Kaelen's POV
Uncle Benedict materialized beside me before I could push deeper into the crowd. His composed mask slipped just enough to reveal the worry lurking beneath when his eyes met mine.
"You look ready to tear someone apart," he murmured.
I turned toward him as he went on. "Look, I should have warned you beforehand so you wouldn't feel ambushed, but honestly, I was sure you'd refuse if I had."
He assumed my fury stemmed from Genevieve. From the surprise. From Cassius parading my ex around like some twisted peace offering.
"Genevieve isn't the problem."
Benedict's eyebrows climbed higher.
"You identified my weakness," I said. "And you found a way around it to help my mother. If anything, you have my thanks."
"So why do you look like you want to murder everyone in this room?"
"Lyra's missing."
