Page 6

At least my antlers had grown in, shifting my most distinguishable feature. Now nobody could link me to Valterra’s bastard princess. Or so I hoped.

Just as I hoped nobody would notice the shadow magic shielding Zayne. Or the firewolf sitting at my feet, her flames a demure gray and features doglike. We gave the illusion that Vanessa and I were the only crew on our ship, our companion an unassuming dog.

“Those are the King’s signatures,” the guard finally agreed, shoving the parchment toward Rhett. He signaled to his companion, and with a creak, the gates barring our entry began to open. “Apologies for the delay.”

“Not a worry, my friend. Happy to sort out any confusion.” Rhett accepted the paper with a sweep of his arms, tucked it in his coat pocket, and whistled toward his own boat.

Rimu, his jet-black dog, rambled down the gangway, practically running to join him. The dog slobbered on Rhett’s thigh.

Ninti raised her head and wagged her tail, and I stared, shocked by the sight of her acting so…doglike.

After a few final commands to his crew, Rhett jumped onto theUmbral Star,Rimu leaping after him. The dogs circled one another, leaving me unprepared for Rhett’s bear hug. He lifted me off my feet, squeezing me tightly. “Welcome, cousin. Long time no see.”

I gasped for breath as a wave of jealousy that wasn’t mine knotted my stomach.Zayne.He watched from the shadows, and I pushed his emotions, the bond, out of my mind.

“I missed you too,” I admitted to Rhett, lowering my voice. “But the circumstances…”

“I told you I could do it,” he whispered in my ear, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and turning me to face the open gate.

“I never doubted, but how? Where did you get that parchment? Did the kings really sign it?”

“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.” He grinned cheekily.

“You didn’t really kiss anyone… did you?”

“It’s a genuine signature. Don’t worry.”

Still, I wasn’t reassured as we slipped into the port, the gates grinding closed behind us. We passed empty boats as music tinkled from the city itself, laughter and excitement audible from here. My heart began to race, anticipating what sort of ball awaited us. The sight of the Starlit King’s yacht was only the beginning.

This was a huge step up from the Valterran fae fiddle bars I once knew. I had heard the gossip of fae courts, but after seeing the shadow court in such disrepair, I had forgotten my old fantasies, ones that belonged to someone eager to explore the Isles of Fae as Rhett’s cousin.

We would have danced. We would have traded. Rhett and I had planned a simple life, but that was before Zayne found me, disrupting everything with a lethal brand.

A breeze cooled my skin, and when I turned toward the cabin, the shadows shifted. Zayne didn’t make himself visible, but Iguessed where to look. He hid in the spot that made my chest ache.

Rhett followed my gaze, speaking to the nothingness. “Well hidden, Shadow Prince.”

“I’ll be perfectly discreet,” Zayne said, moving between us.

Rhett stepped back with a frown, his gaze flicking between the two of us. “Very well. For now, follow my lead, and we’ll be in our private suite soon enough. We can talk freely then.”

“Private suite—” I started to ask, but the port’s air sprite arrived, giving Vanessa instructions on where to dock.

Rhett started chattering, telling the story of his travels. All of it was empty, spoken with the practiced air of someone certain they might be overheard, but I gave the appropriate responses, forcing my attention away from the place where I thought Zayne stood, hidden in plain sight.

Once we were docked, I followed Rhett’s lead, I shouldered my satchel and stepped onto the dock. Ninti and Rimu followed us, and I sensed Zayne beyond them.

I turned back to Vanessa. “Take care of theStarwhile we’re gone.” Meaning,Stay prepared for a quick escape.

“Aye,” she agreed, her lack of sass evidence of her sincerity.

I couldn’t wait to retreat to the open sea. Already, my skin felt too tight.

We left the docks and reached a wide beach that, even in twilight, was crowded with locals. The mer fae splashed in the water, their legs shifted into their iconic fins. The children swam about in play as adults luxuriated in the water.

Rhett slowed, scanning the crowd.

“Who are you…” And then it dawned on me.