Page 157 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

The next tower. Climb down now,Siergen instructed.

I reached the tower and swung over the side, lowering myself carefully until my feet found the stones braced like uneven steps. The cold bit into my fingers, but I climbed down as quickly as I could, my heart pounding in my chest.

Go to the castle’s east entrance. The guard patrol just moved past it.

I bolted through the courtyard, sticking to the shadows until I reached the castle’s side entrance. It was ajar, just enough to squeeze through.

The castle halls were quiet, the flicker of torchlight casting restless shadows across the walls. My steps softened as I crept down the corridor, passing several closed doors until I reached Princess Elara’s. The wooden door was shut tight, and no light glowed beneath it. Assuming she was asleep, I kept moving.

Siergen’s instructions were clear—just a few doors down. I stopped in front of the one marked with a carved dragon’s head—Hein’s likeness etched into the wood with intricate detail. Zander’s room.

I slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind me. The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of embers in the fireplace. Zander’s bed lay just ahead—but before I could take another step, cold steel pressed against my throat.

“Going somewhere?” Zander’s voice was low and sharp, his breath warm against my cheek.

“Siergen told me to come,” I managed, my heart hammering in my chest.

“Fuck,” Zander hissed, the blade dropping away as he spun me around. His face was tight with tension, a sheen of sweat clinging to his brow. “I could have killed you.”

I swallowed hard, ignoring the sharp sting where the blade had kissed my skin. “Yeah,” I muttered. “I noticed.”

Zander stood before me, shirtless and barefoot, clad only in loose black silk pants that clung just enough to hint at the strength beneath. His hair was tousled from sleep, and I tried—really tried—not to stare at the cut of muscle across his chest, the sharp lines that carved down his abdomen.

He arched an eyebrow. “See something you like?”

I shrugged. “It’s weird seeing you without your flight armor.”

His smirk faded. “Why are you here, Rebec?” His tone was flat. He wasn’t pleased I’d infiltrated his room, and honestly, I couldn’t blame him.

“Someone is manipulating my father,” I said. “He thinks I’m involved with the king...and helping the Blood Fae. He may have put a contract on me.”

Zander’s expression hardened. “How could he think that? The attacks started long before the commoners were allowed in the guilds.”

I shrugged again. “I don’t know.”

My eyes drooped, my body aching from exhaustion. It had been a long, miserable night, and the weariness pressed down on me like a weight I couldn’t shake.

“You’re exhausted,” Zander said, his voice softer now.

“It’s been a night,” I muttered, swaying slightly where I stood.

“How do we get your father to rescind the order?” he asked.

I gave a dry laugh. “Prove I’m innocent, but that’s unlikely before he has me assassinated.”

Your human caregiver has no right to your life,Kaelith’s voice cut into my mind, sharp and fierce.

I grunted.Sorry, but you don’t get a vote here. Besides, you haven’t exactly been... around.

Despite what you may think, you are not my only concern.

I’m surprised I’m a concern at all. My dying frees you.

She was quiet for a moment, just long enough for me to feel her tension like a distant tremor.

Hein’s rider will protect you. That is an order.

“You can’t order Zander...” I realized too late I’d said it aloud.