Page 82 of Guarded
“Fine.” Micah sniffed. “But I’m staying with you.”
I stiffened. “No.”
Micah smirked. “You do know I’m your superior, right? You can’t really tell me ‘no.’”
I rolled my eyes. “I’d believe that if I hadn’t watched the twins mouth off to you every opportunity they got.”
Micah patted my knee. “You’re not alone, Noah. You have Juniper, yes, but you have the Seraphim too. Let me be here for you, please.”
I faltered. Maybe it’d be nice to have Micah here. He was at least as powerful as me. It could be useful having another pair of hands for when Lyle decided to?—
My thoughts were cut off by the male in question sitting up with a groan. His cruel eyes found me immediately. “Got another bloke in here already? I wouldn’t botherif I were you. His hole is so fucking loose at this point, it’s not worth it. He’s just a desperate slut, wanting to be used.”
Micah stiffened as light began to pulse around his hands. “How dare you?—”
The door opened and Atlas’s big form appeared. He noted Micah’s powers immediately. “Everything okay?”
“Outside,” I said, getting to my feet and shoving Micah towards the door. “Now.Please.”
I didn’t know if it was my words or the desperation in my tone, but Micah listened. I followed him into the hall, closing the door behind us. Atlas couldn’t match my power, but he could cope with Lyle for a few minutes.
“Don’t,” I pleaded as Micah opened his mouth. “I know. Whatever you’re going to say, I already know.”
Micah’s throat bobbed. “You can’t let him speak to you like that.”
“He’s not in his right mind. You saw—he didn’t even know who you were.”
“That doesn’t make it okay, Noah. You need to protect yourself too. Why are you putting up with it now? The council will execute him when they learn of his state. Why not just let that happen?”
I explained the conundrum quickly. About how Lyle had safeguarded his destiny by ensuring Juniper would pay the price.
Micah’s face was like thunder. “Okay…but I don’t understand why you need to be the one guarding him and listening to his bullshit. Did he always talk to you like that?”
I hung my head in shame. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Maybe you need to. Does Jeremiah know about Lyle?”
I shook my head. “I haven’t told him yet.”
“You should.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Let him be there for you.”
My head snapped up. “I’m not going to hide this from him, but this is my burden to carry. I don’t want Lyle sullying anything between Jeremiah and me.”
Micah smiled sadly. “He won’t sully it unless you allow him to. Besides, this is what your mate is for. To help you carry your baggage when it gets too heavy.”
“When you’re bonded, maybe. But I’m not asking him to help me deal with this. I can’t. I don’t want to.” I took a deep breath. “What’s more, I don’t want you to either, Micah. I appreciate your offer, but I want you to leave.”
“And if I say no?”
“Please.” My gaze dropped to the ground as my cheeks flushed. “What Lyle said in there just now is tame compared to some of it. Don’t humiliate me further by being present to hear it. I couldn’t bear it.”
“Noah, there’s nothing he could say that would change my opinion of you.”
“I know, but it’s hard enough already, Micah. I can cope with what he’s saying, but I absolutely cannot cope with you hearing it. Please don’t ask me to do that.”
Micah’s jaw was tight as he studied me. “Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?”
“No.” I smiled faintly. “Please just go back to Nox. I’ll only be a few hours behind you.”
