Syn growled at Dancer as they put him on it. “Damn it, Hauk! Next time you storm a building to save a princess, don’t do it alone.”

Fain snorted. “Patience is not his virtue.”

“Neither is common sense.” Syn put the mask over Dancer’s face as he called for a med lift for them.

Fear tore through her. Dancer was paler than she’d ever seen him. “Syn?”

“I won’t let him die, Sumi. I’m the only bastard in existence who’s even more stubborn than he is.”

“Good. ’Cause I plan to hold you to that promise.” But as she looked at Dancer’s face, she knew it was going to be close.

Sumi paced the waiting room, wanting to beat Dancer’s mother into the ground. The Andarion hadn’t punched him in the stomach, she’d clawed him so hard, she’d almost gutted him.

“How could a mother do such?”

Cairistiona hugged her to her side. “Endine is very traditional. We’re not all like that.”

Sumi wasn’t so sure. “You disinherited your son,” she reminded the queen.

Cairistiona shook her head sadly. “No. I punished my baby for trying to kill his own brother, and for putting my grandson and daughter-in-law in harm’s way. Jullien is still a prince and has all the money entitled to him. He’s just barred from inheritance because of his actions. I didn’t physically harm him. Rather, I kept Nykyrian from tearing out his guts over what he did to Kiara.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“It’s all right. Jullien chooses not to speak to me, but my heart will always be open to my child. No matter what he does. He will always be my baby.”

“Sumi?”

She glanced up to see Syn coming out with the Andarion surgeon who’d been attending the War Hauk family since Dancer had been burned as a boy.

Dr. Duece inclined his head respectfully to her and Cairistiona. “Majesty. Princess. Dancer will be ready to leave in a few minutes. He will be more scarred, but he will heal.”

She had to force herself not to roll her eyes at something she couldn’t care less about. But then, to most Andarions, that would be a primary concern. “Thank you.”

He bowed to her. “He should take it easy for a few days. And in a week, he can resume a normal schedule. I have given the orders to the human doctor who will be staying with him while he recovers.”

Cairistiona inclined her head. “You have the deep appreciation of the royal house for your service.”

While she and the doctor continued speaking, Syn gestured to Sumi. “I’ll take you back to him.”

He led her to the room where Dancer was sitting on a stark white bed. A nurse had him signing an e-tab with orders.

Looking up, he smiled as he saw her in the doorway. “Hey, mia.”

“Hi, sexy beast.”