"Don't, Lucien. I will be fine."
The Duke's brows narrowed. What did he mean by that?
"I will stay," Julian whispered, his voice steady despite the [Mental Stability] warning flashing 35% in his vision.
"Then I stay too," Alaric added, turning a lethal glare back to the throne balcony. "I will occupy the guest chambers. If he stays, I stay."
Julian reached out, his fingers catching the edge of Alaric's coat. He shook his head slowly. If they stayed together in the palace, Aurelian's obsession would only reach a boiling point. The Emperor would spend every waking second scheming to tear them apart. But if Alaric was outside, he would just be a threat—a sword hanging over the Palace.
I have to survive seven days, Julian thought. If you are here, he will break me just to watch you crumble.
