"Go and inform Emma. Tell her to bring the Rank 11 therian here at once." Lucien had indeed been wrong to refuse the role of primary mate. Even as his mother, Amara couldn't condone his defiance. But right now, nothing mattered more than keeping him alive. The guards—men Lucien personally trained—hesitated. "Your Majesty, His Highness said—" "I'm giving you an order!" Amara's voice cracked like thunder. "Go. Notify Emma immediately." Her son could not die. The only Rank 11 therian was at Emma's side—only she could save him. Amara's mate cast a pained glance toward the bed where Lucien lay unconscious and said worriedly, "Your Majesty, Emma is still angry with Lucien for refusing to become her primary mate. Will she even come?" No female tolerated a disobedient male, and Lucien had certainly crossed the line. "She'll come," Amara said firmly. She trusted her judgment. Even if Lucien had made mistakes, Emma wasn't someone who would walk away when a life hung in the balance. … At the manor, Emma lingered in the living room after dinner, absently scrolling through her lightcore as she halfheartedly played with Remy. Silas sat beside her, watching her expression with quiet amusement. "Emy, if you're worried about Lucien, I can send someone to bring him back." "I'm not worried about him," she replied stiffly, her voice betraying the lie. Since their return from the Pantheon Battlefield, Marcus had gone back to the manor, and Silas had already confirmed with the military that Calum was now overseeing Malrik's training. Only Lucien had vanished—no contact, no word. She'd sent him several messages, none of which he had replied to. Even when she asked Aria, she'd learned that the girl was off visiting another planet and hadn't seen Lucien since leaving Aurelia. "Yes, you're not worried. I am," Silas said mildly. "I'll send someone to Aurelia to check on him." He could see she was being stubborn, but he didn't expose her."Make it quick," she said. "I just want to know he's all right." Despite her words, the silence from Lucien gnawed at her. The beast mark on her chest had remained quiet and still, which should have meant he wasn't in danger. He's probably just angry, right? That's why he's ignoring me. Silas nodded and reached for his lightcore—but before he could activate it, the guard captain burst into the room, panic written all over his face. "Ms. Emma Tibarn! Prince Lucien is in trouble!" He dropped to his knees before her, voice trembling. "Please, Ms. Tibarn—save him!" Thud! Emma's lightcore slipped from her hands and clattered onto the floor. She shot to her feet, eyes wide. "What happened to him?" The guard captain quickly relayed everything he'd been told. "He's relapsed?" Emma asked, stunned. "What kind of illness?" He never mentioned that. Aria never told me either."Explain on the way," she blurted, not waiting for the guard captain's answer, and summoned Drake while ordering Silas to get Marcus. … In the manor gardens, Marcus had just finished drinking his nutrient fluid and was preparing to nap. He planned to sneak into Emma's room later once she'd fallen asleep. As he lay down among the flowers, he heard quick, light footsteps racing his way. Silas? What's he doing here? Picking flowers? He can't possibly be looking for me… can he? No way… right? "Marcus, come out," Silas' voice rang out sharply. "Lucien's in trouble. Emy wants us to go to Aurelia." Marcus didn't even ask how Silas had found him. He sprang up from the flowers. "What happened to Lucien? What does Ms. Tibarn need me to do?" "We don't know the details yet. Just move," Silas said, grabbing his arm. Ahead, their warship was already waiting. The moment they boarded, it lifted off and streaked into the sky, leaving the manor behind. During the flight, the guard captain filled Emma in on Lucien's current condition. The more she heard, the deeper her frown grew. An old illness? Resistant to all medicines? "What about the Beast God's fruit?" she demanded. "Would that work?" She had already packed every last Beast God's fruit she possessed before leaving. … Before long, the warship reached Aurelia. Emma disembarked and rushed toward Lucien's quarters with Silas and Marcus close behind. At that very moment, Amara stepped out of the palace chamber. The moment she saw Emma arrive—with not one but two Rank 11 therians at her side—relief washed through her. She had been right to trust her instincts. "Emma," Amara said, forcing her trembling voice to steady. "You came."