POV: Ferdinand King

My father's message arrived at dawn: Come home immediately. Your cooperation earns Prospero's release. Your refusal ensures his execution.

I stared at the text, knowing exactly what cooperation meant. Return to the Southern Alliance. Accept my role as heir. Abandon Miranda and everything we'd fought for in exchange for her father's life.

A deal designed to tear me apart regardless of which choice I made.

Miranda found me on the cottage porch, staring at the message like ...