Zara took another step forward, her voice smooth and measured, but there was an undeniable edge to it.
"If he's really your brother," she said, her eyes narrowing as she looked Isabella over, "then tell us—how exactly are we supposed to trust you both? Snakes don't usually have females. So how do we know you're not using him for your own advantage?"
The crowd around them muttered. Kian, standing at the back with arms crossed, barely moved, but his eyes were focused on Isabella, his expression unreadable.
Isabella's breath caught. She hadn't thought that far ahead.
For a moment, she just stared at Zara.
This wasn't part of the plan.
But Zara had a point. Even if she could convince the villagers that Cyrus wasn't a threat, the bloodline question was a whole other monster.
