Page 59 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

“I know.” The words came out steady, despite the storm raging inside me.

Niam turned in her chair, chin lifting. Ready to argue, to defend her choice. My fierce, stubborn mate.

I moved behind her chair, resting my hands on her shoulders. Let her feel my support even as my insides twisted at the thought of her returning to that place.

“If that’s what my queen needs to do, then the only question is how to make it safe.”

Confusion warred with dawning understanding on Denna and Mila’s faces. They’d expected a fight, expected me to forbid it. As if anyone could truly forbid Niam anything.

“The first step is getting inside Terr.” Niam leaned back against my hands. “We have to assume they’re watching the maintenance tunnels through the Canyonlands.”

Ashur pushed away from the doorframe. “I’ll get parchment. This needs a map.”

“I don’t know the region,” Korrin admitted from where he lounged against the wall.

“I do.” Denna sat forward. “Used to sneak out with my brothers when they went on patrol.”

Ashur returned with sheets of parchment, ink, and several charcoal sticks. I bowed slightly, acknowledging his foresight. “Please, show us what you know.”

Denna bent over the parchment, charcoal moving in swift, sure strokes. “The city’s built in rings - eight of them, with farmland to the east and the canyons to the west.”

The rough sketch took shape under her hands - concentric circles bisected by major thoroughfares.

“Guards check everyone at each ring,” she continued. “Even the farmers get searched coming in and out. No one’s supposed to go past the farmland without Temple approval.”

My hands tightened on Niam’s shoulders. The Temple’s control ran deep, wrapping the city in layers of authority like a spider’s web.

“Wait.” Mila tapped a section of the outer ring. “There might be a way.” She glanced at me, then at Niam. “The tanner’s quarter - where I grew up. The leather processing needs drainage channels, waste disposal. The smell is so bad the guards stay away when they can.”

“Through the sewers?” Denna wrinkled her nose.

“Better than getting caught,” Niam said. “How close can we get?”

“The drainage channels start here.” Mila marked a spot outside the walls. “They run under the eighth ring, probably connecting to the main sewers. If we can find an access point...”

I studied the crude map, mind already cataloging potential dangers. Guard rotations. Escape routes. How to keep Niam safe while letting her do what she needed.

“The temple will expect something,” Ashur pointed out. “After Niam’s escape, they must have increased security.”

“Good.” I said without thinking. Everyone turned to stare at me.

“How is that good?” Denna demanded.

“Because they’ll be looking outward, watching the obvious routes.” I traced the rings with one finger. “While we come in from below.”

“We?” Niam twisted to look up at me. “You can’t come into the city. One look at you and they’ll know something’s wrong.”

My beast snarled at the thought of letting her go alone. “I won’t let you-”

“You have to.” She caught my hand. “Think about it. A Shakai in Terr would draw every guard in the city. But a few human women? We can blend in.”

“She’s right,” Mila said quietly. “The more of us there are, the less we’ll stand out. Three women walking together is normal. A Shakai warrior would start a riot.”

Niam stiffened under my hands. “No. Absolutely not. You both have lives here now. Mates. I won’t risk that.”

My beast approved of her protectiveness, even as I mapped escape routes in my head. The layout of Terr burned in my mind - a maze designed to trap and control. Every ring another barrier between my mate and freedom.

“And what about your life?” Denna stood, copper bangles clinking against each other. “Did you think we’d let you walk back into that hell alone?”

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