“I would love to chat with you all later, but I need to change and run errands.”
Khrista, one of the maids, smiled. “We understand. Oh, and please don’t forget to lock the gate. The prince will have someone’s head if it remains unlocked too long.”
Violet nodded and locked the gate. “Thank you for reminding me. This will all take some getting used to.”
Khrista nodded and followed Violet inside. “Did Prince Roman give you our schedule?”
“He had to leave before I woke this morning,” Violet responded, “but I can write it down, if you don’t mind telling me.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“Violet. Please, call me Violet.”
Khrista looked uncomfortable. “I’m not sure Prince Roman would approve.”
Violet dismissed her concern. “You let me worry about the brooding prince. I’ll get your schedule and then get out of your hair.”
Khrista finished explaining everyone’s daily schedule, and Violet frowned down at the paper. “You all can’t leave unless one of us is here to let you out?”
“No, Your Gr—Miss Violet. Only you and Prince Roman have keys.” Violet chewed on her lip. It wasn’t fair for them to wait around if she had yet to return, but she wanted to see her parents and friends today, and it would eat the day. “Don’t worry,” Khrista added. “They informed us of everything that comes with working at the palace bunker. I assure you, we are more than happy to wait.”
“I’ll speak to Roman about increasing your pay,” Violet decided. “It isn’t fair for you to not be able to run to town or see your loved ones with no extra compensation.”
Khrista grinned. “That is not necessary. I assure you, Prince Roman has more than compensated us.”
“Oh,” Violet replied lamely. Roman’s thoughtfulness and consideration for others filled Violet with pride. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. I must go.”
With a final wave, Violet petted War’s soft sheaths and headed toward the gate.
* * *
“Violet and I are going to see her parents,”War rumbled.
Roman tapped his finger against the paper in front of him restlessly, wanting nothing more than to join his mate.“Let me see her.”Roman’s eyes defocused, and he entered War’s consciousness. The beast turned his large head to look at Violet and nudged her with his nose. Roman released the tension holding him hostage when Violet smiled down at the tigon.
“I missed you, too, big guy.” She ruffled his sheaths, and War returned his gaze to the path ahead.
“Roman,” his father said brusquely, and Roman cut the connection to War. “This is serious, son. If Vivian is working with the rebels, she needs to be captured immediately.”
“I’m not sure she is,” Roman replied. “She fought against them, and they had no problem attacking her.” He tapped his finger again. “But it’s possible.”
His mother took a drink of water before saying, “Vivian might want you back.”
“Vivian never had me to begin with,” Roman replied icily. He recalled the first time rebels attacked Violet in his bedroom. When Vivian had held Violet in her arms, Roman had sensed her emotions. She hated Violet, but she loved her too. “I don’t think she’d hurt Violet, but I won’t take any chances.”
His father sat back and rubbed his forehead. “Sarah, what did your family do to warrant a curse? That’s the only explanation to this mayhem.” The king dropped his hand. “There’s no other explanation to a broken mate bond, escalated rebel attacks, and now a family feud between a mate and the future queen.”
“Vivian is not my mate,” Roman snapped, losing his patience. “And who’s to say the curse isn’t from your side?”
His father looked between Roman and the queen and moved his finger from one to the other. “I love you both more than my own life, but—”
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you, Felix,” Roman’s mother quipped.
The king sat forward and leaned toward his wife. “Or what, minx?”
Roman scooted back his chair and stood. “That’s enough for today. Mom, let me know if Tilly has news. Dad, inform the generals they need to prepare our warriors. The rebels are acting out of character. They’re either playing a game we don’t know yet, or they’re acting rashly. Neither is good.”
“I don’t think we should have a private coronation,” his father said for the one thousandth time that morning. “After what happened with Vivian, upsetting tradition will only cause more unrest.”
