Page 161 of Dragon Boss (Paranormal Delights 2)

“Fine,” she whispered. “Of course, I’m fine.”

“And Ezra?”

She frowned. “You remember that?”

Arden nodded. “Bits and pieces of it. There’s a lot I don’t remember, some parts that don’t quite fit. But I remember Ezra falling. Because of me.”

“He’s fine,” Anaya said quickly, taking his hands into hers and holding them tightly. “Resting and on the mend, but fine. I was just in to see him not long ago.”

Arden’s shoulder’s dropped a bit. The fact that Ezra was alive was a miracle. He knew the moment he could get away, he would be groveling to his older brother. And the bastard would never let him live it down, not even for a second.

He swallowed thickly and forced back tears. Arden had been so against going home, but now…now he just wanted to know that Ezra was okay. He would put up with his stupid bullshit and listen to his fabricated stories of heroism if it meant that he was okay.

“Don’t cry,” Anaya whispered as she reached up and swiped tears from his cheeks. “He’s not upset with you. None of us are.”

“Why?” Arden asked, his brows pulling together as he stared at her. “Why is it that notoneof you will put this on me?”

Anaya tilted her head at him. “Isn’t that obvious, Arden? Because we love you,” she said. “And because you already put too much shit on your shoulders. You don’t need us to add more to it. You’ve always been your own worst enemy.”

Maybe she was right.He couldn’t stop thinking about all the ways he could have prevented tragedy and stopped himself from spiraling out of control. And each time he did he saw his men, standing around him, hurt and bleeding and half-dead.

He would carry that weight for a long damn time. Maybe he wanted to be punished for not being…more for them.

“What about Justice? I killed her brother,” Arden pointed out. “She’s probably pissed.”

“You wish.”

Arden gazed up as Justice walked down the hall. The long, flowy dress she’d worn the day before was replaced with a pair of cotton slacks and a top that was tied at her waist. Underneath he peeked at a bandage wrapped around her midsection. There was a scar on her cheek and she favored one leg, but she was the same old Justice.

“Anaya the contractors have arrived to do a proper assessment. You know this place better than anyone. Could you go down and meet with them?”

The queen nodded. “Yes, of course.” She stood on the tips of her toes and Arden met her halfway. Her kiss against his cheek was warm and comforting. “Oh and when they’re better I have a few choice words for those mates of yours,” she growled.

Arden straightened up and let out a laugh. “I’m sure you do.”

Once she was gone, Justice faced him. She reached out a hand and patted him on the arm.

“Stop looking at me like I’m going to eat you,” she said. “Yes, I know what happened.”

“And?” Arden asked.

Justice stood up taller. “My brother was a traitor to the crown decades ago. Sleeping with the enemy? He already knew that was a no-go. I’m saddened that he lost a child, but if he had been honest from the start something might have been able to be done,” she frowned as she stared off into the distance. After a moment, she shook her head. “I keep envisioning a million different ways this could have gone if he’d simply followed the rules. Or talked to me. Orsomething.”

“I’m sorry,” Arden said.

She waved a hand. “We all make our own decisions. I wish Janek would have turned away from his, but he didn’t. There was plenty of time for him to change, but he didn’t want to.” She sighed and pushed her fingers through her hair. “But I don’t wish to speak about Janek. Not now. Maybe not ever.”

“Justice…”

“That’s not why I wanted to speak to you,” she said with a sigh as they started to walk together slowly. “Havenwood is a mess right now. The people are unsure and everything is shaky. Our plan before was risky, but now it’s downright impossible. Even if they realize what’s going on, the peopleneedto see you here. And not for a few days, but enough so that their faith is renewed. Not to mention we need to make connections with more clans and fortify ourselves. I don’t know about you, Arden,” she said as she leaned on a windowsill and peeked through a heavy curtain. “But I’ve had enough war.”

“Me too.”

“Good,” she said as she spun on her heels. “Then help me rebuild this place and secure peace. And start training again.”

“No-”

“I’m not asking,” Justice cut in. “That much is non-negotiable. What happened last night is because you’ve rejected your dragon for so long. I can’t unleash you on the world when you have no self-control,” she said seriously, her dark eyes cutting into his soul. “We know the law. An untamed dragon can never leave this place. So, until you learn to be in sync with your dragon this is where you’ll stay.”

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