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I clenched my teeth as I steered Onyx into the castle stables. It was a new Rising, so more Mages were out and about than when Cerise and I had left. After leaving Onyx in the care of a stable hand, I gathered Cerise in my arms and hurried through the courtyard. Several servants and attendants bustled past, barely paying me a glance. I was almost up the steps to the entrance doors when a familiar voice called out.

“Your Majesty!”

I groaned inwardly as I turned to face Chief Ramathos, who stood in the courtyard, frowning up at me. I slowly descended the steps to face him, offering him a tight-lipped smile. “It’s good to see you, Chief Ramathos. Unfortunately, I am in a bit of a hurry, so if you don’t mind…”

I turned away but froze as he snarled, “Is that the witch?”

I stiffened. A pair of servants carrying chopped wood paused to stare at us, one of them peering curiously at Cerise’s unconscious form in my arms.

“She needs medical care,” I said curtly. “Please excuse me.”

Chief Ramathos barked out a harsh laugh. “I hardly think it’s appropriate to brush off a high-ranking chief for the likes of her.”

Within me, Tavik let out a low growl. My blood surged with rage as I drew closer to Chief Ramathos, my nostrils flaring. He was a large man, slightly taller than I was, and at least twice as bulky. But in this moment, I didn’t care who the hell he was or how strong he looked. I would snap his neck within seconds if he insulted Cerise again.

“Let me be perfectly clear,” I hissed, baring my teeth at him. “This witch is my ally. She is important to me. Certainly more important than you. So, yes, I am brushing you off—not just because her needs are more urgent than yours, or because I care about her more than you—but because you’re a pretentious piece of shit who has never bothered to show me a modicum of respect.”

Chief Ramathos’s face turned beet-red. His mouth fell open, and his eyes bulged. But I was already turning away and racing up the castle steps.

“You will regret speaking to me in such a manner!” he roared from behind me.

I let out a sharp, angry breath as I entered the double doors. Chief Ramathos was lucky I left when I did; if I hadn’t, I would have let Tavik rip out his throat.

Then again, Chief Ramathos had a dragon within him. That was likely a fight Tavik wouldn’t win.

“Try me,” Tavik snarled.

Ignoring him, I climbed up the staircase and weaved down two halls, then ascended another set of stairs before I reached the guest suite. I was panting and covered in sweat, my arms on fire and my legs throbbing. Before I got to Cerise’s rooms, I met Fiona, who blanched at the sight of the witch in my arms.

“Gods’ breath, what happened to her!”

“She’ll be… fine,” I gasped. “But could you… send for Dulsa please? Have her… brought to my rooms, if you could.”

Fiona nodded, face pale as she pushed open Cerise’s door to let us through. “I’ll fetch her a plate of food and some water for when she wakes.”

I thanked her, and she quickly bustled off.

I stepped into the room and gently deposited Cerise onto the bed before draping the sheets over her. For a moment, I stood there, watching her. Her brows were drawn together, as if even in sleep, she was distressed. Her breaths were long and slow, the stray curls on her face puffing outward with each exhale.

I had to remind myself that she desperately needed the rest, even if I longed to rouse her just to hold her in my arms. With a sigh, I got a fire going in the hearth to keep her warm. When I left, Fiona was making her way back to the room.

“Dulsa is on her way,” she informed me.

“Thank you. Would you mind staying with Cerise? Just until I return.” As a dragon shifter, Fiona could protect Cerise if needed. Besides, I would only be gone a few minutes.

“Of course.” She bobbed a quick curtsy before slipping into the room.

I strode down the hallway and made my way up another set of stairs to my bedchambers. When I entered my rooms, I expected to see Stover, but he was nowhere to be found.

That was just as well. I didn’t want anyone overhearing my conversation with Dulsa. And I really didn’t want anyone else chastising me for my attentions to Cerise.

Gods, it would be so much easier if I could just tell everyone who she really was. It would be far more acceptable for me to say I was assisting a brand new Wolven Mage who had shifted for the first time.

But no. Cerise wanted it kept quiet, and I would respect her wishes.

I had just thrown on a black tunic when a knock sounded at the door. I opened it to find Dulsa standing there, her brows creased. “Your Majesty.” She bowed her head to me.

“Please come in.” I stood back, and she swept into my rooms.