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Erik lunges forward, his blade whipping toward my ribs. I parry the blow, countering with a strike of my own that he barely manages to block.

“Your mind’s not on the fight,” he observes, stepping back to create distance between us.

“My mind hasn’t been on much of anything lately,” I admit, lowering my sword slightly.

Erik takes the opening to attack again, and I respond automatically, muscle memory carrying me through the exchange. We break apart, circling once more.

“You told her about the prophecy,” he says. It’s not a question.

“This morning.”

“And?”

I shrug, the motion deliberate and casual despite the turmoil in my chest. “She didn’t throw anything at me. I consider that progress.”

“Progress,” Erik repeats with a skeptical snort. He strikes again, his movements more aggressive now.

I block his attack, the wood of our practice swords clacking loudly in the quiet courtyard. “I’ve consulted with three different witches from three different bloodlines. They’ve all confirmed the interpretation.”

“Which is?”

“Maya will die if I give her the mating mark.”

Erik curses under his breath, lowering his sword completely. “There has to be a way around it.”

“I’ve searched,” I tell him, wiping sweat from my brow with the back of my hand. “The prophecies of the old bloodlines are absolute. If we complete the bond, she dies.”

“So, what’s your plan? You can’t mate her because of the prophecy. The elders aren’t going to allow you to remain single indefinitely. What are you going to do?”

“I can be with Maya without the mark,” I say firmly. “Without the formal mating. And as for producing an heir”—I meet my brother’s eyes steadily— “that will become your job.”

Erik stares at me, his expression cycling through shock, disbelief, and finally understanding. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m completely serious.” I toss my practice sword aside, suddenly weary of the pretense of combat. “I’ve spent my life bending to rules, Erik. I’ve done everything right, everything expected of me. For the first time, I want something for myself.”

“Maya,” he says quietly.

“Maya,” I confirm. “Having her back here, even with the distance between us—This is the first time I’ve been able to breathe in months.”

Erik runs a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, his frustration evident. “The elders will never accept it. An unmated king? A human consort? It’s unprecedented.”

“So was a wolf king with a human in his court,” I point out. “Yet here we are, fighting to save our kingdom using Maya’s expertise.”

“That’s different, and you know it.”

“Is it?” I challenge him. “They accepted you as king for a decade. They adapt when they must.”

“And if they don’t?” Erik asks, his voice lowering. “If they demand you produce an heir?”

I speak through clenched teeth. “Then, they can find another king.”

Erik’s eyes widen at the declaration. “You’d abdicate? For her?”

“In a heartbeat.” The answer comes without hesitation. “But I don’t think it will come to that. The elders are pragmatic above all else. They know our kingdom will collapse without strong leadership, especially with the threat of the Silver Ring Organization still looming.”

“And what about Maya in all this?” Erik asks. “Have you considered what she wants?”

The question gives me pause. “No,” I admit after a moment. “I haven’t even told her this part of it yet. I needed to see if she would hear me out at all first.”