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“We all know even she cannot make such promises,” Callan had replied.

“She will not fail you.”

Callan had simply nodded, allowing himself to be herded inside and to this room. Food had been brought in, and Eliza had fixed him a plate herself. It sat untouched on a side table. How long had it been now? The exchange was supposed to happen at sundown. That had been at least three hours ago. Sawyer and Ashtine should have been back by now.

Azrael and Razik were murmuring quietly with Stellan and Arianna at a table. Rayner held a sleeping Tula in his lap where he sat on the sofa. Eliza was on the other end of the sofa, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

All heads snapped up at the gust of wind that tore through the room, a portal appearing in the next moment. Sawyer came through with Ashtine at his side. The portal snapped shut behind them. Eliza was already on her feet, making room for Ashtine to sit on the sofa. The princess looked exhausted, her stomach far more swollen than Callan would have expected, despite knowing Fae pregnancies didn’t last as long as mortal ones. Coupled with the fact she was carrying twins, she appeared to be as far along as a woman in her fifth month would be. She wore a gown the same color as her eyes, angry red marks adorned her wrists.

“How did everything go?” Rayner asked, while Eliza went to get Ashtine a glass of water.

“As expected,” Sawyer answered, watching Ashtine carefully. “Lord Tyndell was there to collect Drake and Tava. Alaric slipped shirastone onto Briar’s wrists before he removed the same from Ashtine. He did not allow them any time together before he Traveled them all out.”

“Cyrus and Neve?” Eliza asked, passing the princess the water.

“Neve was there, but I did not see Cyrus,” Sawyer answered, reaching for a blanket that was draped along the back of a chair. Eliza took it from him, spreading it over the Wind Princess.

“He allowed Neve to tend to me,” Ashtine said in her usual lilt, although even that sounded tired. “Cyrus is in the Underwater Prison. He was left with the Sorceress.”

“Alaric said we had three days,” Rayner said tightly.

“He did,” Ashtine agreed. “In what state Cyrus and Neve were returned was not negotiated.”

“Of course not,” Eliza spat, sparks flaring at her fingertips. Razik had moved closer to her at some point during all the discussion, and Callan watched as he subtly shifted, his arm brushing against hers. She glared up at him, but her fire banked, and she didn’t step away.

“How will he retrieve him?” Callan asked.

“He will leave him there until the trade is to be made, your Majesty,” Ashtine answered.

“But she cannot do magic in there, right?” he pressed, trying to understand the gravity of what was going on.

“The Sorceress is not of this world. She was stripped of her physical gifts when she was imprisoned, but she retains her knowledge of ancient magic.”

“Then why hasn’t she used it until now?”

“Blood is required. It is blood magic,” Rayner supplied. His gaze shifted to Ashtine. “Are you saying Alaric gave her blood?”

“Cyrus’s blood,” Ashtine answered.

“If she is released—” Stellan started.

“Whenshe is released,” Ashtine interrupted. “He will release her when Talwyn is returned.”

“He cannot seriously believe he can control her,” Azrael said. Ashtine remained silent. “He controls every Court but the Fire Court now,” Azrael added grimly.

“That is inaccurate,” Ashtine said.

“What do you mean? Talwyn was leading the Fire Court,” Eliza cut in.

Ashtine shook her head. “When Talwyn attempted to defy him, he found someone new.”

“Who?” Eliza and Rayner both snarled simultaneously.

“I do not know,” she answered, wincing as she shifted on the sofa.

“That is enough for tonight,” Sawyer said, taking a step towards her. He looked to the Shifters. “Can you take us to her room? She needs to rest.”

“We need to go back and relay all of this to the others,” Razik interjected. “It is no slight to anyone,” he added when Eliza glared at him again. “We do not have time to waste.”