Ethyan yawned, relaxing into the cushioned seat. “Gotta have her big brother to protect her.”
I rolled onto my side, facing the door, and Lyana wrapped her arms around me, snuggling into my back. Sainte shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips as he leaned against the doorframe, hand resting on his dagger.
If only I could trust my brother like that.
“Your Highness, Prince Regent Adastrus requests your presence.”
My laughter at Lyana’s joke faltered as a servant interrupted our midday meal.
“Now?” I asked, dipping my bread into the bowl of warm stew.
“Yes, Your Highness. He requests Lady Lyana as well.”
Dread hit me like a punch to the gut. The savory stew lost all flavor in my mouth as I chewed, nodding to her. “Wait in the hall, please.”
She obeyed, pulling the door shut behind her.
“Anderz–” I started, my heart in my throat.
“Lyana is of Tilamuik. She is here as your guest and his reach to her is limited,” he said, brushing out his dark robes.
“Then why does he want her there?” I asked.
Lyana shrugged and stood. Her wide blue-green eyes showed just how nervous she was, though.
“I would assume we will find out, Princess.”
The counselor walked toward the door, and we trailed behind, Sainte bringing up the rear.
“Should I run?” Lyana whispered.
“There’s no place to go. A Howl is brewing,” Anderz remarked without glancing back.
She swallowed audibly as we followed him through the corridors. I recognized the route. He was leading us to the Hall of Receiving. Adastrus either wanted to assert dominance or bind me by the noble crowd, as I had done when I named Sainte my Valahant.
I rubbed my thumbs against my palms as we walked. My grasp of High Wynterian was lacking, and with Lyana present, I found myself using Common Muik more often than not. In front of nobles, I was vastly ill-prepared. I rehearsed the curses I would spew at my brother given the chance, but there was a political game to be played, and Adastrus had outmatched me too many times.
A knot twisted in my gut as I anticipated what manner of torture I’d have to endure. My gaze drifted to Lyana, I couldn’t stand by if he hurt her. If he found some way to abuse her, I would attack him with all the ferocity of a dock cat.
The doors to the receiving hall opened at our approach, and Anderz slowed his pace ahead of us.
“What did he do?!” Lyana whispered, horrified.
Grimm stood with his thick legs spread apart, hand braced on the sword at his hip. My gaze traveled upward along his large frame, snagging on the velebond chain wrapped around his neck. My lips parted in silent terror—the link joining the chain was seared into his flesh, the wound red and angry. As we advanced, his bloodshot eyes locked onto ours.
A single tear tracked down his bloodied and dirt-covered cheek.
Lyana lunged. “No! You can’t–”
I snatched her hand, pulling her against me as Anderz turned, issuing a silent warning. I wrapped my arms around her, ignoring the murmurs rippling through the crowd.
“He can’t!” She shook with rage, eyes locked on Grimm.
“Lady Lyana, might I introduce you to my Valahant?” Adastrus said, standing in a smooth motion, grinning as he descended the stairs. “Oh, it appears as though you already know him.”
“What did you do?!”
She tried to pull away, but I held her firmly, seeking guidance from Anderz. He remained motionless, his golden eyes taking everything in.
