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Colum tensed as Eric looked at him, and Franco’s stomach sank.His friend was about to be put into an arranged menage marriage.Franco hadn’t been in an arranged marriage, not really; he’d more or less chosen Juliette and Devon.Juliette had been the newly appointed Grand Master when they met and able to make her own trinity.

Both societies were founded on arranged marriages, but Franco knew that for his friend, this was going to be an unpleasant shock.Colum was happiest on his own.

Or at least, he said he was happy on his own.

Franco studied Colum’s profile.Sometimes he worried that his friend was more than just alone; he was lonely, even if Colum himself would deny it.

“Colum, do you, as the archivist of the Masters’ Admiralty, agree to change the duties of the archivist?”Eric asked.“If you agree, you’ll be placed in an arranged marriage of the fleet admiral’s or collected territory admirals’ choosing.”

It would be okay, Franco was sure.Eric was like Colum’s brother.He’d find a way to make this work.

“And,” Eric went on, deep voice resonating along the bookstacks, “at least one of your spouses must be a member of the Masters’ Admiralty leadership.”

Eric looked to Hande, who nodded.Antonio and Arthur also nodded.

Nikolett didn’t move.Franco thought she almost looked…scared?

Why?

“Do you agree?”Eric was looking at Colum.

Colum inclined his head in an almost formal gesture.“Yes, Fleet Admiral, the archivist agrees.”

“Good.”Eric smiled.“The Trinity Archive is now official.”

Franco and Colum grinned at one another, though Colum’s expression was strained.

“Once the archivist is married,” Hande interjected, brow arched.Franco had the distinct impression she was still irritated by how the Crimean blackmailer issue had been assigned, and it was making her confrontational.

Eric’s expression went flat, and the bottom dropped out of Franco’s stomach.Something was about to go really, really wrong.He looked frantically at Juliette, who was leaning forward, focusing intently.She was picking up the same vibes he was.

Eric cleared his throat.“As the fleet admiral?—”

“Don’t,” Nikolett interrupted, her hands gripping the edge of the table.

Nikolett was a step ahead of him and Juliette, because it was pretty clear she knew what was coming.Franco scooted closer to Colum, putting his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Eric didn’t look at Nikolett and ignored her interruption.“As the fleet admiral, I hereby place Colum O’Connor, archivist for the Masters’ Admiralty?—”

“Don’t do this,” Nikolett said urgently.

“—in a trinity marriage with Sarah Ritter?—”

Franco had no idea who that was until he saw Percy and Owen exchange a look, and remembered where he’d seen that name.Sarah was a knight from Germany—which should have been obvious from her last name—and one of the MPF.

Colum didn’t react to the name.Actually, Colum wasn’t reacting at all.Shit.

“—and a member of the Masters’ Admiralty leadership, per the new terms of the archivist position.”

Nikolett shoved to her feet, and all around the table gazes bounced from her to Eric and back.

“No, Eric.”Despite her quick action, her voice was quiet and calm, almost resigned.

“Colum O’Connor, Sarah Ritter,” Eric was speaking through his teeth, “and Admiral Nikolett Varda, are hereby placed in a trinity.”

ChapterTwo

Franco: You doing okay?