“Okay okay! Make her stop!”
Sabriel backed away.
The man took a breath, whimpering. “They know you are occupied out here. They’re headed to Mosshaven.”
Raine’s stomach twisted as he swung his head to Maeryn, meeting her wide eyes. Thorne was still there with a division of soldiers. But it wasn’t enough to protect the capital from the entire force of the daemons. His father was there…his sister…
“Why?” Raine barked.
“Because…she’s there…”
“Who?” Maeryn asked, taking a step forward and forming another molten dagger in her palm.
The man’s eyes caught on her weapon. “The princess…He’s obsessed with stopping her…”
It seemed their enemies were not aware of Ava’s whereabouts.
“When are they attacking?” Raine asked.
“I’m—I’m not sure…Not yet. But they’re preparing.”
Raine gestured for Maeryn to follow him out of the tent. They emerged into the night, Sabriel trotting behind them.
Maeryn addressed the soldiers guarding the tent. “Kill him.” She looked up at Raine, concern and empathy on her face. “We must get back to protect your home.”
28
Ava traipsed through the bright hallways, searching for Jareth. After her failed meeting with Seraphina the other day, she’d tried again the night before last with Orion. But that dinner had gone even worse than the first one.
The king was incensed at what happened between Ava and his wife, and brushed her off every time she attempted to bring up the war efforts, changing the subject and insisting he would not risk his forces. He was confident he could protect his own kingdom and didn’t bat an eye whenever she mentioned the hardships they were already facing.
Nothing swayed him. “You have three kingdoms fighting the daemons. If they make their way here, I’m confident my people will be safe.”
“But what aboutmypeople?” Ava had asked, barely containing her indignation.
He’d gotten offended, abruptly left, and she hadn’t seen him since.
So now, here she was…almost completely out of ideas and hoping somehow she could get help from the prince.
He wasn’t at dinner last night. In fact, none of his familyhad attended, seemingly displeased by how this visit was going. Were the members of the astral royalty always this petulant? The only reason she and the others hadn’t been kicked out was probably the fact that they were still using the archives for research.
Shame crawled up the back of her neck at her lack of accomplishment. How would she break it to Thorne that she had botched her task? How could she admit she failed him? Failed her kingdom?
Ava had searched the entire castle—well, the part she was allowed to access—and still hadn’t located the haughty prince. Deciding to try his suite one last time, she raised her hand to knock, pausing when a voice called to her from the inside.
“Come in.”
Her stomach did a somersault.
She opened the door and stepped inside.
Jareth’s suite was enormous and gaudy, full of white fabrics and gilded accents. A balcony overlooked a beautiful garden, the breeze coming in through the open door.
The prince lounged on a white couch, swirling a goblet of wine in his hand, looking ever the cocky bastard.
He raised a brow. “Princess. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
She took a seat across from him. “I think you already know.”
