Page 19 of Retrograde

“But then he just acts out more!”

“Not this time. Not anymore. I’m ending this or him,” Onyx purred and then waved for Father to tell him.

I was seething mad as I heard how Sagan broke her royal training and got caught getting distracted in a meeting because of a video from my uncle. She wouldn’t even read texts of mine or take calls in between classes.

But she was unfocused and turned on in a meeting because ofhim?

“Fucking whore,” I bit out.

“Shut up, idiot,” Father hissed, but it was too late and Onyx broke both my knees with two easy stomps. “Onyx, come on. You’re not really going to kill him.”

He moved in front of Father, squatting down and fisting his shirt. “If you believe nothing I ever say again, believe this—I will kill youbothif you ever pull this shit and hurt her again.” He sighed when Father simply blinked at him. “What would you do if someone treatedyour matelike this?”

Shit. Shit, shit,shit. That was finally the right button for Onyx to press because Father would burn the world down for Mother.

He’d end me if I ever hurt her. His priorities were always that clear.

“She’s not your mate,” Vex muttered.

Onyx snorted and let Father go. “Tell that to my dragon. He’s thought she was from the moment wemet.” He nodded when neither of us could hide our shock. “The connection was that strong immediately and I know she felt it too. She just was drowning and I was a professor. I always planned on chasing her. She is my future.”

He walked over to his bag and pulled out two folders, tossing one to each of us.

“And you both are trash I will get rid of if you don’t handle this for real this time and never hurt her again. Do. Not. Test. Me.”

I refused to play his stupid games and ignored the folder but did a double take when Father pushed to sit up and immediately opened it… And went pale and paler as he flipped through the pages.

“You wouldn’t, Onyx,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “This would ruin us.”

“Like you’ve tried to ruin her to protect your golden boy?” Onyx purred.

“This would ruin ourfamily,” Father blasted and managed to roll to his feet. “Which you are still a part of no matter your attitude and—”

I winced as Onyx slugged him and Father barely managed to keep his feet. Onyx really was stronger than Father and I’d never have guessed that.

“Then let our family fuckingburn,” Onyx chuckled darkly, nodding when we couldn’t hide our shock. He pointed to me. “You bring nothing to this world, and I feel horrible for Applerest that you’re their future. You’re a compulsive liar and delusional egomaniac.”

He didn’t give me a chance to reply, focusing back on Father.

“And you’re not better,Brother,” he spat. “You cover it all up and enable him. I thought you were what was best for Applerest once, but now I think you’re just as bad.”

“You don’t believe that,” Father argued.

“Yeah, I do, and I have since I learned Rhys was trying to end the relationship. Quietly. Respectfully. Peacefully, butyour pridethat you thought he assumed your golden boy wasn’t good enough for Sagan—who shouldn’t be so full of herself too, right? Who the fuck does that sound like?”

Father ground his jaw. “I had no way of knowing that Kole was cheating or—”

“The king hadproof!Piles and piles of fucking proof, but you brushed him off, accused him of making up problems for thelovebirdsbecause he looked down onyou. You were laying the groundwork for that in the media and—you’re disgusting. You’re just as disgusting as Kole. Worse because you didn’tcarewhat he did to Sagan as long as your son was the parent of the next ruler.”

I blinked at Father like I’d never seen him before. He’d always acted like it wasn’t a big deal and to not embarrass the family.

“There’s no way you got any of this legally,” Father tried next.

“So?” Onyx burst out laughing when Father’s jaw dropped open. “Oh, you break laws and bribe people to spreadliesand you think I give a shit that I bribed people to get the proof?” He shoved Father into the wall. “You’re guilty as fuck, Vex. You both are. I don’t feel bad at all. You both deserve for everyone to find out the truth and lose everything.”

“Does the queen know?” Vex bit out.

I felt cold when I realized why he was asking.