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“You growled at me.”

No, I hadn’t.

Had I?

Stars, why had I agreed to come out with these jesters?

“Give me that ale.” I reached for the second horn Thantrel had brought and took three more long swigs.

“You should slow down, Vale,” Duran whispered.

“Not everyone is as small as you, Duran.” Thantrel shook his head. “Vale can hold his ale.”

I didn’t argue as I took another swig, knowing the ale would be the best way to drown the worries swimming in my heart.

Chapter 37

NEVE

Vale snored next to me, still completely dressed after stumbling into the suite drunk with Sian right behind him, explaining that Thantrel Riis was to blame.

I’d heard what Vale did to his brother and had a guess as to why he’d nearly beat the heir to death. Though I was furious with Vale for confronting Rhistel and putting Filip in danger, I didn’t wish to speak with him in his current state.

I shook my head. He hadn’t lasted a single day before blowing up at his brother.

And yet . . . despite my anger, I couldn’t help but feel a sliver of happiness too at knowing that what he’d done, he’d done for me. Because he had feelings for me.

At that forbidden thought, my stomach rolled. I swallowed and turned the page in the book I was pretending to read. Why was I so attracted to a male I couldn’t have?

So many times since I’d learned the truth, I hadtried to think of the fact that Vale and I could not be together as a positive. In theory, it made it easier to leave when the time came. Now that I knew who I was in blood and bone, I hoped that day came sooner rather than later. As a Falk by blood, Frostveil Castle was the most dangerous place in the world for me and tomorrow, my magic might appear for the first time in my life. I cast a glance around the room, feeling closed in. Trapped.

Perhaps, instead of locking myself away in this suite tomorrow, I should hide in the hidden part of the palace?

It might be the only place the king couldn’t find me. And maybe I could see Prince Calder too? Emilia had assured me he was the only prisoner held in the eastern dungeons. His own winter magic was bound, but Prince Calder might still have advice for me on how to control mine.

It was an idea . . . one I would entertain more in the morning. I sighed and dedicated myself to trying to get some sleep when a loudthunkfroze me in place before my head could even hit the pillow. I straightened again, ears straining in time to catch footsteps. A moan.

My skin tightened just as the door to the suite burst open and the scent of blood rolled inside.

My heart surged into my throat as I leapt to my feet and found crimson eyes staring at me. He wore all red and his tunic bore a rose strangled by thorns on his breast.

Vampire.

Beyond the monster, a longsword had stabbed the Clawsguard into the door, and in the vampire’s hand was a stone bearing a rune. It glowed, telling me thatwhatever magic the stone possessed was active. It likely allowed the vampire to get through the protections on Vale’s door.

“Prince killer.” The vampire pocketed the stone and pulled a thin-bladed sword from his back. The metal whined, sending terror through me. “Prepare to die.”

“Vale!” I screamed. “Get up!”

He moved behind me, grunted in surprise, and sucked in a breath. Having lifted the blankets, the reek of ale rolling off him was even more potent.

Stars, would we be able to fight this vampire off?

“Skelda.” Vale darted for where he kept his prized blade, always within reach since the threat of vampires hovered over us.

If only I’d been so prepared, I wouldn’t be staring down a vampire assassin with nothing but a book within arm’s reach. And though it was tempting to search for another weapon, I didn’t dare take my eyes off the assassin.

Vampires were the fastest of all magical orders. He might blur over in a second.