Page 41 of Dark Prince's Captive

I take a deep breath to calm myself, mend the ceiling with my mind, and then go back to my quarters, unsure as to what I want to do as far as my mate is concerned.We got carried away in the heat of the mating call, but I doubt she’s in the mood for another round considering someone has just tried to kill her.

As it turns out, I find Elsie fast asleep in my bed, still dressed in my jacket.Another wave of that earlier tenderness washes over me.I don’t have the heart to wake her.

In the corner, Gaia is quietly crying.

I dismiss the guards with a wave of my hand.They leave quickly.

Sighing, I walk to my sister.“Mother will be fine.She’ll feel like she’s been mauled by a dragon for a few days, but with proper rest and care, she’ll pull through.”

Gaia wipes her nose on the back of her hand.“I know she’ll be all right.”

“What did you give Elsie?”

No one sleeps that soundly after a death scare.

Gaia sniffs.“Just a few drops of dranlaud to relax her.”

That will take a few hours to work out of her system.

“Go get some rest,” I tell Gaia.“It’s been a traumatic evening for everyone.”

Gaia catches my sleeve when I start to turn.“It’s not just Mother I’m concerned about.I’m worried about all of us.No good can come of this.Where’s this going to leave us?”

I fix her with a narrow-eyed stare.“Do not say you wish my mate away.Don’t you dare even imply it.”

She blanches.“I’d never.”

“Good.”I continue in a gentler tone, “Suno offered to get you a new pet.”

“I don’t want a new one,” she says, her voice wobbling again.

My heart softens.I pull her in for a hug, but she pushes away to look at me.

“Tell me everything is going to be fine, Aruan.”

I don’t reply because I never make promises I can’t keep.

Chapter11

Aruan

When I enter the Great Hall at sunrise, Kian sits in a chair at our family table, staring dispassionately at the man who stands in front of him.The man shifts his weight while wringing a hat in his hands.The poor wretch’s shoulders sag in relief when Kian waves him away and motions for the next victim to take the man’s place at my brother’s feet.

A woman comes closer, pinching her eyes shut even before she reaches Kian.A guard takes her arm and positions her close to Kian’s chair.It’s only then that she peels her eyelids open to turn red-rimmed, bloodshot eyes on my brother.Her hair has come loose from its braid, the flaxen tresses sticking out like straw around her head.

The other people don’t look any better.The guests waiting their turn to be interrogated by Kian are slumped over the tables, some asleep on their arms and others conversing in tired, strained voices.

The only person in the palace who has gotten any sleep is Elsie, thanks to the sleeping potion Gaia gave her.I haven’t even taken the time to change.I’m still wearing the ceremonial pants and shirt of yesterday.Between interrogating the kitchen staff and guards, I frequently checked in on Elsie and my mother.The queen, who was tormented by painful cramps for the duration of the night, appears wilted and weak.Her usually glowing skin has turned gray and damp with perspiration.My father keeps watch at her side.Gaia escaped to her room.Knowing how much she loved that pet, I let her have some space.

Kian lifts his head when I approach.The echo of my heavy steps on the flagstone floor would’ve been enough warning of my presence, but the gentle, almost unnoticeable prodding of my mind tells me he was aware of me the minute I crossed the threshold.

I make sure my barriers are in place, effectively blocking him from gaining access to my thoughts.

He watches me quietly as I stop next to him, not a sliver of emotion playing in his silver irises that are so eerily pale they’re almost as translucent as water.They always adopt that shade when he taps into his power for an extended period of time.

“How much longer?”I ask.

The color of his eyes returns more or less to normal as he focuses on me.“Not much.”

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