Page 157 of Mated to the Kings

“I gave them what they deserved,” I whispered. “I gave them every bit of pain they gave us. They can’t hurt us again.”

“Thank you,” she says. “Gods, I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Can you do me a favor?” I whisper softly in her ear when I see that everyone else is talking to the guys while Leli and I have our moment.

“What’s up?” she answers softly.

“That woman over there… Take her and put her in a cell. The collar stays on, but no one can know that she’s there. You can tell Vash, but I don’t want anyone asking questions until I find out more. Okay?”

“Okay,” she smiles and nods. “I’ll take care of it and let you know where she is.”

“Thanks,” I say before turning to Dad.

“Hey, baby girl,” he says as he wraps me in a hug.

“I did it,” I say as I hug him back.

“I see that,” he says. “You blew up a whole building.”

“I got a hold on my magia,” I say as I pull away to look at him.

“I’m proud of you, Lilith,” he says, wiping away my tears. “I am so proud of you.”

Striker hugs me next and squeezes me tight. “Remind me not to piss you off,” he laughs.

“Hey. I’m nice,” I say.

“Baby. You just raped two men to death with magic vines. Nice isn’t the word I’d use,” Kael teases.

“I’m sorry?” Dad asks. “You did what?”

“Technically they died of a broken neck,” I shrug and step over to Volis. He seems reluctant to come toward me, so I narrow my eyes at him, and he smiles softly.

“Hey,” he says as he hugs me.

“Hey. I missed you,” I say happily. Emotion sweeps over him, and he sniffs back tears. I look at Striker confused as he hugs me. Striker smiles softly but doesn’t give me any hints as to what is wrong.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, pulling away to look at him. “Is Kira okay? What happened?”

“She’s fine,” he says. “Lilith, I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“For what, Volis?” I ask, confused.

“I knew and didn’t tell you. If I had told you, you never would have gotten taken,” he says tearfully.

“Knew what?” I ask.

“Fermin. I knew he betrayed you. I assumed you knew and didn’t tell you. You went with Fermin, and he took you straight to them. I’m the reason you ended up with…”

“Stop it,” I say, cutting him off. “Stop blaming yourself. Stop torturing yourself. The only ones to blame are Fermin, Zypher, and Morwen. Two of the three are very much dead.”

“I should have told you,” he says again.

“Fine. So it’s your fault. How should I punish you? Hmm? Public hanging or guillotine?” I ask, and Striker laughs. “Come on. Pick. If it’s your fault, tell me how you should be punished?”

“You’re a brat,” he says instead of answering.

“And I’m also right,” I say. “You are not to blame because someone else betrayed me. Where is that scumbag anyway?”

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