Chapter 15 · The Prince Breaks Rank

I woke up on cold stone.

Not my bed. Not even a cell. The throne room floor.

My wrists were still burning from the silver cuffs they'd used to drag me in here. I tried to sit up and my vision went sideways. Everything hurt. The baby kicked once, hard, like she was pissed off too.

"Stay down." Dorian's voice. Close.

I forced my eyes open. He was crouched next to me, one hand hovering near my shoulder like he wanted to touch me but didn't dare. His face was locked down tight, but his eyes were wrong. Too bright. Too sharp.

Behind him, the whole court was still here. Seraphine stood by the throne, her dress perfect, her smile thin. The King sat above it all, watching. Waiting.

"Edwin invoked the Bloodright clause," Dorian said quietly. "You're under my protection now. They can't touch you."

"What does that mean?" My voice came out raspy. My throat was raw. Had I been screaming?

"It means I claimed you as my House's responsibility. Anything they do to you, they do to me first."

I stared at him. "You can't do that. You'll lose the throne."

"I know."

Two words. Flat. Final.