.Chapter 29-1
Simone
“Absolutely not.”
Kane crossed his arms, looking every inch the stubborn king he was born to be. We’d been going in circles for three hours now, and my patience was wearing thin.
“It’s the only way,” I said for what felt like the hundredth time. “Kellan will try to get inside your head the moment he sees you. We need protection.”
“I don’t need magical interference in my mind.”
“You don’t need to be his puppet either.”
Dash snorted from where he was leaning against the wall. “She’s got a point, man. You want to
walk in there defenseless?”
“I’m not defenseless,” Kane growled, his eyes flashing red for a second.
“Against magic? Yeah, you are,” Janelle said quietly from her spot at the table. She’d been silent through most of our argument, just watching and listening. “Your son’s abilities are stronger than you think. I can feel the residual magic he tried to use on Simone from here, and he’s not even in
the same kingdom.”
Kane’s jaw tightened. “Fine. But I want to know exactly what you’re putting in my head.”
“Mental shields. Nothing more.” Janelle pulled out a small vial of what looked like silver dust. They’ll block magical influence while leaving your natural thoughts intact. For a period of time, of
course.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
Janelle paused, looking at him with those unnervingly perceptive eyes. “Because if I wanted to mess with your head, I would’ve done it already.”
Fair point. Janelle was a very powerful witch, and if she’d wanted to hurt Kane she wouldn’t need his permission to do it.
“Alright,” Kane said reluctantly. “Do it.”
Janelle gestured for him to sit in the chair she’d placed in the center of the room. “Hold still. This
will take a minute.”
I watched as she began to work, her hands moving in intricate patterns above Kane’s head. The
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silver dust she’d sprinkled began to glow, and I could feel the magic building in the room. It made
my skin tingle in that familiar way, and I had to rein in my abilities to keep them from nullifying the
magic.
Kane sat perfectly still, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. He hated this, hated being
vulnerable, hated needing magical protection. His pride was taking a beating, but he was doing it
anyway. For the mission. For his people.
For me.
We hadn’t talked about what had happened in my room two nights ago. Hell, we’d barely looked at
each other since then. I was trying to keep my distance, trying to focus on the mission instead of
the way he made me feel.
It wasn’t working very well.
Janelle’s breathing became more labored as the spell progressed, sweat beading on her forehead. This was taking more out of her than she’d let on. Typical Janelle, downplaying her own limits to make everyone else feel better.
“Almost done,” she muttered, her hands trembling slightly.
The glow around Kane’s head intensified for a moment, then faded completely. Janelle swayed on
her feet, and Dash was there instantly, steadying her.
“I’m fine,” she said, waving him off, but she looked pale and exhausted.
“You don’t look fine,” I said, moving toward her. “Maybe you should rest before-”
“I said I’m fine.” Janelle’s voice was sharp, but then her expression softened. “Sorry, kid. The spell
was more complex than I expected.”
She looked between Kane and me, and there was an odd expression on her face. Knowing.
Curious. Like she’d seen more than just the pathways in Kane’s mind.
Oh goddess. Had she sensed the mate bond?
“Did it work?” Kane asked, standing up and rolling his shoulders.
“Yes,” Janelle said, still watching us with that penetrating stare. “You should be protected from
most forms of mental manipulation now.”
“Most forms?”
“Nothing’s foolproof. But it should be enough to keep Kellan from turning you into his mindless
drone.”
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