Over the next two years, father invaded and pacified planets on Tritan orders. Meanwhile, Xelan fashioned a laboratory in the lower levels of the Spire to revive the Vittle crop. Mother stopped scheming and settled for establishing a school, indoctrinating the children with Elden's Verses. Korac kept close to me, taking his role as guard seriously. To the point, I eventually ordered him to stay behind, protecting my secret in the Ignis Desert.

They still didn't know. I couldn't risk them on the Primary's wrath. Xelan grew out of physical affection before too long, and Korac avoided contact. There was no need to tell them.

But I was older. Earth-age seventeen. I craved intimacy and connection. I won't lie to you. I was awkward around women. All the ones in my life up to this point were too old or tried to kill me. Or both.

I hated Umbra's conquests. From each battle, he returned with a female from the decimated race. After our fight, he ensured the women submitted to him voluntarily. And we forbade any slaves on Cinder. He obeyed. Unfortunately, he still insisted on honoring his disgusting public consummation ritual.

After forcing us to watch, I vowed, "I will never treat a female the way he does. Like my mother. Like property." I shuddered and caught Korac gazing at me.

He assessed me for another moment before nodding to me in agreement. "Never."

One evening not long after, Korac and I sparred in the circle while Xelan calculated stats on our performance. He hypothesized a way to upgrade nacres beyond the castes without Tritan intervention. I rejoiced. One step closer to removing the "leash." And my brother would be the one to do it.

In my enthusiasm, I threw Korac extra far that day.

"Your majesty, any further and I may need wings." Korac wiped the blood from his nose with the faintest smirk. New and slight, his occasional smiles befitted a face which grew more handsome once he filled out.

"Then stop holding back, and I--"

The horns sounded from the viewing platform. Summoned.

Xelan groaned. Only Earth-age ten, I asked him to stay away from any affair hosted by father. "I can correlate the data while you two get to official business. Find me when you finish."

I'm grateful he didn't witness what happened next.

Korac and I arrived to find me the center of attention.

"Prince Nox will wed Para. Now."

I glanced at Korac in a furious outrage. My guard's face was utterly impassive. What Hell did he suffer to force him to hide his reactions so well? Emptiness. Even as Para walked onto the platform in traditional wedding garb.

Black ribbons wrapped around her muscular legs and arms. Wider bands covered her nudity. She slicked her short blue hair back. Onyx eyes met my own. She was scared. A frightened Valkyrie. This was enough.

"No, King Umbra. We will not marry."

Father looked far too pleased with himself. He knew something I didn't. "True. She is older than you, but she is of great stock. Many healthy Icarean warriors will come of this union."

I ignored him. "Para, do you want this?"

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She shook her head vigorously. When she looked behind her, I caught the acceleration of her heart rate. Despite that, the powerful woman approached me, hugging herself.

Korac tensed beside me.

I took a step away with my hands holding her aloft. "No. No. This is not happening. She--"

"Prince Nox, please take me as your wife." Tears brimmed her lashes.

What the fuck did they have over her?

"Take me, Night Prince."

"Para, no. What has he done?"

"You will do this for the good of Cinder." Umbra made eye contact with someone beyond the entrance. In a hushed voice, he added, "And Karter."

I gawked at him before looking around the corner. Amolot and two other Valkyrie held the woman down, ready to decapitate her.

Umbra explained, "Both of them conspired against us. This is their punishment. Take Para while Karter witnesses."

"No."

"Then Karter dies."

Para whimpered and reached for me. Before I could blink, Korac took hold of the girl's hands. He firmly, but gently held her off me while she cried desperately. "I have her, your majesty."

"Boy, you are a servant in my household. How dare you--"

Atramentous. Instantly. "This is not your house. You are no King to him or I. And you left me no choice." I spared a glance at Korac. He startled at my eyes. "Get down."

The shock wave rippled across the platform. It flowed from me into the entryway, toppling Amolot and the other Valkyrie. But I miscalculated.

The percussive blast radius went down and out. It struck Korac and Para, rendering them unconscious. Then it spread. Four million Icari attended this wedding sham. The wave hit them, knocking them away and out.

I ran to Korac and Para's side. "Are you all right? Wake! Forgive me." I hyperventilated bordering on hysteria. "Korac. Para. Please."

Terrified, I listened for their heartbeats. Faint, but alive. I flew into and down the castle. Servants and soldiers covered the floors. What had I done?

"Mother?! Xelan?!"

I found my brother unconscious in the basement. I could only guess mother was out somewhere. I hoped safely, and not in mid-flight. "How could I do this?"

"It is time."

I whirled to find the Physician boldly walking around my home once again. I cried out, "Will they wake? Will they survive?!" I gripped his robes and shook him before I realized my mistake.

A swirling knot inflated my internal organs, and I fell to my knees. Tears in my eyes, I cried, "Why?!"

"A necessary test of your abilities. They will recover." He knelt and checked Xelan's vitals. "We need you on the battlefield. The civilizations we tame are communicating. They know of your kind and the threat the Icari pose. Some are resisting. Your father was suitable for savage skirmishes, but these are organized missions. They require strategy and cunning. And heavy weaponry."

I shook my head, letting spit fall while my insides uncoiled. "Why this way? Why not ask?"

He adjusted Xelan to make him more comfortable. I hated him for it. Reasonably, he explained, "I need to know the limits of your ferocity. Umbra accused you of having a charitable mercy which is of no use to us. I see your limitations mostly extend to the mistreatment of those weaker than yourself. We will soon rid you of all your tenderness. It has no place where I will send you."

"Para?"

The Tritan shook his head. "Your father intends to try them for treason if you refuse to marry the smaller one."

I shut my eyes, letting hot tears spill out. Two years without this Primary bullshit. A wonderful two years with my brother and my new best friend. Even my mother seemed happier with Korac around. And now...

"I will go wherever you send me. Please let them go."

He chuffed in disgust. "Umbra was right. You are too soft. Go slit their throats. It may prove better than what he wants to do with them once he awakens."

I lowered my head until it touched the cool rock. I sniffled when I wanted to scream with rage until my throat gave out and my lungs died.

Nearer to me, he advised, "Go find a woman to bed. Release some of that tension into her. Just keep it violent or your leash will unravel. Many women enjoy that. I believe Amolot might do. If you can stomach her." He walked out of the lab, calling over his shoulder, "I return soon to enlist you for the next battle."

It took me two hours to move Karter and Para to the Great House while everyone slept. I didn't care if it was soft or weak. I wanted them safe.

I dragged Korac and Xelan to my room so we could fortify it for when Umbra woke and discovered the missing women. I needn't worry. No retaliation or even conversation came of the event.

I never found mother in the Spire. She appeared two days later with bruises under her eyes. I didn't ask.

The Primary was wrong. I didn't need a woman to assuage my rage. Sparring, hunting, and strategizing with my brothers was enough. And I wasn't weak. I was smart. In my precarious position, I required allies, not enemies. Honey and vinegar and all that.