That evening, Lilian stood in the estate's war room, watching the princes prepare for their mission. She hadn't even known it existed until today. Like the archive library, it was hidden behind a secret passage, adding another layer of the princes' lives she was only just beginning to peel back.
Dante stood at the central table, coordinating with their security team. A dozen vampires moved in and out of the room, all of them clearly accustomed to taking orders from him. Maps, schematics, and surveillance feeds were spread out before them, every detail and variable of the warehouse district being carefully considered.
Adrian was deep in thought as he reviewed the intelligence they had gathered, scanning reports. Lucien, meanwhile, checked their equipment, laying out blades and inspection a few guns loaded with wooden bullets.
"I still think I should come," Lilian said for what was probably the tenth time in stubbornness.
"And I still think you should stay where you're safe," Dante replied without looking up from his tactical map. "We've been over this."
She folded her arms over her chest, frustration bubbling up in her throat. "But~"
"Lilian."
Dante finally looked at her, his dark eyes locking onto hers, and the room seemed to quiet around them. The security team didn't stop their work, but the atmosphere shifted as his attention settled fully on her.
"If something goes wrong tonight, or if this is a trap, or an ambush, I need to know you're safe. I can't focus on the mission if I'm worrying about you being in danger."
"The same logic applies to you," Lilian pointed out, still being stubborn. "I'm going to be worried about all three of you."
"The difference is we're trained for this," Adrian said gently, looking up from his reports. "But you're not yet."
Lucien crossed the room to her, cutting through the tension as he stopped directly in front of her. He placed himself between her and the others, reaching out to lightly catch her arm and guide her a step away from the tactical table.
"I know you want to help," he said quietly. "But the best thing you can do right now is stay safe so we can focus on the mission instead of in protecting you."
"I hate this," Lilian admitted, her voice tight as she frowned.
"I know," Lucien's hand came up to cup her cheek, his usual carefree demeanor was gone. His thumb brushed lightly against her skin, grounding her. "But this is vampire life. Sometimes you fight, sometimes you wait. And tonight, you have to wait."
He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering just long enough to be reassuring. "We'll be back before dawn. I promise."
"You can't promise that," she said, still pouting.
"Watch me," Lucien said, his trademark smug confidence returning to his face. "I've got a very good reason to survive this kiss. She's easily angered, beautiful, and waiting for me at home."
Despite her worry, Lilian felt a small smile tug at her lips. "That was a smooth and sweet."
"I have my moments," Lucien said, grinning mischievously. "Hold that thought until we get back. We'll make your wedding night the most unforgettable moment in your life."
"Lucien," Dante called out sharply. "Time to go."
Lucien didn't argue, pressing one quicker kiss to her lips, then turned and moved to join the others. Adrian stepped in next, hugging her briefly and firmly, the way one might ground someone before leaving.
Dante was the last. He didn't touch her, only met her eyes and gave a single and decisive nod.
Then they were gone, along with their security team, leaving Lilian alone in the war room with Mrs. Hemsworth, who had appeared silently in the room.
"Come along, dear," Mrs. Hemsworth said softly, her hand guiding her toward the door. "I'll make coffee, and we'll wait together."
"I hate waiting," Lilian still grumbled, though she fell into step beside the older woman.
Mrs. Hemsworth chuckled.
"Everyone does, my dear," she replied. "But it's a skill you'll need to master if you're going to be mated to the princes. They'll be running off to handle crises for the rest of your very long life."
The rest of her very long life. The words settled uncomfortably in Lilian's chest. It was a staggering thought, centuries of this same waiting while they faced danger.
"You must trust their skills and their experience, dear," Mrs. Hemsworth continued as she began preparing the coffee in the kitchen. Her movements were calm, contrasting with Lilian's buzzing nerves. "Just find ways to stay busy so you're not just staring at the door."
"That's not very comforting," Lilian said, her eyes instinctively looking at the closed door, even though it was the kitchen door.
"No," Mrs. Hemsworth agreed. "But it's true. So instead of wasting energy on worry, use it to read a book, train. Or plan what you're going to say when they get back."
"Plan what to say?" Lilian asked, dumbfounded.
"Well, you're going to complete the bond soon, aren't you?" Mrs. Hemsworth said, her smile showed that she knew everything. "It might help into think about how you want that bond to happen. What you want your first time to be like."
Heat rushed to Lilian's face. "I don't think I need to plan that."
"No?" Mrs. Hemsworth smiled warmly. "Three mates means three different dynamics. You might want to consider how you want things to happen in. Whether you want privacy or if you prefer them all present from the start. How much you want to lead, or if you'd rather let them take charge."
"You've given this a lot of thought," Lilian observed, half-embarrassed and half-bewildered as this old lady bluntness about the three princes' private life.
"I've seen them with other partners, dear. I've been working here for too long, remember," Mrs. Hemsworth said. "I know their tendencies and preferences. And I know it is different with you."
"What are their tendencies?" Lilian asked, her curiosity finally winning out over her embarrassment.
"Dante is a dominant, he will want to be in control of everything," Mrs. Hemsworth said matter-of-factly. "Adrian is a pleaser, so his satisfaction comes entirely from yours. And Lucien is passionate chaos. He doesn't plan, he just reacts to what feels right in the moment."
She poured the coffee into two cups and handed a cup to Lilian. "You'll need to find balance between them. Lead Dante lead sometimes, give Adrian the pleasure of serving you, and embrace Lucien's spontaneity."
Lilian sipped her coffee, absorbing the information about balancing three such powerful personalities in such an intimate way. "You really have thought about this."
"Someone has to," Mrs. Hemsworth said with a shrug. "Those three are brilliant, but they're idiots when it comes to feelings. Left to their own devices, they'd probably all try to romance you at the same time and end up creating chaos."
"I kinda like the chaos," Lilian admitted, her face becoming more red and redder.
"Hahaha," Mrs. Hemsworth laughed softly. "Good for you, because with those three, chaos is inevitable. The question is whether you embrace it or fight it."
They sat together while drinking coffee and talking about less stressful topics. Mrs. Hemsworth spoke of her own past, her experiences working for the princes, and her observation about vampire society.
Everything seemed normal until the security alarm blared through the estate.
Lilian was on her feet instantly, running with her vampire speed to the entrance hall before Mrs. Hemsworth could react. But the older woman followed quickly, fast enough to remind Lilian that she was far more than an ordinary human.
"What's happening?" Lilian asked as she reached the security station where a guard was frantically monitoring the screens.
"Breach on the north perimeter," he reported, his voice tight. "A few hostiles. Guards are already engaging."
Lilian's blood ran cold. The princes were gone, miles away in a warehouse district. The estate's strongest defenders were with them.
The estate was under attack. And she was alone, the one they were looking for.