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But... she also didn’t want to ask anything with an audience present, and especially not with Navok listening in.

“I’d like to speak with him alone, please,” Kiva said, her throat tight.

“Not tonight,” the king said.

He began to pull her away.

“No, wait —”

“Not tonight,” he repeated, his voice firm. “You’ve had a long journey. Rest up, then you can visit him again tomorrow.”

Kiva looked over her shoulder, finding Galdric’s steady gaze on her as she was towed down the corridor. He didn’t call out, didn’t beg to be released. But there was a promise in his expression.

There was also pain.

It wasn’t from his bruises — it was from seeingher. Whatever he felt when he looked at herhurthim. Whether that was because of what her mother had done, or perhaps because of how much he missed his friend, there was no doubting the connection he shared with Tilda. Nor was there any doubting how much he longed to speak with Kiva.

Tomorrow, Navok had said. She could wait one more day.

But as she was dragged back up the many staircases toward her room, she knew she couldn’t wait any longer than that. Because in two days, she would be forced to marry, and that meant she needed to be long gone from Blackmount Castle before she was bound to its king forever.

Chapter Seven

Brynn was waiting in Kiva’s bedroom when Navok pushed her through the door and left without saying anything.

Clearly, her husband-to-be wasn’t interested in wooing her, but Kiva already knew he only wanted her for one thing — a blood tie to Evalon’s throne. Or perhaps two things, as he seemed to think she was a weapon he could wield against her sister.Thatwasn’t going to work in his favor. She was almost tempted to linger at Blackmount if only to witness his inevitable confrontation with Zuleeka — but that temptation was nowhere near strong enough for her to risk having tomarryhim. No, Kiva’s priority was to escape the castle and put as much distance between herself and Mirraven as possible.

“You’re very pale, Lady — uh, Kiva,” Brynn said, rushing to meet Kiva in the doorway and guiding her toward the bed. Her silvery gaze was alert — and concerned — as she asked, “Did he hurt you?”

Kiva was both curious and alarmed by the question. Brynn had warned that Navok was known for his temper, but the idea of him being physically violent hadn’t crossed Kiva’s mind.

“No, I’m fine,” she answered, slumping down onto the velvety blankets and resisting the urge to hug a cushion in comfort. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on her feelings, or to wonder why her mother had offered her to Navok on a platter. Her emotions and questions could come later — what she needed now was a plan.

She also needed Brynn to leave, since despite her intuition saying she could trust the maid, the danger of her being an informant was too high.

Sensing that Brynn was about to ask what had happened in Navok’sreceiving room, Kiva quickly said, “It’s been a long day. I’d like to be alone.”

Brynn grimaced down at the blood-red carpet. “I’m sorry, but Madam Merit told me to remain with you. Just in case you need anything in the night.” She indicated a pallet Kiva hadn’t noticed, set up on the far side of the lavish room. “I promise you won’t know I’m here — unless you call for me.”

No wonder Kiva hadn’t been locked in her quarters, something she’d wondered both times she’d been left there. Brynn would know the moment she tried to sneak out.

Kiva muttered a curse, but then made herself take a deep breath, mentally acknowledging that it was late and her mind was too knotted to figure anything out right now. She still needed to speak with Galdric tomorrow, so she would have to wait until after that to make a move anyway, and then...

Then, what?Kiva asked herself. Even if shedidescape Blackmount Castle — which the female guard had said was impossible — what was her next move? She needed to return to Evalon, but she might as well try to reach the moon for how far away her home kingdom seemed.

“Begging your pardon,” Brynn said, cutting into Kiva’s grim thoughts, “but I —” She stopped herself with a sheepish look, before trying again. “I’ve been told I’m far too curious for a maid. It’s my worst trait.” She fiddled with her fingers, then summoned the courage to ask, “You didn’t know about the marriage, did you? You asked earlier whentheirwedding was. You didn’t realize it wasyours.”

The maid might be curious, but she was also shrewd.

“I had no idea,” Kiva admitted. “I thought he was marrying my sister.”

“It’s good news, though, isn’t it?” Brynn asked, her words sounding hopeful but her expression strangely piercing. “You’re a Corentine. Yourfamily now rules Evalon. Marrying King Navok will join the two kingdoms by blood.”

Kiva shook her head wearily. “I told you earlier — my sister stole the crown. It doesn’t belong to us. The sooner the Vallentis family is back on the throne, the better. And trust me, thelastthing I want is to marry someone like Navok. He can scheme as much as he wants, but I’ll never help him take Evalon.” Kiva shut her mouth quickly, remembering who she was speaking with, but then realized it didn’t matter. Navok already knew her feelings — airing them to the maid couldn’t make her situation any worse.

Brynn’s gaze remained piercing, and she eyed Kiva for a long moment, before declaring, “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“With every part of me.” Kiva scrubbed a hand over her face. “I’m tired, Brynn. Can we not —”