Luke was not comfortable with how close the movement was to the Black family. Hearing Sebastian talk about how Rhiane, then afterwards her living relatives, being seduced by the rebellion with promises outweighing the benefits they are enjoying under the good graces of the crown was not good news. They both know that the reason Rhiane joined the contest was to give her brother and father a chance at a comfortable life even if it meant giving up her own. If by chance the rebellion succeeded in persuading the household, then it was as if he already lost the battle. Without the queen’s leverage, it would be foolish for Rhiane to choose to stand by her betrothed.

“It does paint a bad image of me, don’t you think? A man who will murder his own wife and child for whatever petty reason the rebels may propagate.” But the foreigner was correct. The palace can take up measures to ensure the princess elect’s security, but it was no assurance that the attacks would stop. He and his mother had made a number of enemies from across all walks of life inside and outside the kingdom. The ruling House may be supported by the majority of the ruling class, but history chronicled the rise and fall of dynasties triggered by a subtle shift in power that created ripples destabilizing alliances and dissolving ties. “If they can create a story to frame the queen while Rhiane is not yet with child, I don’t doubt they will be creative enough to orchestrate a ruse to make it appear that the queen and I are murderous despicable monsters who are unfit to rule.” He shook his head. “Carrying a child in her womb will not save her. You are correct, there will always be people who would wish for her to be out of the picture.” 

What he decided not to express, nor did it occur to him until that moment, was how a pregnancy would shorten the time he was to spend with her. By encouraging intimacy between them, he unknowingly pulled the deadline closer. 

The silver lining was the news Sebastian disclosed next. “You don’t have to try stop them on your own. I am here. I want the same thing that you do – to keep her safe and happy. Help me, Sebastian. Your contacts may be outliers, but my people are trained to track and trace.” The device around his wrist pinged once, but Luke ignored it. “I promise not to put you or your family or the Black family at risk, allow me to carry all the hazards. The queen will not even know about this.”

The second time the device pinged caught Luke’s attention. He glanced on the message on his wrist from Tobias. A slight frown appeared on his face then he was on the shared line of the royal guards. “You don’t have to ask permission,” he talked fast and in an even tone. Luke kept an earpiece in place for emergency calls so he may be able to move freely while talking.

Distracted and without excusing himself, the prince turned on his heels and was half jogging, half sprinting, towards the SUV. Nolan’s face remained blank, though immediately he checked on the other members of the team for any abnormal sightings or activities. Only when the team confirmed that nothing was amiss did the guard’s hand leave the gun alone in its holster. Following Luke’s lead, he jogged to the SUV.

The rear passenger door was unlocked. Luke easily pulled it open, but what he found inside did not make summoning composure easy. Between the time from receiving the message to reaching the vehicle, Tobias had found time to relocate himself to the backseat relatively close to the sleeping princess elect. It could be interpreted as goodwill to try to reassure her while she was asleep, but Luke only saw an opportunity to get close to Rhiane being exploited by his cousin. Her head was against his shoulder, a serene expression on her face as Tobias’ arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder. He was whispering reassurances to her, gently rocking the sleeping princess.

Luke stood frozen by an unwelcomed emotion that could only be illogically placed anger at his cousin. The man was just doing his job, but it felt as if Tobias had crossed the line. “Nolan, ask Sebastian if we can bring Rhiane to her room so she can rest better.” The cousins’ eyes never left each other the whole time as if either party was testing each other’s patience to see who would snap first. “I need you to step out of the vehicle, Tobias.”