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Nesryn continued to tremble as we approached Theron, whose eyes were fixed on something in the distance. Only when we were right in front of him did his weary gaze land on us. His wings were pulled in tightly at his back, and he opened his mouth to speak, only to sigh heavily.

Nesryn glanced up at me, frowning.

“Your Majesty,” I said when Theron remained silent. “You sent for us.”

Theron nodded, rubbing a hand across his brow. “I did, didn’t I? Yes…” He rose to his feet, and waved to a guard. “The princess may be returned to Isambard now.”

I pushed Nesryn behind me. “I want assurances that she will not be harmed.”

“Of course she won’t be,” Theron replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. “There is a Night Demon escort waiting at the western gate, and they will have an escort as far as the borderlands.”

“You swear it?”

A few days ago, Theron would have scolded this display of rebellion. He would have reminded me of my place. Those green eyes would have been full of threatening malice. But today, he merely looked at me wearily, his shoulders drawn up as he sighed.

“No harm will come to your sister. You have my word, my friend.” He raised a hand, and guards moved towards us.

Nesryn huddled into me with a panicked sob. “I love you, brother.”

“I love you, too.” I hugged her to me. “I will see you soon. I will. Tell our father I will see him soon.”

I stepped back, letting the guards escort her out. Before I knew it, she was gone and out of sight. The tension of the past two days dissipated, and I was overcome with sadness and anger. My sister had been dragged here, terrified, only for Theron to now be a useless, simpering heap in his throne.

But it was over. Nesryn was safe, and Elara’s heart continued to beat slowly, weakly, next to mine.

Theron walked past me, still pale, eyes still unable to focus. “That was quite something, wasn’t it?” He said quietly.

“Was it?” My rage threatened to boil over.

“I never thought…” He cleared his throat. “I never thought, for a moment, that she’d actually engage. It’s a Giant. A fuckingGiant.”

“And she’s a warrior.” I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached. “She doesn’t run from a battle.”

But Theron wasn’t listening to me, tearing the crown from his head and sending it clattering along the stone floor. “She’s insane. She should have begged for mercy. She should have thrown herself at my feet. That was my intention.”

“Well, in that, you failed.” Another statement, that days ago would have been met with a patronizing scowl and a reminder of my place, was now simply met with a look of defeat.

“I did.” Theron exhaled heavily. “You were right, as always. She’s strong. More so than I could have ever expected.”

“Let’s hope she survives.” My words were laced with venom, and Theron straightened his shoulders, my meaning more than clear.

“We’ll see to it that she does.” Theron stormed across the throne room, past Regan who held up a hand as he tried to speak. “Not now, Regan,” Theron snapped, flicking a hand sharply in his direction. “I’m not to be disturbed.”

Regan looked almost helpless as his eyes moved to me, and he shrugged. “He’s rather out of sorts.”

I didn’t care to discuss Theron’s wellbeing. “Where is she?”

“In the infirmary, beside the healer’s chambers. She’s alive, from what I’m told.”

“She’d fucking better be.”

Regan’s hand shot out to stop me as I passed him. “Rook, I’m sorry about your sister.”

I jerked my arm out of his grasp. “She’s fine. She’s safe. For once your king’s bloodlust didn’t require a child to die.”

Regan flinched, but I didn’t wait to engage in any more conversation, rushing through the corridors to get to her. The Bond was there, but softer, almost pliable, as she hovered somewhere in a place between life and death.

The door to the infirmary was open, and three healers were working on her. I steadied myself against the door frame as the shock of her blood-stained skin, her ruined arm, washed over me. I inhaled sharply, and pushed into the room.