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“The Blood will most likely send those who train in the valleys of the Red Mist Mountains. Red Assassins, they call themselves,” Sian agreed. “They’re the best their kind has.”

“I know.” During my time in the Blood Court, I’d heard tales of the Red Assassins. They were stealthy, discreet, and absolutely lethal.

“Well”—Sian eyed me up and down—“you look strong and have a good foundation. Are you quick?”

Good foundation. I bit back a laugh. My thighs had always been thick, and I’d always liked them that way, but it still sounded like such a diplomatic phrasing.

“Not as quick as you,” I replied as we rounded a corner. The Clawsguards ensured that citizens of Avaldenn parted for us as we went. The ability to walk in a city and not have to take care to notice where you were going was odd. In Sangrael, I’d always been on alert. Thanks to the orc attack in Guldtown, I’d remained observant there too, though to a lesser degree. “I’m fast, though.”

Sian looked at Vale. “I think Luccan’s place would be best to start. The palace will still be talking about the pair of you, and you don’t want an audience.”

“Agreed.” Vale halted and the guards around us stopped too. He pointed at two guards. “You and you will come with me, my wife, Sian, and Filip. The rest will help the injured to the castle and take up the posts you were assigned before I requested your presence. If anyone from my house asks, my wife and I are going to visit friends. If anyoneelseasks, they are not privy to knowing the details of our married life.”

“Are you sure, my prince?” one guard asked, his gold cloak billowing behind him.

“Where we’re going we do not require more than two Clawsguards. Now, don’t delay. They need to get to the healers.” Vale gestured to the injured.

The sworn soldiers didn’t argue a second time. Those Vale had dismissed trudged onward, through the city, bound for Frostveil Palace. The remaining two waited.

“Come,” Vale said. “We’re going to Lordling Lane.”

Lordling Lane wasn’t the real name of the street, only a more accurate one. And it appeared exactly as one would imagine it. That was, if they imagined the most luxurious and decadent street in Avaldenn complete with sprawling homes, chic taverns, high-end restaurants, one very nice-looking public sauna, and shops that catered to the ultra-wealthy of the city.

I gaped as we passed by one shop that had a russet-red fur cloak, likely from a fox, in the window. The price tag was astronomical for such an item of clothing. I knew good and well how much labor it would take to make such a garment, and the materials couldn’t be worth that much.

“Ice spider silk is woven into it,” Sian said.

I tilted my head. “What?”

“You were staring at that red cloak. It’s only so expensive because ice spider silk is used in it.”

“And that’s valuable?” I’d never heard of such a material.

“The spiders live in the Ice Tooth Mountains,” Sian explained. “Their silk is the strongest material we have. It also protects from magical attacks and keeps magic restrained.”

“Some are as big as a troll! And they’re sovicious.” Filip shuddered. “Only an insane fae would harvest that silk for a cloak.”

“Yes, vicious indeed.” Sian grinned at his little brother before meeting my eyes again. “Our home abuts the Ice Tooth Mountain Range. We’re familiar with the spiders and how to keep them deep within the mountains.”

I tried not to think of a spider the size of a troll, most of whom stood fifteen heads tall, double Vale’s height. “When you say that silk keeps magic restrained, what do you mean?”

“If one wanted to bind magic and didn’t have the power to do it themselves, that’s what they’d use,” Sian replied.

I pondered that as we walked down the lane. Tavernowners tried to lure us inside. All of them recognized Sian and Vale and bowed as we passed. The lord and the prince waved the eager tavern owners off, promising they’d be by soon.

We were nearing the end of the street when Vale and Sian came to a stop in front of a gate. A fae stood guard, but he opened the doors when he saw the pair.

“Lord Luccan is in. As are his lord brothers.”

Vale nodded. “Thank you.”

I eyed Vale sidelong. “I’ve heard many say Lord Luccan, but I thought he was a bastard? Is that common?”

“He was a bastard,” Vale replied, eyebrows raised. “My father legitimized him before the Courting Festival. Have you spoken to Luccan before?”

“No, though I’ve seen him and heard stories of him from others,” I answered. “He’s interested in Clemencia, my lady-in-waiting. And Roar was the one who mentioned him—as a bastard. Roar seemed obsessed with it.”

“Some nobles are obsessed with such things.” Vale shook his head. “Though I will say it’s entirely possible that Roar didn’t know of the legitimizing until he got to court. The western territory is far away.”