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I sit, straight-backed in the pilot’s chair, without fear.

I know what I’m going back to. I know my fate.

I will be their Bonded, captive queen, for eternity. They will never let me out of their sight. They will lock me up and breed me.

Living without them is emptiness. I’m terrified they’ll die at war.

But even for a chance at a future with them, I’ll sacrifice everything.

I land in the same bay I took off from. My triad is striding into the bay, yelling orders, and workers run out, dropping tools in fear.

My ship touched down heavily in the hangar bay. The AI can’t get close to the feather-light landing Ra’al did so long ago, when I first touched down in the courtyard of the Royal Palace with the men I was destined to be with for eternity.

The three men of my triad stand heavily in front of the doors to the ship. I swallow, picking up the crown on the way back. Kat stocked the ship with clothes, and I’m in sweatpants and a hoodie, drawn tight around my neck and covering the collar. I pull it down. I don’t need to hide, not from them.

I run my finger over the ring on the collar, shivering, knowing soon, I’ll be leashed for eternity.

There’s no turning back.

They have a new weight to them. It’s worse than when they came back from war, with the stain of Aurelian blood on their conscience. It’s a heavy, deep loss, a loss that I caused. I did it to them. It’s my fault.

They stare at me like it’s the first time Orr saw me in the tower, the way he looked at me like he was scared to touch me or I’d dissipate, along with all his deepest hopes and fears. My crown is in my shaking hands. Ra’al strides to me, takes it, and places it gently on my head. He brushes a few strands of damp hair out of my eyes. I took my first and only shower just before getting into atmosphere, no longer having to ration water with the prospect of over a half a year of travel.

“Come with me,” he says simply and takes my hand. I let his huge hand wrap around mine. It feels so right. He walks with me through deserted hallways, his booted feet in time with Kriz and Orr who stand behind me, silent, powerful protectors using their big bodies to shield me from any threat.

I don’t know what I was expecting. Anger. Disappointment. Orr grabbing me, throwing me over their shoulder, and marching me down to the bunker where he’d spank me until my ass was red, or Kriz tying me up in the pleasure room, telling me I’d be spending my life there.

Instead, all I feel is this warm, enveloping glow of protective possessiveness. I feel hope. And I feel their pain.

He walks with me into the throne room. It’s empty, except for the four thrones. Mine is shrouded with a black cloth, in mourning. I stand in front of the thrones and turn, looking up at Ra’al.

“Can you forgive me?” My voice is low, barely more than a whisper.

“There is nothing to forgive. You came back,” he says, his eyes alight as if the silver is melting, staring at me like I am the only thing that has ever existed.

“I…I couldn’t live without you three. I left because it terrified me…years…decades…centuries of war. The three of you leaving me and not coming back. I wasn’t strong enough to handle that thought.” I swallow, hard. “I am not. I have to be.”

Ra’al runs his hand gently over my cheek. His old callouses rub against my soft skin, and his aura is open without barriers. There is a sorrow deep inside him. “I don’t know if I am.”

“Ra’al?”

“I don’t know if I can leave you again.” Orr and Kriz step in closer. Orr gently strokes my hair, while Kriz runs his hand up my leg, caressing my side.

Ra’al’s jaw sets. He pulls back from me. “I watched Abascus turn into the Tomb. I cannot watch Elsinor suffer the same fate. Queen Jasmine and her Emperor triad plan to raze the entire planet. They will make an example of it, to show the universe what happens to any planet who does not resist us.”

I shiver, cold. “You have to protect them.” I imagine Trebulous bombarded from above, the laughter of the streets turned to screams and horror as every life is blotted out, helpless to defend themselves. I put my hand on Ra’al’s heart, determined as I look into his eyes. “No one is safe while people likeherand her triad live. Stop them. You have to protect Elsinor from her.”

Orr growls, leaning in to my ear. “We have to protect you,” he says, and grabs me by the wrist, pulling me tight against his chest, like he’ll never let me go. Kriz runs his hands through my hair from behind, and grabs my shoulders, massaging and rubbing.

A red flash makes me pull away from Orr. It’s Ra’al’s smartwatch.

I steel myself, preparing for the inevitable. “Obsidian?”

Ra’al shakes his head and smiles. “No. It’s a report from Ridgetown. Your friend Lola is safe. Krazak and his triad brought her back to there. We’re locating her now, but she was seen entering the city. She is safe and sound.”

“I knew you’d find her for me. What happens to Krazak?”

“We would have to execute him. Instead, he’s preparing for a mission he won’t come back from. He’s giving his life to protect Elsinor. I’m glad I was able to give him that.”