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“We’re already betrothed,” I whispered, when I realized everyone had stopped to watch us, including Rivven, who’s dark eyes burned with judgement. But I ignored him and focused only on Torvo.

“Out of necessity, after the Imrati. But I know you now, my lady. And I want nothing more than to truly bond with you for the rest of my life. No one is forcing me, and there is no one I’d rather be with.”

I knew those last words were to show he’d chosen me. I couldn’t make excuses. I couldn’t say it was my father or Nyah he was thinking of. He really wanted me. As much as I wanted him. And that made me feel like I could do anything.

“Yes,” I said, letting the tears slide. But they weren’t from sadness anymore.

The next thing I knew, Torvo had risen to his feet and swept me up into his arms, spinning us in circles as we both laughed with joy.

“Seems we have something to toast!” Hymer announced, raising a wooden cup.

People cheered as we approached the fire, hand in hand. I’d never been this happy in my entire life, and no matter what happened, no one could take this from me. Not even Rivven’s face, scowling from where he skulked at the edge of the group. Though I’d be lying if I said the look didn’t sting even through the joy of the moment, reminding me I’d been unable to give Nyah her life back. I would help her somehow. I would find a way.

We settled beside the fire, accepting the offerings of mead and some sort of roast meat. When I searched for Devira’s face to gauge her reaction, I couldn’t find her. I let my worries go, leaning against Torvo’s side as we laughed, listening to stories from his people. The ones who’d decided to fight my father’s tyranny. It made my heart swell with hope. Maybe I could finally stand up to him with so many behind me.

At some point, Devira returned and took a seat in the corner, watching silently. I nudged Torvo in the ribs. “You should talk to her,” I said, finding her expression cold.

He sighed deeply and nodded. “Come with me.”

“Me? But this is between you.”

“You are part of my life now, whether she likes it or not, and I want her to see what you mean to me. She will come around.” He stood, tugging me along with him.

She watched us over her cup as we approached and sat on a log at her side. “Congratulations,” she said after a moment. Then tipped up her drink to drain it.

“I know you’re angry, Dev.” Torvo leaned in, light from the flames dancing along the side of his face.

Dev laughed. “Angry? Because our mother was assassinated, and you left us to join her killer? Don’t be silly, Tor.”

“I did what was necessary to try to salvage the situation.”

“You did what you wanted to save the poor little princess.” She spat the words at me, the one who’d stolen her brother. But I didn’t flinch—I understood her jealousy. Wasn’t it what I’d felt toward Nyah?

“You don’t understand,” Torvo muttered, but I felt the way he tensed against me, how he held himself in check so he wouldn’t explode. It was something I liked about him, but I wondered how healthy it was. I’d spent most of my life withdrawing and not allowing myself to act freely for fear of the consequences, and look where it got me.

Her gaze narrowed as she looked me up and down. “Or do I understand too well?” she asked. “I get it, Tor. She’s beautiful.”

“She is more than you give her credit for,” he ground out.

“Mother is dead.”

“I am aware.”

“Our sister is a puppet and does whatever the king tells her, or she’ll be next. And every one of them—all six—are painfully aware he could decide to cut her down and go to the next in line.” Devira turned away and refilled her cup, sloshing some of the liquid onto the ground.

Torvo held his tongue, but I could feel him boiling beside me like a volcano ready to blow.

“Did you know that his men are free to fuck them whenever they want?” she asked, then downed the cup. “Our sweet older sisters who do as they’re told?”

Immediately, the memory of Serano’s violations surfaced yet again, and I had to stifle a gasp. Each time this happened, it was like he raped me again in my own mind. And to think that Torvo’s sisters had to suffer the same horrible fate—I looked to him, tears blurring my vision.

Such a profound stillness had fallen over Torvo that I wasn’t sure he was breathing. There was a shadow over his eyes, his forehead creased with tension.

“The king took our eldest sister to bed the very night he murdered our mum.” Dev laughed hollowly. “I heard him through the wall telling her what a good queen was like. That was when I left. You know where I went?”

My father was as bad—maybe worse than Serano. I repressed the whimper that fought to escape when I recalled watching him with Rivven’s mother. I set a trembling hand on Torvo’s thigh. It felt like solid stone. I swallowed, wanting to shout at Devira to stop.

“I went to find you. But instead, I found Hymer and some others who decided to leave the guard and go into hiding here in the woods. I assumed I’d find you after the Imrati, and we’d figure this out together like we always did. But then I heard you won. That you were going to join him.”