Page 10 of The Stolen Crown

“And where are you taking her?”

Gorm arched a dark brow. “The palace. She is a royal, and royals reside in palaces.”

My jaw flexed. “I realize that.”

“Stupid sea fae,” Dunker mumbled under his breath. “Thinkin’ he knows about our lands. Leave her out here to rot, he would.”

“To the palace I go then.” Gorm gave a nod and spoke as though he’d simplified his statements for my understanding.

Did the man think I was a fool?

He adjusted Mira’s limp form in his strong arms, the sort that knew how to swing a blade well enough. Strange as he was, the tall fae hadn’t looked at me like an enemy, not even reached for the long blacksteel sword tethered at his waist.

“I have not lifted a blade to you, kin of the Ever King.”

My brow furrowed. “I’m aware.”

“Then I wonder why you thought I would?”

Good hells. Hair lifted on the back of my neck. Could the man read my bleeding mind? I could not summon the words to speak and merely shook my head.

Slowly, one side of his mouth curved into a snide sort of grin. “You are unsettled.”

“You don’t say.” The whole of this bleeding kingdom unsettled me.

He flashed a wider grin, revealing longer fangs than even mine or Erik’s. “Odd. I do not often agree with my king’s many exaggerations, but he is right about you.”

I stiffened.

The fae turned for the trees, then glanced over his shoulder. “As the king says, you are entertaining to unsettle.”

When he disappeared into the tangle of aspens, a lurch of panic throttled the back of my throat.

The stonelike body of the troll blocked my path. Arms folded over his broad chest, Dunker huffed. “Lord Gorm might not see nothin’ of ire in those thoughts of yours, but I don’t trust the lot of you. Not with my lovely one, that is. Shoulda kept you lot banished off these isles, if you ask me.”

“I wasn’t asking,” I sneered. “Did you say that fae read my damn mind?”

Dunker snorted, low and wet like a hog. “That’s what I said. Be grateful the Blood Lord didn’t see fit to take control of your pitiful thoughts. He could’ve, you know. That, I would’ve liked to see.”

Sea Folk had formidable voices but so, too, did the earth fae. If it was true what the troll said about this Lord Gorm, I’d do well to guard my damn thoughts.

Certainly any thoughts of Mira Sekundär.

With a final glare at the irritable troll, I cut onto a path leading back to the shoreline. For now, I’d trust the princess was safe with her folk. I could not say the same for a certain sea singer.

My mouth twisted into a smile. I could practically hear Filib’s screams already.

4

The Heartwalker

I needed this bastard to die already.

Whimpers from spineless men normally fed violent inclinations I repressed day after day. Screams sang to the dark, wretched creature that coiled around any lingering goodness in my heart, poised to strike if I lost even a sliver of control.

Tonight, the cries of pain were aggravating.

No mistake, I took more ruthless measures with Filib than I would otherwise. It had nothing to do with any sort of affection for the damn princess. I wouldn’t allow the consideration to cross my thoughts. No, the disquiet came from irritation that this sea singer thought himself above our king’s word. My cousin ordered Filib to leave earth fae be after his first interaction with Mira.