Page 103 of Princess Broken

“What?” I push off the door and stride toward Phil. “That’s a ridiculous accusation.”

“Is it?” He widens his stance. “We’ve never let anyone down here. Not without tons of vetting. She didn’t go through even one of our trials. And no one has ever been inside our quarters before. And yet she waltzes in here, under false pretenses…”

“Pierre and Maria have been in here.”

“You know what I fucking mean,” Phil cuts me off. “Not only did we bring an un-vetted vampire into Freetown, she’s fucking vampire royalty, on the council, she has the power to shut us down. Arrest us. Seize not only Freetown but all our properties.”

“She wouldn’t…” I glare at Phil, then look toward Crusher and Blade for support. They’re both staring at the floor.

“The princess was blindfolded when she came down here,” Crusher says. “We’ll blindfold her when we take her out. Use another route to be extra cautious. But Phil’s right. We are exposed.”

“What are we going to do?” Blade asks, still staring at the floor. Fresh blood spreads through the denim over his pockets.

I shake my head. Years ago, I thought he’d been cured of his propensity to cut himself so often. But since Ana arrived his old habit is back stronger than ever. I flick a lit match toward an urn and realize I’m one to talk.

“Do?” Crusher answers Blade, calmly. “I don’t see any options. We take her to her mate. Our duty to protect the princess is no longer in force. She belongs with him.”

I step toward him. “Does she, though? I mean, he could have been in on that ambush for all we know. Perhaps she needs protection from her mate.”

Crusher makes a face at me, and I shrug.

It’s certain that we were in on what happened—at least a lot more than this Timur guy was. Although he was holding a weapon of his own before Crusher drove one through his heart. I saw who drove the stake, and it’s not like Crusher to miss. But that whole situation was out of control.

“What does she want?” Blade asks quietly.

“What?” Crusher asks, looking slightly exasperated at all the questions.

“Does Ana want to go back to him?” Blade says more loudly. “I don’t know about you guys, but I didn’t hear her say that, and—” Cutting himself off, he looks down.

I know how much Blade cares about Ana. I care about her too. Plus, she’s amazing to fuck. She’s made me realize that the sexual act is even better when I’m not so detached from the hole that I’m pounding.

“This is for the best,” Phil says, and Blade looks toward him like he wants to kill him.

“Her pussy hypnotized you,” Phil growls. “Both of you. Exposed emotions. Made you weak. It’s good that she’s going.” His jaw is tight. He doesn’t want her to leave either. I can tell.

Nothing about Phil’s posture or expression matches his words, even though he’s the one who’s been least welcoming.

And if I didn’t know Crusher so well, I’d think he was sad too.

“Princess Anastasia belongs with her mate,” Crusher says forcefully. “As soon as she is ready, we will return her to his side.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ana

Staring into the full-length mirror, I study my reflection, unable to believe what I’ve just heard. Or understand my reaction to the news.

Shouldn’t I be happier that Timur’s alive?

I am happy. I’m very happy he’s alive. Assuming it’s true.

Not only is my long time blood partner, my companion, my friend, alive, the news has given me a way to get out of here. Since my capture, all I’ve wanted is to find a way to escape this place, and now the brothers are willingly taking me out. They’re giving me what I most want.

I have every reason to be thrilled, and yet my stomach is churning.

I’ve tried not to listen to the brothers’ conversation since I came in here, but I couldn’t help hear some of it. They truly do plan to return me to Timur. I assume Crusher made some kind of arrangement with him.

It’s for the best, I tell myself. I was born and bred to serve the monarchy—first one, then another. I had just begun my new and exciting life as an Ambassador, traveling the world, solving problems, mediating solutions, helping the vampire world stabilize and develop peace with humankind.

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