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He’d seen little of her over the centuries. On his very rare visits to the Kingdom of Centoi, she’d emerged only for the occasional court dinner. King Ryenil had claimed she was timid and needed protecting, the delicate “jewel” of Centoi. But perhaps it had been her penchant for trouble that had been the root cause of her absence.

And here he was, wondering like Ria.

“Awaken her once Sir Macoe has secured her in the dungeon,” Toren decided. “I need rest before morning court, and there can’t be more than two or three hours left before that. Perhaps some discomfort will prompt her to speak of my brother’s plans.”

Macoe stepped forward. “I will carry her myself, Sire.”

“Very well.” Toren nodded, then glanced down at the frowning healer. “I do not mean to imply that her health should be put at risk by this discomfort. Accompany Sir Macoe and ensure that it is so. I’ll summon another healer to finish repairing Mehl’s injury.”

Mehl touched his arm. “It is merely a scab now.”

“Nevertheless,” Toren insisted, already sending out the mental command. He couldn’t bear for his husband to have a moment’s lingering discomfort because of his poor judgment. “They will meet us in our suite.”

Mehl merely sighed.

After all the chaos, it took only a few quick moments for Macoe to carry the princess from the room, Vesset trailing behind. Toren returned to Ria’s side, linking arms with her as Mehl joined them. She would not be left in danger this time. She didn’t know it yet, but she would be sleeping with them.

Tonight and every night.

“What were you doing to that fabric?” Toren asked as they walked toward the family wing again. “In your room, that is. Your magic was all around it, and the pattern was skewed.”

“Skewed?” Ria’s nose wrinkled. “I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me that Tes made me mess it up.”

Toren nestled her arm closer to his side. “It was a good thing. If I hadn’t noticed the disturbance in the pattern, we wouldn’t have realized you’d been taken. Not that we truly provided rescue.”

“You must have been near to it since Mehl found Tes,” Ria said. “As to the fabric…I’ve been working on expanding my skills. I can alter fabric to match my designs. What else can I alter? Perhaps I will have more time to explore my magic now.”

“You’re more than welcome to use the royal library,” Toren offered before he could think better of it. But a moment’s consideration did nothing to change his mind. “I’ll notify the head librarian that you’re to be given access. The rooms already open to everyone might have some books about your type of magic, but the royal collection likely has more detailed texts.”

Ria gaped at him, but over her shoulder, Toren caught Mehl’s smug smile. She might not fully realize what an offer like this indicated, but it clearly hadn’t slipped his husband’s notice. Yes, Toren’s feelings had shifted toward Ria—or rather, clarified. He’d been denying the unusual link between them and the protective urges that goaded him. No longer.

He was beginning to believe what Mehl had said from the start—Ria belonged with them.

“You truly don’t mind?” Ria asked. “I could always petition for entry to the mage’s library if you decide otherwise.”

“It is fine, Ria. You’re the—” By the gods, he’d almost called her queen. He resolutely avoided looking at Mehl this time. “You’re the royal consort and hopefully the mother to our next monarch. You have every right to use the royal library.”

A fine flush pinkened her skin, and she nodded. Then they passed the guard to enter the family wing, and her arm tensed against his. Was she nervous about being here now? He supposed he couldn’t blame her. But neither he nor Mehl would be so careless with her again.

As though summoned, Mehl’s mind brushed his.“Please tell me she’s coming with us.”

Toren gave him a quick, amused glance.“You seem to agree with my own thoughts. Ria sleeps with us.”

“Until Ber is no longer a threat?”Mehl asked.

“Of course.”Toren hesitated, though he was fairly certain of his husband’s feelings on the matter.“Possibly longer if we’re all in accord. You above all.”

Mehl’s lips curved upward.“I’ve believed she is ours since the beginning. Difficult to fathom, yet undeniably true.”

“Perhaps,”Toren allowed.

It would take time before he could claim certainty.

But he was close.

* * *

With each stepnearer to her room, Ria found herself growing increasingly tense. But why? All had turned out well. She was safe, and the healer had done an excellent job fixing her every pain. Even so, the thought of walking back into the sitting room where she’d been attacked caused her muscles to tighten as though preparing to flee. How would she be able to sleep?