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He releases me, braiding his fingers together and kissing them. I return the gesture, feeling a sense of comfort. He turns to Kylo, his eyes serious. “Can I have a few minutes with her?”

“Sure, I’ll be right outside.” Kylo exits the room, leaving me with Elm.

“Reign, we need to kill her… We need to.”

“Absolutely not. You’re just on the brink of finding your husband in a few days, and I have… Well, I don’t know what I have, but I’m figuring it out.” I reach out and grasp his hand, pulling him to sit on the bed. “We have a chance here, Elm. A real chance to be free. Let’s take it. Promise me, Elm. Promise to live life to the fullest. Make each sunrise have a purpose and each sunset filled with gratitude.”

He stares into my eyes, his crystal blue eyes revealing a whirlwind of emotion. He sighs deeply but nods his head. “Are you really okay?”

“I am fine, Elm. I promise.” I lean back against the pillow, closing my eyes. “Just stay with me until I fall asleep.”

“Of course.” I hear the chair scrape against the floor as he pulls it closer to the bed. I feel him take my hand, and that’s the last thing I remember before the darkness envelops me.

James and I finally arrive at the palace, both of us stained with the blood of the prison guards. The gravity of our actions weighs heavily on me as we make our way inside. My instincts tell me we should go straight to the throne room to find my father and Vanna.

As we approach the door, we see a servant leaving with a mop and bucket full of dirty water… correction, it is bloody water. Dread sinks into the pit of my stomach like an anchor dragging me down. I glance at James, and the look on his face mirrors my own.

We rush into the throne room, and my heart drops at the sight of my father, Vanna, Raymon, and Sehgrid. Sehgrid, Vanna’s creep of a personal blood wielder, is dressed in his signature blood-red cloak. Rumors say he’s over two and a half centuries old.

“Lukene, we’ve been waiting for you,” my father says. When he notices the blood covering us, his expression shifts to one of concern. “Whose blood are you two drenched in?”

“Some people who deserved it,” I reply, flashing a grin that feels foreign on my lips. “Sehgrid, get out. I don’t want to look at your creepy face while I talk to my father.”

Vanna scoffs but gestures for him to leave. As he walks out, he glares at me, and I return the look with a sinister smile, full of threats of death if he messes with me. Gods, I hate that man.

“What of the treaty, Lukene?” my father asks, straightening his posture.

Looking around the room, I smell the faintest scents of blood and soap. The floor looks freshly cleaned, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as the candles flickering threaten a confession.Please don’t be Reign’s,I say over and over to myself.

“He wants half of Skalhar—the portion that borders his land. There is a prisoner in the Hollows he wants. He also warned that if we attempt to take Maduri, he will retaliate with full force.” I maintain a blank expression, but inside, I’m dying to check on Reign. I need to know she’s safe.

I catch James’s eye. He’s looking at the floor, lost in thought. He must feel the same unease as I do as the heavy silence fills the air. Blood was spilt here—whose and how is still unknown.

“And what of Prince Elliot taking the prisoner as his bride?” Vanna asks, holding her head high, her expression a mix of disdain and curiosity.

“He is very interested in her. He said he just needs more out of the treaty. There is a cure, and he said he can heal our land. Hope is not lost.”

My father hurls his chalice across the room, the metal clanging loudly against the stone floor as wine splatters everywhere. “We need that cure, Lukene!” he bellows, his face reddening with anger, his shoulder-length black hair swaying with each furious movement.

“We will get it. We need to abandon our claim to Maduri. What harm does it do to give him half of Skalhar? Most of that land is desert anyway.”

“Lukene, you were given orders. You have failed me and your kingdom. You were instructed to ensure that the champion either marry him for the cure or execute him—neither was accomplished. Leave us. Vanna and I must discuss our next steps.”

I want to ask about Reign, to demand what they plan for her, but instead, I bow and nod to James, signaling for him to follow me.

As we exit the throne room, we march toward my room. “Did you smell that?” James asks, concern etched on his face.

“Of course I did. I also saw Raymon’s smug look. He did something I am just not sure what.” The rhythm of my heart is as rapid as a galloping horse, while nausea ebbs in my stomach, thinking it could be Reign’s.

Once we reach my room, I burst inside. Elm, Kylo, and Lilyana sit in chairs, speaking in hushed tones, while Reign is sleeping in my bed. They all share the same expression, gaping mouths and wide eyes. The tension is thick. I can cut it with a knife.

Lilyana claps a hand over her mouth. “Lukene… why are you both covered in blood?”

“We had a long day, Lilyana. Nothing for you to worry about.” I stride over to them, my eyes flicking to Reign. She looks every bit the sleeping goddess, unharmed and serene. My restless heart settles a bit.

“Nothing happened while you were gone. She just bathed and passed out,” Lilyana replies with a shrug, but her fidgeting betrays her nerves.

James walks over to Reign. He looks down at her for a long moment before turning to face us, his face stoic as always.