Page 58 of The Broken Prince

“But they’re gone now, Ian. It’s over.”

I shook my head. “There’re a lot more of them, Avice. And one vampire isn’t enough to win the war that’s bound to come. They’re demons with fire in their veins—and they can burn their enemies at will.”

Her face drained of all color, like a riverbed that went dry in the heat of summer.

“I don’t want to scare you.”

“What—what are we going to do?”

“Our vampire ally has called for his people to fight for us. Hopefully, they come. In the meantime, I’m going to search for a weakness.”

“What if they don’t come?” she asked. “What if you don’t find a weakness?”

“My suggestion is we flee.”

“Flee where?”

“I don’t know.”

Her arms tightened over her chest, her breathing now uneven.

“Avice.” I came closer to her, my hands moving to her arms. “I will do everything in my power to protect you—”

“I’m worried about our daughter…”

“You know I would give my life for hers.”

Her eyes remained on my chest, her face tight with unease. “I want her to know only peace.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want her to see those horrible things. I don’t want her to be scared.”

“I know, baby.” My arms circled her, and I felt the warmth in my chest when she allowed me to hold her. I brought her into me, her face resting against the hard plate of my armor. “Just know that Huntley and I will do everything we can to protect this beautiful world and the people we love.”

Her arms moved around me, hugging me even though she embraced my armor instead of my body.

My lips brushed her forehead, pressing a kiss to her hairline. “If these are my last days on earth, I want to spend them with you…like this.” My arms tightened on the small of her back, her affection dulling the ache in my chest.

“Me too.”

* * *

I left my bedchambers and moved down the hallway to leave the castle.

“Steward Ian.” My mother’s guard appeared. “Lady Rolfe wishes to speak with you.”

I wasn’t ready to speak with her yet, so I ignored him and continued on my journey. I made it down the stairs and to the main door, ready to enter the city and have a very difficult conversation.

But then her voice sounded behind me. “Ian.”

I approached the double doors, but then the guards moved into my way to block them.

I cocked an eyebrow at both of them.

They tightened their pikes, but their eyes showed their terror.

“Mother, we can’t afford to lose any good men right now, so I’d rather not kill these guys for standing in my way.” I turned around to face her, my eyes heavy with resentment.