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‘There has to be a way,’ Kipp started earnestly.

‘There’s not,’ Thea said, not unkindly. ‘I have read every book I could get my hands on. My death is carved there, as clear as I sit before you now. It will come to pass, no matter how much I fight against it.’ She rubbed her temples. ‘Does anyone else have any life-changing news to share or secrets to confess?’

Wilder’s training alone kept him still and unflinching, though his stomach roiled with unease and he felt Torj’s eyes on him.

Instead, he put an arm around Thea’s shoulders. ‘I think we’ve had enough of that for one night.’

‘Thank the gods,’ she muttered, moving to lie back on the narrow bed.

He stopped her. ‘You’re not sleeping here.’

She frowned. ‘What?’

‘You didn’t think I’d let the lost heir of Delmira sleep with the riff-raff in this shithole, did you?’

Wren cleared her throat from the floor. ‘Uh… what about theotherlost heir?’

Torj scoffed. ‘Sonowyou’re a princess?’

She gave him a withering glare and Wilder had to suppress a laugh. ‘You’ll manage,’ he told her.

‘Maybe lock the door this time,’ Torj supplied.

Kipp laughed loudly at that.

Thea was already on her feet. ‘Lead the way, Warsword,’ she said, a sly gleam in her eye.

And so Wilder did.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

THEA

Thea expected a cabin similar to the ones their friends were occupying, and frankly, she was just thankful to have privacy with Wilder, to not have to hide what they had. But when Wilder pushed open the door, she nearly gasped.

While it was compact, the cabin was luxurious. A plush rug greeted them at the foot of a bed big enough for two, with a wooden bathtub placed beneath the window, as well as a bench and basin.

Thea turned to the Warsword, who was shutting the door behind them. ‘How did you manage this?’

He offered a conspirator’s grin before he plucked her king’s coin from his pocket and held it out to her. ‘I figured after that stunt he pulled at the palace, he owed you one. Or several, considering the feast we had at the Fox.’

Stunned, Thea took the coin. ‘I had no idea the Hand of Death was also a cutpurse.’

Wilder gave her a lazy smile as he drew her to him. ‘There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Princess.’

Thea’s pulse fluttered at the insinuation. ‘Perhaps it’s time I got to know you better…’

He ran a knuckle along her jaw and hooked it under her chin, tilting her face to his. ‘That might take some time.’

Thea met his lust-filled stare, her breath hitching. ‘Then you’d best get started.’

Wilder enveloped her, his mouth sweeping across hers in a punishing kiss. She opened for him and his tongue met hers, coaxing a moan from her as she grabbed a fistful of his shirt, wrenching him down to her.

He captured her lower lip between his teeth, and Thea burned for him. A flash of pain bloomed before he was kissing her again, sending fierce desire rushing through her. His leather-and-rosewood scent wrapped around her senses, stoking the fire within.

She raked her fingernails down his sculpted chest in silent demand and he growled against her lips, tempting a smile from her as he broke away to haul his shirt over his head.

‘This what you want?’ he said, his voice thick with lust.