Ashton uncrossed his legs and rose slowly. “That my little pet hasescaped?” He said the word like it tasted rotten. “Yes. I’ve heard. What I don’t understand is … how?”
“She broke through the wards,” I said, voice tight. “I’m still investigating how.”
“Oh, I see,” Ashton drawled, his sneer barely contained. “You’reinvestigating.”
“And—” I hesitated, teeth gritting. “And with your leave, we’ll begin searching for her immediately.”
Ashton tilted his head, calculating. His silence stretched a little too long.
“Sire,” I said, stepping forward, “I’ll find her. I swear it—”
The king raised a hand, cutting me off with a flick of his fingers. Vasquez turned toward him, eyes glittering, as if handing over a gift.
“Tell me, Vasquez,” he said smoothly, “what wouldyoudo in my situation?”
Vasquez’s grin widened, pleased to be asked. “Well, clearly, under Commander Thorne’s watch, the girl was granted far too much freedom. Too much trust. If it were me? I’d send a retrieval team. Bring her back in chains—and deliver her straight to me. Once she’s in my hands, I assure you, Your Majesty, she’ll never dare defy your rule again.”
“No!” I snapped, stepping forward. “Give me the chance—I can find her. My Shades and I, we can bring her back without—”
Ashton lifted his hand. The silence that followed was absolute.
His eyes never left mine.
“Tell me, Thorne,” he said quietly, “do you not think me a generous king?”
I blinked. “Sire?”
“Afairking?” he pressed, voice deceptively mild. “One who allows his commanders the freedom to plan their raids as they see fit. One who permits you to train your Shades with minimal interference. One who trusts you.”
He stepped down a single stair, each word dropping heavier than the last.
“And yet… you raise your voice to me. You interrupt. Youdefendthe girl who just spat on my rule.” Ashton’s eyes narrowed, his tone softening in that way that always came before a storm.
“Now I’m left wondering—should it beherdisobedience I punish… oryours?”
“I will track her down,” I said quickly. “She can’t have gotten far—”
“It is no longer your responsibility, Thorne,” Ashton cut in, voice like steel wrapped in silk. He turned slightly. “Vasquez. You will assemble a team. Find the girl. When she’s caught, you’ll bring her to me.”
Vasquez bowed his head, though the glee on his face made the gesture meaningless.
He was smiling so wide, I was half surprised not to see him drooling on the marble.
“As you wish, sire,” Vasquez said, grinning so wide I was shocked he didn’t choke on it.
I felt cold in my bones.
“Sire, please—”
Ashton cut me off with a slow shake of his head. “You’ve failed me, Thorne. For the last time.”
He stepped forward, each word razor-sharp. “I gave you power. Command. I let you choose your men. And in return, all I asked was your loyalty and your devotion.” His voice dropped, soft and savage. “And you let my new prize slip through my fingers because of yournegligence.”
I stood frozen, heart hammering.
Ashton’s fury made him terrible. Not loud—lethal. His hand hovered near his sword, and for one breathless second, I thought he might strike me down where I stood.
But then—his voice changed. Soft. Too soft. Cruel, intimate.
