All Chapters of Mated to Three princes: And I hate it: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Caius comes for me at sunset.No words. Just holds out his hand.I take it.He leads me up. Higher than I've ever been in the palace. Stairs that spiral forever. My legs burn. The baby makes me slower.He notices. Slows down. Never lets go of my hand."Almost there," he says."Where is there?""You'll see."We reach a door. Small. Hidden. He opens it.The rooftop spreads out before us. Flat stone. Low walls. And the sky.Oh, the sky.Purple and pink and gold. The sun bleeding into the horizon. Stars already appearing in the darker parts. The whole world spread out below us."Caius." I can't find more words."I know." He pulls me forward. To the edge where there's blankets. Pillows. Food and wine. "I wanted somewhere beautiful. Somewhere worthy of you.""This is perfect.""Sit." He helps me down. Careful of my stomach. Always careful. "Are you comfortable?""Yes."He sits beside me. Close but not touching. We watch the sun disappear. Watch the stars take over.The bond hums between us.

Damon doesn't ask.He just appears at my door at sunset with that look on his face. The one that says arguing is pointless."Get dressed," he says. "Something nice.""Where are we going?""My turn." He leans against the doorframe. "Kieran had his fun. Caius had his vulnerability. Now you get me.""Lucky me.""You have no idea." His eyes rake over me. Heat. Promise. "One hour. Don't make me wait."He leaves.I stand there processing. Damon's date. The King showing me why I should choose him.This should be interesting.I find a dress in the closet. Red. Fitted. The kind that makes a statement. If he wants nice, he's getting nice.Exactly one hour later, there's a knock.I open the door.Damon's in formal wear. Black. Perfectly tailored. He looks like power and danger and everything I shouldn't want.His eyes travel down my body. Slow. Deliberate. "Red.""You said nice.""I said nice. You chose devastating." He offers his arm. "Good choice."I take it. Let him lead me through the palace

The girl appears at breakfast.Young. Pretty. Blonde hair pulled back. Nervous smile. She curtsies when she sees us."Your Majesties. My lady." Her voice is soft. Sweet. "I'm Lyra. The new maid assigned to Lady Sage."I look at Damon. "I don't need a maid.""Yes you do," he says. Not looking up from his papers. "You're pregnant. You need help.""I can help myself.""It's not a request." He finally looks at me. "Lyra comes highly recommended. She'll assist with whatever you need. Clothes. Baths. Food. Whatever."Lyra curtsies again. "I'm honored to serve, my lady. I'll do my best to make your life easier.""See? She's perfect." Kieran grins at her. "Welcome to the family, Lyra."She blushes. "Thank you, Your Highness."Something about her bothers me. Can't place it. Maybe it's just me being territorial about my space."Fine," I say. "But I don't need much help.""Whatever you need, my lady. I'm here." She backs away. Disappears into the servant corridors."She seems nice," Kieran says.

I don't think.Just move.Grab the nearest thing. A lamp. Swing hard.It connects with his head. He staggers. Not enough.He's bigger. Stronger. Faster.His hand catches my wrist. Squeezes. The lamp drops."Scream and I'll kill you faster," he says.I scream anyway. "DAMON!"He slaps me. Hard. My head snaps back. Blood in my mouth.Through the bond. Panic. Rage. They felt that. They're coming.But they're not here yet.He drags me toward the window. "You're coming with me. Nice and quiet.""Like hell."I kick. Hard. Aim for his knee. He grunts. Grip loosens.I run.He catches me by my hair. Yanks back. I cry out.My wolf surges. Wants to shift. Wants to fight. But shifting could hurt the baby.Can't risk it.He throws me against the wall. Air leaves my lungs. I slide down."Selene wanted you to suffer slowly." He pulls out a knife. "But I think fast works too."He raises the knife.The door explodes.Damon. Eyes pure gold. Shifted halfway. More beast than man.He hits the attacker lik

I'm in the library when Caius finds me."We need to talk," he says. Face grim.As Usual."About?""Vivian." He closes the door. Locks it. "I've been investigating. Her family. Her background. Her connection to Selene.""Connection?""They were cousins. Distant. But family." He sets down papers. Documents. Evidence. "Vivian's been lying. About everything."My stomach drops. "What do you mean?""She wasn't just raised to be Queen. She was raised to BE Selene. Backup plan if Selene failed to secure Damon." He points to a family tree. "Their families planned it together. Alliance through marriage. Power consolidation. The works.""So when Selene died.""Vivian took over the plan. But she's smarter than Selene. More patient. More dangerous." He pulls out more documents. "The attacks. The poison. The assassins. I think she's been orchestrating all of it.""That's insane.""Is it? Think about it. Lyra was caught too easily. Gave up names too quickly. Almost like she wanted us to find certain