“I have to do this,” I replied. My heart ached at the frustration, the hurt in his tone, but I didn’t dare say what I was thinking, not when I knew there were dozens of strategically placed sensors and security feeds recording every moment, every whisper. I knew the entire palace had extensive surveillance technology. I knew, because I’d spent hours over the last two days—with help from the house’s AI system, who had revealed several more hidden screens and gadgets in my royal bedchamber—eavesdropping on Queen Alienor and her clueless, arrogant son. My betrothed. My prince.
The guy was a total player, had a new girl in his bed every night.
Logically, I could blame that on Insuri custom, on their societal expectation that an unwed males’ duty was to service a woman in need. Wasn’t difficult to imagine a new woman asking the prince to take her to bed every night. Still, he was a prince. Surely, he could have said no if he wanted to.
Then again, he was young. Rich. Royal. I wasn’t sure I knew any men who would turn down that kind of action. Didn’t make me want him, not when the man I desperately wanted stood before me.
“You cannot bind yourself to him.”
“My betrothal to the prince is the law.” I spoke, not for him, for the security feed I was quite sure was being monitored by one of Queen Alienor’s loyal minions. “My mother’s final wish. She promised me to Prince Martainn when I was a baby. I must honor her promise.”
I should get a fucking Oscar for this performance. Most actors had to learn how to cry on command, but I had to work hard not to burst into tears. They were stuck in my throat, and it ached.
He took a step closer, his broad shoulders tense. He loomed. Big and foreboding. Yet I knew he would never hurt me. “I knowyou don’t understand Insuri ways,” he began, his voice faltering slightly. “But I believe I’m your Resonant, Paige. I’ve felt it since the moment I touched you. And I—” He exhaled sharply, his jaw tight. “I love you.”
I love you.
My heart thudded painfully in my chest as he continued, his voice growing hoarse. “I can’t allow this. I can’t stand by and let you marry another.” His eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a low growl. “The thought of him touching you makes me want to tear this place apart.”
“Addan,” I whispered, my throat tight with emotion.
He took another step closer, until there was barely a breath of space between us. “Tell me I’m wrong,” he said, his voice breaking. “Tell me I’m imagining the connection we have, the resonance between us, and I’ll walk away.”
I reached up, my hand brushing against his cheek. “Hermione?” I said aloud, speaking to the house’s computer system.
Silence.
Damn. I forgot. The system would not reveal itself to anyone without my express permission. It was very used to hiding its existence. “Hermione, it’s okay. I trust Addan. You may reveal yourself to him.”
“Yes, Paige? How can I assist?” It responded immediately, as I’d known she–it had a female voice–would. I’d caved in and told the intelligence system that operated the castle that it needed a name. I was tired of saying “computer” or “house.” And Hermione Granger was one of my all-time favorite book characters. She was smart, brave, loyal and a kick ass witch. Seemed fitting, especially with all the magic the alien technology could do.
I was quite sure if my cousins knew Queen’s Castle was instantly loyal to me, they never would have let me set footinside the place. In fact, the house itself had hidden knowledge, and blocked vital information, from Queen Alienor, her son, and all her staff. Thank god the house was on my side. Or, should I say, my mother’s side. My family’s side.
“I need total privacy for a couple minutes,” I said. “And delete our conversation from the records.”
“Of course, Paige.” I smiled at the frustrated tone of Hermione’s voice. I’d insisted she call me Paige, not Princess Edelene. I wouldn’t be having it call me Queen Edelene either. “Privacy shield in place. I will monitor all exterior entrances for your security.”
“Thank you.”
I caressed Addan’s cheek with my thumb and looked up into the face of the man I was totally, hopelessly in love with. The second he’d walked into the room, my body lit up like a rocket blasting off. “Addan, you’re not wrong,” I said softly. “You’re my Resonant. I realized it the night Prince Martainn came for me.”
His eyes widened in shock, disbelief flickering across his face. His pale gaze roved over my face as if memorizing me. “You… you knew? For two days, you’ve known and said nothing?”
I nodded. Two and a half days and two very long, lonely, sleepless nights. But I didn’t correct him. “I realized the truth after talking with your sisters.”
“You said nothing.”
“I didn’t know if you felt the same,” I admitted. “And—” Shit. How was I going to tell the man I loved that I considered his mother a murder suspect?
“And what?”
“I didn’t know who to trust. I trusted you, of course. But I don’t know your family. I didn’t know any of the people at your house. There was no proof that Alienor was a traitor. I had to be sure.”
His jaw clenched as he stared into my eyes. I watched him process everything I’d just told him. Emotions flashed behind his eyes, then vanished. Disbelief. Shock. Rage. Resignation. Frustration.
Desire.
“My family would never betray House Peigi.”
