Page 16 of Ravenrose

“It matters,” Theo mutters before draining the last of the water from the flask.

Bristling with irritation at the direction our conversation has taken, I fold my arms across my chest, intent on bringing it back on track.

“You never answered my question.”

Theo’s smile is back and once again full of mischief. “Ah, Princess, you see,” he moves closer, leaning up against the bars, and I take a discreet step back, “I never intended to.”

I release a huff of frustration.

Without warning, Theo tosses the flask back.

I fumble to catch it. The empty metal canister drops against the stone floor, the cavernous space echoing the clanging sound even more.

I snatch it back up with a scowl.

Commotion sounds at the dungeon’s entrance. A soldier appears in the doorway, likely having heard the clatter. His eyes scan the space, and when they land on me, standing in the middle of the dungeon, his mouth drops open.

I wince. So much for not getting caught.

The soldier shouts, his hand finding the hilt of his sword as he hurries toward the two of us.

Before I can back far enough away from the bars, Theo flies forward, his hand reaching out and grabbing hold of my wrist, tugging me back to him.

His voice is low enough for only me to hear. “Be careful, Princess. This game you’re playing—it’s far more dangerous than you know.”

And then I’m released from his grip. Just as quickly as he grabbed me. His hands are held up in surrender as he backs away from the bars as the guard closes in.

I scramble away from him, my eyes wide at the threat—or was it a warning?

Questions swirl in my mind, but the soldier has already reached us, quickly putting himself between me and Theo before hurriedly ushering me out of the dungeons—this time through the main entrance—and back upstairs.

To face the consequences of my actions.

Chapter 8

ROWAN

“You could at least act like you are to be wed to a crown prince in less than two weeks’ time,” Fel lectures.

The guard who caught me in the dungeons is one of Fel’s men, and he delivered me directly to my brother. Less than ideal, but likely a better outcome than if he’d brought me straight to Alita—or the general.

We face off on the upper west terrace, where no one can overhear us.

“What would you have me do, Fel? Prance about and pretend I want this?” I glare up at my brother, who’s listening with a deep frown on his face.

“I don’t want this. I never wanted this.” The last few words come out quieter than the rest.

“You have a duty to your kingdom, Rowan.”

A flash of rage flames inside me, and I feel my magic stir, but I push it back down. It’s an effort not to snap at Fel, but if I hear the words duty, honor, or responsibility thrown at me. One. More. Time…

I bite my tongue to keep myself from saying anything I might regret.

When I don’t respond, Fel’s jaw tightens. Playing the heir has made him insufferable. I miss my brother—the version of Fel that Riven and I grew up with before duty, honor, and responsibility changed everything. Changed him.

Shaking his head, he turns to stare off the balcony at the sinking sun. The golden sun has already disappeared past the horizon, and the faded gold and yellow light of day are slipping away. Much like the time I have left here.

“I don’t think I need to remind you what will happen if Father needs to get involved.”