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My fists balled up. “We can spare a half dozen.”

“You can’t be sure the vampires are assassins.”

My mouth opened, then closed before opening again. “He wore the thorn-choked rose of the Red Assassins on his breast.”

“Until I hear from Lord Armenil, I’m not inclined to assume that the vampires will attack someone of my house.” Father paused and sipped his wine. “Not to mention the castle iscrawlingwith soldiers already, Vale. Your request is unreasonable.”

Did he hear what he was saying? Was he even going to acknowledge the deaths in Rall Row?

“You think wanting soldiers aroundmy wifeuntil we’ve learned who the vampire was, and if there are more, is unreasonable? What of everything you’ve said today? What of your inability, no, your disregard, for protecting your people? For doing what is right!”

Father shot to his feet, his ice-blue wings fanning out in irritation. “Do not speak to me about what is right. Donot dare to question what I do for our House.For this family.”

“Neve is your family,” I growled, then, realizing I could go at this from another angle, I tried again. “She may carry the next Aaberg prince or princess.”

The spark of hope that flared in my chest at my own words surprised me. Neve and I had been intimate, but had not had sex. And we certainly had not dared to speak of younglings. Our marriage had been a farce, temporary from the start.

And yet, the idea of younglings with her eyes and my dark hair set my pulse thrumming.

“She might,” Father agreed. “But there is no proof of that, and if there ever is, then we will take better care of your princess.” He waved his hand. “Now, leave. I must speak with your mother.”

The words he didn’t say rang more loudly in my ears than the ones he uttered. Father would protect Neve in public. However, if a vampire assassin slipped through the castle gates and took her life, he would not be fussed.

Only Mother’s slight moment, a small shake of her head, stopped me from fighting on.

She was right. I’d known it from the start and yet somehow, I’d deluded myself in the last few days into thinking I could reason with Father.

I’d been wrong.

He loved me. Loved all his children, and though I didn’t believe he loved Mother, he did respect his wife for her vast power and status.

But Neve, even while she bore his name, was still his enemy. He didn’t care if they killed her.

I couldn’t forget that again.

“I’ll take my leave then.” I spun on my heel, and before Father or Mother could say a thing, burst out of the room.

He’d always been willing to hurt others to achieve his ends, always been brutal in his retribution, and I hated that about him. Hated how I had to reconcile the father I knew with the king who would burn entire cities—and had—to get what he wanted. His rebellion had proven as much.

But this time he’d gone too far by neglecting the female I loved.

Yes, loved.

I could no longer deny the fact. Or tell myself I only wanted her body or adored her spark. One didn’t experience the fury pulsing through my blood for anything other than love.

I sighed, my emotions a ball of blackness rolling through me, and rounded a corner, only to find Lord Riis striding toward me.

He waved. “Prince Vale, a moment?”

“I’m in a bit of a hurry.” I should have already stopped by my suite, should have told Neve what I’d seen in the city.

“I’ll be brief.” Lord Riis stopped in front of me. “How is Princess Neve? After the attack?”

“She’s fine. Shaken, but alive.” My throat tightened upas I recalled how close she’d been to dying. “Thanks to you. I’m sorry I didn’t say that sooner.”

Leyv placed a hand over his heart. “I’d do it again.”

That was more than I could say for my father. My brother too. Possibly even my mother. It hurt that the only person in my family who cared for Neve, besides me, was Saga.