Don’t you dare cry. You are a royal. Act like one! Rise above for the greater good!

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll work with Bane until the final battle. I’ll protect your sister.” Zion stood, the barest hint of pain flashing over his features.

“Are you injured?” she asked, concerned.

“Knox stabbed me, and I have yet to heal. Bastard must have poisoned his blade.” He traced his thumb over Colt’s ring, saying, “I tagged your sister with a bot. I can find her anywhere, anytime.”

Then her time with Bane was over. Why put off the inevitable? “Just...give me a minute.” Nola combated those stupid tears as she tiptoed into the living room area, hunting for a piece of paper and a pen. She’d stick with highlights.

As she scribbled a goodbye note, she almost broke down about a thousand times. Several teardrops escaped, wetting the paper. Once again, life had changed in a blink, and not for the better.

Though she longed to return to the bedroom and be with Bane one last time, she returned to Zion. One look at the love of her life, and she might not have the strength to leave.

“Ready?” her friend asked.

He was her friend, wasn’t he?

Rustling sounds spilled from the master bedroom. Bane was waking. Crap! She whisper-yelled, “Let’s go, let’s go.”

Zion opened a rift into an unfamiliar bedroom, with a brass bed, colorful quilt and crystal chandelier. On the wooden floor, a pretty pink rug.

A tall, trim woman with black-and-white hair stood in a windowed alcove, studying the lavender field below.

Vale! Nola’s heart tripped inside her chest.

Zion stepped deeper into the room, and Nola followed, throwing a final glance over her shoulder, wondering if she would receive a final look at Bane. No such luck. The second the rift closed, aches and pangs erupted.

“Hello, Vale.” Zion’s voice echoed through the room.

Vale dropped a cell phone and swung around, palming a sword. Then she paused. “Zion? What are you doing here?”

“He’s with me.” Nola gathered the strength to step out of the big brute’s shadow.

Vale’s eyes widened as they filled with hope. “Nola? You’re here? You’re really here?”

Even as her pains intensified and her limbs grew weak...weaker...she offered a wobbly smile—just before darkness swallowed her whole.

NOLA BLINKED OPEN her eyes and took stock. She lay on an unfamiliar couch, in an unfamiliar living room, with country chic furnishings. Vale sat beside her, color high and healthy, beautiful in every way, and smelling like the best dessert in any bakery. No sign of Zion. No doubt he was searching the house for traps.

“There you are,” Vale said with a wide, toothy grin. She reached over to squeeze Nola’s hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”