Chapter 0354

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“It should be me,” Nicholas said, just as I told him once more, “I should be the one to do it.”

We glared at each other.

“Jane and I have the history,” I said, impassioned. “She is my sister. It is my not just my right to be the one to bring her down, but it is my obligation.”

“That obligation does not circumvent my responsibilities as a prince of this kingdom to see justice brought,” Nicholas said, matching my fiery tone. “Need I remind you that Jane nearly had me kidnapped, and possibly killed

“No, I don’t need a reminder of something that I think about whenever my mind begins to wander. Every free moment I have from now to eternity is forever ruined by that particular

memory.”

“Then you understand why I have the right to take action.”

I crossed my arms. “She only went after you because of me. I’m the one she wants to hurt

“All the more reason for you to stay out of the way before she actually does hurt you =

“She can only hurt me by hurting the people I care about -”

“We know that’s not true, or the underground organization never would have gone after you in the first place.”

“Alright,” Julian said. He stepped forward, hands up, palms forward in a placating gesture.” We get it. You both have your reasons-

Nicholas inhaled a huffy breath. “If Piper would listen to reason –

“Reason?” I threw up my arms. “What reason do you want me to listen to, Nick? Because all I hear is you continuing to take the path of self-sacrifice!” I couldn’t help it, my voice raised. Suddenly it didn’t feel like we were talking about trapping Jane anymore.

I should have probably taken it back as soon as I said it, but the longer it sat there between us, the more weight it seemed to gain, until it was too heavy for me to retrieve.

Truth was, I wanted him to know how I felt about him not talking to me. About him choosing to protect the kingdom on his own without at least consulting me.

I would have stepped away if he thought it best, but that should have been a decision that we made together.

He didn’t have to be the bad guy. He didn’t have to carry the burden alone.

be a partner to him in this relationship, I at least wanted to be

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us changed. The spark of anger slowly melted away until it felt muted

me than you,” Nicholas said, a

“Better two carry the weight than

been brewing between Nicholas and I snapped like a popped balloon. “Then you

gaze snapped to Julian. Nichola s’s did

“What?” I said.

said anyone should have to do this alone?” Julian said with a shrug. “We’ve been a team

puts the cuff

mouth,

his arm around my shoulders. He smirked at me,

I can catch Jane together. If we

you -” He took a threatening

his gaze to him languidly, as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

say something. Argue, maybe, or yell. Knowing Nicholas, he had

hard together. His eyes dropped

Veronica, he asked,

was enough of an answer for Nicholas. He

out

It wasn’t as if he lacked jealousy. But that he hadn’t intervened with Julian’s flirting. That he’d simply exited

It hurt.

it still did, all the

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with Nichola s’s quick departure. He

is going on with you

a secret, but with my hurt, I just wanted to confide in some. Julian, Veronica, and I had already shared so many secrets with each other. They knew I had been in

could trust them.

“The King caught Nicholas and me

Julian needed to piece together the full story. “Oh, s

history of self-sacrifice to protect those he cared about. So she gave me

fortunately, filled her in when words failed me. “My brother is enamored with Piper. But he’s also under my father’s thumb.

at once. She stepped closer to

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