56: Ada's POV

We all stood in the garden as the cool, crisp breeze whipped through our hair and listened to Phoenix talk. His voice was soft and at times, I wasn't sure that Finn could hear him-- I didn't know much about vampires, admittedly. Did they have heightened hearing or other senses? Clearly, Finn was magickally gifted but what else was he capable of? These thoughts all raced through my head as Phoenix continued:

"Georgina and I met when I visited the Midnight Pack several years ago," his red hair whipped in the breeze, breaking free from the tie at the nape of his neck, "We hit it off immediately, despite our age difference," a quick glance at me and I nodded at him to continue, "She ended up touring around other packs with me for awhile. We spoke of marriage and how we were going to wind up as mates when she turned eighteen," he flinched and squeezed his eyes shut, as if he was hurt by the memory, "I *did* love her, but I think not as much as she loved me. When the time came for me to return to the castle, she begged to come with me. I told her it wasn't possible but that I would be back for her," he hung his head, lowering his voice again, "I never returned to her. I..." he trailed off with a shrug and sucked in a deep breath, "I forgot about her in time. Then when I met Ada," he let out a shaky chuckle, "the feelings were so fast and so much more intense than anything I'd experienced before. I think it was that way for all of us," he rolled his shoulder's back, heaving out a sigh, "But I think that the rumors about the royal surrogate and my father's plans must have reached her. If she's coming for one of us, she's coming here for *me.*"

It was unreasonable for me to feel any sort of jealousy for a previous tryst of Phoenix's. After all, he was *my* mate. But Georgina was my stepsister and the thought of the two of them together made my stomach churn. Still, I forced myself to reach for him. My hand clasped his tightly and I gave it a little squeeze. He looked at me and forced a smile, green eyes warm. The breeze wafted over him and the thick, flowery smell of lilies and rain met my nose. My breath caught in my throat. Whatever boyish, charming image I'd had in my mind when it came to Phoenix was replaced by the handsome, happy man in front of me instantaneously. His hair appeared brighter in the daylight, less auburn and more like flames as it whipped with the wind. His jaw appeared stronger, more masculine. Phoenix's hand practically enveloped mine and emitted pure heat. His suit was perfectly tailored and hung in all of the right places-- hinting at his strong, muscular biceps and his round ass that any woman would kill for. And his smile... even when forced it was beautiful. It was as if time slowed just because he was gracing me with it.

Finn rolled his eyes, "Get a room," he muttered, turning to Darius, "Alright, Prince of the Northern Skies and, from what I hear, future Alpha King of this realm," his smirk was fast when Darius tensed, "What do we do?"

I watched as Darius' face shifted from one of a shocked brother to a future leader. His expression became one of disinterest as his eyes looked Finn up and down. Darius' lips pursed, "What are the terms of your alliance?"

"I'm so glad you asked," Finn held up a pointer finger and the smile on his face was predatory, "I want you to kill your father."

My eyes darted between the three princes. I dropped Phoenix's hand and took a step away from all of them. Not even a growl was emitted from any of them. They all looked at each other, exchanging words mentally. Nik glanced at me, grinding his teeth, but his eyes moved on quickly. Darius' claws had retracted back to his perfectly manicured fingers. Not a drop of tension was within Phoenix's body. My mind reeled. Were they actually considering what Finn had asked? That was treason. I mean, sure. Alpha King Everett Ashford was *not* my favorite person, but he was their father and the current King of the realm. My eyes widened even further as the silence continued. Surely, nothing he had done would warrant his own sons killing him. Hell, despite all *my* father had done, I wouldn't be able to drive a dagger through his heart.

Maybe that was the point. Finn was dangling his alliance in front of the three princes, weaving a very convincing story as to why he'd made the moves he had made recently. The terms of his alliance? Something impossible for them to agree to. This way, when they lost it would hit that much harder that if only they'd just agreed to this one thing... to Finn, it was probably trivial. I didn't know much about vampires, but I did know they were immortal. Losing friends, parents, anyone they knew not made to be immortal like them... it probably became second nature with time. But my three princes? Killing their father would be impossible. Wouldn't it?

Finn crossed his arms over his chest, tapping his heel on the dirt, "It isn't that hard of a decision. It's simple," he nodded at Darius, "In order to make me fully slip sides and fight on your side of this rebellion, you will kill your father and assume the throne. Not Phoenix," his eyes grazed over the youngest prince, "Not Nikolai," he narrowed his eyes as they returned to Darius, "But *you.* The oldest son who is set to take his place."

Darius whispered, "Why me?"

The vampire king cocked his head to the side, "Is it not obvious? For starters," he clucked his tongue, "You just married someone you swore you wouldn't and secured the throne. He will never suspect you," Finn sighed, "Second, it would be too easy for Nik. There's nothing gained or lost there, which makes it an easy bargain to uphold. And Phoenix?" he looked at the youngest prince again, who had placed his body mostly in front of me, blocking me from Finn's view, "He couldn't do it. He doesn't have it in him," Darius opened his mouth to argue and Finn held up his hand, nodding at Phoenix, "Do you?" when Phoenix shook his head, Finn chuckled, "See? He doesn't. And finally," his eyes shot daggers into Darius, his voice turning venomous, "You hurt Ada. Consider this the beginning of your punishment."

Darius flinched. His face was pale, his suit wrinkled from where he'd crossed his arms over his chest. He hung his head for a moment and sucked in a deep breath. I reached forward and gripped Phoenix's hand again. He gave mine a light squeeze as Darius said a single sentence and Finn simply vanished from in front of us:

"Consider it done."