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‘As good as he can be.’ Nymlaris turned to her, now fully ignoring Elmrynn. ‘He’s with the healers, but they refused to tell me why he hadn’t healed himself after I removed the arrowhead. Do you think it’s the same thing Silas had? Maybe he has a similar disease?’

‘No,’ Elmrynn interjected. ‘Silas was born with the disease.’

Darkness rippled in the corner of Areanel’s eye, drawing her attention to the figure and bringing their conversation to an immediate halt.

Almost like they materialised out of thin air, Ryyen stepped into view, keeping to the shadows the canopy provided, but Areanel saw the way feathers—dark as night—fluttered to the ground by their feet. Had they flown here?

Their entire body was covered by their black uniform, even in the blistering heat of the sun. Silently, Ryyen retrieved something from their pocket and handed it to Areanel.

Careful not to touch their gloved hand, Areanel plucked the folded paper from between their fingers and unfurled it. The words scrawled across the paper had her brows creasing and anxiety clawing up her throat.

‘What is it?’ Elmrynn’s gruff tone had her quickly returning the paper to Ryyen, who folded it neatly and placed it back within the folds of their dark uniform.

Elmrynn’s icy gaze jumped from hers to Ryyen and back again.

Areanel knew Ryyen wouldn’t answer, so she said, ‘Father wants us back.’ She did not, however, tell them exactly what he had written or the rage clearly present in each letter that ended with a forced flick. Preparing herself to face her father had become second nature, but now she was on edge. What would he do once they were back? Hopefully, his mood would calm by the time they’d returned. And with the added bonus of a prisoner, thanks to Nymlaris, maybe Areanel’s punishment wouldn’t be so harsh.

‘Nym, can you take the prisoner back with you?’ she asked.

‘Of course.’ He said it so nonchalantly, but exhaustion had him almost collapsing, and his words were beginning to slur.

Areanel knew that arguing with him would do no good, so, with a heavy sigh, she turned to Ryyen. ‘Put him in The Pit.’ The mere name sent spiders skittering along her skin. ‘Secure him till I get back.’

With a silent nod, Ryyen stepped back before Nymlaris could reach a hand toward them, disappearing behind a tree. They vanished.

‘What the hell?’ Nymlaris’s hand fell to his side as though offended that Ryyen would decline his offer.

‘Leave them,’ Areanel ordered. ‘Ryyen will meet you back at the palace.’

Nymlaris only shook his head at her before that familiar pop sounded as the world twisted and bent to his will—and with that, he had disappeared from sight.

‘How are we getting back? Percival and the soldiers took our horses,’ Elmrynn questioned.

Areanel did not answer. A familiar, comforting awareness stroked along the edges of her mind before something nudged her shoulder. The slight reprieve of a cool shadow loomed over her, shielding her from the blistering sun.

‘Oh, no.’ Elmrynn raised his hands and shook his head. ‘I am not getting on one of your beasts!’

‘Aurelius won’t bite.’ She chuckled at the look of trepidation on his face.

‘I just watched him tear into a man, and you’re telling me he won’t bite?’

‘I thought you found enjoyment in death, or was I wrong to assume?’ Areanel challenged, scratching behind Winter’s ear, sending the wolf’s tail wagging. ‘Plus, they are far faster than a horse and will get us home twice as fast.’

‘Your wolves are as unpredictable as you.’ Elmrynn frowned, sending Areanel into a fit of laughter.

‘Are you afraid of me, brother?’ she asked around a laugh.

‘Yes.’

It had been one word. One simple word that had her visibly recoiling, taking a sudden step away from Elmrynn like he had struck her. It shouldn’t have made her feel the strike of self-loathing that shot through her, like a lightning bolt across her consciousness, but the way he had said it… The conviction had her recoiling more than if he had landed a physical blow.

The air turned sombre. No longer joking around or with adrenaline pumping in her blood, Areanel turned away from Elmrynn and mounted Winter’s back. The red on her hands was stark against the pure white of Winter’s coat, and had her stomach gurgling, bile rising in her throat.

Monster. That was what her attacker had said before trying to cut her down. Replaying the word in her mind, Areanel shivered. Quickly stiffening, she forced her body to not show any reaction.

Is that how everyone saw her? Were they all afraid of her?

‘Come,’ Elmrynn’s voice cut through her self-deprecating thoughts like a blade. ‘Father will be waiting.’