moment.

“What?” Meyer asks, moving slowly but willingly away from me as Razar steps her further back until he has her a good ten feet away from me.

“What's going on?” Creed asks, his hand twitching toward his sword strapped at his hip. Valen's head snaps toward the closed door of the room we’re in just as Razar shakes his head, letting me know it's not life-threatening but refusing to release Meyer.

“Oh, shit,” Valen mutters seconds before the door bursts open, the woman's icy glare training on me in an instant, making me sigh and close my eyes as dread fills me. Oh shit is right.

“Veronica,” I state, holding my hand out to stop what I already know will be a harsh and well-deserved tongue-lashing.

“Don't Veronica me,” she hisses as she strides forward, her long, curly black hair looking almost wild, taking me off guard. I’ve known Veronica since we were kids and this is not what I’m used to. Polite, well-spoken, powerful, and kind are all words I would use for my friend and ex-betrothed, but the girl in front of me looks feral and out of control. “Do you think you can break our engagement, and I would simply say okay and move on like nothing happened? That it would be fine with my fathers?” she asks, and I shake my head, trying to calm her.

“No, but I?—”

“No! There is no reason to break our agreement. What the hell, Garthelaun? What did I do to deserve this? I thought we were happy. We agreed to do this together, to rule side-by-side. I’ve been looking forward to your return for months! The moment you returned to the city, I waited for my summons to return to your side, and instead, I get a messenger from your father saying our agreement is void. What did I do to deserve this?” she asks, her voice cracking and making my heart plummet.

This is what I’ve been most worried about since returning home. Veronica and I are friends. Best friends even. I cared for her, to be sure, and was okay with our engagement. I grew up glad to have a level-headed female who would rule at my side and with whom I got along, but I never loved her.

There is no comparison between my feelings for Veronica and Meyer. I would be a fool even to attempt it. Meyer owns everything I am. I am a slave for this girl now and forever; there was no hope for Veronica once she entered my life. The moment Meyer walked through those castle doors, I knew something was about to change. She had ensnared my attention and focus and encompassed my mind and soul. Veronica's fate was set the moment I held Meyer in my arms that first night, threatening her life if she ever tried to run. Not because it was against the Hunter’s laws but because I would have tracked her down if she tried to escape me.

Two guards suddenly rush in, eyes wide with fear as they stare at me and Veronica. “I’m sorry, sir. She was told to leave, but she got past us, and we didn't know what to do,” the one on the left says, grimacing while shifting on his feet.

“It’s fine. You're dismissed,” I say calmly, never moving my attention from the distraught-looking woman before me. The guards dip their heads, relief clear on their faces as they backfrom the room. Valen clears his throat and dips his head to the door, asking if they should leave me to talk to Veronica. I shake my head. As my Legion, they deserve to be here and hear everything firsthand.

“Leave,” Veronica snaps, glaring at my brothers, her nails lengthening as her anger grows.

“No, they stay,” I clip out, earning myself another hateful glare. “As my Legion, this affects them too.”

“Your Legion will not be a part of our mating,” she snarls, her black-green eyes flashing angrily, gold magic crackling at her fingertips.

“There will be no mating, Veronica,” I state, making her anger immediately melt into something worse. Pain.

“Why?” she whispers, tears filling her eyes and making my guilt triple. Fuck I hate hurting her, but she has to understand this is over. “I don't understand. Do you need more time? We agreed to your hundredth birthday, but I can wait longer,” she whispers brokenly, and I shake my head. We had agreed we wouldn't be married or faithful to each other until then. We would both be able to grow and have separate relationships until our official courtship was announced to the kingdom.

“It's not that,” I whisper, stepping forward so I can try to calm her. She reaches for me, and I shake my head again, shoving my hands in my pockets. The idea of any other female touching me besides my mate makes me physically ill. “Our agreement was broken for a reason. I asked my father to let me discuss it with you, which is why the message didn't elaborate as to why. I planned to come over later this afternoon to tell you, but the official letter had to be delivered before that so your fathers could be present if they deemed it necessary.”

“What reason? There is nothing but…” she pauses, her dark eyes widening in stunned horror as she looks around the room, her gaze falling on Meyer for the first time since entering.“You didn’t,” she whispers, her eyes never straying from my mate. I hold back my growl and instinct to step protectively between the two women. It would only provoke Veronica and might put Meyer in more danger. Meyer surprises me when she doesn't react, her eyes staying locked with Veronica’s, her hands clenched, the presence of another woman so close to me probably chafing at the mating bond, but she doesn't show it.

I reach for her emotions, attempting to soothe her jealousy and frustration, but I’m surprised at the flicker of sympathy she’s giving Veronica. I sigh, knowing I need to improve my attitude toward my brothers. If Meyer can handle my ex showing up with grace and sympathy, then I need to try more to be better for her and learn to share.

“Her? But she’s a human! You can’t be serious, Garthelaun!” Veronica suddenly rages, and I almost chuckle when that small amount of sympathy suddenly dissolves into outrage.

“Half-human,” Meyer mutters under her breath, making Valen smirk as he crosses over to her. His hand wraps around Meyer's wrist to hide the red mark so Veronica doesn't see it. We need to figure out a way to magic it so no one but my Legion can see it to keep her protected for the remainder of our stay.

“I am more than serious, and you will show my mate and your Princess more respect,” I demand, adding a whip of my dominance to my words. Veronica stumbles back, gasping in shock, tears flooding her cheeks as she glares at me before her attention swings back to my mate, a snarl forming on her lips. Fear is a bitter taste in the air around us as she keeps her distance from me. I’ve never used my magic on her or demanded her submission before. I never had to before. Veronica gave it willingly, something I appreciated until Meyer fought me for the first time.

I never realized how boring the simpering and ass-kissing from everyone was until my Little Demon crashed into my lifeand gave me a run for my money, making me work and bleed for her attention. I don't want Veronica's fear; it's something I hoped I never had to come to know on a personal level, but if she continues to look at my mate like that, fear will be the least of her problems.

“This is a mistake, and you know it! That girl will never be strong enough to rule at your side. Your father must be mad to allow such a mating. Your mother will never accept her!” Veronica snarls, stepping toward Meyer with a growl, eyes flashing gold as her magic starts to grow. I can feel Veronica’s shift in emotions, the hurt spiraling into something much darker as she stares at my Mate, and I know my hope for a peaceful resolution will not be happening. Veronica is now a threat I will have to remove.

Before I can take a step forward, Razar has already pushed Meyer into Valen’s arms and has a hand wrapped around Veronica's slim throat—his beast close and had already sensed the danger before I informed him of it.

“Release me!” Veronica snarls, her fear tripling as she looks to me for help. Knowing her intentions were deadly, I find it hard to call Razar off. The urge to rip my ex to shreds courses through me and I can feel my Demon form press forward, my claws lengthening as I step between Meyer and Veronica.

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