You're not needed

Levan's smug words about our so-called vacation grated against my nerves. I'd agreed to it weeks ago mostly out of a misplaced sense of obligation but now, with everything that had happened, the idea of spending any extended time alone with him made me want to scream. 

But I wasn't about to let him see that. 

"Right," I said flatly, keeping my arms crossed. "The vacation." 

He perked up, clearly misreading my tone. "Exactly! It's the perfect opportunity for us to reconnect, Xyra. Just you and me, no distractions." 

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean, no Ren?" 

Levan stiffened, his pleasant façade cracking just slightly. "Well... yes. I mean, do you really need her tagging along? It's not like we're going anywhere dangerous. This is supposed to be a private trip, for us." 

I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could, Ren who had been quietly watching this exchange with an expression of utter disinterest finally spoke up. 

"It's my job to protect the princess," she said simply, her voice as calm as ever. 

Levan whirled on her, his irritation flaring. "You're not needed. This is a couple's trip, not some royal mission. Surely even you can understand that." 

Ren's gaze didn't waver. "You misunderstand. I'm not asking for your permission. I'm going." 

The air around us practically crackled with tension. I could see the way Levan's jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides. He looked at me, clearly expecting backup, but all I could do was sigh. 

"Levan, it's not up for debate," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Ren is my bodyguard. She goes where I go." 

"This is ridiculous," Levan snapped, his voice rising. "She's a heartbreaker, Xyra! Everyone knows it. She's dangerous—not just physically, but emotionally. Do you really think she has your best interests at heart? She's probably just waiting for an opportunity to—" 

"To what?" Ren interrupted, stepping closer. "Go on, Levan. Finish that sentence." 

Levan faltered, clearly caught off guard by her directness. But he quickly recovered, his indignation boiling over. "You might be able to fool everyone else with your charm and bravado, but I see right through you. You're a distraction. A liability. And I won't let you manipulate Xyra into trusting you." 

I groaned, throwing my hands up. "For the love of the gods, Levan, would you just stop? Ren isn't manipulating me. She's doing her job—something you clearly don't understand." 

Levan's face flushed, his eyes narrowing at me. "You're defending her? Against me?" 

"Yes, because you're being ridiculous," I snapped. "This isn't about you or your fragile ego, Levan. It's about my safety. Or have you forgotten the multiple assassination attempts?" 

"That's exactly why I'm worried!" he shot back. "What if she's part of it? What if she's just biding her time until she can—" 

"Enough," Ren said sharply, her voice cutting through the argument like a blade. "You can question my methods all you want, but the fact remains: I'm the best chance Xyra has at staying alive. If you can't handle that, maybe you're the problem." 

Levan looked like he was about to explode. His face was red, his hands shaking with barely contained rage. 

"This is a couple's trip," he hissed through gritted teeth. "Not a military operation. You have no place there, Ren. None." 

"Oh, but you do?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You, who couldn't even last five minutes in a duel without getting your ass handed to you? You, who has contributed absolutely nothing to my safety except endless whining? Please, Levan, tell me more about how qualified you are to protect me." 

He recoiled as if I'd slapped him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. 

"This isn't about qualifications," he said weakly. "It's about trust." 

"And I trust Ren more than I trust you," I said bluntly. 

The words hung in the air like a bombshell. Levan stared at me, his expression a mix of hurt and fury. 

Before he could respond, the heavy doors of the room swung open, and my father, the king, strode in. His presence immediately commanded attention, his gaze sweeping over the three of us with a mix of curiosity and exasperation. 

"What's going on here?" he asked, his tone brokering no argument. 

Levan, ever the opportunist, immediately turned to him. "Your Majesty, I was just explaining to Xyra that this trip is supposed to be a private matter. I don't believe it's appropriate for her bodyguard to accompany us—" 

The king held up a hand, silencing him. "Ren will go with you," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for discussion. "Even if you don't like it." 

Levan's face fell, his protests dying on his lips. I couldn't help the small, vindictive smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth. 

"Thank you, Father," I said, my voice sweet with false innocence. 

Ren, standing off to the side, gave the king a small nod. "As you command, Your Majesty." 

Levan looked like he was about to combust, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. For once. 

"Well," I said brightly, clapping my hands together. "Now that that's settled, can we please move on? I have better things to do than argue about this all day." 

The king nodded, his gaze lingering on Levan for a moment before he turned and left the room. 

As soon as he was gone, Levan turned to me, his eyes blazing. "This isn't over, Xyra." 

"Oh, I'm sure it's not," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "But do me a favor and save it for the vacation, okay? I'm tired." 

He stormed off without another word, leaving me alone with Ren. 

"Well, that was fun," she said, her voice laced with amusement. 

I shot her a glare. "Don't push your luck." 

Her smirk widened, but she said nothing. For once.