I sigh as Morgana backs off, running a hand through my hair. "If you hold any respect for me as both an assassin and prince, you will tell no one of this conversation or of what you know." I speak with slow, measured words, but layer them with the authority of my birth.

Now, five more than David and General Brackenridge know my secret.

Before long, it won't be a secret at all. My inner voice whispers with a hint of worry.

That's my fear, as well. I reply.

“Salom Imperia Bloodfang, I will keep your secret until you release the bind.” The Imperial places a hand over his heart, then touches his forehead with three fingers, binding his words between him, the Allfather, and I.

I stare in shock. Rarely is a binding from a Were given. They take them seriously. The consequences should they break the bind would be dire. Cast from the pack in disgrace, dire.

Flash follows his father’s lead, giving a second binding of silence.

I glance at the healers, who share my look of shock.

“Ya already know I can keep a secret, hon.” Morgana responds to my probing glance.

Shefa Bridge nods as her jaw gapes like the fish I once saw in my father’s palace.

I perch on the bed. Might as well get comfortable for this conversation. The adrenaline high is fading, leaving a weakness that penetrates to my bones.

“How did you know who I was?” My voice is both commanding and soft. The question within a question sent to the Imperial.

He sits down on the floor beside Shefa Bridge with a thump. “I’m old, boy. Older than you’d believe. Were age slower than Shifters. I was there when your father drew up the peace treaty. I was your grandpa's friend once, a very long time ago." He grunts, absent eyes gazing into a distance long past. "As boys, we often played together before your great-great-grandfather was killed by a Were, starting the Animal Wars. I knew your father when he was but a babe. You are the spitting image of your sire when he was your age, besides the scars, of course.”

I level him with a look. I have no need to be reminded of where I've been.

"No disrespect meant. You wear them with honor. They are not to be ashamed of, for they brought you here." He says, patting Morgana's hand when she thumps her way beside him.

She harrumphs, but allows the Imperial to take her hand, her cheeks flushing.

"As I was saying, you are the spitting image of the king. I had a thought of who you were when I first saw you wonder through my door like a lost cub. The dragons were a test. I knew if you were his son, you wouldn’t run. Your grandfather—your father, as well—never could leave a good challenge behind." He smiles fondly at some memory long in the past.

What he doesn't know... I have run. Many times. I'm still running.

My mind has trouble wrapping around all... that. For many minutes, I just sit there and stare at him. I can feel my face twitch into differing emotions as I go through shock and sorrow and everything in between. It's too much for my normal stoicism to hide.

“What was he like?” I ask, my voice a mere whisper.

My question makes his eyes snap from Morgana to me.

I drop my head into my hands as exhaustion suddenly overtakes me, ignoring his discerning stare.

“How long did you stay in the palace?” he asks, his voice gentle yet probing.

I shrug. “I was rarely at the palace, even as a child. I left before ten full seasons.”

“You were trained from ten on?” His eyes widen in shock as bushy brows once again crowd his hairline.

I nod as my jaw clenches. “Most were younger than me. The Masters are well acquainted with manipulation of young minds.”

He shakes his head, gritting his teeth hard enough for me to hear. “They need to be stopped. Those abominations are worse than dragon dung.” He clenches his fists, then turns back to me. “Your father was a Shifter I was proud to call friend. He never left his people defenseless and fought for honor and integrity. He was a good man and a proud father.”

I chuckle, a sound filled with bitterness without a hint of mirth. “You have a different man in mind. I was his greatest disappointment.”

He rises from the floor and slowly sets a hand on my shoulder and squeezes gently. The flinch is hidden as I shift uncomfortably to meet his honest, probing gaze.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Sending you away was his greatest regret. He knew the death of your brother was not your fault. He was too angry and hurt to admit that he blamed himself for not being there sooner. Your father couldn’t face you—so he sent you to where you would get stronger.”

I shake my head. My heart clenches with emotion. I wish it were true. “You might be right. But the assassin guild is not where you send a beloved son.”

“It was the only safe place for his heir. You know as well, if not better, than I just how deep politics run in the capital. I spoke to him. Just a few short months before he died. He tried to find you. He searched high and low to bring you home.”

Nothing but truth graces the depths of his silver eyes. I test the air and am satisfied.

He would have to be very skilled for me not to scent the lie. That means... it’s the truth. As far as he knows it. Tears prick my eyes, but I shove them back. The tears of a young boy yearning for his father’s approval have no place in a Shifter Prince.

“Bring me home? He tried?” I hate how weak my voice sounds. I need rest. Preferably for a year.

“Desperately,” he says.

No other words need be spoken. My father looked for me.

“If you are the heir...” we both glance at Flash. “Your people need you. Greyson is treating them worse than slaves.”

I clench my fists. “I have no wish to be Alpha Imperium.”

“It is your duty! They need you. We need you.” He finishes in a low, passionate voice.

“You don’t understand. I am going to bring home my family, help your father with dragons, and attempt to put some sort of fighting semblance in a small town. I have no reason to add one more impossible task.”

“What if...” the Imperial trails off.

I sigh. Just another tactic of his to make me want to pull my hair out. “Get on with it, Imperial.”

He grins. A shark showing his teeth to unsuspecting prey. “What if all those things you could accomplish while fighting for your kingdom?”

“Intriguing. I’m listening.”