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“She ismy wife. I won’t leave her.”

“You will. Now, get out before I change my mind and truly punish you. Be out of the city in two days’ time.”

I wanted to argue, wanted to deny him, but what was the use? He would insist, no matter what I said. But that did mean I would yield to his demands. Not this time.

I would go hunt rebels, as was my duty, but my wife would go with me. I’d do anything to get Neve out of the city—our ultimate goal, anyway.

But one thing gave me pause. I still had knowledge about the Ice Scepter, and my father was right in front of me. Yet, I hesitated to share that news.

The grounded part of me couldn’t help but think that there was something in Brogan's letter I wanted to review before I told Father. And, petty as it was, I also simply didn’t feel like helping him right now.

“Why are you still here?” My father pointed to the door. “You’re dismissed.”

I nodded and left his chambers, my findings still buried inside me.

Later that night, I sat at a corner table in the Warmsnap Tavern.

Duran and the Riis brothers had heard about what had happened. How, I wasn’t sure. I’d avoided the training facility, avoided my friends completely, and yet, Luccanand Thantrel had found me and pulled me from the castle.

I hadn’t even had a moment to see Neve before we left, but Luccan assured me that Sian, Filip, and my Clawsguard were still watching her. That she was safe.

Likely furious at me too, considering I’d done what she asked me not to do.

“Here, drink up.” Thantrel shoved a horn of ale into my face.

“I haven’t finished my first.” I pulled the horn from its stand and took a glug.

“This is an incentive for you to hurry. Drink and let those worries drift away.” Thantrel snapped his fingers and a nymph barmaid appeared with a second horn stand. She set it on our table, all the while looking longingly at Thantrel. Normally, I’d find the female’s black eyes disconcerting, but somehow nymphs were always beautiful.

Not as beautiful as Neve, though.I took another drink to dim the guilt I felt at not being with her, even if my friends assured me that she was fine.

The youngest Riis brother grinned. “Thank you, Tricieal. You’re always around when I need you.”

“Always,” she replied, batting her eyelashes. “Anything else, my lords?”

At my right, Duran rolled his eyes and shook his head. Thantrel’s flirtations with both males and females often irritated him.

“No.” Luccan arrived behind his brother and the barmaid. “We’re fine. Thank you, Tricieal.”

The nymph sauntered off, tossing Thantrel no less than three flirtatious glances over her shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.

“How many whores are in love with you here?” Duran grumbled.

“Tricieal isn’t a whore. She’s a barmaid. But can you blame them?” Thantrel gave a devilish smile.

“Your father is the proprietor of the establishment where they work,” Duran shot back. “Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”

“I never force a lady,” Thantrel replied with a smirk. “Or anyone, for that matter. If they want to share a night with me, and I with them, who am I to deny them the pleasure?”

“You’re so full of yourself.” Luccan eased into the seat on my left. “Sit, Than.”

His brother obliged, and as Luccan was as broad across the chest as me, the circular table felt much smaller. That would make it harder to escape the interrogation I felt coming.

“So, you kicked the shit out of Rhistel, huh?” Thantrel asked. “Stars, I wish I’d been there.”

“I regret it,” I said. “He’ll never forgive me.”

“You’re brothers. Of course he will.”