Because it’s what she wants.
Bullshit. It was what she felt obligated to do.
“I mean…she has a phone,” Dagon drawled with a pointed stare in my direction.
“If he lets her keep her phone,” I snapped.
“He might be an asshole, but he’s not going to take her phone,” Dagon argued. “I’ve known the guy for centuries—”
“And three months ago, would you ever have guessed he would have kidnapped her?” I challenged, catching the dagger by the tip, only to flip it into the air again.
“He has you there.” Ajax sank back in his chair, bracing his massive arms on the oversized armrests.
“Three months ago, I didn’t see Saint pulling a disappearing trick on us and adding familial political ambitions to his bloodmadness.” Dagon raked his hand through his dark blond hair. “We should have killed him.”
“Don’t fucking say that.” Ajax’s eyes narrowed on Dagon.
“You know you’ve thought it, too. If we had just killed Saint five hundred years ago instead of going into stasis, none of this would have happened.” Dagon cast a glance at Samuel. “But he never would have forgiven us.”
“Saint’s choices were and are his own,” Ajax rumbled. “Our decision to go into stasis for the hope of saving him reflects on our character, the same way killing him would have. And say what you want about Saint, but I never…” He shook his head. “I always knew he walked the line,” he glanced my way. “The same way I recognized that you did when we first met.”
I didn’t respond.
If I’d appeared on the edge of bloodmadness when they’d risen, then I could only guess what I would look like in two days when Avi severed the bond.
“But I still don’t know if I could have taken up a weapon against him. He was just as much my brother as yours, Dagon.”
Was, because their Saint didn’t exist anymore.
There had been nothing sane, nothing resembling honor in those bloodred eyes.
“And now?” I asked, catching the dagger again. “Could you kill him now?”
“For what he’s done to Samuel? Absolutely,” Dagon hissed.
“If I saw for myself that he’s truly become one of the monsters that we dedicated our lives to hunting, then yes,” Ajax answered, his brows lowering.
“And do you think he’s going to stroll through those doors the second we walk out of them?” I motioned toward the front of the manor.
Neither of them answered.
“I don’t…” My throat closed, and I cleared it, trying again. “I don’t know how to leave her here, unguarded with that kind of threat hovering over her.” Every cell in my body rebelled against the thought.
“As opposed to taking her home where the Sons target her?” Ajax’s dark eyes bored into mine.
I stopped breathing. There was no way he knew. None. Maybe others had guessed we were sleeping together like Benedict, but I’d held my cards close to protect Avi. I hadn’t told a soul about the mark on her hand.
“They’re only targeting mates.” Dagon crossed his ankle over his knee. “Not that it makes it any better.”
“Mates. Right.” Ajax lifted a brow in my direction. “But I would assume she’s on their list simply for being Alek’s sister.”
I exhaled slowly. “At least we could protect her if she was at the residence.”
Ajax cocked his head to the side. “True, but since it appears Samuel falls under Saint’s protection due to his alliance with the Sons of Honor, I could argue that Avianna is just as safe here as she would be under our watchful eye.” He turned his attention to Samuel, whose hand was still lifted in a wave.
“But you wouldn’t argue that. Would you?” I asked softly.
Ajax sighed. “No. It’s sound in theory, but Saint is too much of a wildcard for me to make that bet.”
“Samuel will protect her,” Dagon muttered. “And Saint has never stepped foot on these grounds. We’ve questioned every servant.”
“Do you ever take a break from defending him?” I sheathed the blade.
“You would do the same for Ransom or Benedict. Don’t lie.” Dagon’s brow furrowed.
“Neither of them would ever put me in a position to defend their actions. Not when it comes to Avianna. Not when it comes to their loyalty to our king.”
A tense moment passed.
“I am loyal to Alek,” Dagon finally said, his voice quiet. “I have turned my back on my best friend for our king. And if I thought Samuel posed a threat to Her Royal Highness, then I would say it.”
“Then tell me he’ll choose her safety over Saint’s,” I demanded softly.
Dagon glanced over at Samuel and then into the flames of the fire.
“That’s what I thought.” I leaned forward, dragging air into my lungs breath by breath. “I don’t know if I’ll be physically able to leave her.”
“You must.” A muscle popped in Dagon’s jaw. “She has made her choice, and it is an honorable one. This union will quiet the dissenters and allow us to focus on defeating the Sons. She’s saving us.”