Crais(58)

“I still don’t understand why they can’t be destroyed. There are plenty of other equalizers now.” Lucas spoke up, although his tone was flat.

I looked at him closely for the first time, noticing how red his eyes were.

“The Seventine and the original seven were created in the dawn of this star system. They are the first and without them balance in general would no longer exist,” Josian said.

“So this Bracentine never told you that your blood was the key to releasing the third and without you the remaining four would have stayed locked in there?” Lucy asked bluntly.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “No, Luce, it conveniently left that part out and there’s no way I would have followed through had I known that information.”

At least I hoped not.

Lucas snorted. “I doubt it, Abby. You don’t listen to much reason when it comes to your mate.”

I faced him, working to keep my face expressionless. I so didn’t have time for his royal ass-ness right now. After a few moments of exchanged glares I decided it wasn’t worth commenting, so I turned back to Josian. My father’s normally jovial face looked – sad. My heart hurt seeing the dull bronze of his eyes.

“I am so sorry, Dad. I hope you aren’t disappointed in me.” I’d never had to worry about letting people down before. “Despite the fact I’d have done almost anything to free Brace, I still don’t understand my complete acceptance of its offer.” I hung my head a little, blinking to stop the guilty tears. “I should have come to you and asked for your help.”

“Stop that right now, Red.” Brace’s anger flooded the room. The air suddenly felt harder to breathe. “The Seventine is a power beyond anything I’ve known. None of us would have stood a chance. It manipulated our melding bond.” He clashed eyes with almost everyone in the room. “Abby’s not to be blamed for this.”

His protectiveness wrapped around me.

“Seriously, is there anyone who doesn’t protect –” Fury’s words were cut short when Brace swung his head to stab her with his gaze.

“Stop talking,” he bit out, his tone low and deadly.

There was something different about Brace now. He’d always been a tough guy, but there was a simmering energy beneath the surface, coiled and waiting to strike.

“Don’t speak to her like that.” Dune stood.

He’d taken two steps toward my towering mate but as Brace shifted his hard gaze Dune halted, his expression torn. I couldn’t blame him. Brace looked downright scary.

“If we’re done with the questions I need some time with Abby. If we don’t cement the melding bond I won’t be able to control my actions,” Brace said, dismissing the rest of the room.

It was clear that he’d reached his limit as he scooped me up in his arms. I couldn’t deny that we needed time to work on our bond. I felt the urge eating away at me also. That of course didn’t stop the heat flooding my cheeks; I was definitely bright red.

Lucy let out the loudest laugh ever.

“Oh, yeah! Abbs is going to get some.” She started doing some weird cheer-dance thing and I wished I was close enough to punch her.

“Shut up,” I hissed.

Brace continued to ignore everyone, turning to leave.

“Brace!” Josian’s terse word halted him, but he didn’t turn around.

Surprisingly, the final warning came from someone else.

“I would hate to have to kill you so soon after getting you back. So I’m going to assume that you will show her the upmost respect and care. Don’t forget the precious gem that she is.” Lallielle’s gentle voice held a hint of steel.

I peered around Brace’s shoulder to see that Lallielle had one hand on Josian, holding him back. My father looked upset, but as I met his eyes he gave me a slight nod of acceptance.

“Abby is more than a precious gem to me. She is everything,” Brace said before starting to move again.

I blew my parents a kiss as we neared the door. I caught one last glimpse of Lucas. His face looked dark and thunderous. I remembered that he’d wanted to tell us something, but one glance at the stone-like features of my mate told me Lucas’s problem would have to wait.

Brace said nothing as we marched along the hallway of the children’s wing. I didn’t mind. I enjoyed being in his arms and words could wait until we reached the privacy of my room. My door slid open and we stepped through.

He lowered me to the ground before turning and muttering a few words that sent out a shield to settle around the room’s perimeter. He captured my gaze, his expression one of longing and anger.