Roldan's POV

Speaking about it isn’t something I want to do—just thinking about it fuels my anger. The very idea of explaining it to Raelynn feels like an insult to my pride. But I realize this is my chance. She isn’t afraid of me, not really, but of what my title represents. If she knows that it’s no longer mine—that I’m merely Roldan now—then maybe it’ll help ease her fears.

“I didn’t have another option,” I say, forcing a calmness into my ...