“I won’t retaliate until I have spoken, in person, to Teighan,” I vowed. Besides my mate, my brother was the only being I trusted to assist me in devising a course of action. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he already had several plans lined up. “I want to tear my father apart for what he has done, but I must consider what is best for the people. If there is any chance it can be resolved peacefully, I will take it. However, I highly doubt the king will step aside without fuss, and if he is resolute in his declaration, then it will be war.”

I recalled the conversation I’d had with Luca several days ago. Relinquishing my position as heir to the throne was still a notion whirring away in the back of my mind, and having clocked my mate’s reaction—the subtle, excited hitch in his heartbeat, the trace of hope in his scent even while his mouth told me to wait—I knew I wouldn’t be able to imagine any other conclusion. That said, he had been right to curb my haste. Regardless of my impatience to break free from it all, and my desire to give him the life he dreamed of, I wouldn’t leave the realm in turmoil.

I would be the prince our kingdom needed first, then decide our fate.

“Whatever else he is planning…” Zadok spoke up. “With Luca having lived, we’ve hopefully stalled him somewhat. He may still proceed with this farce, but once he realizes he no longer has the upper hand, he may accept a peaceful retreat. Reluctantly.”

I nodded. “Whatever he has lined up, I’m certain that sending assassins after Luca was only one part of a bigger scheme, but his failure might buy us time while he prepares another strategy. Plus, once word spreads that the king made an attempt on my mate’s life, it will dim any chances of winning that he obviously believes he has. He’ll get nowhere without the backing of his people.”

“I have an uneasy feeling,” Luca said, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. I barely resisted the urge to beckon him to my side, to caress him until his anxieties subsided, but despite the trepidation creeping into his ambrosial scent, he seemed relatively settled in his father’s company. I wouldn’t uproot him unless he spiraled. “I mean, you were adamant that he wouldn’t dare touch me, and now he has, so… he must have something up his sleeve. He wouldn’t just kill me and hope for the best. He also used my own father’s poison, so he clearly doesn’t care if you or the people find out who did it.”