“Your father,” Rowan said.
I nodded.
“Who was he?” Briar’s thumb stilled on my thigh.
Nerves sloshed in my gut. “His identity is why I’ve struggled telling you. It’s… dangerous.”
“Dangerous how?” Maddox asked.
“If the wrong person learned about it, I’d have a target on my head.”
His jaw clicked.
Rowan tapped the dagger strapped to his hip. “If anyone comes for your head, I’ll have theirs removed from their shoulders before they can even blink.”
“And I’ll help.” A hard gleam touched Lake’s purple eyes. His fierce protectiveness showed hints of the lethal hunter he could be if provoked.
“This is something you may not be able to protect me from.”
“Explain,” Maddox said, his demanding tone a clear sign he’d lost all patience. Not that he’d had much to begin with.
A ringing sounded in my ears. The words were right there, but they got caught, just as they had all the other times I’d tried telling them.
“Goddammit, Evan.” He grabbed me by the jaw and forced my face to his. “We can’t help you if you keep us in the dark.”
“I’m scared, okay?” My voice cracked.
Apprehension glinted in his deep blue eyes, and his grip loosened. “Scared of us?”
“No. Never of you.” I took his big hand in mine and pressed it to my cheek. “It’s just… once I tell you, everything will change. And I’m not ready.”
“Whatever burden you’re carrying, let us carry it with you, sweetheart.”
Briar rubbed my thigh again. Encouraging me.
I’d never be ready, but I was out of time. Heart thrashing, I forced out the words. “The kingdom of Haran killed my father.”
“Haran?” Maddox’s hand slipped from my cheek.
“King Silas sent assassins after him and my mom. After me too, I guess. I was just a baby when it happened.”
Briar sucked in a small breath and withdrew his hand, covering his mouth. He studied me, dissecting every inch of my face.
He had put the pieces together.
“You okay, Specs?” Rowan asked.
Lake shifted forward in his seat, purple eyes on our physician.
“Briar?” Maddox’s concern bled into his voice.
“I… I’m fine. I only need a moment to...” Briar took off his glasses and pinched his brow. His breathing was erratic. “That means you’rehisson… but you can’t be. Can you?”
More sharp, shallow breaths. He was having a panic attack.
“Hey.” I rubbed his back. “Breathe, handsome. In. Out. There you go. Focus on the sound of the fire. The little pops and crackles. Inhale. Exhale. Good.”
Briar dropped his hand and stared at me with wide eyes. “How is this possible?”
