Chapter l154

Chapter 0154

If I wanted to help the people, I would have to do it on my own. As for the border, I could only hope. Terry’s arrogance didn’t lead us into full–scale war.

“I’m not sure it’s wise to send that many troops north,” the King said. “If this is an innocent endeavor on their part, we might then look the part of the aggressor.”

Rather an aggressor than a coward,” Terry said.

“We should listen to my brother,” the Queen said.

The King frowned deeper.

“Why don’t you run along, Nicholas? Terry called to me again. “If you truly care so much for the welfare

of the people, perhaps you should start with that pretty little commoner and her daughter. They’ve been very… vulnerable lately.” He smiled. “We wouldn’t want anything to happen to them.”

Red hot anger burst in my mind and my wolf snarled under my skin.

Was he just threatening Piper and Elva?

But if he was, what could I do about it? He had my parents‘ favor. A seat at the right hand of the King.

I raged in my mind, desiring to jump over the table and throttle him.

As it was, I turned on my heel and stormed to the exit of the room.

I burst into the hallway, then startled to find Julian jumping away from the door. He had clearly been

eavesdropping.

I was so angry at Terry, that I didn’t even mind Julian’s presence. In fact, I welcomed it.

I closed the door behind me, then grabbed Julian by the shoulder and roughly dragged him down the hall

into my

chambers. I threw him inside, then closed the door behind us.

“Don’t take your rage out on me, brother,” Julian said. His smile took on an edge. “But if you want to

sabotage our dear uncle Terry, I’m all for it.”

I

The thought was tempting, but I was never good at subterfuge. Julian knew that. I preferred a more

direct route. Like a challenge perhaps.

But that was neither here nor there, and had nothing to do with what I wished to speak to Julian about

“You need to take Piper on another date,” I said.

Julian’s smile sl*pped. His brows went high on his forehead. I’d surprised him. Good. That was a nice

change

“That is not something I thought I’d hear you say,” Julian admitted.

It wasn’t something I’d thought I’d say. But for Piper’s safety, I was desperate.

“If you

can further establish her as your favorite, it will help protect her against whatever Terry and the

rest of our family has planned for her.”

“You think the King and Queen are in on his plans?” Julian asked.

“I don’t know, but they seem fully submissive to the rest of his ideas. I’m not willing to take the chance

with Piper’s life. Elva’s either.”

Julian crossed his arms. “Yes, I see what you mean.”

“I can’t give her my protection. Not publically, anyway. Mark has told me that Terry has already

approached her in her rooms.”

“He was leering at her during the banquet as well,” Julian added, a detail that made my stomach drop.

Terry was already moving his pieces on the chessboard then. I felt too many turns behind.

“I can continue to date her. Something more public this time,” Julian said.

“That would be best.”

Julian watched me in that unsettling way of his, like he could see through my skin to the heart and soul

underneath. Sometimes I felt like I was standing under a microscope.

“If I date her like this, won’t it make you jealous?” Julian asked.

Yes, it would. Not that I would admit that to him. Especially now, when it mattered so little.

“I just want her safe. I can deal with anything else.”