The pathways beneath the palace were once used to transport goods throughout the capital city. Some are older than others, and not all of them have survived the test of time.
I spent countless hours down here as a child, and I know this place like the back of my hand. There are dead ends all over, tunnels that lead to nowhere. Grandmother used to tell me stories of people who got lost down here, never to be seen again.
Wren pales, her eyes darting over my shoulder. “I... I don’t?—”
Sensing that she’s wavering, I gesture to the corpses scattered around us. “The king will be back, little bird, and he’ll make you pay for this.”
He’ll make us both pay.
The king’s threat to sever my bond with Mist is still fresh in my mind. He finds pleasure in inflicting pain on a good day... and today was far from good.
“Did you just threaten me, Gabriel?” Holding her sisters and moving them as far away from all the death as she can, Wren scowls up at me, fire flashing through her eyes.
As ifI’mthe one she should be worrying about right now. As if I’m the one whose soldiers she killed. As if she hasn’t angered a bloodthirsty tyrant with bottomless power at his fingertips.
I scoff. “No, it wasn’t a threat.”
“Really? Because it sounded like one.” She glares defiantly at me.
Fuck, why does that look send heat coursing through me?
“Did it?” I raise a brow, running my thumb down the hilt of my sword. I shouldn’t be pushing her, but it seems I can’t fucking help myself.
One of the twins whimpers, burying her face against Wren’s shoulder. The other looks at me and breathes, “Yes.”
“Interesting that you took it that way.” I step towards them, and Wren releases the twins, pushing them to her side.
I don’t spare a glance at the girls. That force in my gut is drawing me even closer, and I don’t think I could stop even if I wanted to. I step around her friend’s body, and she backs up.
Into the wall.
She gasps, her fingers splaying against the stone. Trapped.
I step into her space. I can’t help it.
Wren hitches a breath, the sound carrying through the tunnels. Or maybe that’s just the way it seems to me.
“That was not a threat.” I lift my hand slowly, reaching for the gods-blessed. Her lips part, and her Mark glows steadily, but there are no sparks as I touch her chin, redirecting her eyes to mine. “It’s a promise,” I say solemnly. “One made from years of experience.”
She studies me, each moment feeling like it lasts a lifetime, and her swirl brightens. Sapphire sparks swirl around her fingers, flitting off the stones. Gods above, I’m captivated by herpower. I shouldn’t be intrigued by this woman I was hunting, but I am.
She swallows, releasing a shaky breath. “What do you mean?” Her voice is softer than before.
“King Andreas is a powerful enemy.” I drag my finger along her jaw, unable to help myself. Her skin is soft beneath mine. Does all of her feel like this? “An extremely dangerous one.”
“I know that.” Her voice cracks on the last word. Her Mark is radiant, as bright as one of the suns in this dark space, illuminating the pockets of darkness that the torches don’t reach.
“No, you don’t.” Releasing Wren and breaking our physical connection makes my insides wrench, but I drop my hand to my side and step back. “You may think you do, but you don’t.” Even I’m not sure I truly comprehend the full extent of the king’s power. “But if you insist on staying or trying to leave without my help, you’ll find out how powerful he is soon enough. Youneedme.”
“I...” Wren glances at her sisters, then drags her eyes back to me. Her shoulders cave in on themselves. “So, what are you suggesting? You’ll just lead us out of here?”
She’s close to agreeing. I can sense it.
“Yes, I will. You’ve painted a glowing blue target on yourself and your sisters. I can help you avoid the king.”
I can get them out of the capital, and tomorrow, we’ll make a better plan.
“Why would you do that?” one of the twins asks suspiciously.
