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“The four of us princes will leave for our respective realms, and Rosalina should seek the Queen’s Army,” I say. “But I don’t know if I’ll be able to convince Faustrius to join our side without you. It was your kindness that inspired him to give us mercy.”

“Well, Rosalina can’t be in two places at once.” Caspian steeples his fingers together. “If only there were someone else at this table who had the blood of the queen…”

Silence hangs heavy in the room, then Wrenley shoots to her feet. “No.”

Caspian stands, staring her down. “You could do it, Wren. Make the Queen’s Army remember their vow and fight with us. It’s the only way to free Rosalina so she can go to Winter.”

Wrenley shakes her head. “I’m not the Golden Rose. Don’t you remember? I stood beside Kairyn when he fractured the Queen’s Army. The soldiers in the camp are the ones that refused to join the Green Rule and fled the monastery. They’re more likely to shoot me than follow me.”

“They’ve dedicated their lives to the queen,” Rosalina says. “You are her blood as much as me. Once you tell them of our mission, they will follow you, Wrenley.”

Wrenley’s eyes shine, but it’s the only movement.

“Please,” Rosalina says. “You have to try.”

“I’ll go with you,” Caspian says. “At least, as far as I can.”

Wrenley turns from Rosalina’s face to Caspian’s, then falls to her seat. “Fine. I’ll try, but I’m going to fail.”

“It’s settled,” I say, looking out at them. “Tomorrow, we travel to our realms, rally our armies, and march them to Castletree.”

Caspian tilts his head. “All the briar paths I’ve spent years laying down across the Vale have withered away. Once we separate, there won’t be a way to see one another again until we meet for battle.”

A heavy weight falls over the room. “Then let us treasure one another’s company now,” I say grimly. “Let us converge in five days, two nights before the full moon. We’ll use the mountains surrounding Castletree as coverage. From there, we’ll launch a coordinated attack.”

In a flurry of movement, Jack hops down from the tree and onto the middle of the table. “And what army would you like me to fight with, Prince Keldarion? I know a thing or two about commanding. At least I think I do.”

I turn to Ezryn, who gives a quick shake of his head. I don’t relent and keep my stare locked on the T of his visor. Finally, Ezryn’s armor rattles as his shoulders sag. “I will take the boy to Spring. He’ll be safe within the walls of Keep Hammergarden.”

Jack has a broad smile, but I catch him gazing at Wrenley, who is pointedly avoiding him.

“Is the meeting adjourned, Your Frostiness?” Dayton grins before turning to Caspian. “Because I have a bet I’d really like to make good on.”

36

Dayton

I’ve had a long time to think about Cas’s and my bet, the one we made at Isdamp Hytte, the sauna outside Frostfang. Whoever kisses everyone first gets to make any request of the other.

I always knew I would win this.

Farron was my first; he kissed me long ago on a beach in Summer when I thought he was an Autumn servant and he mistook me for a no-good thief.

Rosalina’s kiss changed my life outside a tavern in Summer. I was a goner after that.

Caspian and Ezryn, I snagged at that lovely sauna.

Dearest Kel, who required the most cunning and finesse, got a kiss by surprise at the forge. But it was worth the wait for what I have in store for sweet, sweet Caspian.

I lounge on the freshly stuffed mattress atop a frame of bronze wood in our shared chamber. It’s a large bed, though nowhere near as luxurious as the one Ezryn made back in Castletree. Regardless, with my arms relaxed behind my head, I appear utterly victorious.

“Are you ready yet?” I call.

“I’m not coming out in this,” Caspian growls from behind the dressing screen.

“Too bad,” I reply. “Should’ve tried harder to seduce Ez when you had the chance.”

Silence.