Page 105 of Princess Broken

“You don’t need to go back to him,” Blade says, betraying some desperation in his voice, and she looks down to the pavement.

“Yes, she does,” I say gruffly, as if trying to convince myself. “The princess belongs with her mate.”

“I’ll miss you all,” Ana says to the pavement. “But Crusher’s right. I must return to my diplomatic duties. “I don’t belong with anyone—” she glances at me “—but my roles as princess and ambassador are important. Important to me and to the entire vampiric world.”

If anyone else said something like this, I’d say they had an overly inflated opinion of themselves, but Ana…what she’s saying simply rings true. She is important.

“I’m gonna ask what no one else has the balls to,” Phil says, and she raises her gaze.

“Yes?”

“Are you gonna expose Freetown? Have us arrested?”

She shakes her head, her eyes indicating she’s shocked at the question. “I know how you four earn your living,” she says quietly. “And it goes against the law and order I stand for. While I don’t condone the fact you kill for a living, I will not expose you.”

“Thank you.” I run my hand down her arm, shocked at how the contact sets off a ripple of longing inside me. I too let myself become too attached and will miss her deeply.

And while I appreciate her assurances, it’s clear we should leave Philadelphia as soon as possible. Abandon Freetown for a few decades at least. Keep our distance and move to one of our other properties, until we’re certain she hasn’t set the authorities upon us. She’s given us her word, but what of her mate?

“It’s time,” I say. “If we stand in this alley much longer, we’ll draw unwanted attention.”

She nods and we enter the bathhouse. The manager immediately buzzes open the door to the private area, and Phil holds the door as I enter first, the princess behind me, then the others.

Timur is waiting for us in the steamy bathing room. This time fully dressed.

“My dearest, Ana,” he says somewhat stiffly.

“Timur.” She bows her head toward him. “I was so happy to hear you’d survived.”

“Yes.” He clasps his hands behind his back. “It’s a miracle. The stake missed my heart by a millimeter. I’ve been so worried about you. Everyone has been.”

“Yes. I can imagine.”

The entire exchange seems off, given they are mates. Stiff. The pair have yet to even embrace. But who am I to judge. I’ve got no experience of loving relationships. And if something were truly off, Ana would tell us.

“What the fuck?” Phil blurts. “You’re not even going to touch him?”

Ana glances toward my large brother, and then approaches Timur. They put their arms around each other, and she presses the side of her head against his chest.

Phil grunts.

She steps back from Timur, but he takes her hand in his, and she stares at the junction between them for a moment, as if she’s trying to process what’s going on. Given all she’s gone through, I suppose her awkwardness can be explained. She thought he was dead.

“We must go, my love,” Timur says. “I have a car waiting for us outside.”

She looks up at him somewhat quizzically, but then nods.

“We’ll go too,” I say.

“No,” Flame shakes his head. “Let’s stay here a bit. Enjoy the steam.”

Looking at my brother, I tip my head to the side, but he seems adamant, and since we have access to better spa-like facilities in Freetown, and other places, I’m curious why he wants to stay.

“Good idea,” I say. “Since we’re here, might as well have a steam.” I turn to Ana. “It’s been an honor, Princess.”

“And a pleasure,” Flame adds.

Phil grunts.

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