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“How do I know I can trust you?” she asked.

“You don’t, but if it helps, I have a letter for you from your mother,” her aunt said softly, pulling a sealed letter from the pocket of her skirt.

Wren straightened. What the devil “How?”

“She knew what decisions your father was making for the Lorne, and she’d supported them. Anneke knew that they were dangerous and reached out. She always had a feeling for misfortune.”

“I don’t know you,” Wren pointed out. “Why would she reach out to you?”

“Who do you think got her away from the poisonous lord who abused her?”

“You,” she breathed. The Leif shifted and Wren glanced at all the other silent occupants of the room before taking the letter from Vienne. “I have much to think about, but I have a question. Why wait to pull me from the palace?”

The smile her aunt gave her was chilly. “We needed to know you were strong enough for the task.”

“What task is that?”

“Bringing Verlanti to its knees.”

It sounded too good to be true. “I can commit to nothing.”

Vienne bowed her head. “Spoken like a wise woman.”

“I have more questions.”

“Which I promise to answer, but not here. I’m sure the Beast is already searching for you.”

Wren’s stomach swooped. Was it anticipation or foreboding she felt?

The door opened and an elf with blond hair stepped inside. His gaze snapped to her and held for a moment. Wren’s jaw dropped. It was one of the guards that had tailed her most days.

“He’s—he’s,” she stuttered.

“Welcome, princess,” he murmured, closing the door behind him. “I’m happy to see you made it.”

“This is Josenu. He is one of our spies,” her aunt supplied.

Josenu nodded once and then turned his grey gaze to Vienne. “He has already dispatched soldiers. We must seek a more secure shelter. You need to move now.”

The masked people burst into action.

Wren gathered up her wet, soiled dress in her arms, watching in silence as her aunt barked out orders. Leif slipped his hand into her right one and she blinked at him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He eyed her; his expression serious. “Giving comfort, like you did for me in prison.”

She dropped her attention to their laced fingers and something in her chest cracked. When was the last time she’d experienced a touch like this? It felt like years.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“No need for thanks among friends,” he murmured back.

“Wren.” She focused on Vienne. “It’s time to leave. Will you come with us?”

Leif squeezed her fingers.

She swallowed. “If I choose not to help you, will you leave me here?”