Page 66 of Protected By the Fae King

“Come on,” he growled. “It’s not safe for you to be here. Let’s get you back to the palace. How is Jace letting you run around without guards?”

“NO!” I shrugged my brother aside, and he blinked, shocked by my response. “I can’t go back to the palace.”

Saint eyed me. “What did you do now, Elix?”

I scoffed angrily and blinked away my upset. “I’m evil, remember? Jace isn’t going to want me there, Saint. It’s too risky to have someone like me around there.”

He snorted. “You’re underestimating him.”

“No, I’m not,” I growled flatly. “You didn’t see his face when he confronted me.”

My brother regarded me blankly, but understanding began to formulate on his face slowly. “Was he upset?” he murmured.

“That’s putting it lightly.”

“Why?”

“He thinks we misled him.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Saint said quietly.

“Not really,” I barked. “You kind of knew all along. You did mislead him.”

“Even so, we’ve known each other our whole lives,” he answered. “The only thing that’s changed lately is you going there. Have you done something to him?”

I said nothing, turning my head away.

“Elix!”

“I haven’t done anything to him,” I grouched.

“If you’ve been keeping your distance, there’s no reason for him to worry about you.”

“I haven’t been keeping my distance,” I interjected, peeking at him over my shoulder, wondering if I was going to have to spell it out for him.

“How much time are you two spending together with this fake engagement? I know you went to Ironhelm. I guess I can see why he’s taking it badly…”

“Oh, for the love of all the gods, Saint, we’ve been together. The relationship—it’s not fake,” I blurted out. “He’s angry because we’re together.”

My brother’s face paled. “What?!”

I inhaled. “Don’t worry. I’m sure that’s over now. He was disgusted with me. Not that I can blame him.”

Saint drew closer to me and grabbed my arm, yanking me toward the door.

“What are you doing?!” I demanded, pulling free of him.

“You’re going back to the palace where you’re supposed to be, where Jace promised to keep you safe and protected,” he growled, snatching his keys back from the table.

I shook my head vehemently. “No! No way, Saint. He doesn’t want me there. Trust me.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what he wants. He made me a promise, and he broke it—and violated my trust in the worst possible way in the process.”

I groaned loudly. “Oh, don’t go all protective older brother on me now.”

“Now?” Saint arched an eyebrow. “I’ve done nothing but try to keep you safe your whole life, Elix. Maybe you’ve been too stubborn to notice, but that’s literally been my entire purpose. Come on. Let’s go.”

I shook my head again, holding up my hands as I backed away. “No. No, I can’t go back there, Saint. You didn’t see the way he looked at me. It’s over between us, and even if he was willing to overlook this, I’m not sure I can.”

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