“Or nothing,” Coal growled.

Julie shook her head. Her hair flew wildly about her face. “I just need to know one thing. Did you have plans to mate with Scarlet before I came?”

Blast and damn. How did Julie know? He had planned to tell her himself. “Yes, but…”

Julie clutched at her chest. She grimaced, it looked like she was in physical pain.

“It’s not what you think. I can explain…”

“Did your brother, the king…” She sniffed and her eyes were filled with tears.

His heart hurt just looking at her. There were sharp pains inside his chest.

Another sniff. “Did he”—she pointed at Blaze—“command you to win me, for lack of a better word, to go after me and lie to me and…” Her eyes locked with Coal’s. “Twenty-four hours. Is that why you’re being so nice even though I’m a lowly human?” She made a noise that only someone in pain would make.

“No. It’s not like that. I was tasked… yes… but it isn’t like that… It was but—”

“I don’t need to hear any more.” She shook her head. Her eyes looked wild. She wasn’t listening to him. “You’ll just say whatever it takes, won’t you?”

“No.” The word came out sounding agonized. It matched the pain he was feeling inside his chest.

“Yes, you will.” She glanced at him.

“I…” He needed to explain, to make her understand. He had kept some things from her but she had kept many things from him. He’d told her everything that was important and planned on telling her more as time wore on. She wasn’t ready to take in everything at once… clearly. “Julie, I—”

“Save it!” She yelled. Julie turned and walked out the door which was standing wide open.

“Wait. Let me explain. We need to talk!” He shouted after her, feeling helpless.

“Let her go,” Blaze said.

“No!” Coal shouted. “I’ve listened to you enough. I need to…” He growled and followed his female. His dammit. He needed to make her understand.

“Let her calm down first.” Blaze called after him but Coal ignored him. “Save it for behind closed doors.”

“Julie!” He shouted, putting every bit of anguish he felt into her name. he sprinted after her, catching her easily. “We belong together. Please let me explain.”

“There is no we!” She shouted, without turning back.

“Don’t say that.” He felt his heart rate pick up. Maybe his brother had been right about waiting to confront her. Adrenaline surged. He looked around the room.

Torrent stood calmly in the corner.

No!

Hell no.

Coal roared. He had to work to suppress his flames for fear of harming his female. His.

Julie turned so sharply, he almost walked into her. “Let me just tell you something.” She pointed a finger at him.

“Not now,” Coal ground out.