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“I don’t know, Aura,” Max said, using my name correctly this time, even though no one could hear us. “I’ve never heard of Zolmara or seen it on any map. And the pictures in the book… I mean, it could just be someone’s wild imagination. A story they drew out.”

I cringed. “What about the language it’s in? Have you ever seen anything like it?”

Max shook his head. “No. But I’m guessing it’s an old language. My mother might know. She’s into old, obscure history.”

Panic shot through me. “No, you can’t tell Queen Janness I’m here.Please. She’s loyal to my father, she’ll—”

“Relax,” Max assured. “I won’t say a word. I was just saying, she might know more about this book. Maybe when this mess is over, you can ask her about it.”

I pondered this. Could the Queen really have some of the answers to my questions? It wasn’t worth the risk to find out now, when we had made it this far. Queen Janness and my father were old friends, and I was positive she was more loyal to him than she would be to me.

Max started fiddling with one of the rings at the end of his dreads before turning to Elias. “What about you? Anything in there make sense to you?”

Elias glanced up, staring darkly at the prince. “No,” he said shortly, closing the book with a loudthudbefore handing it back to me, then making his way back to the wall to lean against it.

“Well what’s your story then?” Max continued, and Elias’s grim stare did not falter. “Where did you come from before you met Aura? What convinced you to agree to this dangerous mission of hers?”

With no emotion whatsoever, Elias replied with, “This is a business deal. She will pay me when we reach the Forest of Torment safely.”

My heart sank to my stomach. So much for his earlier words.

I can’t imagine I’d abandon you now.

By now, I should be used to Elias getting my hopes up just to crush them.

“A business deal? Really?” Max stood up. “Aurelia is worth so much more than a business deal.”

Elias stood from his leaning position, and matched Max’s aggressive stance. “I will protect her, as I am being paid to do.” My throat tightened, and I forced back the tears that wanted to well up in myeyes at the sting of his words. He was just doing this all for money. I needed to remind myself of that.

I swore I saw the hairs on Elias’s arms begin to stand up, even in the dim light.

“Good. You’ll protect her with your godsdamned life,” Max threatened. I was surprised at how protective he was acting. Like the big brother I never had.

Before Elias could counter, and before I could interrupt, bright light suddenly flooded the small cellar, blinding me once again. The cellar door had been opened, and I stood up quickly as Elias rushed over and put his body between me and the opened hatch.

“I know you’re in there, Max,” a female voice called in, and I recognized it as Princess Nevaria. Max’s eyes widened in sync with my own. “Don’t think I didn’t know about your little hideout,” she chaffed, and she began to make her way down the short steps. “You’re supposed to be at archery lessons, what the fuck are you doing here? Mother is going to be—”

Nevaria’s voice cut out as she made her way to the bottom step and looked up at her bother. I was hidden enough by Elias’s large frame that she didn’t see me, but she definitely saw Elias.

“Really, Max? Another suitor?” she scoffed. “If you laid with women like you do men, you’d have a dozen bastard children by now.”

“Neevee,” Max gasped. “How…how did you even know about this place?” He glanced at me, then shot his eyes back up to his twin before she could notice. “It doesn’t matter. You need to leave.Now,” he urged her.

Nevaria let out a maniacal laugh. “I’ve known about your secret hideout for years, brother. In fact, I’ve used it myself a few times when you’ve been away.” She laughed again. “At least let me get a good look at him. This one is handsome.” She stepped towards Elias and I held my breath while I tried to make myself as small as possible. “Do you like women, too?” I heard her say sultrily to Elias. “BecauseI can please you a lot better than my brother can.”

Elias had no reaction at all, just remained still and silent. I, on the other hand, felt my anger swell to the surface, and my feet shuffled. Nevaria must have noted the movement, as I watched her peer around Elias’s back.

“What the fuck?!” she squealed, as she jumped backward and knocked into her brother. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“Neevee, please. I can explain,” Max cried out.

“How long has she been hiding out in here??”

“She hasn’t!”

“If King Callum finds out we’ve been harboring his daughter, this could spark awar, Max!”

“We haven’t been harboring anyone! I just discovered her earlier this morning. Neevee please, calm down.” He grabbed her arm, but she yanked it out of his grasp.