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“This way.” I wrap her hand around my arm to guide her out of the carriage.

The three of us follow a very anxious-looking guard through the palace’s glittering hallways. Lux leads the way while Eden and I walk a few steps behind.

Eventually, we reach a large chamber just as oversized as the rest of Sol’s palace. Tall banners with sun emblems hang from the walls while at the end of the hall is a wide dais and a golden throne.

A few of the huge gems are missing from the armrests. Money must be getting pretty tight around here.

I suppose that was why Sol agreed to sell his daughter to us without considering just who he was selling her to. Greedy prick.

“Where is everyone?” Eden whispers.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“The throne room is supposed to be busy. That’s why we were never allowed in here, because Father didn’t like us meeting visitors. But there’s no one here at all. Not even guards.”

I glance around the room. She’s right. The place is deserted.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he lied to you about having many visitors. He’s not exactly a popular king,” I chuckle.

Eden’s brow shoots up, but then a door to the side of the dais swings open. Multiple guards funnel out, followed by a man in a bright red coat and a heavy crown.

“Father!” Eden bolts for him, but I snatch her by her wrist, forcing her back a little rougher than I normally would.

“No,” I command, trying to sound as brutish as possible.

It must work as Eden shrinks under my glare.

Sol takes a seat on his throne, his guards rallying around him. “I see you have brought Eden home to me,” he says after a beat of silence.

Lux says nothing.

“May I see her?” Sol sounds oddly vulnerable.

Lux stays quiet.

“Please,” Sol bites out.

When Lux still says nothing, I step up beside him. “Lux,” I whisper as Eden stays close to us. I can tell she’s worried, too. “Do you need me to do this?” I ask under my breath.

“No,” he says firmly. Then he takes Eden’s hand and marches towards the king.

I stay back, watching them both.

“You killed my mother,” Lux starts, his voice echoing over the chamber.

Sol shakes his head. “Prince Lux, I assure you I never⁠—”

“You seduced her and took her to your bed. Then when she fell pregnant, you were not there to help her after her child was born.”

“But I didn’t know⁠—”

“You knew how babies were made, did you not?” Lux asks, oddly calm.

“Well, of course I did!”

“Then you knew that sleeping with her as many times as you did could only lead to one thing, or did you already have your eyes on the next conquest? Gilia’s mother perhaps?”

Sol scoffs. “It is not my responsibility to keep tabs on all the women I’ve bedded. Your mother had a husband. He should’ve supported her through her pregnancy. How was I supposed to know Fern was even mine?”