22. Fight or flight

“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.” ― Sun Tzu

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(Vera)

I looked at Mateo and shook my head as my heart twisted weirdly. I felt a momentary flash of panic. No. I didn’t want him anywhere near danger. Just thinking about it was creating a big fucking ball of fear in my stomach, and this was one of the few reasons I didn’t want him in the first place. “Go, Mateo, go with your guards. I will be alright. Okay. You should go... you must-”

He pressed a finger against my lips, cutting me off. The guards looked at us weirdly before one of them cleared his throat.

“Prince, you really should come. Nobody knows what is going on here... you are not safe here,” the guard spoke in an urgent voice. “The queen asked me to fetch you and I shall-”

Mateo waved his hand, cutting the man off.

“And I am just the same as everybody else. I can’t run away like a coward, Jace. Please, make sure mother and Amyra is safe,” he whispered worriedly, and the guard looked conflict