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Should I have fought harder? I could have asked,What did Valterra ever do for you?Reminded her that the humans didn’t deserve her. But even now, I couldn’t send the words across the tether. I admired her for the same reasons she now wrecked my heart.

We would be reunited.

We had to be.

And when the time came, I needed to be ready. No matter what precautions the Starlit King took against me, I would claim my princess.

To keep her safe, I would embrace my powers.

All of them.

Securing the black diamond with both hands, I walked from one shadow to the next, shadow-walking in a way I thought impossible. Quickly, with leaps and bounds, I followed the darkness to the docks of Mer, weaving the shadows into a cloak of invisibility.

There.

Rhett and Iona strode near theUmbral Star,hand in hand, Rimu at their side. Rushing forward, I fell into stride. “We need to leave, now.”

Rhett startled, and Iona gripped his arm.

“Where’s Ayla?” he growled.

“She’s staying,” I gritted.

From the strain of Rhett’s throat, it seemed to cost all his self-control not to turn and face me. “What happened?”

“It was her choice,” I scathed. “And if her risk is going to be worth it, we need to leave.Now.”

Playing casual, he turned toward the palace. Following his gaze, I saw a distant figure on a corner balcony.

Ayla.Her red hair caught in the wind.

She pretended not to see us. Inside, I felt a renewed urgency to our bond.

Rhett drew his lips tight and nodded. “Fine. I’ll play along.” Playing the part of and escaping romantic, he turned to Iona and swept her off her feet, her skirt swishing around them. Laughing, he held her to his chest and ran with her. Rimu jumped after them, excited by this new game.

Moving ahead of them, I shadow-stepped to the roof of the cabin and grabbed the post of the crow’s nest. “Vanessa,” I called out. “It’s time to go!”

The water sprite looked over the crow’s nest, already alert. “You’ve got it.” Water shifted beneath us, the boat rising in the port as she prepared for our escape.

I jumped to Rhett’s side and subtly helped him untie the ropes. “You have the signed note with you, right?” I asked him. “The gates won’t be an issue?”

“Yes, and worst case, I can sweet talk my way through anything.”

“Good.” I heaved the last of the rope into the boat and jumped to the roof of the cabin. Rhett and Iona settled on the dock, andshe poured a celebratory glass of champagne, still playing the part of escaping lovers.

Ayla still stood on the balcony, watching in the distance. The bond between us was painfully thin, and I focused my mind upon it, determined to keep her with me as long as possible.

“I love you. You can do this. I’m still here.”I repeated, unsure if she could hear me.“I love you.”

We were halfway to the gates when the bells tolled.

The shouts began at the gatehouse, but soon more rose from the docks where guards loaded onto dinghies and raced to reinforce the wall.

They shouted to Rhett. “Return to your berth!”

But their whispers were brought to me by darkness.“The Shadow Prince, he’s here.” “The Starlit King wants him.” “I heard he’s a necromancer.” “I hope he’s captured soon.”

“Under no condition is anyone to leave,” they commanded Rhett.