Page 130 of The Golden Rose Of Valenul

The creases between Nikolai’s eyebrows deepened. “What is it about the Princeps’ daughters which entices you so?”

A low, humorless chuckle left Loren in a rush. “Have you not seen them?”

“Is that all?” Nikolai shook his head. “They are, indeed, beautiful, but so are many other Caersan women. You could have anyone, yet you pine after them?”

“Pine is a strong word.“ He glanced at his Captain. “Require is more suitable.”

“I thought you loved her.”

Ariadne. Had Loren truly loved her at all? Possibly. She had been wild and untamable before her kidnapping, though his brother had attempted to do so by proposing. Whatever happened with the dhemons had done the trick. Ariadne’s spirit broke, and it was he who built it back up. He whom she turned to for comfort. Due to that, Loren had been certain it would be he she chose again and again.

Whatever dark fae magic Azriel wielded clouded her mind and sullied her judgment. That was what kept him hopeful. If he could prove the bastard had tricked them all and break the spell, he would then have her back.

If not, Emillie would do just fine. The younger Harlow daughter had always been more reserved and impressionable anyway. Just as beautiful and far less troublesome. She had always been a backup plan.

Her father, however, remained the wild card in it all. After the duel and then his outburst at the Teaglow’s ball, Loren had done everything but grovel to return to the Princeps’ graces. Their private meetings and his repeated apologies were the only reason Markus no longer spoke out against him in Council meetings. It was down to the other Councilmen to return his title.

“I loved the idea of her.” Loren glared down the highway where the Caldwell carriage had disappeared. “I loved what she would do for my name and my power. As the elder sister, she is the key to that.”

“And Miss Harlow cannot provide that for you?”

“Perhaps.” He nodded to another passerby. “Either way, I will need to be rid of the false Governor.”

Nikolai raised his brows. “You have a plan, then?”

Mind whirling, Loren nodded. Much had happened over the last few nights, and he was certain that his latest discoveries would only propel his plan into motion soon. Only one piece of the puzzle continued to evade him.

“Well, then, General,” Nikolai said, “whatever it is, it needs to happen fast.”

“Indeed.” Loren’s mouth twitched at the thought. Soon, everyone would understand his hate for the half-breed bastard who stole his woman.

Loren, dressed in military uniform, overseeing highway traffic, made Azriel’s blood boil. That he continued to dress as General undermined the Princeps’ decision and the Council’s stalemate. With the Princeps refusing to vote on Loren’s position and Alek’s Lower Council split, he and Damen had yet to come to an agreement.

Ariadne’s reticence after passing the disgraced officer only added insult to injury. She withdrew into her seat and bit her lip, fingers curling in the skirt of her gown. He should have killed him in that duel and been done with it.

“Did he do something?” Azriel asked, tone rumbling deep in his chest.

Ariadne winced a smile. “Not really.”

He tilted his head and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and take her twisting hands in his. “He’ll never touch you again. I promise.”

“You cannot shield me from everything,” she whispered and sat up a little straighter. “But you can teach me to be more confident when around people like him.”

Azriel froze and searched her blazing gaze. “What?”

Color spread across her cheeks again. “You taught me to hold a dagger when I was engaged to him. Teach me more.”

He gaped at her for a long moment. The very thought of her being in such peril to require that knowledge churned his stomach. That’s why he was there—to keep her safe. Not to teach her to fight.

She shouldn’t need to fight.

Then again, he wouldn’t always be around. He’d leave her at the Caldwell Estate at some point to take care of Council business or to see to the districts of his province. And if Madan didn’t come home, she’d be alone. Alone and vulnerable in a time of war.

“Alright,” he acquiesced softly. “I can do that.”

She nodded without another word, and the tension eased from her shoulders and hands. He kissed her fingers as she sank back into the cushions of the seat.

The silence pressed in on Azriel after that, allowing his mind to wander back to his missing brother. Madan never made his scheduled appearance at the Dodd Estate, and it wasn’t only he who noticed his absence. Caersan after Caersan asked after him.

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