“Then we sneaked into the citadel and our spires lit. He had four people to kill before Radella could rule, even with the necklace.”
“He kept me alive so I could tell him where the jewels were,” Mom said.
“So he set out to have me killed,” Trinity replied.
“It seems that’s where he got me involved once again,” Pawl admitted.
Leo growled.
“Zel,” Captain Turaya said.
“By then, we were mated and well-protected,” Trinity said, glancing up at Leo. “Wyse couldn’t get to me.”
“So he went after me,” Faith continued. “He tried to take me away, to that Optimus Unit special prison. But you stopped him.” Thor wrapped an arm about her, held her close. “It was your mom who almost killed me. It wasn’t just Wyse!”
Thor shook his head. “She tried to poison you because she didn’t want you to be my mate, remember? She wanted power, not a maid for a daughter-in-law. Her attempt had nothing to do with all this.”
“But she conspired with Wyse,” she countered.
He gave her a squeeze. “I think she fell for his evil, but she truly wanted power. And if she’d known you were a princess, she’d have had it all along. Her greed killed her.”
That was so fucking sad.
“Wyse tried to kill Trinity and then stopped?”
“Yes, because I killed him,” Dad said.
Holy shit, Dad had killed a lot of people. All for Mom.
“Who else did you kill?” Mom asked.
“My family knew we would return eventually. When I arrived, I contacted warriors I could trust among the clerics and the Optimus Unit. They found where Wyse was holding you prisoner. I sent the clerics in to kill the man with the scar on his face, Wyse’s second. I tracked an evil female cleric when I heard she had threatened your life, I summoned Mykel’s supporters to the meeting where I planned to destroy them all with a bomb. The list is long, Celene.” Dad looked to the males in the room. “I did it to defend my mate, my daughters. I do not apologize. I feel no remorse. My family was in danger. I did what had to be done. You must understand.”
Captain Turaya went over to Pawl, removed the restraints from his wrists and lowered himself into a chair across from me. He suddenly looked old.
“You killed King Mykel in defense of your mate. You went to Earth to be with her in peace. Wyse found her after all these years and wanted her for the jewels and then to finally give his daughter the crown he thought she deserved. But the princesses ruined his plans by just being alive. He attempted to kill Princess Trinity, but you arrived and took him out, and everyone else involved in hurting your family. Past and present.”
Dad nodded. “That is correct. When I located my mate, I decided she was safest remaining in the prison cell, under my people’s care, where I knew no one could harm her. But she derailed my plans once again, with another escape.” Dad looked at Mom, a smile of apology on his face. “I shall never underestimate you again, mate.”
“Holy shit,” Leo muttered.
Mom stood, stunned. Processing. Thinking. Something. “The warm blankets. The food. Those stupid guards promising to take care of me? That was all you?”
“Yes, babe. I couldn’t show my face until I had Radella under control. Until after the meeting that would destroy what remained of Mykel’s plot.”
All at once, she launched herself at Dad. He caught her, lifted her into his arms and she wrapped her legs about his waist.
Holy shit. Mom and Dad were kissing. Like serious, make out kissing.
After a very uncomfortable minute, Mom lifted her head. “Alone. Now.”
Dad grinned, and playfully swatted her ass. I could never unsee my dad spanking my mom, even if it was over her clothing. “Yes, My Queen.”
He turned and carried Mom out of the room.
I looked at my sisters. They looked at me.
“Holy shit.” Trinity collapsed on the chair Dad had vacated. “I can’t believe this. Any of it.”