Caspian remained unconscious as they returned to the palace.
Queen Nerida was waiting.
The moment she saw the unconscious man being carried toward her, she froze.
"Caspian…" She rushed toward him. "My brother!"
She touched his face. Tears immediately filled her eyes.
"He's alive."
Amaris nodded. "He was being controlled."
Nerida looked at her. "The monster?"
"Yes."
The Queen closed her eyes. "I knew there was still good in him."
She gently held Caspian's hand.
"Thank you."
Amaris smiled faintly. "He's your brother."
Nerida looked at Zion. Then at Amaris.
"I owe you more than gratitude."
Zion shook his head.
"He was one of us."
Nerida looked confused. Amaris remained silent. She didn't know how much the Queen understood. But deep inside her, Avanah was still whispering.
The bond had not disappeared. Caspian was still her third mate. And rejecting him would be much harder now that she had seen the man beneath the darkness.
