Page 51 of The Queen

I wasn’t going to let him die. Not when I could stop it.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Alexi

“We need to complete the bond,” Saphyra said. “It’s the obvious solution.”

She was so quiet, I barely heard her, but I did.

One fucking problem after the next. Our plans, so carefully calculated, were all for nothing. Frustration ripped through me as I watched my mate coddle the frail beta.

A sigh hissed from my lungs, relieving the tension I’d carried all day. Fenix and I had been through the scenarios and options. We were ready to present them to the queen, and then this happened. Time was running short, and I’d promised to give her the final say in our decisions. I wasn’t backing out of that, not on our plans for the coronation, and not on who she chose to bond with or when.

One thing I acknowledged easily was that right now, Grey’s life was more important than our plans. Not only because he made Saphyra happy, but because he was part of us, bonded or not. I was alpha enough to accept it. Whatever happened, plans or no, we would find a way to make it work. I hadn’t flown halfway across the star system, been held captive as a glorified sperm donor, and saved my Star-blessed mate to give up on what we’d accomplished.

She embraced my relationship with Valyx, understanding that our love for one another didn’t diminish our love for her. Her feelings for the doctor had no effect on how she felt about us, either. It was hard for me to understand at first, but it was clear if you were willing to open your eyes.

I was sure no one was surprised at how long it took me to figure that out. Everyone knew I was stubborn and blind, even at the best of times. Especially when it came to her.

It had taken time to embrace this, whatever this was. But now that I had, my concern for Grey weighed just as heavily as if it were Axion, or Valyx, laying in those mounds of furs and looking like death.

There was only one solution. She was right.

“Complete the bond.”

My growled command shattered the silence of Axion’s quarters like nothing else could have.

Every eye in the room flew to me in surprise.

“Do it,” I confirmed.

Valyx’s jaw tightened. “You can’t be serious.”

“Wait a second. Just… hold on.” Axion jumped up from his chair, his face pinched in distress.

Saphyra stared at me from the edge of the bed where she clutched the doctor’s limp hand.

“You heard the healer. He needs the other half of his bond. His life means more than our discomfort.” It was more than discomfort. It was our future, but I had faith that we’d find a solution for ourselves, eventually. We would find a way to join the bond without endangering Saphyra. It was the only way any of this worked. I had to believe that, just as I believed someone was trying to stop us.

My lineage books didn’t disappear by chance. The missing copies in the archives were no accident either. Those books would have the record of historical mate bonds, and the truth about multiple mates. For better or worse. Someone knew what we’d find and was hiding it from us.

Considering the state of the beta lying in bed, no matter how soon we found what we were looking for, it wouldn’t be in time to save him. There were limited options for the information we needed, and they were all days away, or more. The doctor didn’t look like he had days.

I should’ve noticed his weakened state. I should have done something sooner. This was my fault. If that meant I could never have my mate, then maybe that was what I deserved. It wasn’t what Valyx and Axion deserved, though.

The rest of us had time that Grey didn’t have. We hadn’t shown any signs of physical ailments yet, just a steady pull to be close to her, like a craving. Once she was in a bond with Grey, I wondered if that would ease or grow worse over time, leading us down the same path the doctor was on now. There was no way to know, but the beta’s time was running out.

“What if that means I can’t bond the rest of you?” Saphyra’s voice broke halfway through the question.

I crouched down in front of her and took her free hand in mine. “The Stars meant for us to be together. If that’s what you want, then that is what will happen. I will make it happen.” I paused, knowing it was her decision. “Do you want to complete the bond with Grey?”

She swallowed. “Yes, I do. More than anything, but I don’t want to lose the rest of you. I’m scared.”

“You won’t lose me, not ever. As long as I live.” Unable to bear that sadness in her eyes, I turned my attention to the other two. “I’m not asking as your prince right now. I’m asking as your friend. We need to discuss what you both want.”

This was a huge risk. If we couldn’t find a solution to the problem, we may never be able to join the bond without endangering her life. That’s the one thing I wouldn’t let happen. I’d die first, and I thought the others felt the same way. This was too big a sacrifice to ask of my friends, but the doctor’s life was on the line. If we couldn’t untangle this mess, we’d be left behind, but Saphyra would still get one mate, Grey.

Valyx crossed his arms, gritting his teeth while he considered what I was asking. “Fine. Fuck it.”

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