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“Now. Decide what our next move is with Armadon. Summon me when it is decided,” I snap. Without dismissal, I leave the room, James follows.

The walk back to my bed chamber is silent until James decides to speak. “Luke, that was the stupidest thing you could have done.” He shakes his head. “You just dangled Reign in Vanna’s face like a worm to a fish. Do you expect her not to bite?”

“She won’t. The consequences will be too great,” I reply just as we arrive to the room. I reach for the knob, but James knocks my hand out of the way.

“Are you willing to put her life on the line like that, Luke. This is Vanna we are talking about… She is cunning. She is always ten steps ahead.”

Staring at him, I see the angst he has. He is worried—ever the father figure. “James… I will protect her.” With that I walk into the room.

“Everyone out,” I demand.

Everyone stands from their chairs. Reign stands from the bed. They all start toward the door, including Reign. I grip her arm. “Oh Reckless, you aren’t going anywhere.” She stares at me with uncertainty and a bit of fear. The fear I see in her eyes stings a bit. I’d never hurt her.

When everyone leaves the room, I release her. She stares at me with uncertainty. I gulp. “Let me see it.”

She reluctantly shakes her head. “Reign, let. Me. See. Your. Back,” I slowly say in a demanding voice.

She huffs, closing her eyes momentarily. “Fine. You want to see it?” She rips her top off and turns around.

A lump forms in my throat and my chest feels heavy at the sight of eight new angry red marks on her back. They are healed over, but fresh. My anger stirs again.

“Reign…” I huff out, but it sounds strangled. Before she turns back around, she puts her shirt back on. “Why would you try to hide this from me,” I ask.

“Because I didn’t want you to go alldarkprinceon everyone. It’s fine.” Her breathing picks up as she speaks. I step closer to her, gripping her shoulders. I pull her into me, wrapping my arms around her, hugging her tightly.

“It’s fine,” she replies.

“It’s not fine, Reign.”

“I had worse in the Hollows.” She pulls away from me and lays back down on the bed.

“I killed them all,” I blurt out.

She immediately sits up, eyes wide. “You killed the king and Vanna?”

“No! Gods and goddesses, no. I threatened them. But no. I killed Big Al and any guard he said hurt you.” She is still like a statue for a second, eyes unyielding. Then she crashes against me, throwing her arms around me in a desperate embrace.

Her chest is moving unevenly, and I can hear her soft sobs as she whispers, softly. “Thank you.”

We stand like that for a bit, embracing each other. Finally, I pull back, cupping her face, I wipe her tears away with my thumbs and gently kiss her forehead. “I am sorry I wasn’t here. No one will ever touch you again. Ever. I just made sure of that.” With silver beads in her eyes, she slowly nods.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, while I rub my hands up and down her arms.

“Honestly, I am fine. I promise. Dola healed me.” She cups my face with one hand, leaning up, she plants a soft kiss to my lips.

“Well, if you are up for it, I’d like to take you somewhere.”

“Where?” Her curiosity is adorable.

“It’s a surprise. Get dressed.” She smiles, then turns to go get ready.

The carriage ride is bumpy as we make our way to wherever Lukene is taking me. He chooses to sit beside me instead of across, his presence warm and reassuring. He holds my hand the entire journey, and I’ve never experienced such a simple yet intimate gesture. His calloused thumb gently scrapes across my palm, soothing me in ways I didn’t know I needed.

I never thought I’d be blessed by love’s embrace, yet here I am. Lukene may not have spoken the words “I love you,” but his actions speak volumes. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this man.

When the carriage comes to a stop outside a large building, Lukene hops out and extends his hand to me. As I climb down, the realization of where we are hits me. It’s the theater my father used to take me to as a child. Involuntarily, tears swell in my eyes as the familiar music filters out into the air.

“Come on.” He pulls the hood of my cloak up and places an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get inside.” The look he gives me is pure love.