True did not have time for this shite.

Thus, he looked to Elena.

“Take them away,” he ordered.

Her attention came to him and her face gentled.

“True,” she said softly.

“Take them.” He turned to Serena. “And you. Take them safe to the castle. And I’m trusting the both of you.”

Serena looked to Chu.

Chu nodded.

Serena nodded back and moved toward the door.

True stared for a moment at her easy compliance before he turned to Elena to see her gaping at her sister.

He then gave his attention to his wife.

“Go,” he said gently. “Go home. Please.”

She gazed up at him for a long, heavy moment before lifting her hand and resting it on his cheek, any residual fury dying from her eyes as she studied his features.

“I will await you in our chambers,” she whispered.

He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, brought her palm to his lips and kissed her there before he held that hand to his chest and urged, “Try to rest as you do.”

She continued to study him as if hoping his expression would change and he would share this was all a hoax, all was well, and they could enjoy the rest of their wedding day—and night—as they had planned.

He could not do that.

All he could do was hold on to his own fury long enough to be sure his wife and her friends were away.

And only then would he unleash it.

Again.

“Go,” he prompted.

Her eyes dropped to his hand. He noted when she saw his bleeding knuckles, but her gaze merely danced with gold fire before she gave him what he desired.

She pressed her hand into his chest, leaned in and touched a kiss to the underside of his jaw.

She then pulled away, looking deep into his eyes before she nodded and turned.

The women moved with her.

True looked to Wallace and Luther.

“They are safe to the castle, then you both come back,” he commanded.

He got nods and his men followed the women.

When they were gone, True looked to Mars.

“Do you need your men?” he asked.

“They’d be useful.”

“Are they here?”

“Outside.”

True turned to a guard. “Get the Trusted.”

That guard moved instantly.

“Chu,” Mars called.

But Chu was already striding to the men that the guards were again arranging on their knees on the floor.

Chu did not look thrilled with his task, he did not look like he dreaded it.

He looked nothing.

Expressionless.

Emotionless.

As if what he was about to do meant naught to him.

True had noted this of Mars and his men when they’d been at work in the necropolis in Fire City after the last attack.

And then, as now, he thought if he was in the opposite position, that impassiveness would be the most terrifying of all.

Cassius coming to stand on his one side, Aramus on the other, Drakkar and Ulfr flanking either side, they crossed their arms on their chests.