fit him, yet he insisted he didn’t need a larger size, had declared his outfit lucky since he had worn it in past battles. Those clashes had all happened long, long ago.
“We’ll protect you.” Her father didn’t realize she was more worried about him, about Marthe and Valentin, about her cyborg, than she was concerned about herself.
“There is a 26.5896 percent probability we’ll die.” Her cyborg was brutally honest with her, and she appreciated that. “But that means there’s a 73.4104 probability we’ll live.” He shrugged, appearing happy with those odds. “And your brother, the prince, will be free.”
She was putting all of their lives in jeopardy to save a being she barely knew, a prince their queen had traded for peace. “I feel like I’m choosing between you and my brother.”
Nancy didn’t want to lose Marthe, Claude, and Valentin. They were her parents in every way except genetics.
If Truth died. Her heart squeezed. She didn’t know if she’d survive that loss.
Stars. She didn’t know if she could let him go after their mission was completed. Parting with him would decimate her soul.
“You’re not choosing between us and your brother, beautiful.” Her cyborg pulled her closer to him, that contact soothing her. “You’re choosing between cowardice and bravery. You’re choosing between leaving an innocent being to die alone in a prison chamber and freeing him to return home, to be with his kind. You’re choosing between taking the safe path and taking a route that might be more perilous yet is much more honorable.” He lowered his head, kissed her neck, marking her in his unique way. “You’re deciding who you want to be.”
All of her bubbled with Truth’s nanocybotics. They were pieces of him she would keep with her forever. And as her cyborg had previously explained, those nanocybotics could possibly extend their lifespans to eternity.
That was a long time to live with regrets.
“I can’t leave my brother in prison.” The few memories she had of him consisted of him laughing, smiling, teasing her.
Similar to how Truth teased her, laughed with her. She wouldn’t leave her cyborg locked in a prison chamber either.
“It isn’t done.” Valentin nodded.
“It isn’t you.” Truth amended her private secretary’s—her father’s—statement. “An intelligent and observant being once told me you had a kind, loyal soul. Leaving your brother in prison would change that part of you.” He paused. “We have to do this.”
“I have to do this.” She wouldn’t force anyone else to follow her. “I can place you in escape pods, retrieve you after I’ve freed my brother.”
If she didn’t survive that task, there were crude communication systems in the escape pods. They could call for help, arrange for someone else to rescue them.
“You are to make the best decision for you and not take one into consideration.” She reverted to her princess role, stripping the emotion from her tone. “This is a command.”
As loyal Royaume subjects, they were duty-bound to obey her.
“We’re not leaving your side, Princess.” Claude dared to frown at her. That was how strongly he felt about that stance.
“I am the princess’ private secretary, and this mission will be a pivotal part of the princess’ story.” Valentin lifted his chin, his response more controlled, cooler in tone. “I would be remiss in my duties and would be forgoing my place in Royaume history, if I didn’t record it.” His gaze slid from hers. “And I have safeguarded the princess since birth. I will always do so, whether I hold an official role in the princess’ household or not.”
Nancy stared at the male she viewed as a father. He was extremely proud of his role. It meant everything to him. That he placed her safety above his prized position touched her greatly.
“You will always have a place in my household, Valentin.” Her voice was raw with emotion. “All of you will have a place.” She looked at Valentin, Claude, and Marthe—the three beings she viewed as her parents, the entourage she adored. “I might not be able to guarantee my own happiness, but I can promise you that.”
“And we will always take you into consideration, Princess.” Marthe’s fingers closed around the clear stone dangling in center of the necklace she never removed. “We can’t say you are our daughter, as that is akin to treason, but we could never love a daughter more than we love you.”
Nancy blinked away tears. “I love you with the same strength of emotion.” She gazed at each of them, allowing her caring to show.
Marthe wiped