Page 35 of Exiled Prince

But the tension that’s now in the room gives it all away. Bane is clearly the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on, and I don’t like that. I don’t want him to feel stupid because he didn’t hear this from me. I should have told him, and that’s on me.

I clear my throat. “I know we haven’t had the past-lovers conversation, Bane—”

“Saylor—” Rave warns, but the almost familiar way he says my name gives him away.

The castle windows suddenly slam shut as the wind picks up, the bang making me jump. Bane and I haven’t really spoken about how our magic has evolved after we bonded, which is one of the main reasons some people do because it can share and amplify their magic. For us, it clearly wasn’t about the magic, but I can tell that Bane has gotten stronger. He could probably start a fucking hurricane or tornado if he wanted.

Bane steps toward Rave, who mutters, “Fuck. Here we go again.”

“You shouldn’t have fucked so many females then,” Astrid mutters in a dry tone.

Dark, wispy shadows start to surround Rave, drifting from the floor upward. “The last incident was with August and Soren, not me.”

She sighs, stepping in front of Bane. “Soren makes you look like a saint.”

“You fucked my mate?” Bane snarls in a low, menacing tone. His fists clench at his side. I don’t know who would win in a fight between them, but I do know Rave’s reputation. “Out of all the females in the realm, you touched what’s mine?”

“He didn’t know,” Astrid says gently, putting her hands up. “And I didn’t either. I knew what she looked like from my vision, and I remember Saylor’s brothers mentioning Rave had slept with their sister, Saylor, but I didn’t connect the dots.”

My brothers said what?“Those assholes.” Going around and telling everyone my personal business.

“Step back, Sunshine,” Bane orders, gentling his tone. “Or go back to Chaos. I don’t want you to see this.”

I roll my eyes. “You think I’m leaving you here alone to fight the Shadow King? Bane, I didn’t know you then, and it was just one time. It didn’t mean anything.”

And I wish I saved myself for him.

“Might as well get it all out in the open like August did,” Astrid says between clenched teeth, nudging Rave with her dainty shoulder. “Tell him all of it, Rave.”

“Baby—”

“Rave!”

Wait, what?

No, he’s not going to… is he?

“I took Saylor’s virginity,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Déjà vu,” Astrid mutters.

Okay. Yeah, he is.

And that’s when Bane loses all control, the thread he was holding onto for dear life snapping. The loudest thunder I’ve ever heard crackles in the sky, the sound vibrating through the castle. Through the window, I can see heavy balls of hail the size of my palm crash into the earth.

Lightning strikes a tree in our vision, the tree falling to the grass as it burns.

Bane’s fangs are out, and then he’s charging for Rave before any of us can get a hold of him. Astrid steps in front of Rave at the last second, shielding her mate with her magic.

“Move,” Bane snarls at her, but she shakes her head.

“Fuck!” He tries to get through her shield, but even I can see that’s impossible. “Whenever you want to stop hiding behind your female, Rave, I’m going to fucking gut you.”

Rave wraps his arms around her from behind, looking amused. “I don’t need you to fight my battles, Astrid. But look what it does to me.” He pressed what I’m guessing is his hard cock into her from behind, and her eyes flare, flicking with heat.

“Let’s handle this situation, and then I will handle yours,” she replies, licking her lips. Her long, thick braid sits over her shoulder, the tip of it settling over her breasts. She’s dressed in head-to-toe leather like some warrior queen.

And look, she’s fucking hot.

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