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“I would rather fucking die then be trapped with children for another holiday,” Ata mumbled as she picked at her nails.

I stood, the movement quicker and sharper than I meant it to be as all the eyes in the room snapped to me. Sucking in a deep breath, I pushed my chair away from the table.

“I think . . . I will get some air.” My words were strained as I tried to mask the emotion that was seconds from spilling over. I was headed for the door before anyone could respond.

I need out of this room.

The lump lodged in my throat was suffocating me.

I was already out the door and halfway down the corridor when I heard Elric call for me, his boots sounding against the marble as he hurried over to my side. Plastering on the most polite smile I could muster, I turned to face him.

“I wanted to give you this.” He stretched his hand out to me, a key lying in his palm. “It is for a house a few miles past Pri’s home. It’s the only one that far out there so you can’t miss it.”

A smile grew on my lips as I plucked it from his hand. Landers did not waste any time.

“Thank you, Elric,” I said as he bowed his head and turned to leave. “Wait—” I blurted as my fingers latched around his forearm. “You and Ata spend time together . . .” I hesitated as he shifted his weight, obviously uncomfortable with where this conversation had turned. “Is she okay?”

Understanding washed over his face. “It may look like we are close, but I assure you, she does not confide in me.” I nodded, my eyes pulling back to the key clasped between my fingers.

“Thank you,” I whispered as he nodded and strode down the corridor, disappearing around a corner.

I tucked the key into my jacket beside my pocket watch as I inhaled a deep breath.

I would stay in the skies with Nithra today.

Chapter six

ATALIIA

Ipacedbackandforth in front of the mantle, Landers and Elric flanking both sides as I flipped a dagger in my hand.

I really should not have agreed to this meeting yesterday.

We were in an unoccupied, windowless room—a neutral ground that Landers insisted would help ease the tension. The space was bare, nothing but a few chairs placed in front of the fire and a desk pushed into the far corner.

A pang of shame shot through me at the realization.

Everything had been removed from the room so I wouldn’t destroy it.

Is that really who I’d become? Someone who couldn’t be trusted not to destroy everything I came in contact with? I let out a sharp burst of air as I looked up to see both men studying me.

“What?” I snapped.

Landers smirked as he said, “Please remember, today is not the day he dies.”

I rolled my eyes in his direction as I continued pacing.

“Would you like me to go find him, your Grace?” Elric asked, looking down at a small pocket watch.

“He will be here,” Landers said, glancing at the door. “He does love to make an entrance.”

“Fucking males,” I mumbled under my breath as I stopped at the desk and hoisted myself onto its surface. I dug the tip of my dagger into the worn wood, scratching a line into it as the door finally opened.

“Apologies—” Dukovich stated as he stepped into the room.

“Save it,” I cut him off, scoffing as I slid off the table and crossed my arms.

The corners of Dukovich’s lips tilted up as his eyes slid over my body.