“I wasn’t just some boy who found you in the streets.” His voice was quieter now, like he was forcing himself to say it out loud. “I wasn’t just your friend.” Something inside me stilled. “What?” Micah hesitated, his fingers twitching at his sides before he let out a slow breath, like he was bracing himself for a blow. “I was meant to protect you, and I failed her.” His words didn’t make sense, and I let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “What the hell are you talking about?” Micah’s jaw clenched. “Your mother,” he said slowly, carefully. “The queen and Elis.” His eyes flicked past me to where
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