Deep down she knew instinct would drive other princesses to try to steal her position. Knew they would use her love for Bane, Vale and Zion against her. Might be better to cut all ties and—

No! She cast the thoughts out of her head. Love was strength. Love was power. Let the other royals try to challenge her. They would not succeed.

“Rise,” she said, and frowned. Her voice...her words had weight now, every single one like an armed soldier on a mission. They left her with a purpose, and they would fight to see it done.

Bane obeyed with a growing smile. “You did it, love.” Bending down, he picked up the dress he’d obtained for her. He closed the distance and slipped the material over her head. “You survived.”

“Something isn’t right,” Zion announced, disrupting the moment. “I sense something. Someone. A woman. And I can’t stop her approach, no matter how hard I try.”

How had Nola forgotten the other man’s presence?

“Is she a combatant?” Bane asked.

She frowned and rubbed her chest. “Wait. I sense it, too. A tingle of awareness.” Not a combatant, then.

Bane cursed. “Aveline,” he snarled.

Between one blink and the next, a blonde woman teleported between them. And oh, yes. It was Aveline. She scanned the tunnel, taking everything in, then kicked Nola in the stomach and grinned evilly at Bane. “Hello, warrior. Did you miss me?”

BANE RELEASED A curt oath. “Aveline.”

She’d plaited her golden hair into a crown and opted to wear a scarlet dress with mesh inserts to protect her vital organs. Rubies adorned her neck and wrists.

Looking like a live wire of fury, Nola scrambled to her feet, her gauntlets glinting in the torchlight. “You murdered my mother, murdered Bane’s wife. You made a mistake, coming here. Today you die.”

Aveline flicked her a brief glance and dismissed her as unimportant. “Tsk-tsk,” she said, peering at Bane. “Someone has been a naughty boy. Instead of killing the princess, you made her a queen.”

Drawing a sword, Zion moved toward Bane to offer aid.

Aveline pointed a finger at the dark-haired warrior. “Stay where you are. Do not move.”

The power that laced her words... Though Zion strained to take a step forward, as evidenced by the vein bulging in his forehead, he remained in place.

Bane and Aveline circled each other, Nola seemingly forgotten. As strong as Aveline was, she had no fear of a newly made queen. “How did you find me?” he asked. Think! Best course of action?