Jesse didn't move. He stood in front of me like a shadow I couldn't shake off, like something I'd once reached for in the dark and now regretted ever touching.
"I want to explain," he said, voice low. "Not to make excuses. Just… so you know."
I crossed my arms. "There's no need, you've already explained enough… there's no need wasting more time explaining to a mere guard like me.. this is politics."
He flinched a little.
"I'm sorry, Bella, but you're definitely not a mere guard to me. So don't say that…"
He shook his head and continued. "Yes. It was the King's plan. But he asked me to advise him — to be part of the strategy. I thought if I was involved, I could make sure it didn't go too far. I thought I could protect more people."
"You thought?" My voice rose. "So you thought wrong and people died. Homes were burned."
His jaw clenched. "I know."
"Do you?" I stepped closer. "Do you know what it's like to see flames consuming walls and wonder if the screaming will ever stop?"
