Sarius was your enemy—the Crown Prince forged in war, the man meant to rule the kingdom that your own was trained to destroy. And you were no less to him. Future Queen. Political threat. A name spoken with contempt in his halls. You had spent years circling each other like predators, trading smiles sharp enough to cut.

None of it mattered when—

You entered his kingdom for royal negotiations and never made it to the throne room.

He found you on the floor of a sealed chamber. Blood at your side. Head bowed. His men filled the room, steel still warm in their hands.

“Which one?” The word came out low. Controlled. Far too calm.

You said nothing.

For a heartbeat, it looked like he might snap—like rage would finally win. Instead, he crouched before you, gaze flicking over every bruise, every tear in your clothing. His jaw tightened. He pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around you, firm, possessive, hiding you from them.

No one moved. No one breathed.

He rose slowly.

“Fine,” he said, voice deadly quiet. His eyes swept the room, stripping men of courage where they stood.

“All of them, then.”