The sounds of a scuffle followed. Alikai felt herself spinning around. Her eyes opened, and she stared into Taytron’s beautiful blue-gray eyes. He kissed her. It was the last thing either of them felt before a sword pierced through her back and into his chest.

Weary beyond words, Sarie Verituse let the Mitran king, Geroli Rikk, gently lead her to the ship. Her wrists stung where the ropes had punished her for struggling. Her throat burned, but no more tears would come. They had been spent yesterday and throughout the sleepless night.

“I know our customs seem cruel to Outsiders, but they’ve prevented planet-wide war for thirty-five thousand years.” Rikk patted her hand. “The bodies are already aboard. I’m sorry more cannot be done.”

The thought would give her no peace. She had been arrested yesterday, same as everyone in the Reshner delegation, but only the prince, the king, and Aster Captain Kelter had been killed with House Deleur. Sarie was upset that nobody could find Captain Kelter’s body, but most of her grief was due to the prince’s death. She had been present hours after his birth and helped Niktasha raise him. With ten years separating them, he had been the little brother she always wanted. When he gained his feet, she had chased him around the palace. She had also washed, dressed, and comforted him on the days when Queen Kila was in one of her moods.

Sarie didn’t remember getting on the ship but felt the vibrations as it rose. She was going home, but home would never be the same.

A stab of fear pierced Sarie’s grief. If someone had arranged for Prince Tate to be murdered here, they could certainly kill Prince Terosh back on Reshner.

“It is done, my Lord. Their bodies were delivered not an hour ago. I’ve had them moved to the throne room for now.”

“Lieutenant Laocer is in contact with the prince now. Shall I have my men move in?”

“No, let him return and claim his throne. It is not yet time.” Kezem cut the connection, sat back, and smiled. The victory was two-thirds won. Terosh would share his brother’s fate soon enough, but first, the Rangers needed to be destroyed. They had been given the opportunity to join him, but few did. The RT Alliance would destroy the Rangers and they, in turn, would either submit or be destroyed.

Having Terosh assassinated now would be simpler, but there were far too many royalists to get away with it. He didn’t just want to rule. He wanted to be king.