BRYNNE
As the door shuts behind Lilith, I wonder if I’ve missed something. As important as she is, she’s still expected to obey her king.
Why is Father letting her off so easily? Since the questions have no answers, I push them out of my mind and slump into the chair she vacated. Soma leans away from me, and I stifle a bitter laugh. I don’t want to be around her either.
“May I be excused now?” I ask Father.
“You need to stop fighting this,” he replies. My fingers close around the armrest, my knuckles turning white from the pressure I apply. “You’re the crown prince, Brynne, and your title comes with so many responsibilities. Your duty to the crown should come before any personal issues.”
“Right,” I mutter.
He ignores my sarcasm and turns to my partner. “Soma, you can go. Your cla
