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They filed out of the room, their footsteps echoing down the stone stairs. Ever stood from the bed and walked across the room. She shocked Wren by stooping down and hugging her.

“I know today was hard. It will get better.” The older woman pulled back and left with Bram hot on her heels.

Still Wren didn’t stand. She had unfinished business with the silent man near the window.

Vienne glanced between Rowen and Wren. She finally sighed and headed for the door.

“Don’t kill him,” she muttered. “We need him.” She disappeared from sight.

Wren would make no promises.

She stood from her chair and peered over her shoulder at Rowen. He watched her, his expression schooled. Her chest tightened to the point where she almost couldn’t breathe. Ithurtto look at him.

I can’t do this.

Wren took two steps toward the door before Rowen caught her arm. She glared down at his hand but he didn’t let go.

“Wren,” he said, his voice ragged. “I’m sorry for earlier. I—”

“You can be sorry all you want,” she said, tone as icy as winter, “but that doesn’t change things.”

“I know, but I want to be able to explain myself.”

“I think you’ve done enough of that.”

“I haven’t done nearly enough,” he bit back.

She really couldn’t have this conversation right now. “If we are going to talk, then it should be about the rebellion’s plans and how you tried to cut me out.”

“No. We need to talk about us.”

She flinched and scowled up into his familiar face. “There is no us.”

He didn’t like that one bit. His grip tightened on Wren’s arm and he spun her around until she faced him. “Just let me explain things!” he exclaimed, desperate and frustrated.

Feeling trapped, she whipped out her dagger on reflex—the one Kalles had bestowed upon Wren to kill her husband. Rowen stiffened but didn’t release her arm, though his touch gentled.

“I’ve had enough of your excuses,” she growled, straightening to stand tall and strong against him. Maybe one day she’d want to hear him out, but it wasn’t today. She pointed the tip of the blade at Rowen’s jugular. “Let me go and get out of my way.”

“You’ve changed,” he replied.

Wren snorted. “The loss of everything important will do that to a person.”

His gaze dipped to the blade in her hand and he smiled. “Did you like my gift, then?”

What?

“What are you talking about?”

His smile widened. “Kalles passed on my gift.”

She pulled back. “This is from you?”

Rowen leaned close. “Yes. I didn’t want that monster getting his hands on you.”

“You’re working with Prince Kalles?”

He moved around her without an answer but paused at the door. “Too bad we aren’t talking about anything personal, otherwise I might have told you.”