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“They’re here. It’s done, and the lad is right, anyhow. He should stay and bear witness.” The prince glowered at the high lord but didn’t argue, for at that moment, a tall and girthy figure rounded the curve of the building.

Despite the late hour, the Grand Staret wore robes spangled with starlight that seemed to shift colors fromdark purple, to navy, to black, and even to silver as he moved. Though I was an expert on fabrics, I couldn’t say why the robes looked the way they did, but I was sure of one thing. They were meant to impress, to intimidate, to show power.

And they did. They also gave the ancient, wrinkled faerie an air of confidence that many didn’t have when faced with a stone-faced Prince Vale. This holy fae, however, marched right up to the prince and scowled.

“Highness, why in all the nine kingdoms are you storming into my tower so late?” His teal eyes dipped to the blood on the prince’s jacket before straying to the three whores. “And with such mixed company?”

So a bloodied prince was fine, but three whores was pushing it. I wasn’t sure I liked this holy fae.

“Staret Arkyn, I apologize for my state. However, I have need of you.”

The Grand Staret arched an eyebrow.

“This is Lady Neve.” Prince Vale took my hand.

He eyed me, my true visage still beneath the glamour. “Ah, Lord Roar’s”—he cleared his throat—“acquaintance.”

My neck warmed. Had the high lords and ladies and holy fae of the city ever taken me seriously?

“Yes, well, that engagement is over,” Prince Vale replied. “And Lady Neve and I have decided to marry. You will perform the ceremony in front of the Heart Drassil. And you will do it right now.”

Grand Staret Arkyn paled. “You wish to marry her. Here.” He craned his neck to peer around Prince Vale. “Without the king and queenpresent?”

“Correct.”

“I see.” Grand Staret Arkyn let out a long, disapproving hum. “Quite unusual circumstances, my prince. I must say, very, very unusual. Might I ask why you are so rushed? Surely, it’s not because this,ahem, lady, has been defiled?”

I scoffed. Defiled my round rear end. This fae was behind the times if he thought anyone in this room was concerned about me, oranyone, being a virgin when they wed.

“My reasons for wishing to wed Lady Neve are none of your concern, Staret Arkyn.” Prince Vale’s hand strayed to his sheathed sword. “And I’ll have you know that should you choose not to oblige my request; you will meet a rather quick and dire end bySkelda.” He patted the hilt.

I nearly choked.

“I’d regret it,” the prince continued, “but not as much as not getting what I want. Her. Bound to me on this night. So make your choice, your holiness.”

Staret Arkyn’s chin lifted in defiance. “This tower is one of the three pillars of the Kingdom of Winter. Among the people, I am as influential as your king father. You wouldn’t dare.”

The prince leaned closer, blade glinting in the torchlight. “Wouldn’t I, Arkyn?”

Like a flash of lightning in a storm, his sword was out. I shuffled back, as did most of the others. Only Sir Caelo and Filip Balik remained where they’d been, unsurprised by the prince’s move. The prince pressed the tip of hissword against the thin skin of the Grand Staret’s wrinkled neck.

“Should you perish,” the prince continued, “your successor would automatically elevate to your position, would she not? I’m sure that, so soon after coming into power, she would be more than willing to perform the ceremony tonight.”

My heart was thundering. Would we spill more blood tonight? If Prince Vale made good on his threat, what would the repercussions be? Was it worth it to pile them onto the charges we’d soon face?

Stars, he was doing this for me. Because I’d made him promise to see me to safety, and Prince Vale didn’t break his promises. If he killed the Grand Staret, that holy blood would be on my hands.

My throat tightened as if the blade were pressed to my own skin. I couldn’t handle that. On a night of impossible and dangerous events, it was too much.

I was about to step forward, to tell the prince that we’d find another, that it wasn’t worth risking, when Grand Staret Arkyn spoke.

“I’ll do it.” The old faerie scowled. “But should the king ask what took place this night, hewillbe told all.”

Prince Vale sheathed his sword. “I’d expect no less, Staret Arkyn. Now, let us proceed to the Heart Drassil.”

The Grand Staret spun, his robes twirling out around him with the motion, and stomped down the hall. We followed, everyone silent, in shock at what the prince had done.

As I walked along the curve of the tower, I tried toshake the lingering fear from my body. In moments, I’d be getting married, binding myself to the House of Aaberg for as long as it took for the prince to get me out of this kingdom. Where I’d go after, where I could really find safety from the royal hands of Winter, I had no idea.