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“It hurts,” I said, grateful to see the room had emptied save for two sentries. Now that I was inside Cresthaven, Markan didn’t consider me as high a priority though I knew extra eyes would be on me until I retreated to the upper levels.

“Sit here,” Rhyan said. “Don’t move. I’m going to find your father. We’re going to fix this.”

I sat back, closed my eyes, and tried to breathe and not focus too much on the pain. Several moments later, far faster than I’d thought possible, the doors reopened, and Rhyan returned with my father, his black arkasva robes sweeping behind him as he rushed to me. Two sentries entered behind him. He gestured for all to stand back, giving the three of us privacy.

“Me bat.”He took my hand in his, examining the scar, still red and visible.

I flinched. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I tried everything, but….”

He shook his head. “This is my weight to bear,” he said quietly. “I know what to do. I’ve been preparing for this day a long time.”

“What happens next?”

“I want you to go up to your room. Get your sisters. You three will need to be together,” he said.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I was the author of the oath. I have something else I need to do. Just…be with your sisters. Rhyan, escort her grace to her room.”

“At once, Arkasva.” Rhyan helped me to stand as my father raced for the doors, a vadati stone in his hand as he summoned Eathan. His two personal sentries marched behind him.

“He’s leaving,” I said. “Eathan only comes when he’s not here.”

“Maybe there’s some item he needs for the spell,” Rhyan said, but even he looked concerned. “Let’s go now.”

“You can’t be seen going upstairs,” I said, “even if under orders. You know how it will look.” Sweat beaded my forehead, and I had to exhale from my mouth to breathe through the burning in my arm.

“You go ahead of me. Don’t stop until you’re safe in your room. I want you to walk in that way that only you know how. The walk of Lady Lyriana Batavia, Heir to the Arkasva, High Lord of Bamaria. Remember who you are. Head up. Don’t let anyone stop you. You owe no one here your time. I’ll be right behind you.”

And I did just that despite the growing pain in my wrist and the dizziness I was starting to feel as the blood price continued to slice and gnaw at my skin from the inside. I moved through the crowd still gathered in the Great Hall, a mix of those who wanted to stay and gossip and those who were waiting for word their rooms were ready. I kept an eye out for Tristan, but Ka Grey seemed to have received their rooms early—not one member of the Ka was in sight.

I reached the stairs, the weight of the scar starting to become physical; my hand was beginning to feel heavy. I made it to the first landing, and then I stumbled, crashing into the wall.

Strong hands gripped my arms and pulled me up.

“It’s getting worse?” Rhyan asked, as I leaned against him.

“It just…it’s not only burning, it’s heavy now, too. I just want it to go away.”

His arms swept beneath my knees, and he hoisted me up and carried me the rest of the way.

Morgana, I’m on my way upstairs with Rhyan. He knows everything. Meet me in my room with Meera.

Both sisters were sitting on my bed when Rhyan kicked open the door and carried me inside.

“Set her down between us,” Meera ordered.

“Father….” Morgana squinted her eyes at me, reading my mind. “Father is going to change the debt of the blood oath?”

Rhyan put me down and immediately retreated to the corner, where he took up his usual posture of bodyguard—quiet, tensed, and alert.

“That’s what he said, and we all needed to be together.”

“We should never have been forced to swear in the first place,” Meera said. “I am sorry for the role I played that night. I was scared. We’d just lost…you know.”

“I do,” I said, placing my hand on hers.

“Why don’t we need to be with him?” Morgana asked. She stood, hands on her hips, and began pacing the room. “That doesn’t make any sense.”