Page 34 of The Prince's Mage

As Nikias walked, calling something out after Aimilia that might have been ‘commander,’ Marcella whispered, “Why does your brother have a promise binding him?”

Gavril’s jaw clenched. “Because he owes you.”

“I have not made any bond with him.”

“Like I’d let him anywhere near you again,” Gavril scoffed. “He made it with me. He’s not going to raise a hand to you or give an order that could in any way harm you again.”

“Why would he agree to that? Why would your parents approve of that?”

“Our parents didn’t. We did it and they have to live with it. As for why he did it? He—My brother is many things. Many things I abhor and despise as of late, but… he does not want my hatred. He is desperate for a way to redeem himself in my eyes. He’s not going to get it, but I figured I ought to at least take advantage of it.”

“He is your brother,” Marcella murmured thoughtlessly as something else began to form in her mind. “His actions against me cannot truly overcome that.”

Gavril just grunted and started carrying her back to the main entrance of the palace. She looked over his shoulder at where Nikias had been.

Where the valued prince had been.

The one their parents would give anything for, unlike Gavril.

Gavril would be worthless as a hostage to Hypatia, like how Marcella was worthless as a hostage to his parents. But Nikias?

If Hypatia had Nikias as a bargaining chip, peace could truly be within reach.

And with a broken arm he didn’t seem to be going to the heretics for and a magically binding vow not to ever hurt her again, Marcella just might be able to pull off capturing the valuable prince. That was her way out of Areator.

For as much as Gavril might claim to hate Nikias for what he’d done… Nikias was his brother. And Marcella betraying his trust and kidnapping Nikias would reveal the truth. He wouldn’t forgive her the same way she couldn’t forgive him for studying her. He wouldn’t be angry with her, just disappointed.

And he would be spared the feelings he had for her that had him so willing to sacrifice everything for her sake.

Yes.

Marcella was decided.

She would play along with Gavril in order to keep the limiter cuffs off until she was strong enough and had the chance to take Nikias hostage. Hypatia would use him to broker peace. Gavril would release her from whatever strange bond was on their wrists when he discovered her betrayal, and then they would go back to their lives.

Marcella would finally be something of worth to her people and have a life she’d only dreamed of.

And Gavril… he would have his peace and forget the time he ever thought he could want her more than that.

Chapter13

MARCELLA

Afew days later, it was time to return back to Gavril’s work. There was no putting it off.

But to Marcella’s surprise, instead of Gavril taking her down to the training grounds, they stayed in the palace and he led her to a section she’d never seen before.

A library.

Marcella was too busy turning on her feet, taking in the tall shelves and books filling them, when a familiar voice butchered her language.

“Not have those with your people?”

Marcella whipped around to see Aimilia standing by a table that held a familiar-looking trunk beside it, several books already open in front of her, and that strangely-shaped pitcher she’d once brought to the sparring grounds with little cups with handles arrayed around it.

Gavril sighed and said in the Inimicus tongue. “Aimilia, be nice.”

Aimilia rolled her eyes at him and replied, “I am being nice—friendly—between girls.”

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