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I looked over my shoulder, surprised to find Tye and Holden quietly at each other's throats. Kaiya had moved a dozen paces away from them, and was whispering to a man in green livery. Both of them looked my way, and the man's face twisted into a … disgusted look?

What in the hells?

"Eyes forward, Westin," Korym hissed as we reached a pair of tall wooden doors encrusted with gold and jewels.

I frantically looked for some way to get free, but Korym's men were holding me too tightly.

Panic burned in my chest as westepped into a long, narrow room with rich purple banners hanging throughout.

A dozen guards lined the walls with long staffs held at the ready. I looked back to see Tye, Holden, and Kaiya slip in just before the doors shut behind them.

My stomach churned as reality sank in.

There was no escaping this …

At the end of the hall sat an opulent throne, atop which perched a slim woman with curling blonde hair, an intricate golden gown, and a crown as big as her head encrusted in jewels.

Lady Valtru.

She hadn't always been that wealthy …

The elegant woman gestured with her hand, andKorym came forward, kneeling at her feet like she was a queen instead of a lady of a village on the Forsaken Isle.

"Mage Korym," she said, voice sweet as honey. "How lovely to see you again. I've missed your visits. Must I now stoop totradesto get the Reaper's attention?"

"Lady Frexin means no disrespect," Korym said, standing. "As you can imagine, the Reaper is extremely busy running part of an Empire, so she hasn't had time to visit yourquaint town."

The lady bristled at the subtle reminder of her station.

"However," Korym continued before she could respond. "I believe you'll be quite pleased with what I have to trade for your intel on the beast."

Korym held a hand in my direction.

Lady Valtru's eyes went wide as my guards dragged me forward.

"Here." Korym's voice rang in the silent hall. "I've brought none other than the recalcitrant groom who cost you a most profitable trade with the Reaper."

The woman's eyes narrowed as she studied me. "Yes." Her honeyed voice had gone ice cold, and she stepped down from her dais to approach me, skirts swishing with every step. "I've been looking for him for months. Wherever did you find him?"

The whole room spun as she spoke.

I'd always known Lady Valtru was not a great person. Everyone in Dragon's Peak had said as much.

But I'd been so determined to save my home and mypeoplemyway that I'd ignored their advice and even my own gut.

My damn pride had made me blind to the bigger truth. And now my people were prisoners to Frexin, and I was about to become someone's property.

"At least he's fairly attractive," Lady Valtru said, stopping directly in front of me. I glared at her as she walked slowly around me, those cold eyes inspecting every inch of my body. "And he looks feisty." Her hand traced over my shoulder, dropping towards the buttons of my pants. "I dosoenjoy breaking the feisty ones …"

My stomach lurched, bile rising in my throat as her hand dropped lower.

Fuck!Is this how all the women of the Empire's court felt when being presented for their first season?

It was disgusting.

She stepped back, gesturing to someone behind her, and I took the moment to search the room for something — anything that might help me escape.

But there was nothing. I was surrounded by Korym's and Lady Valtru's men.