“What do you mean, ‘share me’?” I stepped back and crossed my arms. “And who is included in this five?”

“I should have waited until the others arrived,” he mumbled before saying louder, “Conell, Ayen, Kieran, Jonah, and me. Your five husbands-to-be. Although in the eyes of the kingdom, you will be Conell’s Queen.” Elion reached for me and I dodged his hand.

Was that even legal? Of course, it would be once Conell became King and made it a new law to allow it. “Wait. Jonah tried to kill me—almost killed me. Why would he agree to this?”

Elion pressed his lips into a thin line before answering. “I asked him that, too. He said his wolf wants to mate with you.”

Hmm. What about the man? “I’m not so sure. But that is between him and I.”

The wolf had some groveling to do to win my heart. A frown tugged at my lips and creased my forehead. “So each of you…what, want to date me?”

Elion’s expression softened and he glided closer. My heart fluttered at the playful, sensual gleam in his blue depths. He wrapped me in his arms. "Date you, marry you, whatever you want to call it."

Just like that? Again, uncertainty filled my thoughts. Besides, I was sure it was illegal to marry more than one person.

Deciding it was better to wait until the others arrived, I changed the subject. "Are you hungry?"

He waggled his brows. "For you, always."

Rolling my eyes, I pivoted around to head to the kitchen. The freely admitted feelings and show of attention stirred desires I’d never felt before. Sure, I’d secretly been attracted to my step-brothers since I met them. I couldn’t ever act on those feelings. The king made sure of that by keeping me as far away from his sons as he could.

Still, they found ways to see me. Had I been blind to their feelings for me all along?

If the evil bastard king knew Elion would sneak down to the dungeons to visit with me. And comfort me after the beatings. And the other two would send me notes and all the secret meetings we had.

Elion glided up beside me, brushed my mousy blond hair from my neck and placed a kiss on the sensitive skin where it connected to my shoulder. A sigh slipped from me lips.

A chuckle came from Elion as if he knew he stirred the millions of butterflies in my belly. “You shouldn’t have to cook your own meals.”

“And whom should I have do it?” I turned to face him, which put us nose-to-nose.

A brilliant, sexy smile lifted his sensual lips. His blue eyes lit up. “We can train the wolf to do it.”

My mood soared. Each mention of Jonah sent a wildfire of dread and nervousness through me. “No thanks. I’ll cook my own food.”

Escaping his embrace, I moved to the refrigerator and opened it. There was something about Jonah that bothered me. A nagging of awareness tugged at my subconscious while wryness said to stay away. Maybe that was the dark aura surrounding him.

Not wanting to think about the wolf shifter anymore, I asked Elion, “What is the king up to? Or should I ask what evil ways he’s been terrorizing the kingdom?”

Elion fell silent and I glanced at him over my shoulder. He lowered his head, making his blond hair fall over his face, hiding his expression. Turning to face him fully, I advanced to him, reaching out. “Is it that bad?”

With a swift motion, he curled his arms around my waist and hugged me tight. He buried his head into my neck. “It’s worse than when you left.”

An ache formed in my chest, growing with each breath. “Is that why you come looking for me?”

He nodded. “Especially after Kieran confirmed you were alive. We set things in motion to get you.”

“I don’t see what I can do.” I pulled back and studied his blue depths. “Why not just poison the king like he did my mom? Then tell everyone he fell ill.”

A laugh burst from him. “You evil little minx.” He kissed my nose. “Con has you beat, though. He’s going for blood and public humiliation.”

“How?”

“Buy bringing you to the Harvest Ball.” He stood straighter and grinned.

Narrowing my gaze, I opened my mouth to tell him I wasn’t going back to the palace, then froze when I heard horse’s hooves approaching the house.

Elion’s expression turned all hard angles and pursed lips. He took my hand and positioned me behind the door as he opened it. My heart hammered as I peeked through the crack and saw the king’s guards. “Sup!”

I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing at Elion’s greeting. Apparently, he hadn’t stopped annoying the guards. However, my amusement was short lived when one of the guards spoke. “The king thought you might need assistance on your trip.”

Oh, no. He knew. The king knew they were up to something. Dizzying fear made my blood run cold. The urge to run swirled in my mind.

Elion snorted. “Cut the bullshit. You know as well as anyone my father can give two shits about me. What’s the real reason you nosy bastards followed me?”

The guards snared at him but before the one in front of the others replied, a familiar voice booming around us.

“You may leave now. Thank you for finding my brother for me.”

Conell. Had he sent the guards?

“But Your Highness, the king said—”

“I know what he said and I’m changing the plan. I need Elion to join my quest. Tell my father we will be home in time to prepare for the Harvest Ball.” Conell’s tone carried much more authority than I remembered.

I couldn’t see him from where I was, but that didn’t mean my insides didn’t fire to life in a nervous knot.

Without another word, the guards left. I sank to the floor and drew my knees into my chest. That was too close.

I couldn’t stay here. The guards would surely start poking around and asking questions. I crawled from behind the door and stumbled to my feet and ran to my room. Elion called my name, but I ignored him.

Tears fell down my cheeks. Thoughts of Kieran and Elion danced in my head. My heart broke. I had to leave them again.

After grabbing my travel bag—full of the important things I’d need on the run—I turned and froze. Conell, Ayen and Jonah stood just inside my room.

Conell’s lips twitched. “Where are you going, princess?”