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Resmundur’s death had almost broken him; had it not been for Areanel and his children, Rymedur wasn’t sure he’d still be here, laughing and joking.

‘I think Resmundur would have most likely joined in with her chaos!’ Lilith’s voice was no louder than a squeak, but all heads shot her way, staring at her wide-eyed. She spoke!

Rymedur saw the problem immediately—his hand was still enclosed around hers. With all eyes on her, Lilith slowly shrank back into her chair, nervously shuffling around in her seat.

She scooted closer to Rymedur.

Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, he smiled down at her. A timid smile was all he received in return. Then, Edmund drew the attention away with his boisterous laugh. ‘Aurora and Resmundur would definitely have been partners in crime! Kind of like how Uncle Percival and Vas—’

Wood slammed against the stone wall of the palace. The sound drowned out whatever Edmund was about to say to them.

Red.

Blood red was the first thing Rymedur noticed smeared along the intruder’s smock. Then it was the frantic, fearful look in their eyes and the coppery, metallic scent filling his nose that also included subtle notes of pomegranate and verbena.

Instinct alone had Rymedur moving.

In a blur of motion, shadows burst from him—wrapping around the room and encasing the children in a protective bubble. Stepping forward, Rymedur ensured the wall of darkness was at his back. The intruder would have to go through him first.

The blunt knife he’d used to cut into his chicken moments ago was now tight in his grip.

‘My lord!’ The frantic voice had his mind quieting, just enough for logic to penetrate. His protective instincts had taken over; he had moved without thought. But now, as he stood there, knife clutched in a white-knuckled grip, Rymedur was able to think straight.

This wasn’t an intruder. It was a palace aide—Belethial.

Belethial’s eyes were wide and her chest heaved with ragged breaths.

‘Wha—’

The question died on his tongue, and his heart leapt into his throat. Hadn’t she gone to put Aurora to bed? Where was she? Was that her blood?

A million and one questions raced through Rymedur’s mind until he couldn’t think straight.

‘Whose blood is that?’

Belethial’s hands shook, and she refused to meet Rymedur’s inquisitive and frightened gaze. ‘I was putting Lady Aurora down when I heard something from your rooms. I went to check, and I-I saw…’ her voice quivered.

‘What, Belethial?’ Rymedur moved closer. ‘What happened?’ He gestured to her shaking hands, the knife still tight in his grip.

Straw-like blonde curls swished side to side as she shook her head frantically, like she was trying to shake the image out of her mind. ‘I tried to help her, but…’

Rymedur swore his heart stopped beating. Again, he was moving before he could even think. His hands reached for Belethial, knife still clenched in his tight fist. ‘Belethial!’ He shook her shoulders in desperation. ‘Whose blood is it?’

‘The General. She’s—’

The words had barely left her lips when Rymedur pushed past her. ‘Where?’

‘Your rooms, my lord.’

‘Da! What’s wrong?’ James’s voice was muffled behind the curtain of darkness.

‘DA!’ Lilith cried out at the same time.

Shit! His shadows. They had grown wilder, their movements more hectic. He was scaring them again.

Quickly, Rymedur tugged at the power inside him, pulling them back. ‘Belethial, watch them,’ he commanded.

‘Wait, Da!’ James grabbed at the edge of his sleeve. ‘I’ll come with you.’