Page 46 of Crown Prince's Mate

“With your help, and the help of my younger brother, Prince Bruton. I spoke with him on his wedding day. I showed him Fay. He doesn’t agree with her captivity either… but neither of us ever once considered the possibility that…” He clenches his jaw. He can’t bring himself to say it.

And for the first time, Doman, Crown Prince of the Aurelian Empire, seems…

Human.

Under that consuming need to conquer, I felt that platinum thread of honor from the three men during that moment that stretched out, when their souls imprinted on my mind. It only made me more terrified of them. That their twisted conception of honor would let them keep a pregnant woman captive, if that is what it took to win the war.

“You’re doing the right thing,” I say, and for once, I am not speaking as Prime Minister Adriana.

He looks up, his eyes filled with pain. “Am I? And when Obsidian’s son grows into a man, and he returns at the headof an army, and when millions more die… not just soldiers, Adriana. Civilians. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. But I am doing the only thing I can. I will not be a part of this. I will not let this happen.”

I run my hand over the wooden table, watching the three Aurelians. Titus is shaking his head slowly, his dark black mane moving in time, still not fully believing what Queen Jasmine is capable of. Gallien is watching me, returning my gaze easily, and he gives me a small nod, a nod of respect. Gods, but he is handsome, every feature chiseled and hard, with a depth to him.

He knows what I risked to tell Prince Doman the truth.

“So. Your plan. You expect your younger brother to help? Prince Bruton, the man who flies the flayed corpses of his enemies as his flag? The hunter who was the only Aurelian to brave the Rift, willing to die a thousand times over? You think he will soften to save two innocent lives?”

“He is a good man. He has a good heart. He will help us.”

“I watched him wed his Princess. His Fated Mate. He has a lot to lose. You think he’ll risk it?”

Doman nods. “He will.”

I shift in my seat, uncomfortable. I don’t know what I was expecting when I was called to meet with Doman’s triad, but it wasn’t this.

“What, exactly, is your plan? Fay is the most guarded woman in the universe. I’ve had reports of two rescue attempts thwarted already.”

Gallien’s eyes flash. He knows what my words mean—I’m admitting to him we have spies, in the capital itself. Spies close enough to the palace to hear reports of attacks. “Three,” he says.

“I don’t know the plan yet. All I know is that our wedding day will be the chance. That is when the security teams will be the most distracted. That is when we’ll have our opportunity. It won’t be without risk, Adriana.”

I nod. “Okay.” I take in a deep breath. “Okay,” I repeat. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll play my part, whatever it is.”

There’s a sad smile on Doman’s lips. “One day, I hope to see you when you’re not playing a part.”

The triad is no longer dripping with arrogance, and I’m seeing them in a new light. When I told him what his parents were capable of, I thought he would respond with anger or think me crazed. Instead, the three of them listened.

And they made the choice I had no hope they would. I never for a moment considered the possibility they would go against their own Empire, risk their entire war, for a single woman and her unborn child.

They sit on their beds, straight-backed against the weight of duty. Without crowns, without ornamentation, I feel like I’m getting to know them for the first time.

“The ceremony on Etherion. I would like all three of you to be there.”

Titus grins. “Planning to drown us all in one fell swoop?”

“Maybe.” They are titans, but I can tell they haven’t slept in too long. There’s a tightness around their eyes, a deep exhaustion in their bones. “You three should get some rest. We’ve got a long swim tomorrow.”

I get up to go back to my ship, when Doman stands up from his bed. “There are more chambers within. You’ll find our beds more comfortable than the cots on your… economical ship.”

I glance down at the doorways leading into his ship.

“Is that all you have down there?” I say, giving him a long, considering look.

“Among other things.”

A shiver runs down my spine. Because one of those doors leads down a hallway deeper into his ship…

To his pleasure room.

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