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Leif had taken care of the patrol already, so there was nobody to stop them on their rushed journey deeper into the forest. He hadn’t saidhowhe’d taken care of the patrol of course, though Wren highly suspected it involved several bribes and charming words.

Wren spied Leif’s dark hair through the dim early morning light of the forest. His shoulders dropped in relief as he spotted her heading his way. He held Clara to his side.

“How could you ask me to leave you?” he demanded.

“There were complications.”

“Such as?”

“Arrik.”

Leif’s eyes rounded. “He’s here?”

“Yes, and he spotted me.”

“How in the blazes did he find us?” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. You need to come with me now.”

“I can’t. You’ll be hunted.” She gave him a weak smile. “We all have to make sacrifices and we both knew I wasn’t going with you in the first place,” Wren replied, squeezing his arm, and checking Clara’s pulse. It was thready. “We need to get moving. She needs a doctor.”

“They all do,” he replied grimly.

“You’re not wrong,” she muttered into his ear.

“Will you be alright?”

“I’ll be okay.”

He patted her on the back and then scooped Clara into his arms, bridal style. “It will be close if you don’t get back right now. I could only fob off the patrol for ten minutes, which leaves you with…two.”

“They will know you did this when they see you gone,” Wren said. There was no going back now.

Leif laughed very softly. “They will, and all the better for it. I’ll help Gunn get everyone home safely, and then—if the rebellion doesn’t kill me for insubordination—I’ll see you after. Nowgo. Be safe, sister.”

“And you, brother.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek and then one to Clara’s. “Take care of her for me.”

“I will.”

Not daring to look a gift horse in the mouth, Wren smiled reassuringly for the slaves. No, not slaves. Free men, women, and children, who would soon be reunited with their friends and families from the homes they were so unjustly plucked from. She focused on that thought as she bolted back to the castle, dewy plants brushing against her legs as she ran.

Wren slowed as the castle came into view. She snuck between the outbuildings, the servants’ entrance enticingly in sight as she paused next to the stable. No one in sight. Time to go.

She took one step toward the door when hands roughly grabbed her and hauled her into the stables.

The scent of sage and citrus wrapped around her.

The prince.

Wren didn’t struggle. There was no point in fighting him.

The only reason she’d achieved her goal had been because of him. Her husband had distracted Lord Idril. The question was why? Arrik wanted something from her and Wren wanted to know what it was.

He pulled her into an empty stall in the stable and she shoved him away, backing into the middle of the small room that smelled of horses and hay. Arrik locked the door and she fought a shiver.

She was well and truly caught now.

“Imagine meeting you here, my darling wife, and in such circumstances,” he murmured, turning from the door to land his haughty, satisfied gaze firmly upon her. The prince cast his eyes from her head to her toes, crossing his arms as he began to circle her. “Freeing Lord Idril’s slaves from beneath his very nose. A bold move.”

“What do you want?” she gritted out, tracking his movements.