“So, how long will it take for her to be ready to be my champion?” Taveon asked as he stared out at the moonrise. Rafe knew his friend had not slept a wink all night. Ever since he’d come back from Otherworld, he’d been different. Distant. Lost in thought. Uneasy. Rafe had asked if he mourned his father, but the Prince had shut that down just as he always did. Truth be told, Rafe knew his friend held love in his heart for the old man, but it was a love mixed with a horrible hate. Their relationship had always been complicated, and Taveon would never admit it.

To him, it was a weakness he could not afford.

Rafe crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorframe. “She is strong, fierce, and full of raw potential. That said, she is a very new fae, and she still struggles to maintain control while she is in her shapeshifted form. Her powers are volatile, especially since she seems to be quite angry that she is being forced to do this...”

He loved Taveon like a brother, and he was on his side no matter what. But...well, how did he tell the Prince that this entire thing was a terrible idea?

Taveon shot a sharp glance his way. “You sound skeptical. Can she not do this?”

“I believe she can, but I am not certain she should.” Rafferty hesitated to say more. The truth of the matter was, the girl had made quite the impression on him. She had been a lot different than he’d expected, and there was a fierceness there that was impossible to deny. “She is...different. She does not belong here, Taveon. It is not fair to keep her held here like a slave.”

“I see. “Taveon scowled. “Perhaps you will change your tune when I tell you that she attempted to murder me.”

Rafe’s eyebrows shot up.

“Yes, that’s right.” Taveon crossed his arms over his chest. “She made a move against the crown.”

“Does that mean she knows the truth about you? Did she see?”

Rafe was talking about the Prince’s immunity to death, of course. He couldn’t imagine what would happen if the truth of Taveon got out. The whole realm would explode into violence. The Court would either love him or hate him. Probably both, split right down the middle, forcing the entirety of the Dark Fae to break out into war.

Because Taveon’s immunity meant one thing and one thing only...though it was a thought Rafe didn’t dare voice aloud, not even in his own mind.

Taveon gave a grim nod. “But she will not tell a single soul. She understands the repercussions if she does.”

Rafe raised an eyebrow. “She does?”

“She knows that if she admits to stabbing me in the heart, her life will be forfeit,” Taveon said.

Of course. Rafe forced himself to keep his expression neutral even though he was anything but. So, Bree didn’t quite understand the full truth of Taveon’s nature. That was good, at least. As much as Rafe appreciated Bree for the person she was, he didn’t trust her. Not yet. She could do a lot of damage with that information.

But, at the same time, he hated the idea that Taveon had threatened her life. This was not how the Prince had planned to do things. Or, at least, he’d always told Rafe he wouldn’t be the King his father was. If that was still the case, he wasn’t starting out on the best foot.

“If the wrong person finds out, Taveon,” Rafe said, “it could mean the end of everything.”

“Not if I win the Battle for the Crown first, Rafe. No one can take the throne away from me once I have it,” Taveon said, his voice dangerous and dark. “So, get her ready. Make sure she is prepared for the fights. We cannot afford for her to lose.”