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The guard steps between us, and Corvin and Lian turn toward us. “As Corvin has been informed, the king made time for you in half an hour, and we still need to travel to the palace. Be ready in fifteen minutes.”

I swallow the ache in my throat, not sure I can handle that stress when things are so tense with Kazak.

“Let’s head to my room,” Corvin states. “I have clean clothes you can borrow, Kazak. I doubt you’ll make a decent impression looking like you’ve crawled out of a grave.”

Kazak stares at him in disbelief, knowing how little he means to Corvin, but he seems to appreciate his help.

“Thanks,” I say, smiling his way. “I’ll be in my room, getting dressed.”

“I need time alone with Dawn,” he states.

“I’m happy to join you,” Lian adds, stepping forward, standing there in nothing but a towel hanging dangerously low on his waist.

Kazak’s neck muscles are tense, corded, and throbbing with his pulse. “No!”

Lian’s chest puffs out, a sneer tugging on his lips.

Here we go.

“You sure you want to be alone with him, Dawn?” Lian begins, then steps into Kazak’s face. “Is that jealousy I smell? Never pegged you for being so insecure.”

“What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?” Kazak snarls, lifting his head as the two alphas face each other.

Corvin just leans a shoulder into the wall, seeming to enjoy the show and not intending to intervene. The guards are no different.

“Dawn is mine, and I’ll do anything to keep her protected,” Lian states. “And right now, you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine, so I’m not leaving her alone with you.”

“Lian,” I say. “It’s fine.” The last thing we need is an all-out war before we see the king when we should be working out how to keep Kazak from returning to the dungeon.

“You’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” Corvin finally says. “How about we deal with this later and get ready for the king?”

Finally, someone who’s making sense.

“Agreed,” I say and open the door to my room. “And I’ll catch Kazak up quickly in my room.”

Lian scowls at Kazak, staring at him as if he might go crazy. “Fine, but let’s make this simple, Kazak. You’re not the only one who lays claim to Dawn.” He slams a palm to his own chest, and in moments, his mark of the double-headed snake appears over his heart. My name appears beneath the serpent. “Read it and weep.”

I roll my eyes at his theatrics.

“Wait, what the fuck, Lian?” Corvin says, stepping closer as if he doesn’t believe what he’s seeing.

Kazak’s brow pinches, his upper lip curling over his teeth. “How?”

I’m running out of breath as the seconds pass, and this is going to end terribly.

“She’s my soulmate.” Then he leans over, catches my chin with his fingers, and kisses my mouth.

Kazak growls and shoves a hand into his chest, ripping him off me. “Don’t fucking touch her.”

Lian stumbles a few steps, grinning. “Too late, lover boy.” He’s chuckling. “One scream from her when you two are alone, and I’ll skin you alive.”

“Lian, please. If you hurt him, I’ll never forgive you,” I say, and all three of them stare at me incredulously.

Kazak heaves for breath, while Corvin frowns and steps up alongside Lian. Both stroll toward his room in hushed conversation.

I march into my room, Kazak behind me, and I shut the door. He storms through and keeps going to the glass door that leads to the balcony, while I stand in the middle of the room feeling sick.

“Kazak, I have a lot to tell you, and we don’t have too much time.”