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“She is, but I’m afraid I can’t do that, my prince,” a deep, gruff tone spoke. “Prince Vale said no one goes in or out except him.”

“I’m the heir to Winter’s Realm, Sir Arvid. I demand to be let in.”

I rose and tiptoed down to the door.

“I understand, Prince Rhistel, but PrinceVale?—”

“Is the spare,” Rhistel cut him off. “I will be your king. And right now, if I wish, I can have your title stripped. Or even your head removed from your shoulders.” A pause. “Should you wish to keep both, you will let me inside.”

The knight didn’t respond, but I imagined what was happening. Sir Arvid was working for Vale right now, but Rhistel held more power. Rhistel could make good on his threats. If I were the knight, I’d open the door.

That put me in danger.

I froze, and my heart began thrumming. Rhistel was a mystery to me, a terrifying one. After the solarium, I wasn’t eager to face him again.

I spun, ready to fly from the windows as I’d done the night of my failed escape, when something caught my eye. A rectangular patch on the wall glowed.

A sharp intake of breath passed my lips as I recognized the spot. It was the very door I’d come through the night I’d been fleeing Calpurnia and her friends. The door that had spat me into Vale’s chambers and then sealed itself behind me.

Like last time, the castle lent me aid.

“Youwilllet me in, Sir Arvid.Now,” Prince Rhistel gave his order again, his voice softer this time, more soothing and . . . Somehow also convincing?

I almost wanted to open the door for him, but I shook off that lunacy and instead rushed to the glowing rectangle. A doorknob appeared out of thin air as the main door to the suitesnickedopen.

“Princess Neve,” Sir Arvid called out.

I paused. His voice sounded strange too. Somehowdimmed from before. As if he stood farther away than he was. “I have Prince Rhistel here to see you, Princess Neve. Are you decent?”

In response, I flung the glowing door open and passed over the threshold, into the hidden part of the castle. I pulled the door shut behind me.

“Princess Neve?” Sir Arvid called again. “Are you there?”

“Of course she is. You didn’t see her leave, did you?” Rhistel barked. “Let me through!”

Footsteps stomped down the short entry hallway that led deeper into Vale’s chambers. They stopped suddenly, likely when the heir reached the edge of the bedchamber.

“Neve, where are you?” he crowed. “We need to talk.”

I scoffed. I wanted to speak with him as much as I wished to meet a horde of orcs in the woods.

“I know you’re in here,” Rhistel added, his tone once again lower and softer. Perhaps he thought it made him sound more approachable?

My fingers drifted to the door handles before I caught myself. What was going on? It was like I subconsciously wanted to obey him.

“Prince Rhistel,” Sir Arvid said, his voice still far away and monotone. “I do not believe she is here.”

“Did you see her leave?”

“No, my prince.”

“She might be hiding. Search the room.”

Heavy footsteps walked past where I hid, and items shifted as the knight followed directions. After a few minutes, Sir Arvid spoke, “She’s not here.”

“How can you be sure?” Rhistel growled.

“Well, she is notsosmall that you couldn’t find her.”