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The alicorn ruffled her wings in answer and stomped the ground.

Rivven wasted no time in vaulting onto her back. “I assume you’d rather carry the princess,” he said to Torvo before the mare launched into the heavens.

Torvo grunted and pulled off his jacket and tunic, revealing his bare chest. I stared at all the real muscle I’d only dreamed about until now. Two enormous silver wings spread from his shoulder blades, as wide as those of the alicorn. The sight made me pull in a sharp breath.

My mouth dropped open. Gods he was breathtaking. I was still mesmerized by the sight of him as he scooped me into his arms and lifted into the sky. The large, soft feathers surrounded us like a shield as he pumped his wings a few times, aiming us toward the giant walls of the citadel.

“There’s magic shielding the sky,” I warned.

“Not tonight, Princess,” he answered, gazing down at me. The soft touch of his feathers tickled the back of my neck as he pulled me closer. “The shields were lowered for the entire week to accommodate visitors from Astridon and Tromodia.”

“Your family is here?” I asked, panic rising as I strained to see over him.

“They…didn’t make it. But the king had to leave it open for those who might.”

My heart soared along with us as we sailed over the border and into the Night Forest, where we landed among the giant trees. Torvo didn’t set me down, and I clung to him, willing him to never do so.

“You’re free, Princess,” he announced.

He tucked his wings back behind him, and they magically disappeared. Beside us, Rivven and Ash landed as well. My sister’s lover slid from the alicorn’s back before giving her a grateful pat on the side.

“Free?” I echoed, the realization sinking in.

We’d done it. We’d escaped Father with Rivven. It was everything we’d planned—just not the way we’d meant to exactly.

“But we aren’t married,” I said, gripping his shoulders tighter.

Torvo shrugged. “That can be remedied later. For now, the important part is that we have escaped.”

My throat dried as my mind started working. We were free, but now what? Father would never stop searching. He’d find us. And when he did…

The words I’d heard when Nyah attacked him rebounded in my head. He’d lock me up in that room like he had Rivven’s mother. He’d use me to breed another heir, then kill me and do the same to my child as he’d done to me.

I started trembling and couldn’t stop. I was suddenly so cold.

“Princess?” Torvo asked, but I barely heard him. Father would kill him too. Probably right in front of me. He’d take my power until there was nothing left.

Somewhere inside, I felt Nyah pounding to get out. I curled into Torvo’s warm chest and whimpered as I reached out to her. I’d be no good to anyone when I was in this state. She was the one who could fix this. She had the courage I never did.

“Princess!” Torvo’s cries were becoming louder and more fervent. He laid me gently down beside a tree and knelt at my side, grasping my hand.

“So c…cold,” I stuttered.

“Get a cloak from my saddle bag,” Torvo barked, and Rivven complied. Soon, a warm cloth was laid over top of me as both men hovered, concerned faces overhead.

Nyah, I called.

I’m here.

You have to fix this.

No answer came, and my desperation grew.

Nyah, I screamed again inside my head.

If you want my help, you have to stop treating me like a prisoner.

I told you—I don’t know how to let you out.