My eye lids were heavy and I’d briefly dozed off a few times. Almost fell off my horse the last time. That was when Ayen made me sit in front on him on his horse and tied mine so he could follow.

Apparently, they had specific spots they stopped at. Our next point would be an overnight at an inn just outside the Kregon Kingdom. Ayen said it was run by a trusted friend and ally. I was too tired to ask many questions.

“Almost there, T.”

I nodded sleepily against his chest and closed my eyes.

“T, wake up.” Ayen nudged me gently.

Opening my eyes, I glanced around, unsure where I was for a brief moment. When the haze of sleep lifted, I sat straight up, recognizing the inn. Excitement danced inside me, then fear and dread settled in.

My aunt owned the inn. I hadn’t seen her since Mom’s death. Then the excitement turned to panic. Shaking my head, I tugged at Ayen’s sleeve. “We can’t be here.”

He kissed my temple and eased me down off the horse, then dismounted. “We can. No one will recognize you.”

Right, the disguise. Still, it was risky. “But my aunt will not be fooled for long.”

His gaze sparked with mischief. “Martha is on our side. I’ll fill you in once we’re settled.”

I wanted to argue with him, but I needed to trust the guys’ plan. The one where I still didn’t know all the details. I had a hunch they were keeping it that way for a reason.

A young man about Ayen’s age came out and greeted us. I hung back a few steps from Ayen. “Your Highness, it’s good to see you again.”

“A pleasure as always.” Ayen smiled and handed the reins to him. “We’re only passing through.”

The man nodded. “Of course.”

When he led the horses to the barn, I glared at Ayen. “Who was that?”

“I’m not sure. He’s new.” Ayen extended his elbow to me and I took it, looping my arm with his.

He led me inside and we were instantly greeted by my aunt. My heart fluttered at the sight of her and I wanted so much to wrap her into a tight hug. My eyes began to sting from unshed tears.

Ayen uncurled my arm from his and rubbed my back as he spoke. I leaned into his touch, loving the support from him. The pain from seeing my aunt was almost too much. Especially when I couldn’t go to her and tell her it was me. “I see you have a new employee.”

Martha glanced at me and stared. “Yes, but don’t worry about him. That’s William, my nephew.”

“Good. We don’t need rumors floating around about the middle prince staying at an inn with a girl.” Ayen chuckled and squeezed me close. I let out a half-hearted laugh. “We’ll take our dinner in our room. Will you deliver it yourself?”

Was he crazy? I couldn’t face her anymore without exposing myself to her.

“Of course, Your Highness.” Martha curtsied and rushed to the front desk and grabbed a key. When she returned, she handed it to him. “It’s the same room your brothers use while here. Third floor, turn left and it’s the last suite on the right. No one else stays on that floor.”

“Thank you.” He took the key and directed me to the stairs.

When we were in our room, alone, I smacked his arm. “What are you doing, bringing me here? Especially when I can’t let her know who I am. Do you know what your father would do to my family if he suspected they knew I was alive all this time?”

By the time I finished my mini-rant, tears blurred my vision and words were hard to form.

Ayen grabbed my arms and pulled me to him. Wrapped in his embrace, I buried my face into his shirt, while fisting the fabric on either side of him. “Why?” I asked again.

“Because you can tell her, but not in a public place.” He sighed and moved us to the bed and sat down, gathering me into his lap. “That is why she will bring us our dinner.”

Confusion clouded my mind. Lifting my head, I studied him. “How? I mean it will put her in danger if this plan fails.”

He twisted, swinging me around to lay me on the bed. The movement was sudden and a spark of excitement shot through me. Hovering over me, he traced a finger down my cheek. “This plan will not fail. Father has too many enemies. And we have too many allies.”

His eyes danced with mischief as he slid his finger along my jaw and down my neck. A hot shiver rippled through me. I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I bet Conell has a backup plan.”

A slow, wicked smile formed on his lips. “You know it.”

Fisting his hair, I pulled him down until our lips touched. He groaned and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue inside. My body heated and tingled at the same time. An ache throbbed in my core. As if knowing what I wanted, he lifted my skirts and ran his hand up my thigh and continued until he cupped me.

I moaned and arched my hips into his touch.

“Ayen.” His name was a breathless whisper turned plea.

He broke the kiss and glided his lips down my throat. Pleasure rolled through me, mounting and threatening to push me over the edge.

A knock on the door shoved me out of my happy place and back to reality. I let out a frustrated growl. Ayen replied with one of his own. He eased off the bed and offered me his hand.

I took it and he pulled me to a stand before crossing the room to the door.

After making sure the dress was straight and nothing was exposed, I sat on the edge of the bed. My heart pounded in my throat and my stomach churned with hot fear.

I needed to get over it. To trust the guys would do everything to keep me safe. Taking a deep breath, I focused on the thought that the king would be getting what was coming to him.

Together, the guys and I would win the kingdom.

With one last glance to me, Ayen opened the door. My aunt curtseyed. “Your Highness.”

“Martha, please come in.” He held to door and stepped aside while my aunt wheeled the cart with our dinner on it inside.

Ayen stuck his head out the door before securing us inside. I held his gaze, curious to what he was up to. He gave me a brilliant smile and clicked the lock. “Martha, your niece isn’t dead.”

My aunt gasped, her gaze locking onto mine. She began to shake and her eyes filled with tears.

My own pain surfaced. “Ayen…”

“Take the amulet off, Tia.”

With shaky hands, I did as he requested, not taking my gaze from my aunt. The spell shimmered and fell away. But to my surprise the dress stayed. I cast a questioning glance to Ayen and he laughed.

“The dress was an added accessory I felt you’d want to keep.”

I nodded and returned my attention to Martha, who was staring at me as if she didn’t believe her eyes. I reached out a hand to her. “Hi, Mar. It’s really me.”

Like a dam breaking, she burst into tears and threw herself at me, wrapping me in a tight hug. I hugged her back, my own tears rolling down my face.

For too long, I believed I’d never see my family again. Yet, Ayen brought me to my aunt.

Martha pulled back and framed my face. “You are a beautiful gift. How can this be?”

I sighed and took her hands in mine. “I’m not even sure how much I can tell you right now. Plus, there are thing the princes aren’t sharing with me. I do know that it will be over soon. Things will be better.”

“Blah.” Martha drew me into another hug before tugging me to the sitting area of the suite. “Those boys have been coming here about once a month for the last year. They said they were looking for you.”

I glanced over my shoulder to Ayen. He shrugged. “We needed a place to stay while we pretended we were searching for you.”

A giggle bubbled up and I focused back on Martha. “I didn’t mean to cause you heartache. I ran away and covered my tracks. I didn’t know Jonah had told the king I died.”

I left out the part that the guard was the cause of the so-called death. Martha didn’t need to hate the wolf. I’d see if he was redeemable first.

Ayen stepped over to the window. “She still needs to stay dead until the king is dethroned.”

Martha’s eyes grew large and she smiled. I sensed her putting the pieces together in her mind. “Conell will take his rightful place?”

Ayen nodded but didn’t turn to look at us.

I tapped Martha on the hand. “No one can know of this.”

“I agree.” Martha squeezed my hands and shook her head. “Don’t tell me anything else about it.”

My heart filled. Unconditional love flowed around us. She was supporting us and wouldn’t ask any questions. That relieved me a little. “Thank you.”

Martha hugged me again and sniffed. “No, thank you.” She pulled back. “Both of you. As much as I’d love to stay, I will be missed.”

She paused and touched my cheek. “You look tired.”

I nodded. “It’s been a long day.”

I didn’t want her to go. There was so much we needed to catch up on. Yet, I couldn’t risk being discovered. The king would use Martha to control me for sure. Or he’d just kill her to prove a point.

No more. I would not live in fear any longer.

The king needed to be locked up or banished from the kingdom for good.