Page 30 of The Crowned Queen

A fat raindrop fell, bursting cold against her skin. Then another, and another.

By the time they reached the side door it was coming down in sheets, pelting the carriage already waiting outside for them. A single guard scrambled to open the door, holding it as Jaxon climbed in and dumped her onto the bench.

“Where are we going?” Kai demanded, climbing in behind them. “I need to send a message to my father⁠—”

“You need to shut up and sit down,” Jaxon said. He hammered on the wall of the carriage, practically falling into his seat as it lurched forward. “There are protocols for this sort of thing.”

“I don’t think there’s a protocol for the High Magister having his home destroyed by fae rebels⁠—”

“I said shut up,” Jaxon snapped. He jerked his head toward Araya. “She’s silent, not deaf.”

“She’s freezing,” Kai retorted.

He shrugged out of his coat, leaning across the carriage to drape it around her shoulders. Araya tugged it close, too cold to throw it on the floor in protest like she wanted to. Her thin shift stuck to her chilled skin, doing nothing to warm her or hide her body from either of the men in the carriage.

Outside, rain pounded against the carriage roof. Araya stared out the window, waiting for each flash of lightning to throw the city into sharp relief. Loren was out there. He would be following, making a new plan to get her back. She just had to be ready when he came.

Jaxon leaned over, yanking the curtain closed.

None of them spoke again, the only sound the rain and the clatter of the wheels across the cobblestones. It had slowed to a drizzle by the time the carriage finally lurched to a halt, stopping so suddenly that Araya nearly tumbled off the padded bench.

“Easy, Starling.” Jaxon gripped her arm, pulling her to her feet. “Here, you’ll need to put this on now.”

Araya stared at the silk scarf dangling from his fingers like it was a snake.

“This is a clandestine black site,” Jaxon said, answering her unspoken question. “And you’ve already proven yourself untrustworthy.” He raised his eyebrows, studying her face. “Either you wear it willingly or I order you to put it on. It makes no difference to me, but one is more pleasant for you, I think.”

Araya turned slowly, holding her breath as Jaxon looped the cool silk over her eyes, blinding her.

“Good girl.” His fingers tightened the knot, lingering at the nape of her neck. “See how easy this can be?”

Kai said something she couldn’t hear over the sudden rush of her own heartbeat in her ears. The silk pressed against her lashes, the world reduced to darkness and the sound of rain and Jaxon’s hands settling at her waist.

“Easy, Starling,” he murmured against her ear. “I’ve got you.”

He swept one arm under her knees, lifting her again. The whole carriage rocked as he stepped down, a last few cool drops of rain landing on her heated cheeks.

She should be counting steps, listening for any hint of where they might be—but Araya couldn’t even steady her breathing, panic threatening to break loose with every step Jaxon took. They were at a black site. A place fae didn’t come out of alive.

Metal shrieked—a door swinging open. Jaxon stepped through, the cold rain giving way to warmth. Araya winced as hinges screamed again, the door falling closed with a crash of iron on iron.

“Commander Shaw,” an unfamiliar voice greeted them. “Master Sterling. We’re glad to see you both made it. Is this the asset?”

“Obviously.” Jaxon rolled his eyes so hard she could practically hear it. “Is my father already here?”

“The High Magister arrived just before you,” the guard said. “He asked to see you as soon as possible.”

“I need to settle her first,” Jaxon said. “And we’ll need a medical kit.”

“Of course, sir. She’s down the second corridor. Third from the end. Master Sterling, we’ve made arrangements for your accommodations as well and will send a message to your father. You’ll all be safe here.”

“We’d better be for what this costs,” Jaxon muttered, already moving. Araya gasped, her fingers clenching in the folds of his shirt as magic rushed over her. Runes—dozens of them—flared to life all at once, crawling across her skin like a living thing.

“Just a little warding,” Jaxon murmured, his lips brushing the scarred edge of her ear. “It won’t hurt you.”

No. But he might.

Araya buried her face in his shoulder, listening to the sound of his footsteps ringing off the stone. Metal scraped—a lock, the groan of a door swinging open and the bolt sliding into place behind them.