I could hardly believe my ears.


    Was Babur this unhinged?


    "If you were meek and submissive like Lily, obeying my every word just to borrow my power, I wouldn''t find you interesting at all." Babur waved his hand dismissively and continued, "Since you don''t like it, this shop can be demolished. We''ll find a ce you do like."


    As he spoke, I heard his bodyguards begin to smash everything in the shop.


    Birds of a feather. The man was a lunatic, and so were his men.


    As we left, watching them destroy the shop''s sign, I suddenly felt a sense of unease. Babur was warning me: he might tolerate my backtalk and rebellion, but others would pay the price for my defiance.


    Just as we were about to get into the car, another vehicle came speeding toward us, skidding to a halt right beside ours.


    Babur curled his lip into a cold smile. "He got here fast."


    Only then did I see Max get out of the car. His eyes were burning with rage as he walked up to Babur. He was slightly taller, but their auras were evenly matched—as expected of uncle and nephew.


    “Let me take her." Max''s gaze remained fixed on me, themand in his voice making Baburugh.


    "Are you ordering me around, Ss? Fine, let ire choose for herself. Will she stay with me or go with you? If she goes with you, Garrett will die, and I will take this country."


    But Max just shot Babur a sidelong nce and extended his hand to me with unwavering resolve. "Nothing will happen. Come with me."


    I had to trust him. The moment I reached out my hand, Babur went ballistic.


    "Don''t you dare." He grabbed my other arm.


    Max tightened his grip on my hand. "Babur, I already agreed to the union with Lily. You promised me you wouldn''t harm ire. So what is the meaning of bringing her here?"


    Max pulled me toward him with a slight bit of force, and Babur''s anger turned into a coldugh.


    "If Lily finds out you came looking for her, do you think those paupers in Braven and won''t start dying, one by one, right in front of ire Floyd? Did you really think Lily doesnt know she''s been secretly helping those poor people?"


    My heart sank.


    I looked at Max and shook my head gently.


    I could believe that Max would risk everything for me, but now they were threatening the people I had been trying to protect.


    I couldn''t let that happen. I had only spent a few days with them, but I had sworn I would do something to help.


    "Max... I''ll be fine. But those people are innocent. Don''t let anything happen to them."


    I tugged on the corner of Max''s shirt.


    Babur tilted his head in triumph. "Ss, after you get engaged to Lily, I''ll have her return Garrett to you. t


    won''t start a war in this


    either But you know that in the years you''ve been gone, while Garrett fumbled with ruling, I''ve taken control of Serythiadf you anything else, I will make sure everyone you care about dies in front of you."


    try


    In all the time I''d known Max, I had never seen anyone threaten him so effectively.


    He had given up his country for me; I already owed him so much. I couldn''t keep holding him back.


    “I''ll be fine. Just do what you need to do first."


    Staying with Babur might even allow


    Max and me


    to coordinate from the


    inside and out. If he handled Lily, my efforts in Bravend wouldn''t be in vain. And if I kept an eye on Babur here the people of Max''s country would be safe.