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What I can do is protect her—and I will. I’ll move her closer, to the room next to mine, where she’ll be safe. Where I can keep her safe.

Footsteps echo down the hall, and I glance up to see Elm sprinting toward us, Lilyana right on his heels. Elm rushes past me without a word, going straight to Reign.

She leaps into his arms, burying her face in his chest. He cradles her, rubbing soothing circles into her hair.

A sharp ache blooms in my chest, one I’ve never felt before. It isn’t anger—it’s inadequacy. I realize, with painful clarity, that I’m not enough for her. She’s always been afraid she wasn’t good enough for me, when it is I who isn’t enough for her. I can’t comfort her the way Elm does, the way Kylo does. I’m not what she needs.

Sasha and Elm begin gathering Reign’s belongings, carrying them to the room next to mine. Lilyana sits quietly beside Reign on what’s left of her bed, murmuring soft words of comfort.

I take the opportunity to slip out of the room, Kylo following closely behind.

Whoever did this is going to regret it. And I won’t rest until I find them.

Sasha and Elm carry my items to my new room. I watch Sasha digging around in the armoire dragging out items, then I remember what I have in there. Sweat breaks out across my skin as my breath catches in my throat. I jump up, head to the armoire, and grab the tiny vial of poison, shoving it deep inside a pair of boots.

When Elm enters, I hand them to him, giving him a weird look as I gesture to the boots. He immediately picks up on my intent, takes the boots along with some other items from the armoire, and leaves to put them in my new room.

We step into my new room, much larger than my previous one. Approaching the armoire, I see that Elm tucked the boots to the side, hidden beneath a few elegant gowns hanging above it. Perfect.

“Reign?” Startled, I jump. Prince Lukene stands in the doorway.

Breathless and anxious at the thought of being caught, I respond, “Yes, Prince?”

“Come. You will not sleep in here tonight. When your room is settled tomorrow, you can sleep here.” His tone is stern and serious.

“Where will I sleep?”

“Just come with me.” Looking at Sasha, she gestures toward Lukene. Walking to the doorway, I follow him. I didn’t have to follow far, just a few paces to his door.

Halting, I glance at him. “Luke, I…”

“No expectations. Just sleep. Your room will take a while to settle, and we don’t know who wrecked your other room. Please. It will make me feel better, knowing you are safe.”

I huff but concede with a nod. After entering his room, I sit in the leather chair I’ve occupied during my previous visits. The fire is dying, shadows dancing lazily on the black walls from its dwindling light.

Lukene walks into the washroom, leaving the door open. The sound of running water echoes until he emerges.

“Come on…” he demands.

“Lukene…”

“Now, Reign…”

Standing, I walk into the washroom. The black tiles and stone shower glisten in the dull light as steam billows throughout the room.

“You had a rough day. Shower,” he insists. I glare at him, nervousness lacing my movements.

“Well, I can’t if you’re in here.”

“You can.” He smiles mischievously.

“Are you out of your mind?” I ask, raising a brow.

He chuckles, “Yes, out of my mind for you…” He walks over to the vanity and takes a drying cloth out, handing it to me. “Undress and wrap this around you. I’ll turn around while you do.”

Accepting defeat, I take the cloth. When he turns around, hesitantly, I strip off my dress, letting it drop to the floor. The cloth wraps around my midsection, covering my most intimate parts.

“Uh… You can turn back around,” I say.