You know we have to be on team Talon now, right?

Me

If you back him instead of me, I’m going to really replace you with Stella

Clem

Rude

But you know we’ll side with you to the bitter end

Izzy

*unless you’re risking your life

In which case we’ll support whoever is against you risking your life

Me

He’s staring at the back of my phone like he’s trying to read my messages through it

Love you all

I’ll see you soon

They all echoed the sentiment, and I leaned against the couch cushions, further from Talon.

“Have they decided how they want to kill me yet?” he asked, though his position was relaxed.

“No one’s talking about killing you.”

He lifted an eyebrow at me. “They’re mated to the kings, and I know how those fuckers work.”

“They were considering it until I told them you saved my life. Now, they’re mostly on your side. They’ll pretend otherwise, though.”

“Of course they will.” He looked slightly more relaxed with my admission.

Stella knocked on our door, and opened it up without waiting for us to tell her to come in.

She’d undoubtedly assumed we didn’t need privacy at the moment. And she was right.

“Everyone’s asking about you. Can I tell them you’re fine yet?” she asked, and I realized she was looking at me. “I made them leave the hallway, but they keep bugging me. And texting me.”

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

Talon didn’t correct me, even though he knew I was still in pain.

Stella handed Talon his plate and set mine down on my lap, then stepped around the end of the couch and took a seat between us. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Who said there was a plan?” Talon grunted, ignoring his food and eyeing me around Stella.

“There’s always a plan.” She plucked a vegetable off his plate, and he didn’t swat her hand away. He was too busy watching me to care. Or maybe even to notice.

“We’re going back to Mistwood. I need to see my sisters,” I explained. “Izzy’s lake is basically neutral territory.”

“Izzy’s the one mated to the wolfy bastard?”

“Right.”