“If she serves as liaison to my delegation,” I press, “she’ll still be in the palace. She’ll still be able to see you, Astra. But she’ll be under my protection. My people will watch her constantly. No one will be able to get close to her without going through us first. And with Daciana safe, I can focus all my efforts on helping you prevent the prophecy from coming to pass.”
“And what makes you think your protection is better than ours?” Lucian asks coldly.
I hold his gaze. “Because I found the body when your soldiers couldn’t even find a trail. Because I used magic your people don’t possess to track what can’t otherwise be tracked. Because I have resources and abilities that you don’t.” My voice drops, becomes more intense. “And because I will burn this entire Kingdom to the ground before I let anyone hurt her.”
The admission is too much. Too revealing. Too raw.
Astra and Lucian exchange a long look, having one of those silent conversations that only mates can have. Astra’s hands haven’t left her belly, and Lucian’s remains in place there, too.
The bargain has been laid bare. The choice is clear.
I turn to leave, but Astra’s voice stops me.
“Kieran.”
I look back.
Her expression is guarded but cordial. “Thank you. For coming here. For warning us.” She pauses. “And for caring about Daciana, whatever your reasons may be.”
My shoulders loosen slightly. “She deserves to be cared for, Your Majesty. She deserves to be protected. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
I leave the herb garden, my mind churning. The prophecy is out now. The bargain is offered. No taking it back. No more pretending I came here simply out of diplomatic interest or idle curiosity.
Everything has changed.
And elsewhere in this palace, Daciana sleeps, still fragile and recovering, completely unaware of the forces moving around her. Unaware that her life is tangled with a prophecy that threatens to destroy the Kingdom. Unaware that I’ve just negotiated for her safety with the lives of the Queen and her unborn child hanging in the balance.
My wolf snarls his frustration, his need to go to her, to guard her personally. But I force myself to walk back to my chambers instead.
Soon, I promise both myself and the beast inside me. Soon, she’ll be under my protection properly.
And then let anyone try to hurt her.
Let them try.
Chapter Five
Daciana
“I don’t understand.” I look between Lucian and Seth, bewildered. My heart pounds in my chest, and a sick feeling is spreading through my gut. “Have I done something wrong? I was very vigilant during my duties. If I’ve offended Astra in some way—”
“Daciana, no.” Lucian’s voice is firm but kind. He exchanges a glance with Seth, then focuses on me. “Astra is very happy with your service. She doesn’t want you to leave her side, either. But we need a liaison between the Kingdom and Kieran’s pack, and he seems to prefer you.”
The words make my chest tighten. Prefer me? What does that even mean? “Why?” The word comes out sounding smaller than it should. “Why does he prefer me?”
Lucian and Seth share another look, and neither of them answers my question.
Lucian’s jaw is set. “It’s a temporary assignment. And it’s final. You have no choice but to report to Kieran.”
He says it like I’m being sent into danger, like this is some kind of punishment. My stomach twists. Seth won’t even look at me, his expression hard as granite.
“When do I start?” I ask quietly.
“Now,” Seth says. “Report to his chambers immediately.”
“Alright.” My voice is hollow. I bow my head slightly—a gesture of respect I’ve performed a thousand times—and turn toward the door. My boots sound too loud against the stone floor as I leave Lucian’s study, each step echoing in the silence behind me.
The door closes with a soft click, and I’m alone in the corridor. I pause, pressing my palm against the cool stone wall, trying to steady my breathing. My mind spins with questions I can’t answer, confusion tangling with something that feels uncomfortably like anticipation.
