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I return to my room, the dark and loneliness of it morphing my brief amusement into stomach-pulling dread.

Transferred.

I yank open a book of case studies, flip pages and stare at the flickering candle beside me.Definitelybetter this way. But...

I sigh. No matter my volatile feelings about Quin, he’s facing a difficult challenge. A lot is on the line for him—for his people.

For the aklos and aklas who will be attending the gala.

An hour after dinner, I sneak into the conservatory to wait, pacing between lemon trees. I cast my eyes up, towards the surrounding windows and the glittering cold night beyond.Please come, please come, please—

I pivot on my heels and come to a halt before my dark-cloaked prince, his eyes hidden in the shadows of his hood, his smile shining in the moonlight.

Thank the heavens for Skriniaris Evander.

“My brother passed a message on to me.”

That’show—“Quin?”

Nicostratus pushes back his hood, revealing his curiosity in the quirk of an eyebrow.

I stop myself growling and start again. “Turns out I’ve known your brother for some time.” The growling starts again. “Under the name of Quin.”

Nicostratus lets out a confused chuckle. “Some time?” He pauses. “Wait, he’s the one who saved your life in Castorvra? The dance house owner you gave amorous perfume?”

“The very one.”

His voice twists into a mortified rasp.

I flush hard. “I didn’t know he was yourkingbrother!”

He stares at me and blinks, and then a deeply fond laugh bubbles from him. “Serves him right for sneaking out to play around.”

“He certainly played around,” I say tightly.

“What do you think of him?”

“I’m not sure I should say.”

“Between us, you can say anything.”

“He’s bright and bold, but beneath the skin, sharp and sour.”

Nicostratus tugs my fingers, laughing, and spins me into his arms. His gaze twinkles down at me. “He’s a lemon.”

I calm down in his warm hold and slowly pull back. “He needs help though. Your uncle is planning something for Sunday.”

Nicostratus stares hard over my shoulder, eyes narrowing on an invisible image between rows of exotic trees. “He has asked that none of us back him up.”

I look at him sharply. “He’s decided to wrangle the wyverns alone?”

“I’m not sure hecando it alone. After he lost the use of his leg and I lost my memories, Father stopped teaching us how. Then when he died, Uncle made sure we never got a chance to practice again.”

My stomach twists coldly. “He knows he’s got the upper hand. He thinks he can depose the king.”

“My men and I will fight alongside my brother; we’ll have a chance if we work together.”

“You’ll expose his supporters. It’s a death sentence for them.”