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A movement at the back drew my attention.

Kaiya stood, shifting from foot to foot, between Holden and Tye. She was gnawing on her lip, brows creased, as she watched the attendant from before hurriedly making his way towards Lady Valtru.

If I didn't know any better, she almost seemed to be waiting for something…

Lady Valtru motioned to a veiled man behind her, and he scurried forward, gilded collar in his hands.

"Very good," Korym said, tugging on my elbow to bring me back to his side. "Do whatever you please with the man. But first, you will reveal thisweaknessyou discovered for the beast."

Lady Valtru smiled. "Yes. Of course."

She motioned for a guard to come forward, a small, wooden chest in his hands, but an attendant interrupted … the same one I'd seen approaching the lady a few moments earlier.

"Excuse me, my lady," he said, eyes downcast as he kneeled at her feet. "May I have a moment?"

Lady Valtru glared at the man for a few moments before finally rolling her eyes and nodding.

He stood and moved to the lady's side, bending to whisper into her ear.

Lady Valtru's eyebrows rose as he spoke, her sharp gaze whipping to me, fury and disgust pouring from her.

What in the seven hells?!

The attendant bowed and backed away as Lady Valtru's face settled into something cold and hard. With a small shudder, she gestured for the guard with the wooden chest to leave, then turned her attention to Korym.

"Mage Korym," she snapped. "The deal is off. And, honestly, I am offended that your Lady Frexin would try such games with me."

She looked at me again and shook her head. "No tricks next time," she sneered. "Come back when you have something of value. And bring an apology gift as well." Turning, she strode towards her throne. "Then, and only then, will I even consider sharing the intel with you."

Relief and confusion twisted through me as her words sank in. I was … free?

I looked over at Mage Korym. He was staring at the departing woman with an expression of rage, confusion, and panic.

"My Lady," he tried, smile breaking. "There must be some sort of mistake. I was under the impression that you were very interested in —"

"The deal is off, Mage Korym!" she yelled, waving her hand.

Korym's face went hard.

"If you don't take this deal," he snapped. "The Reaperwillcome for you and your little village. Do you want to lose the freedom you worked so hard for?"

Lady Valtru reached her throne and delicately sat down, resting her hands atop the arms before meeting the mage's gaze.

"We both know she's too busy for any of that,Mage. You said it yourself. Now —stopwasting my time."

Lifting her hand, she gestured to her guards. They raised their staffs at us, ready to attack when commanded.

Korym's men tensed, looking for himto give the word to fight.

Instead, he exhaled sharply and gestured to his men to follow him.

"You'll regret this," he sneered, before turning on his heel and storming out.

My guards prodded for me to follow, and I did so without complaint.

Somehow … I'd been saved.

As we stepped from the room, Korym looked over his shoulder, glaring daggers at someone behind me.