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“The servants in this tower are the most loyal you’ll ever meet,” Luccan replied. “They’ve served my family for many turns—long before Father’s line was noble. They will say nothing.”

“The young lord speaks true,” the healer piped up. “I’m loyal to House Riis and if you are a friend, I am loyal to you.”

“She’s a friend,” Luccan confirmed. “Now, please Healer Yellana, help Prince Vale.”

“Of course.” The healer continued her inspection of his chest, which was still bleeding, though not as badly as I’d feared.

Before Vale began telling our tale, I did so, and as I spooled the thread, I made sure to leave out the use of my magic and Emilia, as the knowledge of both would create more questions. Most of which I wasn’t prepared to answer. Not even from Vale, who eyed me as I omitted both. The story worked anyway and the idea of the hidden palace and fighting off Red Assassins entranced our friends. When I was done, I leaned back and sighed. “And here we are.”

“Far more exciting than Riis Tower,” Anna breathed. “I can’t believe you went through all that. Fought off so many vampires!”

“I’m enviousof you,” I said to Anna, Clemencia, and Caelo. “Frostveil has been trying.”

Vale frowned. “But not all bad.”

“Not all bad,” I amended, sensing he had taken my claim personally. Although, if he learned the truth, perhaps he wouldn’t agree.

Though I tried to reassure him, questions brimmed in Vale’s eyes. He hadn’t brought up my use of magic, or Emilia, and as I’d left them out, I’d trust that he wouldn’t say a thing around others. But that did not mean I wished to remain under that curious, pain-filled gaze any longer. Vale had questions, and I had secrets to keep.

“Is this balm for minor cuts?” I asked, plucking a familiar-looking balm from the healer’s cart.

“It is, my lady.”

“Can I take it? For my hands?”

The healer blinked. “Of course. I have more.”

“Good.” I cupped the balm. “Anna and Clem, can you show me to a room? I think I’m ready to retire for the night.”

We left the den, and though my heart screamed not to, I cast a glance back at Vale. The look of hurt, confusion, and betrayal on his face nearly shattered me.

Chapter 41

NEVE

Iawoke alone, in an enormous bed, a cold fire bubbling under my skin.

“What in the nine kingdoms?” I whispered, sitting up and rubbing my arms for a moment before my vision cleared from sleep and the scene before me set in. “Oh, no!”

In the weak morning light, frost crawled across the room like a spider. Icicles dripped from the canopy, and there were fat snowflakes on my blanket.

Worst of all, the diligent lady-in-waiting and friend, Clemencia, stood at the edge of the room, watching me with wide eyes.

“Clem,” I breathed.

“I came in here because I heard you shout in your sleep.”

I had? I didn’t recall a nightmare. Then again, perhaps I’d been yelling about whatever was happening in my room.

“I found this.” She waved her hand wildly to encompass the room, her voice smaller than seconds before, her teeth chattering from the chill. “So please, what’s going on, Princess Neve?”

“I—” My insides seized.

My throat tightened because this time, I recognized the signs of what was about to happen. All my life I’d wished for this day, the day my magic appeared, and I learned what it was. Now that the day was here, I only wanted it to never show.

But, like last night, I had no control over my magic. It pushed to come out of me and this morning, it bubbled out of me like a brew in a cauldron set over a roaring flame.

“Princess Neve.” Clemencia came closer, her steps small and hesitant. “Are you hurting? I can go get the healer.”