Page 76 of The Prince's Captive

“Maybe you aren’t as soft as I always thought you were, boy,” Father said, tilting his head. “I’m intrigued, but I need to be certain this isn’t just your disguise for bringing a filthy she-wolf into my palace to coddle.”

“And I need to be certain you won’t go behind my back again and put her on one of those tables and ruin all my hard work.”

“I think I already have the perfect idea,” Nikias spoke up.

Gavril didn’t like the way Nikias’ lip was twitching upwards.

Aimilia leaned forward in her seat, narrowing her eyes at him. “Oh, do you, Your Highness? Please, don’t leave the rest of us in such suspense.”

Nikias turned to Gavril and said, “It’s simple. A binding vow. It’s the only way you and Father can be certain the other will uphold your ends.”

Aimilia’s gasp was the loudest. Father’s eyebrows raised. Mother tilted her head, considering the idea.

Gavril didn’t move or make a sound.

He just blinked.

And he saw Marcella on that table.

And a vow like this was the only thing stronger than the law.

“I’ll do it.”

“Gavril,no, have you lost your mind? This cannot be worth it!” Aimilia hissed, grabbing his arm.

“Clelia, a word,” Father said, rising from his seat. Mother rose from her seat at his command and the two walked off to the other side of the room.

Aimilia immediately whipped around and hissed at Nikias, “Oh, you rotten—”

“Ah, is that any way to speak to your future king and the man in charge of your assignments, commander?” Nikias raised an eyebrow. Aimilia fell silent, and he continued, “I think you’ll find I am working to find the best solution for all of the parties involved in this, including you. A little gratitude wouldn’t be out of place.”

“Oh, I’ll give you my gratitude, right up—”

“Aimilia, it’s fine,” Gavril said, pulling his arm out of her grip. “If this is what it takes, then I’m fine. I know I will deliver on my promise, so what have I to fear?”

Quite a lot, actually, but he wasn’t going to let them know it.

“You are going to risk everything on the hope you’ll be able to turn your she-wolf into a house pet? Oh, you’re an idiot. I can’t believe I ever fell in love with you,” Aimilia spat.

He would risk everything for peace.

It was what he’d whispered to Marcella after Nikias had left them earlier that day.

“Ubi solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant. Spero meliora.”

“They make a desert and call it peace. I aspire to greater things.”

“Boy.”

Gavril rose from his seat as his father turned back and started to approach again.

“We shall enter a binding vow. You will study and deliver from the girl information for us to use, and I will give you my word I will not have her put on a healer’s table as long as you receive that information.”

Gavril started to untie the laces of his right sleeve. “Then let’s not wait.”

“Etsi damnant mepte tua oderis, mea uxorem.”

“Even if I condemn myself to your hate, my wife.”

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