Chapter 92: Chapter 92 The Kings Own Reflection
Timothy’s POV
So little time.
I stared at the sky as dawn broke through the darkness. The night had already passed. Such a brief window to change Perry’s mind.
He’d still be seething, too furious to think clearly. But I knew he’d feel the weight of regret once his rage cooled.
Still, it wasn’t nearly enough time.
Damn it.
What am I supposed to do?
"Do everything you can to keep them both alive." I watched Marcela’s face crumple like she might burst into tears, though she managed a reluctant nod.
The healer had already explained in excruciating detail why this was impossible, but I had to ask anyway.
"I can’t make any guarantees, but I’ll try my best," Marcela finally whispered.
"Thank you, Marcela."
With that, I left the cell behind, posting a guard with the healer in case she needed assistance.
My next stop was the interrogation room, where I found Cameron sprawled on the bare floor.
The space was completely empty—just four walls and cold stone.
"Tell me everything about the Movement."
Cameron let out a bitter laugh, and I felt my hands itch to wrap around his throat. But I couldn’t. Not yet.
"Why the hell should I tell you anything?"
"Because it’s the only way your daughter lives through this."
Cameron’s eyes snapped up, ice-cold and calculating. "What makes you think I give a damn about saving her?" His lips pressed into a thin line as his fingers twisted together nervously.
——
Perry’s POV
I still held the morning meeting, but none of the elders dared speak out of turn. They could taste the bloodlust rolling off me in waves.
They were terrified I’d snap and gut them where they sat. Smart of them not to test that theory.
They should have canceled the damn assembly—the tension in that room was suffocating.
But to their horror, the meeting dragged on longer than usual. I tore into every minor mistake, every poorly presented detail.
When I finally dismissed them, they scattered like rats fleeing a sinking ship.
All except one. Elder Tricia remained planted in front of my throne, staring me down in silence. His defiance only stoked my fury.
"What do you want?" I snarled, slumping back against the throne and closing my eyes. I was too exhausted for this shit.
"You wronged her, boy."
Only one person had the balls to call the Mad King ’boy’ and live to see another sunrise.
My eyes flew open, my aura turning even more lethal. "I don’t need your damn opinion. Get out of my sight before I kill you."
"You can kill me if you want, but you’re going to hear what I have to say first."
I grabbed my crown and hurled it at him. The heavy gold grazed Elder Tricia’s cheek, drawing blood before the wound sealed itself.
Elder Tricia saw it coming but didn’t flinch. He knew I wasn’t trying to hurt him—if I wanted him dead, that crown would’ve cracked his skull open.
"Say whatever bullshit you came here to spew, then get the hell out!" I roared, shooting to my feet as Elder Tricia approached. He stopped at the edge of the platform, keeping his distance.
"I know your heart, Perry. This isn’t what you want. You’re in pain, so you’re inflicting pain on your mate." Elder Tricia shook his head. "I’ve heard everything. I know you feel betrayed because she poisoned you, but there’s more to this story."
I scoffed. "More to it?" My eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "What are you trying to say, old man? That she didn’t know it was poison?"
"Perry," Elder Tricia said my name the same gentle way he had when I was small. "When someone hurts you, you want to hurt them back. It’s instinct."
After all, I’d done the same thing. My father had hurt me, abused me, so I’d wanted to kill him. Elder Tricia was throwing my own logic back at me.
"If anyone can understand Phoebe’s motives, it should be you. You’ve walked the same path she has." Elder Tricia cut me off before I could interrupt. "I’m not saying she was right to poison you, but if we’re talking about fault—don’t you bear some responsibility too?"
Elder Tricia laid it out plain.
I wasn’t innocent in this mess. Hell, I was the main reason Phoebe had wanted me dead in the first place. I hadn’t exactly been kind when we first met.
"You hurt her," Elder Tricia stated simply. "Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to act shocked that she wanted to kill you because of it?"
I ground my teeth together. I couldn’t deny that truth.
I wanted to destroy anyone who hurt me—I should expect the same from others.
"But she stopped, didn’t she? What did she tell you? Why did she stop poisoning you?"
Elder Tricia asked the question like I already knew the answer. And I did, because Timothy had clearly gone to him for backup when the royal gamma couldn’t get through to me and the royal beta had refused to help.
"She stopped because she wanted to be with you. Isn’t that reason enough? You started treating her well, so she changed her mind."
Elder Tricia stepped closer.
"Don’t hurt her any more than you already have. You’re only destroying yourself in the process."
