Page 68 of Her Lawless Prince

“King Attor had a billion wives,” Justina countered. “Your father and uncles took one each. None of that affected the Var monarchy. You’re still here doing the job. Times change. People change. I would think the Var people would respect someone who admitted they made a mistake and then fixed it. Honor and duty are important, but so is love. Take another half mate. Divorce Yevgen and marry Nyle. Do something. Pretend the world is ending tomorrow because one thing I know as a Cysgodian, it very well might be.”

“You should be in there with them, not out here with me,” Payton said, countering Justina’s advice with her own.

“I know. You’re right. I’m trying to think like a diplomat, not the crazy lady yelling on the street at people. I know the Federation doesn’t respect us. They respect the shifter royals. They’ll listen to them. My presence—”

“Is needed. Be a loud diplomat,” Payton said. “From what I remember of your streetside speeches, you do have a way with words. Maybe you’re inclined to have the conversation.”

Justina took a deep breath, appearing determined as she went toward the doors to push her way inside. “Good luck with your heart.”

“Good luck kicking all their asses,” Payton answered.

Payton glanced down the corridor. She listened to the distance. The conference room was blocked, but a slight shuffle sounded from where some of the Cysgodians now lived. They’d moved into the facility after the Federation was chased off. There normally were more sounds, but the current events caused people to slink into hiding.

Payton couldn’t blame them. No one wanted to move back into the squalor of Shelter City. Well, no one but Yevgen.

Payton stared at the door. Justina was right. She was a woman of action. She needed to trust the diplomats to the diplomatic conversations. Yevgen would send his data over, and that would be that.

Then, after, she would figure out her life.

The loud sound of multiple footsteps drew her attention. The steady, firm rhythm was filled with purpose.

She automatically stepped toward it, eager to meet whoever was coming.

“Princess Payton,” a Var guard greeted, pausing as she rounded the corner to appear in front of them. The dragon-shifter he was with took a few extra steps before he also stopped.

“Do you have the evidence?” Payton asked.

“We do, princess,” the cat-shifter answered.

“We’re bringing it now,” the dragon added.

Payton felt the end of the nightmare was close. She motioned them to follow her. Their footsteps resumed the perfunctory stride.

She didn’t stop as she reached the conference room doors.

When she went inside, Justina was saying, “The Cysgodians wish to retract their—”

“We have invested a lot of resources into—” the general talked over the woman.

“—request for assistance being the medical crisis has passed,” said Justina.

“—honoring the terms of the Cysgodian rescue as agreed upon by the reigning parties at the time of the crisis,” the general insisted.

“It could be debated that the Federation did not honor their part of the Cysgodian rescue agreement,” Payton interrupted.

“Payton?” King Kirill asked.

Payton nodded. “We have the proof.”

She stepped aside to let the two shifter guards into the room. One placed a holodisk on the table.

“We’re not done reading the agreement,” General Griggs stated.

“We’re done listening to it,” Prince Grier said, reaching forward to press the top of the holodisk.

“Greetings.” Yevgen’s face appeared as soft music played behind him. “I am Prince Yevgen, first husband of the beautiful Princess Payton.” The holographic scene changed to show old photos of Payton from around Shelter City. Small heart shapes exploded around her images.

Her father arched a brow as he glanced at her. Payton gave a small, embarrassed shrug.

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