Page 269 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

“Thanks. That’s exactly what every kid wants to hear.”

“I love you, my little sailor. We’re booking tickets.”

“What? Mom, no! It’s not a good time.”

“Oh no, going through a tunnel—chzatchzi—can’t hear—chzaca⁠—”

“Mam,” I quacked again.

“Oh hey, we’re back. Have you heard from your brother?”

“Not in a bit,” I said, side-eying Cyrus, who could definitely hear every word. “Last I heard, he’s doing great.” Okay, so last I actually heard, Ally had drained him bone-dry and he woke up in the lord of the dead’s house. But Mama didn’t need to know that.

“I’ll have to wrangle him into a visit too. Oh! Maybe he and Al⁠—”

“Hey Mom, I just walked into class and the teacher’s glaring. Love you, ‘kay byeeeee.” I hung up fast, lips pressed to my teeth as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, acutely aware of the death glare coming from my left.

“What was she about to say, Freya?”

“Nothing.”

“You hung up like she lit you on fire.”

Oh, to be so on the nose, and so far away. “I just wasn’t sure how to get her off the phone.”

“Uh-huh.” He shook his head as we approached the bridge. “You know this whole arrangement only works if we can trust each other.”

“See, that’s your first mistake.”

His glare sharpened as he pulled onto the shoulder. “I’m risking my neck for you, Porter. The least you could do⁠—”

“Is finish what I started,” I cut in. “And I will. So, there’s that.”

“I can drive you across.”

“And rack up another treaty violation? No. Go home, Stuart. Let me talk to Reyna before you stir the pot.” Besides, I needed space. The last twenty-four hours had been one craptastic headline after another. And now I had to show up at Bellaton and inform Reyna and Blaz that I’d woken up as their enemy’s mate and pray they didn’t rescind their alliance.

“Besides. I can jump now. Remember?”

“Yeah, yeah. Fine. I’ll wait for your call.”

“Good.”

“Fine.”

Backing away from the truck, keeping my eyes on the broody blond in the driver’s seat, I threw up a middle finger. He returned it, smirking as he turned the wheel and pulled away.

What the actual fuck had I gotten myself into?

I crossed the bridge on foot, tucked into the woods, and jumped to the Bellaton estate. This was going to be…something.

I let out a sigh as I stared up at the massive colonial façade, counting guards, scanning the patrol paths—only to freeze when I spotted two cats perched like sentries at the top of the porch.

Since when did Reyna have cats?

My phone buzzed. Again. Determined to be the death of me. I pulled it out, stomach tightening at Ally’s message:

Alvara