“I didn’t know much, I just knew you were something more than a regular human. I would have told you, but my dad told me it could mess things up worse.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. “Your dad doesn’t always have the answers.”

“I know…and I’m sorry. I want to fix this as much as you do.”

“So we can be together or so you can be king?”

“You can’t doubt my feelings for you.” He took my hand, forcing my arms down.

“I don’t know what I believe anymore.” I tried to pull my hand from his.

He held my hand tighter. “Please, don’t let this get to you. It’s nothing.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” I didn’t get a chance to walk off.

“Allie.” Toby said my name like he was savoring it.

Levi released my hand only to put an arm around me again. I didn’t mind once I realized who Toby was with. “Leviathan, how nice to see you again.” The old man next to Toby talked to Levi, but his eyes never left me.

“What brings you here tonight?” Robert, materializing out of nowhere, didn’t even let Levi respond for himself.

“That’s an unnecessary question, Robert.” The old man still watched me like a hawk.

“Who’s the boy?” Robert stepped in front of me. It was the first time he’d done anything protective.

“I forget. You’ve never met my grandson, have you?”

“It’s funny how it’s the first time you’ve publicly acknowledged him.”

“We had our reasons for keeping his presence quiet, but I don’t believe for a second you’re surprised. You’re aware of my grandson’s relationship with Allison Davis, aren’t you?”

“His prior relationship.” Robert hadn’t moved from his position in front of me.

“He had her first. He never acquiesced to her leaving. She’s his.”

Robert grunted. “He never took her as a mate. She was free to go where she pleased.”

“You expect us to believe she came to New Orleans by chance? The girl’s a New Yorker. She was enrolled at Princeton with my grandson. If you hadn’t meddled, she’d be there now.”

Normally I would have complained about someone speaking like I wasn’t there, but I was terrified of this guy. If Robert was scary, this guy was petrifying. It was like he emitted waves of fear.

Robert didn’t miss a beat. “Her reasons for coming to New Orleans have nothing to do with the matter.” Georgina was right—Robert had to have had something to do with my dad buying the hotel.

The old man sneered. “Allie never accepted your son. If she had, it would be over.”

Robert laughed dryly. “Are you really going to pretend to believe the old enchantress stories?”

“You know as well as I do that it’s true. She chose to lay with Toby first, she’s a Blackwell, and the crown will move.”

“Lay with?” I couldn’t stay quiet any longer. For some reason, I got adrenaline rushes that allowed me to stand up to scary men. “Did I sleep with Toby? Yes, but I had no idea he wasn’t just my human boyfriend. At least Levi told me what he was.”

I didn’t need to turn around to know that Levi was probably smiling.

“I formally request my dance.” Toby spoke for the first time since saying my name.

“First Cade, and now you? This is ridiculous. I’m not just some toy that can be passed around.”

“Cade? The Dalys are here?” The elder Blackwell glanced around.

Robert nodded. “Unfortunately.”

“What do they hope to accomplish? Surely they can’t believe the girl would pick a boy she doesn’t even know.”

“None of this should even be happening. Levi is the rightful heir to the throne. I’m sure they’ll have an heir soon, ending all of this.” Robert clasped his hands together like he was trying to stop himself from hurting Mr. Blackwell.

Mr. Blackwell’s eyes darkened. “How would that end anything? If their bond isn’t final, then the child wouldn’t be a true heir.”

I could feel the tension ratcheting. If someone didn’t do something, there would be a fight. “Stop! Stop talking about who I will or will not be having children with. This is all too much.” I turned to walk away when I felt a tight grip on my arm.

“You owe my grandson a dance.” The elder Blackwell seethed with anger. I wanted to argue, but all I could do was nod.

Levi pulled me into his arms, running his hand over my now tender skin. “You touch her again, and I will kill you.”

“Don’t threaten me, child.”

“If he doesn’t do it, I will. You have no right to lay a hand on her.” Robert once again blocked me.

“Tell her to give Toby the dance, and I won’t have to. You know he is owed it.”

Robert turned, not bothering to cover the annoyance and anger on his face. Even though I knew it wasn’t directed at me, it still got me. “Dance with the boy.”

I nodded, still not sure how to respond.

Toby gently took my hand. “I’m sorry,” he whispered in my ear as we moved onto the dance floor.

“He’s horrible.”

“I’ll protect you from him. Besides, he won’t be angry once you come back.”

“I’m not coming back.”

“You have to. If not for me, do it for Jess.” His eyes were filled with emotion. He seemed almost as overwhelmed as me.

“Jess? I thought she was okay…”

“I’m not in charge anymore…my grandfather took over.”

“What?” My head started to spin.

Toby caught me before I could fall. Still lightheaded, I didn’t complain about the contact. “He’s going to hold off another two weeks, but that’s all I can get. He wants this situation taken care of.”

“Allie, are you okay?” Levi came up beside me.

“Our dance isn’t over,” Toby snapped.

“She almost fell.”

“I caught her.”

Levi reluctantly walked away. This dance thing must have been really official for him to be giving up so easily.

“You have two weeks, Allie. Two weeks or he’s going to do it.”

“Do what?”

Toby lowered his voice. “Get rid of her.”

“How can you let that happen? Jess is your friend too!”

“I had no choice, and there’s an easy solution. Just pick me.”