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Bile burned the back of her throat as she thought of sharing a home with her husband’s killer. “I want your word.”

“You have it. Ream’s line will be safe if you go quietly.”

She could never risk their lives for her own happiness. “When do I leave?” she rasped.

“After your branding. Your things have been packed along with the dowry. A Methian ship awaits you in the harbor.” He captured her chin. “There will be no time for goodbyes.”

That was even crueler. “You would deny me that?”

“You denied me my heir. The survival of Ream’s line is the only concession I will give you.”

She stepped back from him, staring at her grandfather like she didn’t know him. Mer shook her head, staring him down as another part of her heart broke, pathetic thing that it was. “I’ve defended you for years. The cold cruelty. The pragmatism. But I now see you for what you are.”

She gave him a mocking bow and turned her back to him, pushing off the floor of the throne room toward the doors.

“And one more thing,” the sea king called. Mer glanced over her shoulder. “You may have let me down as my heir, but I still expect you to act like a princess. If the king dies, I’ll hold you responsible. Ream’s line will be cut off.”

Translation:if you kill the king, our deal is off.

She squared her shoulders and smirked at him. “As you wish.”

Mer might not be able to kill him, but she could make his life miserable.

Some fates were worse than death.

Chapter Eight

RAZIEL

“They found theZephyr.”

Raziel’s attention snapped to Valen’s metallic teak eyes. “Where?” The fishing vessel had been missing for two weeks.

“To the north of the Wasting Corals,” his commander replied, his dark brown lips pressed into a firm line.

Raz slowly lowered the quill and stood, already knowing the answer to his next question. “Any survivors?”

“None.”

He placed his hands on his desk and hung his head. The documents by his fingers blurred as his mind spun. There were children aboard. “What happened?”

“We don’t know. I’m on my way to inspect the ship myself.”

The king straightened and rounded the table. “Then I shall go with you.”

He passed Valen, who was just a touch shorter than he was. Valen huffed and adjusted his leather belt before falling in line. Their boots rustled against the thick deep-red carpets as they made their way down the corridor. The arched black-stoneceilings were simple in their design but effective. With a palace built into the side of the mountain, it wasn’t easy to make the place feel open.

Lush tapestries hung along the walls—both beautiful and practical in nature. The stone didn’t keep heat, but the fabric deterred much of the chill.

They reached the wide spiral staircase at the end of the hallway and jogged downward, their boots clicking with each step. As a child, Raz hated the stairs. It took too long to get anywhere, and they made his legs hurt. Now, as an adult, he still didn’t care for them. He’d rather meet Skye on one of the landing balconies every residence had for their ownfiileeand fly wherever he needed to go.

“You’re quiet,” Valen commented as they exited the stairs toward the nesting grounds and the face of the mountain.

Raz grunted. “Not sure what to say after your announcement.”

“I’ve known you since we were children. It’s more than that.”

“It seems trivial now.” Raziel glanced at his friend from the corner of his eye. Valen brushed one of his brown braids from his shoulder and arched a brow. The king knew that look. His friend wouldn’t let it drop until he spoke the truth. “I was married today.”