ONCE AGAIN, DANTE was benched. Sure, they wanted him to stay with Prince Hayden. Sure, they needed someone to keep an eye out on the others. The fact was, his power was once again his downfall. Even Ixion and his dogs were more useful than he was.

General Falcon slapped him on the back and said, “Don’t worry about it, soldier. The people left behind need you just as much as the people who left.”

Dante nodded and gave him a tight smile. “Of course, sir.”

But as he stood in his room, pacing and angry, those words of encouragement didn’t mean much. He couldn’t even turn to his woman for support due to all the demon blood that now threatened her.

No matter how much it hurt, he loved Lysa too much to put her in harm’s way. The thought of anything happening to her made him nauseous. If that beast used him for a direct line, it left him no choice but to keep his distance.

That distance took its toll, even in the short time since he’d walked out on her.

Dante sat on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands, pressing against his eyes. The image of her naked replayed over and over in his mind. By the gods, she was remarkable. The notion that she wanted him still blew his mind. Of all the men in this Haven who would be happy to be her man, she got stuck with him.

His cell phone rang and Hanna was on the other end. “The Lady wishes to see you, please.”

“I’m on my way. Dynasty or Lysandra?”

“Both.”

Dante considered her words, as everyone should when it pertained to Hanna. She didn’t take words lightly.

Lysa needs me.

He went to their wing of the palace and down the halls to the Queen’s chambers. Hayden sat up in bed, rubbing his neck and talking to his mother beside him.

“She’s locked down so tight, I can’t get through. It’s not good for her to suppress her aura like that.” Hayden stood and stretched his legs. “Dante, have we heard anything from Ryse?”

“Yes, my Prince. They found an estate in Nova Scotia and a witness who was most informative. The last phone call I received, they were informed that Piper and the Prophet were both on a cargo ship. The Elites are tracking every cargo ship anchored on that side of the country now, then they plan to go to sea.”

“I would not want to be that woman,” Hanna muttered with a shiver.

“Nor would I.” Dynasty shook her head. “But we shall have faith that the gods will keep her safe. Is there any word of the missing Thracians who served Evander? His family is asking.”

“Keona only accounted for Nicholas, who was slain in the park, my Queen.”

Hayden walked about the room, running his hands through his hair. “I’m absolutely helpless when it comes to finding her. I’ve been trying so hard to locate her for days and what good has it done?”

“Don’t worry, Prince Hayden,” Lysandra offered up her sympathies. “The best of the best are on the case.”

Dante’s eyes shot to hers for only a second before she turned away. What did that mean?

He took a deep breath and clenched his jaw.

Dynasty caught his eyes and tilted her head to the side. “Lysandra, would you go down to the kitchens and ask Valarie to whip us up something? I’m starving. I know Hayden and Hanna are as well. Dante, why don’t you accompany her in case she needs help bringing food back?”

“Of course.” He bowed low, knowing that crafty woman knew there was tension between them.

They didn’t speak until they were clear of anyone hearing their words.

“What was that supposed to mean?” he said, clenching his fists. “You said the best of the best were on the case, knowing full well I’m unable to go help.”

Lysandra turned to face him. “I was including you in that statement. Did you not just deliver news to the Prince? Are you not in contact with the others? I would say you are working the case as best you can.”

Dante swallowed, feeling foolish for getting defensive. “Do you hate me?”

“Never.” She continued to the kitchen and he scurried to catch up.

“Then why are you acting cold to me?”

This time, she rounded on him so fast, her cape flew out. “Me? Acting cold to you?” Flames of passion and anger filled her eyes. “I presented my body to you because I love you and you walked out the door leaving me utterly humiliated and alone with my fears and doubts, which tormented me for the rest of the night and days after.” She advanced on him. “You told me that you loved me. You told me that you would take me as your woman. Then, when the first obstacle came along only moments later, you left me. You walked away, Dante. You were cold to me.” Her eyes filled with wetness, but she blinked it away. “You say you love me, yet you’re not willing to fight for our life together. That does nothing to instill confidence in a future together.”

Dante’s heart shriveled into a raisin. She was so angry she was beyond crying, beyond raising her voice. She was the calm and the storm. “Lysandra, please. The demon—”

“Can’t. Hurt. Me.” Her words were hard punches straight to his chest. “A demon can’t hurt an Oracle. My visions can’t hurt me, that’s not how they work. And I know you would never let him close enough to try, unless you walk away again. That hurts me more than anything raised from Hades.”

Dante realized a cold hard fact about their history. As much as he made her smile, he had made her cry too. “I’m always messing this up, aren’t I?”

“We are both learning.”

“Yes, but all I’m teaching you is how a man shouldn’t act, even if my intentions were for your best.”

“Don’t you understand, you foolish man?” Lysa placed her hand on his cheek. “My best interest is being with you. I’m safest when you’re with me. I’m happiest when I’m in your presence. It breaks my heart when you leave me. The last four days have been more painful than you can imagine.” She took a shaking breath and stepped back. “You have to figure out what you want and what you’re willing to do about it. I won’t shed any more tears for you, no matter how much I want you.” She walked off this time, leaving him behind as easily as he left her.