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“If you’re looking to hide, beware of clues, love.” Fiorge nodded at my feet where my shadow trailed along the carpet.

“I didn’t mean to⁠—”

“I’d be willing to overlook this little incident,” Fiorge said, taking a step toward me. “If I can have a private audience with this pretty little thing.” He reached out and rubbed a strand of loose white hair between his fingers.

“She’s not negotiable,” Galan answered, stepping between us and forcing the man backward. His hand rested on the hilt of his rapier, tucked in its sheath at his hip.

Lou joined his side, blocking my view of the other man so that I could only see his patched eye between their shoulders. I bristled. I could take care of myself. I had magic no one else in all the realms possessed. Unlike when I’d been under my father’s thumb, I wasn’t afraid or too depleted to use it now. And if this man was a problem⁠—

“What’s going on here?” Rivven asked, tromping into the hall carrying a large canvas bundle. Upon seeing us, he dropped his burden the floor. His dark eyes took in the scene, and he swiftly tugged me to the side, blocking my view entirely.

“I came to deliver a message,” Fiorge said. “We’ll be needing to ship out at dawn. Seems there’s a group of the king’s soldiers headed this way. That’s according to my scouts.”

“Your message has been delivered,” Rivven answered. “I suggest you gather your men and ready the ship.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Fiorge snickered, then pushed past the others. His one eye traveled up and down my body as he headed toward the door. “I’ll be seeing you again,” he added in a low whisper that set my body trembling.

I clenched my hands into fists at my sides and breathed through the panicked reaction of his implied threat. I shoved Serano’s face, which immediately tried to surface, from my mind. I refused to cower anymore to men like him. I had the power to fight them, and I would use it.

When I regained composure, I turned back to the others and nearly bumped my nose on Rivven’s massive chest. His shoulders rose and fell with rapid breaths as his eyes lit from within. He was not happy. But when had I ever seen him happy?

“You were told to stay upstairs,” Lou hissed, pulling me away from the big, grumpy elf.

“I…I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I was just returning a book. I hadn’t meant to cause any trouble. If you’re worried, I can⁠—”

“Can what?” Rivven demanded, stepping toward me once again and backing me into the wall beneath a torch. “Magic him away? The choices are to kill him or let him be, and now that he’s seen you, I’m seriously considering the former.”

“You’d kill a man just for looking at me?” I squealed. “That’s ridiculous!” I shoved him in the chest, which had no effect, and that just made me angrier.

“He knows who you are,” Rivven seethed, setting both palms against the wall on either side of me, but I refused to cower.

“And he knows who you are, too,” I reminded him, crossing my arms. “Your Majesty,” I repeated. “So what?”

“So, he only had an inkling until you showed up in the flesh, Princess. Speaking of which, what happened to Nye? She was supposed to have three full days⁠—”

“Enough,” Lou interrupted, taking us by both our arms and leading us to the stairs. “Take it up to your rooms or get out.”

After glaring at both of us, Rivven turned and stormed up the steps three at a time. I followed with one last apology called back to Lou. When I reached the third-floor landing, I nearly crashed into him again, the big immovable oaf.

“Come,” Rivven commanded, then turned toward the opposite end of the hall from my room.

“What makes you think I’m comfortable going in your quarters alone?” I crossed my arms again. “You act like you want to murder someone, especially me.”

Rivven paused at his door. “You’d be dead if I wanted to kill you.” He threw it open and gestured for me to go first. “This is between us, Princess, and Torvo went straight to your room when we returned. Or do you feel you need a bodyguard?”

“I don’t,” I said, chin held high as I passed him by. I’d had enough of his bullying. “But you might.”

Thirty-Two

Rivven

Pacing the room, I attempted to gain control of my fire, which wanted very badly to lash out at the woman standing near the door with crossed arms and a red face. Think of Nyah, I told myself. But that only served to make me angrier. I came to a stop facing her and drew my shoulders back, willing myself to speak calmly.

“What happened to Nyah? She was supposed to have more time.”

Leuruna’s arms dropped as her shoulders sagged. “She came to me and wanted to trade early.”

My eyes burned.