"Don't go!"
His mother stepped in front of him the moment they entered the castle. Her eyes were wide with fear and brimming with tears. Both hands stretched out, as if to bar him from taking another step away. She was terrified—her mate had done so much to her only son that she now suffered nightmares, anxiety, and a constant dread that he would hurt Malachi again whenever he summoned him back to the main castle.
Malachi's gaze softened at his frightened mother. What else did she want him to do but be obedient—if only until he found a way to end his father for good?
"I have to go, Mother," he said gently. "Unless he comes here—something I might not be able to stop, given that I'm meant to protect you both."
"Caspian"—Io's voice trembled—"that old bastard might be lying. There's no way a witch could tamper with a boundary spell you placed." One done by an half-God, she wanted to add.
His mother's heart raced as he turned away.
