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The door to the Warmsnap opened, and Prince Vale stepped out with none other than Lord Riis.

“They knew I had a prize in my bed,” the prince spoke loudly, so that others would hear. “Wish that I hadn’t left for nothing.”

Forgetting that the knight had disguised me, I hid my face beneath the cloak, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by Lord Riis. Though I could only see a part of his face, I knew he studied me from across the street. After a moment, the king’s spymaster seemed to move on.

“Perhaps they’re too deep into their cups elsewhere.” The Lord of Tongues turned back to the prince. “A bit of advice, my prince?”

“Yes?”

“Do try to stay out of trouble with the fair Lady Neve.”

“I’ll do my best.” Prince Vale’s tone sounded strained, as if he really had been upset by some slight of his friends.

Lord Riis disappeared back into the tavern, allowing my breath to come freely again before more worries crashed down around me.

Why was Lord Riis here and no longer at the feast? Was it actually over and the prince had been wrong?

Fear that Prince Gervais would have returned to his room and checked on Anna filled me. If he found her gone, would he suspect I was behind it?

My face still averted, I heard Prince Vale untying his horse, mounting, and then whispering to Sir Caelo.

The knight nodded, and the pair began to ride, the prince in front as Sir Caelo waved for us to follow. We fell in line again, this time with Clem at the back. Only when we were far from the tavern and they had turned down an empty road did Sir Caelo twist to face me. “We must hurry and get you beyond the gates and down a forest trail.”

Then we’d be on our own. I gripped the reins. I hadn’t allowed myself to think so far, but that would be the natural conclusion. Neither male could go with us. They’d already given so much, risked too much.

Our pace hastened, and soon the streets became wide enough for six horses to travel abreast, indicating these roads were traveled more often than those deeper in the city. In the distance, the city wall rose above the tops of buildings, the torches lighting them up in the night.

I exhaled. We had almost arrived; now, we rode only a few streets away. Rolling my shoulders back, I prepared for the journey of a lifetime. As soon as we got out of Avaldenn, Anna, Clem, and I would take to the woods and—

A scream ripped through the night.

I stiffened and scanned up ahead, past Anna, Sir Caelo, and Prince Vale, where dark figures sprinted to clear the area.

What in the stars? What did they see?

As if in answer, a cloaked person with their hood pulled up, prowled around a corner, another fae in his arms.

I swallowed. The person moved with a feline grace that the hairs on my arms rose and when he effortlessly hurled the fae in his arms against a wall, ice ran through my veins. The discarded fae didn’t move. Didn’t groan. Was that person . . . dead?

Before I could inquire, the cloaked figure stopped and turned our way. He smiled and pulled down his hood to reveal cold, hard eyes and gleaming red fangs.

Chapter 41

“I see that Lady Neve didn’t please you, Prince Vale. But is she so bad that you need to fling her from your city?” Prince Gervais raised his voice. “Or might I take her off your hands—much like you’ve taken my human off mine? We can call it a repayment for your thievery.”

So much for the glamours. The prince smelled Anna and me.

“He can’t use me to repay you. He doesn’t own me,” I spat. “I’m not something to be bartered or sold, you monster.”

The vampire barked out a laugh. It resonated off the buildings lining the wide street, echoing through the dark night. “You’re right. Technically, I own you, though I have yet to act on my rights.”

My blood froze in my veins. “No you don’t.”

“You, my wildcat, were the property of Lord Aldéric who, after your disappearance, sold you to me at a reduced rate. Better he get something than nothing, right?” Gervais licked his lips, his gaze darting to the others for a moment before he smirked. “As the prince does not look surprised, I deduce that you told him about who you are? Mere filth. Shocking that he wanted to keep you after that.”

I snarled. “I’m not filth. I’m fre—“

“You are nothing but property. My property, and I intend to do with you what I wish.” He stalked closer, and my horse, perhaps sensing danger, trotted backward.