Aria sat numb on the bed while Dante paced furiously. “Cousin or not, it changes nothing. You’re my wife.”
“But it does,” she whispered brokenly. “Victor will use it to tear your empire apart. And I’m the weapon.” Fresh sobs wracked her petite frame. “I should leave. Save you from me.”
Dante stopped and dropped to his knees in front of her. “Don’t you dare. You’re not leaving. Ever.” He cupped her tear-streaked face. “We will fight this together. As husband and wife.”
His kiss was fierce, demanding. Aria responded with all her pain and love. For the first time, she felt a spark of real strength ignite inside her.
Sofia helped her dress in practical clothes. “No more crying princess. Time to become the queen, my brother sees.”
Training resumed brutally. Aria pushed through ex
