Page 32 of Snowed in: With the Alien Tentacle Monster

Will understand, Valen's thoughts interrupted.Or they won't. But I won't sacrifice what we have for political convenience.

Through their connection, Logan felt the truth of it. Felt how Valen's duty to his people paled in comparison to the bond they shared. Not just the chemical connection that had started it all, but everything that had grown from that beginning, everything that was still growing between them.

The warmth of their shared consciousness enveloped them both, until Logan felt something change. A creeping coldness spread through their connection, like poison in his veins.

Was that his own doubt manifesting again?

No.

Alarm spiked through Valen, and so it also spiked through Logan.

Something's wrong, Valen's thoughts came urgently.Logan, something's?—

The cold intensified, driving into Logan's mind like needles of ice. He tried to pull away, but he couldn't move, couldn't even open his eyes.

What was this?

What was going on?

Father, no!Valen's mental voice rang with horror.What are you doing?

The King's presence manifested in their shared consciousness, vast and ancient and cold as deep space.What must be done. The bond can only be severed by death.

No! No! Logan felt his thoughts beginning to numb, memories growing distant and unreachable. Jeff's face. His parents. The snowman he'd built with Valen.

Get out!Valen's consciousness wrapped around Logan's, trying to shield him. It felt warm. Not warm enough.You can't do this!

I can, and I must, the King's thoughts came with implacable certainty.For our people. For the alliance.

The cold pressed deeper. Logan couldn't breathe, couldn't think. His heart was slowing, each beat more labored than the last. He felt Valen's panic, his desperate attempt to fight back against his father's power, but the King was too strong.

Logan!Valen's thoughts were frantic.Stay with me. Focus on my voice.

But the cold was everywhere now, seeping into every corner of Logan's mind. He was fading, falling into that crushing darkness.

Through their connection, he felt Valen's desperation turn to rage. Raw, primal fury that burned through their shared consciousness like a solar flare.

You will not take him from me!

Valen's mind surged against his father's presence, no longer defensive but attacking. All his life, Logan suddenly knew, he'd been the obedient son, accepting his father's power, his authority. But not now. Not with Logan's life slipping away.

The King's surprise rippled through their connection.You dare!

I dare, Valen's thoughts thundered.Get. Out. Of. His. Head.

Each word came with a mental blow that drove his father back. The King's power faltered, his iron grip on Logan's mind beginning to crack. Logan felt Valen's strength flowing through him, pushing back the killing cold.

You are not strong enough, the King snarled, but there was uncertainty in his mental voice now.

I am strong enough to protect what's mine, Valen's consciousness blazed brighter.You taught me that, Father. You taught me that a ruler protects what belongs to them. Logan is MINE.

With a final surge of power that felt like it might shatter Logan's skull, Valen drove his father out of their connection. The King's human form staggered backward, blood streaming from his nose, his perfect features twisted in shock and pain.

Logan collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Valen's tentacles held him close, both of them shaking from the aftermath of the mental battle. Blood dripped from Valen's nose, iridescent and bright.

"Impossible," the King whispered, pressing one hand to his temple. "You were never this strong."

"I never had something worth fighting for," Valen's voice was raw, dangerous. "If you ever try to harm him again, I will notshow mercy. Not even to you, Father, and then I will tell every family in the alliance how the great King tried to murder his own son's mate. How's that for diplomatic relations?"

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