She shoved against his chest, knowing in her heart his anger wasn’t directed at her, but his daggered words drew blood all the same. “Don’t be an ass, Jaren, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what is it? Are you afraid your father will disapprove of you because of me?” He snapped, teeth bared on the last word.

“He will disapprove of her simply because of her human qualities. As will most others,” Dedryn interjected.

She flinched, turning in Jaren’s hold. Of course, he would. The happiness and hope she’d felt on the trip to Bhasura shriveled and died. She didn’t fit in anywhere. She was too Magyki for Aleron, yet too human for Bhasura.

Noticing her reaction, something like regret flashed across his eyes, and Dedryn rotated his jaw like he had a bad taste in his mouth. “I only meant that King Vesstan will be conflicted about finding out where you’ve been all this time.”

She nodded, trying to step out of Jaren’s arms only for his hands to lock around her waist. “I know you said we’re in a hurry, but what did you mean?” she asked, darting a look to Jaeros. “When you asked him if he’d told us?”

Jaeros shifted closer to Dedryn, eyeing Jaren nervously. “King Vesstan is not aware you are mated.”

“Because he thought I was dead?”

“Because we never told anyone.”

Jaren’s nails dug into her sides, hard enough to break skin if she hadn’t been wearing a tunic. They’d never told anyone?

“I don’t understand.” It didn’t make any sense. They’d made him daggers, for fuck’s sake! And King Vesstan had personally sent Jaren to Aleron. Right?

Her next words spewed from her like word vomit, coming out more like an accusation than a question. “Why would you not tell your King your son had mated to his daughter? You were obviously proud about it,” she added, gesturing to where Jaren’s daggers lay.

Nothing. Not a single flicker of emotion. “We do not have time to hash out everything for you right now. You’ve been requested, and it’s only a matter of time before servants start wandering this way, more than happy to eavesdrop.”

“Then I suggest you answer her question a little fucking faster,” Jaren growled from behind her. His tone promised blood, but she could feel what lay under it, the truth he could no longer hide from her even if he tried. He hadn’t known. Yet another secret to add to the ever-growing pile pressing down on him.

“To protect you and my aitanta,” Dedryn snapped, irritation finally clawing through. “Use your head, Jaren. What do you think King Vesstan would’ve done if he’d have known you were with her? That we were with her? I serve my king, but I protect my family first.” He glared at his son, daring him to contradict his claim.

Feeling Jaren’s fury boiling beneath his skin, she caught him the second he lunged around her, aiming for Dedryn. Slapping both hands on either side of his face, she yanked him down to her level, forcing him to make eye contact.