Page 73 of The Prince's Captive

So he stepped out of his room, rushing because he’d put off leaving Marcella until the last possible moment before going to get ready for the dinner Nikias insisted he attend if he wanted to plead his case to their parents.

His rush had him nearly crashing into the young woman pacing the hallway in front of his room.

Aimilia, however, had always had quick reflexes. She easily twisted around him to avoid the collision, putting her hands on her hips. “You can’t avoid me forever, Gavril.”

He could try.

“I don’t have time right now. I have to go meet Nikias and my parents for dinner.”

Aimilia laughed, “Do you think I don’t know that?” She gestured to her own clothes and hair, more elegant than usual and her commander’s cloak spotless—Aimilia had kept it spotless ever since she’d gotten it. “Where do you think I’m going?”

Gavril closed his door behind him, narrowing his eyes at her. “I didn’t invite you.”

Aimilia rolled her eyes and fell into step beside him as he took off down the hallway. It was instinctual, the way he shortened his stride to match hers. Years in the Academy together walking to their classes or the library had ingrained the habit into him. She said, “Nikias did.”

Gavril nearly snapped his neck with how quickly he turned his head to look at her.“What?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, like I’m going to let you go in there and face your parents withNikiasas the only other buffer? Just because I want to wring your neck right now doesn’t mean I’m not going to be there.”

He had enough to deal with at the moment and Aimilia was at the bottom of the list.

“My shock is more at the fact Nikias was willing to invite you at all. How badly did you annoy him?” Gavril asked, eyeing her. “Also, how did you find out about it? It was decided earlier today.”

Aimilia raised an eyebrow. “First of all, I didn’t have to pester Nikias. He came to me. You know I would never ask him for anything. His reasoning was that if I’m there, showing my support for your plan despite the absolutely despicable and dishonorable way you’ve treated me, your parents might listen.”

Was this Nikias’ way of trying to make up for what he’d done to Marcella? If it was, it was a poor attempt.

Between hours of desperately trying to get a word in with his parents the night before, Commander Cyprian cornering him to also try to have his say, and Gavril trying to find Nikias—he should have realized why he couldn’t find Nikias.

He could still feel the dark, swooping sensation when he’d found Marcella’s cell empty. There was only one place she could be.

Gavril had severely underestimated how much his family respected their own laws.

He had severely underestimated Nikias’ desire for revenge.

He’d thought that out of anyone, Nikias would have some understanding of Gavril’s need to protect his wife. That he might find some shred of respect for the laws that were supposed to give Marcella protection as Gavril’s wife.

“And did he divulge why he’s suddenly now trying to help me by roping you into this?” Gavril asked as they turned down another hall.

“I didn’t ask. While I was grateful for the invitation since I knew you weren’t going to give me one, what with the she-wolf—”

“She is my wife, and you will refer to her as such!” Gavril snapped, narrowing his eyes at Aimilia who was not intimidated in the slightest.

“Anyway, point being, I knew you weren’t inviting me, but that didn’t mean I wanted to spend any more time around your brother than I had to,” Aimilia said as they started down the stairs toward the floor the banquet hall was on. “His motivations are none of my concern. And just because you’re an idiot who spat in my face after everything I have ever done for you, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to show up for you. At least for this.”

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, he started to keep walking, but she grabbed him by the arm and forced him to look back at her. She lowered her voice and said, “You need me in there. You know how much worse it is when there isn’t an audience.”

Unfortunately, Aimilia was right. He had spat in her face after years of friendship, and he did need her in there.

There hadn’t been an audience the night before, and Gavril could still feel it. He’d checked his illusions before he’d left his room. They were all in place, covering his bruises. If Aimilia did see the bruises, she’d have a fit.

He wasn’t eager to repeat the night before if he could help it.

He sighed. “Fine. You’re right. Thank you.”

Aimilia immediately preened, dropping his arm and beaming. “Ah, my favorite words to hear.”

Gavril looked down at her and sighed. “Aimilia, it is a long story, and I promise I will explain myself to you, but—”

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