7

But I didn’t just want Leia for the power she would bring to me. I wanted her because I… I loved her. I couldn’t believe it still. Humans were too fragile, too fleeting to love. But this one had wormed her way in without my say-so.

“Has no one ever told you about the true mate bond?” Baldwin’s voice was hesitant but the sound of it still startled me.

I huffed. “Of course I know about the true mate bond. It’s a power exchange.”

Baldwin nodded. “Yes, sir, it is.”

“But that’s not why Leia’s useful to Francois. She isn’t his true mate.” My gums ached under the weight of my fangs as I thought of Francois with Leia. I wanted to rip his throat out for even having looked at her.

Baldwin shook his head. “Miss Boucher can still aid Prince Francois’s ascension.”

“I know that, damn it.” I curled my hands into fists at the unwelcome image of Francois with his hands on Leia. “I know what he wants her for.”

It was the very same thing I’d first wanted her for, when my body had only recognized her as a virgin—nothing more than a conduit to guarantee my own successful reign. But she was so much more now, and my chest ached at the distance between us.

“The mating bond…” Baldwin started to speak again, apparently determined to finish whatever it was he had to say, but his nerve deserted him and he cleared his throat.

“What? What is so fucking important you need to tell me now?” I turned and stalked away from my butler. “I need to get Jason and Kyle here. I need to talk to Benedict. I have more important things to do than have you tell me shit I already know.”

I pressed my lips together because I was being unreasonable, and Baldwin didn’t deserve my wrath. I’d done this to myself.

“You love her, sir.” Baldwin spoke his next words so quietly I almost thought I’d misheard.

How the fuck did he know? I’d told no one. Barely admitted it to myself. Love was a weakness I’d never expected.

As if he’d read my mind, Baldwin shrugged. “The mating bond isn’t just a power exchange. Perhaps it’s time for you to reread some of the old lore, sir. When a human is involved, a true bond is invoked, whereby your desire to protect and love the human will surpass all else, and changes will need to take place—this ensures the longevity of the bond and enables power to be shared between you for a lifetime.”

His face lit up as he spoke, like he was discussing magic.

And maybe he was.

“Smells like bullshit to me.” My voice was a grumble as I scrolled through my phone to get hold of Kyle. He was part of my guard, an excellent strategist who had superior strength. Plus, I trusted him more than the other guards in my employ, and I wasn’t going to take any more chances.

Even though I didn’t tell him, Baldwin’s words made sense. I couldn’t think of another reason why I yearned for Leia so deeply. Love—fated and mystical—was the only explanation, and I needed to find her and tell her.

And fucking beg for her forgiveness.

“Baldwin, can you contact Ben? I need him to remain in post at The Pour House until further notice.” I didn’t want to consider what would happen if I failed to retrieve Leia from Francois. Failure wasn’t an option. “Emphasize that this needs to remain confidential. Leia has some good friends who frequent the bar, and their involvement at this stage would be…unhelpful.”

The last thing I needed to do was instigate the deaths of humans at the hands of the New Orleans monarchy.

Baldwin inclined his head. “Of course, sir. You can rely on me.”

He walked away and I returned my attention to my phone. I should have paid more attention to that glint of madness in Francois’s eye when we met at The Neutral Zone. But I was going to rectify that now. I was going for Francois, and I was reclaiming my mate.

I’d burn down New Orleans if I needed to.

A noise on the porch distracted me, and my fangs descended immediately. Fucking Sebastian. Contacting Kyle would have to wait. I shoved my phone into my pocket and ripped open the front door so fast I almost yanked it from its hinges.

Sebastian stood in front of me, his hand poised to ring the doorbell.

For a moment, anxiety creased his brow then it was gone. “Baldwin no longer greets guests?”

“I should rip your throat out. You’re no guest.” He was on my shit list right behind Francois.

I started to close the door again, but Sebastian dropped to a knee, his head bowed in deference. “Please, Your Majesty. I’m here to right old wrongs.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Your wrongs are not so old, Sebastian.”

He looked at me briefly before returning his gaze to the stone beneath him. “I know.” Regret laced his tone. Something I’d never heard before. “I forgot myself at the party, Nicolas, and I’m here to offer my apologies and my sword.”

I stepped back, not gesturing for him to stand but not insisting he remain at my feet. His king or not, Sebastian was my brother. “Are you coming inside, or have you simply come to kneel at my door?”

He barked out a chuckle. “I’ve come to offer my sword in your fight, brother.”

When I raised an eyebrow and allowed him inside, he tried again.

“Not my sword? My crossbow then? I wish to fight at your side. It’s my duty as your brother and my honor as your prince.” He bowed his head again, every one of his movements respectful.

“I think war is different these days, Sebastian. Do you not watch any news? We’re all merely the press of a red button away from destruction.” My fingers itched to destroy Francois. “We’ll gain Leia back with intelligence and strategy.”