Page 134 of The King has Fallen
“Melek,listen!”I hissed. His eyes—dark, yet lit with a gleam that terrified me—snapped down to me. But the warmth, the joy, theneedwasn’t there with it. I grabbed for his arm. “I can get word back to my people through Turo,” I rushed on, pleading with my eyes that he give me a chance to explain. “That plan, the… alliance. We can set it in motion even now. Or if you would consider taking the lead—”
“No. Yilan, stop pushing. I am not a traitor to my people,” Melek muttered sullenly.
I felt Turo bristle behind me at his dark words, but I stamped my foot.
“You cannot be a traitor to a man who is trying to kill you!” I wanted tothrottle himfor being so willingly blind to the danger he was in.
But Melek leaned in over me, his eyes guileless—and I felt the bond vibrate with the ache of his pain because he didn’t understand what Turo was to me and he was afraid. And Ihatedthat I’d hurt him. But I never imagined that these two would meet, and there’d been no chance to fill Turo in. Not that it mattered, because despite Melek’s honor, it was clear his hackles were up and he was now leaning into his pride.
“I will not be a traitor to God,” he seethed. “And to the honor that brings His blessing. Not to mention thevows I gave to serve,”he snarled, leaning down right into my face.
I sensed Arturo stiffen behind me and fear jolted through me. I couldn’t let them start drawing weapons again!
Melek’s eyes snapped to him over my shoulder and I whirled again, turning halfway to glare back and forth between them,pleadingwith God not to allow these two, wonderful, honorable men to hurt each other.
“Fuckingmenand your fuckingegos!Do neither of you trust me or my judgment in this—or my word? Do you really believe Iwantto get myself killed?”
“Sometimes,” Arturo muttered.
Just as Melek grunted, “Yes.”
They locked eyes again and I literally growled with frustration. “Men! I swear, you will be the death of me.”
“If you don’t beat us to it,” Melek muttered.
I huffed, but suddenly Turo’s voice was blooming in my mind.‘Yilan, what the fuck is going on?’
‘I’ll explain later. But for now, we have to create an opportunity rich environment for chaos, Turo.’
Then I showed him what I needed. The plan I’d been forming for days, but hadn’t quite had the courage to call into action. But now I was left with no choice.
‘You’re brilliant,’Turo sent delightedly.
My stomach sank.‘No. Just cunning.’
His tone on the next words were a warm purr that made me want to scream.‘Brilliant… Cunning… it all lights the fire for—’
‘Not now. This isn’t the time!’I snapped back, far too quickly.
As Melek stared at him, thinking, utterly unaware of our exchange, Turo sighed in my head and grewreasonable.Which was theworst.
‘I’m worried about you,’he said softly.‘You haven’t told the truth here. I understand that you don’t want to speak of it in front of him. I understand that you’re surviving and things have been… truly difficult. But do not fear, Yilan. It changes nothing for me. Whatever you need, whatever time it would take to heal, I only ask that you let me replace some of these dark memories with… something better.’
I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply, half-wishing he could see thewonderfulmemories that swam through my head in response. But knowing it would only make this entire situation even more dangerous.
Unfortunately, he took my silence as affirmation—and now Melek was staring at me because he’d seen me deflate a little and now he was worried too.
Shit.
As I hurriedly considered how to get Melek to agree that we had time and our plans didn’t need to change—yet—Turo was alive in my head, reaching for me, desperate to offer reassurance.
‘I will never turn my back on you, Yilan. No matter what these creatures have done to you. I told you my desire for you was never in the pursuit of power, and I meant it.’
‘I know, Turo—I do. I’m not… there’s just a lot to… explain. And this isn’t the time.’
‘I am here when the time is right.’
‘Thank you. Now please… please just go. Leave, and do as I showed you. Be ready. Always.’
