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I resume my task. “Why did you fight him?”

He tenses, his expression turning guarded.

“Tell me.”

After a long moment, he sighs. “He said some things about you. Things I didn’t want to hear. So, I hit him, he hit me, and I lost my temper.”

“What did he say?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He averts his eyes. “I overreacted. I’m sorry.”

“Please. I want to understand.”

He stays silent.

“Is that why you thought I was with him?”

“He insinuated that you were with him the other night and implied certain things about what the two of you did.”

No wonder he lashed out. So Jason did it on purpose and even lied to me about it. Probably, so I’d hate Sebastian even more.

“I’m sorry he said those things. They weren’t true,” I say.

His jaw clenches. “I know. But hearing him talk about you like that. I couldn’t control myself.”

I palm his cheek, the roughness of his stubble against my skin like sandpaper. “Please don’t let him provoke you anymore.”

“I know.” He shakes his head. “I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you.”

His words ignite a spark low in my belly, and the possessiveness in his tone should worry me, but it doesn’t.

“No one else has touched me. Only you,” I say.

He tugs me closer. “Princess.”

“I’m yours, Sebastian. Only yours.”

A growl rumbles in his chest. “Say it again.”

Chapter 36

Sebastian

I’m a kid again, running toward the stairs. No, her. Lil. She’s a little girl, all big eyes and long dark hair. A smile spreads across her face.

“Are you a knight?” she asks.

I grab her hand, and suddenly, everywhere is blood. It’s smeared across her knees, her hands, underneath her nails, and on her face, stark and red against her pale skin.

“Are you a princess?”

“Did my Mommy send you?”

I will never let anything happen to her, not in a million years.

I bolt upright in bed, sweat beading on my forehead.

Lil’s eyes meet mine, her brow furrowed. “What’s—”

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