A week ago I was cleaning offices and now I was…a queen.
I raised my wrist, fingers brushing the bracelet hidden beneath the sleeve of my gown. The cool metal hummed faintly against my skin, a piece of alien technology crafted to look like a simple gold accessory. But it was so much more than that. The Coalition’s transport tech really was spectacular. The bracelet had appeared in the middle of my bed as if materializing out of thin air, a gift from Commander Zeus. When the moment came, a single touch would signal Commander Zeus that it was time to act. And when we were finished with this mission, I was told to keep the bracelet. Any time I needed assistance, for the rest of my life, I would have an entire battleship full of warriors at my disposal at the touch of a button. It paid to be queen of a planet, because when I asked for help, I had the entire Coalition at my back.
I would not be caught helpless like my mother had been. Ambushed. Murdered without a weapon or any hope of defending herself. Rage and grief poured into me like molten lava in my veins, making it hard to breathe. To think. I’d watched the video of my mother’s murder twice.
Once with shock, grief and tears blinding me to the scene.
Once with the stone-cold heart of a queen who would bring the traitors to justice someday.
Today was that day.
I ran my fingertip over the bracelet, over the activation switch coded to my DNA. I longed to activate the beacon, make the people who’d murdered my parents face justice.
I sighed and dropped my hand to my side. Not yet. Not until all the players were in position.
It was reassuring, but I was still nervous as hell.
What if things didn’t work and I ended up married to Martainn?
No. That was not going to happen. I’d push the hell out of the button on the bracelet before I said “I do”. Even if the Coalition didn’t answer my call, I wasn’t marrying the prince, no matter how good looking he thought he was.
I took a deep breath, forced myself to focus. Shoved down the nerves and the constant ache. I missed Addan. Craved him. Longed. Pined. Whatever the word, I felt it.
When his sisters told me being separated from one’s Resonant could cause pain, I hadn’t really believed them. Now I knew the truth. I fucking hurt. My heart. My chest. There were moments I could barely speak past the pain in my throat. It squeezed like angry, desperate fists. Made it difficult to breathe without him. His touch. His voice. Just…him.
Soon. Soon this would all be over and I could go to him. Claim him.
The small waiting chamber was quiet except for the faint hum of distant music and the soft murmur of voices filtering through the walls. My heart raced—not with nervousness, but with anticipation. My plan was in motion. Everything had been accounted for.
I simply needed to make sure everyone was here.
I turned to my lady maid, who hovered nearby, her expression a careful mix of deference and curiosity. The guards posted at the door stood silent, their gazes fixed forward.
“Have all the guests on the list I gave you arrived?” I asked, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.
“Yes, Your Highness,” she said with a bow. “The last guest was seated moments ago.”
“Excellent.” I smiled faintly. “Please inform Queen Alienor and Prince Martainn that I’m ready.”
She curtsied. “At once, Your Highness.”
I nodded, and she turned to leave. Before she reached the door, it swung open, startling her. And me.
General Addan strode in, his presence dominating the small space. His gaze locked onto mine instantly, dark and intense, and my breath caught in my throat.
No, not General Addan. My Addan.
“General Natosi,” I said, swallowing hard. Could he hear the pounding of my heart? Every cell in my body responded to his presence. I was suddenly, desperately eager. Needy. It took every bit of self-control I possessed not to run to him and fling myself into his arms. Instead, I gestured to the guards with a royal wave of my hand. They had their hands on their weapons, ready to protect me, even from one of their commanders.
“It’s all right,” I said. “Leave us, please.”
The guards hesitated, but I shot them a firm look. Once the maid and guards exited, the door closed with a soft thud, leaving us alone.
Addan’s gaze swept over me, lingered on the gown before meeting my eyes again. He looked torn—his usual command replaced by something raw and unguarded. This was hurting him, and I hated myself for it.
“You’re really going through with this?” His voice vibrated over my skin, low and rough. I’d heard this tone before, when he was making me beg, feasting on my pussy, when his emotions were raw, and he was on the edge of losing control.
Like I was right now.
