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I wrapped the darkness tight, weaving it around theUmbral Star. Fueling the depths with my fury, I brought them into order, gathering them under my control, seizing the entire boat in my shadows—

With awoosh,an arrow sank on the mast, sinking in not far from my head. The guards at the gatehouse shot again, and I rushed to cloak myself in the shadows.

“Zayne!” Vanessa screeched.

We were about to ram into the gate—

I grabbed the black diamond, and seizing all the power I could, I shadow-stepped theUmbral Starpast the gates. I led us through the shadows.

Moments later, we rocked in the wide, open sea.

Turning about, I forced myself to stand on wobbling knees to face the stunned guards, just now turning around and realizing what had happened.

With the gates closed, there were no boats to pursue us, and while they rushed into action, we would be long gone by the time they could give chase.

“Where to?” Iona asked.

Looking to the clifftop palace, I searched for Ayla, but we were so far away I could no longer discern which figure was hers. My stomach tightened with nerves as a wave rose, the crest blocking the city from view.

The tether lengthened and thinned, becoming a mere heartbeat.

But it didn’t break.

It would never break.

Ayla had saved my soul, twice.

We were bound; she was my mate.

And I’d do anything to keep her safe.

Determined, I gave Vanessa my order. “Take us to Dusk. I have an army to prepare.”

Chapter thirty-five

Her Crowded Court

Ayla

Dawn was not that far away, and still, the party continued, music streaming to every corner of the pavilion.

The trade agreement was signed, the lost princess found.

There was every reason to celebrate, even if no party was complete without scandal. After all, the merchant prince had stolen Lady Iona away, only for the Shadow Prince to commandeer their boat. The exact same boat I was supposed to be on if my father hadn’t first rescued me from Zayne’s clutches.

Or so the story went.

In the hours since their escape, the tether had faded, becoming a mere thread, one so thin I feared it would slip through my fingers. I couldn’t feel Zayne’s emotions, let alone his thoughts. Only a distant heartbeat proved he was still alive.

“We’ll find them soon,” my father assured me, joining me on the outskirts of the pavilion. The party was finally reaching its final stretch, the exhausted guests slowly drifting away.

Tomorrow, I’d leave with the Starlit Court, traveling on their yacht on a journey ‘home.’

Like everyone else, my father assumed my brooding was over Rhett’s capture, and it was a guise I was eager to claim. After their escape, dull sunlight had filled my long day with vapid pretense, a day that concluded with a signed trade agreement. Everyone was eager to go home.

But first. A celebration.

All night I’d danced, playing the part of a spoiled princess eager for escape after a difficult day. I convinced myself it was an act, even as grief tightened throat.