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She’d never been much of a crier before, but it seemed like she was seconds from bursting out in tears at all times now. It was bothersome and it made her feel weak.

When Wren was finished, she tucked a silver fork into her corset and began to pace around the room. The sun rose higher in the sky and she felt like she was being baked in an oven. It was so bloody hot. The breeze picked up and she stepped out into the courtyard. Wren paced the circular edge until she arrived back at the prince’s room. The courtyard was entirely private, with only the open wall from Arrik’s chambers being the entrance and exit.

Next, she pushed through the huge leafy plants, searching for the source of the water. A true smile came to her face as she discovered it. A large round pool sat in the center of the courtyard. A ledge ran around the edge of the pool to form a circular shelve to sit upon. Wren turned her face up to the sun and sighed, appreciating the moment of peace.

She dipped her left foot into the water and shivered as the cool liquid lapped at her ankle. A swim would be so nice but too dangerous. Wren gave the pool one last longing look before padding down a winding path with stepping stones that led back to the prince’s chamber. She glanced around.

It was gorgeous, but it was still a prison she could not escape from.

Or could she?

Her attention moved to the door. Time to find out.

Wren strode forward and tried the door, not expecting it to be unlocked.

The door clicked open.

Freedom.

She popped her head outside the door, spotting three guards. None of them said a word as she stepped barefoot from the room and closed the door behind her. Keeping her head high, Wren forged ahead when two of the guards peeled away from the wall and followed behind her. Were they there to protect her, or to make sure she didn’t do something stupid? Why had she been given free rein in the palace? Sure, she’d married the prince, but she was still the enemy. Anyone who attended the wedding knew she didn’t want to be here.

Stop questioning it. You’re not constrained.

Something held her back. None of this felt right.

Just what was stopping her from escaping? She could sneak away from the guards if she wanted to.

For several hours, she wandered aimlessly. Wren stumbled across courtiers from time to time, but they only stared and whispered to each other. They never approached her. Perhaps it was her wild unbrushed hair or the glares she tossed their way, but it worked for her. She didn’t wish to speak with anyone, and if they started rumors about how savage she was, it worked in her favor.

Eventually, she found her way onto a wide balcony overlooking the front of the palace grounds. The bay was right there in her line of sight, the path between the palace and the water tantalizingly short. If she reached the water and secured a boat, she could make her way back to Lorne on her own.

“Wife,” a deep voice said behind her.

Wren spun around, her silk dress flaring around her feet. The prince stepped onto the balcony. His silver hair was pulled back from his face, making his jawline and cheekbones appear sharper. His pointed ears were longer than her mothers had been. Was it because he was male? Or just because of his bloodline?

“I can see your thoughts.” She shuttered her gaze and he nodded. “That’s better.”

“You want me to hide things from you?” Wren asked slowly.

He smiled and glanced toward the bay, giving her the perfect view of his profile. Blast him. He was gorgeous. Too bad his soul didn’t match his exterior.

“I want you to protect your secrets. That is the currency here. You need to guard ours.”

Ours.She shivered at the use of the word.

“Do we have secrets?” she murmured.

“We do, and we will.” He focused his piercing blue eyes back on her. “Come, wife. There is much to be done this day and you’ve slept much of it away.”

“What would you have me do?” she asked hesitantly. What was the captive wife of a beast supposed to do?

His smile turned wicked. “Please me, of course.” She stiffened and he rolled his eyes. “The queen requests your presence.”

She pushed away from the banister and walked to his side. He stared down at her like he was trying to figure her out, a small smile lingering on his lips.

“What?” Wren demanded.

“You didn’t fight me.”