Page 132 of Hero of Havoc

“Oh, sweet Ivy. I always hoped you would learn of my accomplishments one day,” he says with a wide, prideful smile, and I grimace.

“I can’t say I’m happy,” I reply honestly, and Archer discreetly shuffles me to his other side, his palm warm against mine.

“I’ve only ever had good intentions when it comes to you,” he promises, but Archer’s hand turns to ice against my skin, and I gulp.

“Are you working with Leonardo Corrigan?” I ask, and he nods.

“With honor,” he vows, and my chest tightens.

Nothing scares me more than someone so in the wrong who profoundly believes they’re in the right.

“What is your plan here tonight?” Archer asks, and Dorian shakes his head.

“I like talking to her instead.”

Heat forms at Archer’s touch.

Reluctant to give in to him, I exhale slowly before repeating Archer’s original question. “What is your plan here tonight?”

“The same plan as every Rejuvenating Ceremony; I check in with my… aids.”

The people he’s referring to don’t move; they remain on their knees with their heads dipped, seemingly oblivious to the confrontation going on around them.

“And what is it they aid you with?”

“Helping Leonardo, of course.”

“What does he need help with?”

“You.”

My eyebrows rise as Archer’s hand remains warm against mine. “Why do I have anything to do with any of this?”

He shakes his head. “You didn’t accept the relic,” he states, his eyes widening and his pupils blown.

“I didn’t need to. The Fates showed me instead.”

“No they didn’t.”

“They did, I⁠—”

“They didn’t show you what was in the relic because there was nothing in the relic,” he snaps, his face reddening under the night sky, and I gulp.

“I don’t understand.”

His hand lifts in my direction. “If you just⁠—”

Before he can finish his sentence, Baron knocks him to the ground, the two fighting on the forest floor as I race toward them. Dorian is no match for Baron, who has him trapped in some crazy hold with his arms twisted behind his back and his legs tangled with his.

“I say we just fucking kill him,” Sax grunts, and Teddy nods.

“He’s basically helped those who killed our mate. I say he deserves it,” he adds, and Dorian chuckles, the sound haunting as his eyes land on mine.

“You can do what you want to me; it doesn’t matter. The time is coming. The Kingdom Champions are going to fight, and the only way you have any hope of coming out on top is with that relic.”

The smug grin on his lips doesn’t last longer than two seconds before a clenched fist smashes against his face, wiping it for good.

30