Chapter 237
My blood is still boiling as I storm through the halls of my castle, Rhett’s final words playing on repeat in my mind. Mavis. It doesn’t make sense. I trusted her. She cared for Jacinta, cared for Max, and was a part of this family. How could she betray us? And for Rhett? For Clyde?
My mind is racing with questions I need answers to. My body is still slick with Rhett’s blood, the smell of it lingering on my hands, and a few maids shriek upon the sight of me as I stalk up the stairs to Max’s room where I know she will be.
As I approach Max’s room, my keen hearing picks up the soft sound of his laughter. It’s innocent, untainted, oblivious to the danger I’ve unknowingly put him in. But it’s not the laugh that makes my pulse spike–it’s her voice.
Mavis.
I push open the door without knocking, the scene before me stopping me dead in my tracks. Max sits on the floor with a handful of toy soldiers, his little brow furrowed in
concentration as he arranges them in a perfect line. Beside him, Mavis kneels, her hands resting in her lap as she watches over him. She’s smiling down at him, her eyes warm and soft.
For a moment, it almost feels normal. Almost.
“Mavis,” I say, my voice low and cold.
Her head snaps up, and the warmth in her eyes is instantly replaced with confusion. “Your Majesty?” she asks, her tone
Chapter 237
cautious as she rises to her feet. Max looks up at me, innocent blue eyes wide with surprise.
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“Step away from my son,” I command, my voice sharp and firm as my aura rushes out.
Her brow furrows, but she obeys, slowly stepping back. Max looks between us, his small hands clutching a toy soldier as his confusion turns to fear. “Daddy?” he asks softly, his voice trembling. “What’s wrong?”
I don’t have time to explain, not now. I point to the door. “Max, leave the room. Go find Uncle Damian.”
“But-”
“Now, Max!” I command, harsher than I intend, but I need him gone. His safety comes first, and I can’t deal with this while he’s here.
Max jumps at the sharpness in my tone, his little face crumpling in confusion and hurt at the command. Tears well in his eyes, but he doesn’t argue. He scrambles to his feet, clutching the toy soldier tightly as he rushes out the door.
The room feels too quiet now, the tension thick enough to choke on. Mavis sighs and I drop my aura watching her as she moves about the room and stands by the window, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her posture tense. She doesn’t look at me, her gaze instead fixed on the open window behind her. She peers out at the forest.
“You figured it out,” she says, though as she peers out the window, she has a vacant expression on her face.
“How could you?” I ask, my voice low but trembling with
with
Chapter 237
barely contained rage. I take a step closer, and her head snaps. up to meet my eyes. “How could you betray Jacinta? Betray me? Betray Max? She was your sire!” Mavis flinches at the last word. Her eyes turn glassy.
“I didn’t know,” she says, her voice trembling, but her words ignite something dangerous inside me.
“Don’t you dare lie to me, Mavis!” I snap, my voice echoing off the stone walls. Her eyes widen in horror, but before she can respond, the door bursts open, and Damian storms in.
“What’s going on?” Damian demands, his sharp gaze flicking between Mavis and me.
I don’t answer immediately, my jaw clenched so tightly it aches. Mavis shifts nervously, her gaze darting toward the door, but before I can speak, a small voice breaks through the tension.
“Why are you yelling at her Daddy.”
I turn to see Max standing in the doorway, tears streaming down his face. He clutches the toy soldier tightly to his chest, his little hands trembling.
“Max,” I start, but he shakes his head, his sobs coming in short, frantic gasps.
“Don’t hurt her!” he cries.
