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Where in the seven hells were we going? And what were they planning to do to me when we got there?

We stepped out of the ship and into a cool mountain breeze. I threw my head back and gulped in a giant breath of fresh air — grateful to be on solid land once more.

The wind made my skin prickle, and I had to squint against the bright sun overhead, but as my eyes adjusted to the light, a familiar tall stony peak came into focus looming above.

I did a double take.

Of course … holy hells. Korym must have sent us to the Berserker stronghold! It was the only other major settlement outside of the Preying Wild stronghold and Dragon's Peak …

But that meant we were here to see Lady Valtru.

My stomach sank. I hadn't seen the woman since we were children, but I'd agreed to marry her to help save my dying village.

And look how far that had gotten us.

So why had Frexin sent us here? She obviously wanted something with my ex-betrothed …

Could that be why I'd been brought along?

But the deal had ended the second she took over Dragon's Peak. Perhaps the Berserker stronghold had fallen to Empire rule, as well, and she needed me for some other reason?

But what was that they'd said about me needing tolookpretty? A shiver went down my spine.

A guard prodded my back sharply, pushing me forward, and I limped across the landing pad, grateful to be out of the cargo bay.

"Sir!" my guards called out as Holden strode up to us.

He nodded to the men as he walked, sparing me only a quick glance.

"The prisoner give you any trouble on the flight?"

I rolled my shoulder surreptitiously, trying not to wince from the pain as I waited for the guards to share what happened.

But they just looked at Tye, then shook their heads. "No, sir. No trouble."

My brows rose.Seriously?They'd been so tough until the Lieutenant stepped in.

I'd expected at least a little snide remark …

I stared at Tye, standing so stiff that his muscles bulged beneath his uniform. He loomed at least a foot taller than anyone else on the mission except Holden, who he still beat by a few inches. And the way he'd held those men aboard the ship as though they weighed nothing?

Anyone with sense would be terrified of him.

But each interaction I had with the Lieutenant just left me more sure that he just used his size and reputation as a defense mechanism.

I had a sneaking suspicion that maybe, just maybe, Aunt Harlsted was right, and he did it all to hide a soft center.

Little good that did anyone, though, when Frexin was somehow pulling his strings …

Holden gestured for one guard to follow him. "The city guards will be working with you, but I want you to keep an eye —" Holden's words trailed off as he and the guard moved away towards the city walls.

"Liam." The scent of sunshine and stone made my chest ache, and I turned to meet Kaiya's worried gaze. There were dark circles beneath her hazel eyes and her cheeks had grown gaunt in her time on the prison ship … but she was still the same beautiful woman I'd met in Gleyma. Fierce, funny, determined — and so much more sad than she'd been back then.

It was like there was a shadow hanging over her at all times …

A shadow I was partially to blame for.

I swallowed past the knot of guilt in my chest.