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T eryn Alante felt like a dead man in his saddle after riding all night, but he hadn’t been willing to let the duke’s coach out of his sight. Not only was Cora inside it, but Teryn had yet to receive her bounty. To claim it, he’d have to meet with King Dimetreus at Ridine Castle. His reward for betraying Cora, however, was the least of Teryn’s worries. He couldn’t care less about it now. But that was a fact he’d kept to himself as soon as he’d realized how outnumbered he and his companions were against Duke Morkai’s well-armed guards. It would have served him little to confront the duke, the very man Cora had been working against. No, Teryn would save his questions for the king himself. Perhaps he would explain why the woman he’d known as Cora was actually Princess Aveline.

He still didn’t understand how it was possible. The princess was supposed to be dead, murdered by Cora’s own hand. After the duke had ordered his guards to seize her and haul her into the coach, Teryn hounded him with questions. He’d been met with nothing more than an annoyingly condescending grin and the duke’s assurance that Teryn could ask anything he wished once he arrived at the castle.

Which was where they were now.

It was an hour past sunrise when Ridine Castle came into view. Teryn and Lex rode through the gatehouse, following just behind the coach with two guards at the rear and two more at the fore. They entered a courtyard, which Teryn was surprised to find so empty. Perhaps he was used to the rhythm and regality of a palace, not the more practical nature of a castle. Ridine itself was a plain structure forged of stone with high walls, tall turrets, and an overall formidable appearance. Adding to that impression were the looming Cambron Mountains and the dark forests that skirted around the castle walls.

“I still wish I had any idea what the bloody hell was going on,” Lex said, eying Teryn as they continued to follow the coach into the courtyard.

Teryn sighed. “I’ll explain later.” He’d said as much several times already, but Lex would only narrow his eyes. He had every intention of telling Lex the truth, but he wanted to wait until the duke’s guards were no longer in such close proximity. Or maybe it was more that Teryn wasn’t ready to admit what he’d done.

The coach rolled to a stop before the stone steps that led to an enormous pair of doors. Teryn dismounted at once and jogged toward the coach. He was stopped by one of the duke’s guards. The guard said nothing, just held up a gauntleted hand and scowled through his helm. Teryn’s shoulders tensed. Every part of him yearned to reach for his sword. His rational side stilled his hand. He may not have known much about Duke Morkai, but if the king had sent him to fetch Cora…

That is, if the king had sent him at all.

Teryn’s chest tightened as the coach door opened. The duke stepped out first and extended his palm. No hand reached out to take it, but Cora slid out next, refusing to meet Morkai’s eyes. Two more guards came down the stairs, each taking one of Cora’s arms. She put up no fight as they escorted her up the stone steps.

“Cora.” The word left his lips without him meaning to.

Cora froze in place, her eyes locking on his. Her expression shifted to one of murderous rage. She didn’t need to say anything for him to know how she felt about him. It was there in her eyes. Hate . One of the guards tugged her forward and she continued up the steps, her head held high.

Like a princess.

How had Teryn not seen it before? She may not have been prim and proper like a royal, but there was a confidence to her he should have recognized. He’d seen it in the tilt of her chin, in her boldness, her refusal to apologize or follow anyone’s orders but her own.

And he’d been a fool. He’d let a piece of paper and a tempting purse form his opinion of her before he’d tried to understand her on his own. He’d known she’d poisoned those hunters, murdered them without remorse, but as for what the poster claimed…

I was framed by Duke Morkai .

There was so much more going on than he understood, but nothing was going to stop him from finding out what that was.

An hour later he sat in King Dimetreus’ study. One hand was clenched tight around the arm of his chair while the other rubbed his brow. It was all he could do to keep from pacing around the room. He was alone aside from the guard standing sentinel before the closed door. Even so, he wanted to appear as composed as he could despite having been waiting for the better part of an hour. The duke had warned him it would be a while before he’d be granted an audience, but Teryn had refused to do anything else after he entered the castle. Lex, on the other hand, had nearly swooned at the offer of a soft bed and a bath.

Finally, the door opened. Teryn rose to stand out of respect for the king, but it was not Dimetreus who entered the study. It was Duke Morkai.

“Where is the king, Your Grace?” Teryn said through his teeth, not bothering to hide his irritation.

“The king is indisposed,” Morkai said, striding over to the wide desk and sitting behind it. With slow, deliberate moves, he rested his crystal-topped cane upon the desk. He might as well have pointed a sword at Teryn for the unspoken threat the gesture carried.

Teryn held the man’s gaze, studying him for further threat while he debated how to reply. He was surprised how young Morkai appeared. When Helios had spoken of the duke who’d taken over the unicorn hunt, he’d imagined a sinister old man. Not the dashing gent who sat across from him now, one who looked barely older than him. His pale eyes were uncreased, his jaw bearing not even a hint of stubble. How had this man become a duke? He certainly hadn’t inherited the title, for Morkai was neither the name of a duchy nor a family surname of any prestige. Otherwise, he’d have learned the name during his many years of tutelage.

The duke leaned casually in the king’s chair and gave Teryn a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Worry not, Your Highness. The king has bidden me to settle your arrangement with him on his behalf.”

Teryn clenched his jaw. “I demand to speak with the king.”

Morkai cocked his head slightly to the side. “You forget yourself, Prince Teryn. This is Khero. You may have retrieved my kingdom’s beloved lost princess, but you were found in the king’s forest with only a forged writ of permission. A writ forged with my own sigil, might I add. I suggest you take what graciousness the king has offered you. At the moment, he’s offered you me.”

Teryn resisted the urge to glower and instead returned to his seat. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but perhaps the duke could still shine light on some of Teryn’s questions. “Your Grace, explain to me how the woman I turned in to the crown for the murder of Princess Aveline is the princess.”

Morkai brushed a piece of lint off his black coat. “I did not grant you an audience to speak about the princess. That is a private matter belonging to this kingdom alone. Regardless, you will receive your reward. In fact, I took the liberty of paying off your debt to the Bank of Cartha.”

Teryn blinked a few times. How did the duke know anything about his kingdom’s debt to Cartha? Better yet, why the hell would he pay it back?

“Oh, don’t fret,” Morkai said with a chuckle. “You will get your 500,000 sovas . Think of my settlement of your debt as a bonus. You aren’t just any bounty hunter. You’re a prince.”

Teryn narrowed his eyes. Sure, he could feel honored by such generosity, but he had a feeling this was no favor. Instead of clearing Menah’s debt, the duke had only shifted the hands of who held it. He’d purchased his kingdom’s allegiance.

Isn’t that what Father wanted? Teryn thought to himself. An alliance with King Dimetreus?

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t see this as a blessing. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t have to,” Morkai said. “Let’s just say it was in my kingdom’s best interest.”

Teryn didn’t like the sound of that. Before he could argue, Morkai spoke again.

“I understand Menah has seen its share of hardship. Scandal. Threat of war. Pirates.” He paused and gave Teryn a probing look. “Not to mention an unfulfilled marriage contract with the Princess of Selay.”

Teryn tried not to appear flustered by Morkai’s demonstration of knowledge about his kingdom. The duke reminded him of Helios in a way, but far more subtle.

Morkai waved a hand. “Lucky for you, your strife can end with the collection of a simple bounty.”

“Lucky indeed,” Teryn said stiffly.

“Now that your debt to Cartha has been repaid, I daresay your kingdom will look quite well to anyone who has scorned you thus far.”

Teryn gave a grunt of agreement. He wished Morkai would get to the point already. Teryn had only known him for a handful of minutes, but he already knew exactly what kind of a man the duke was—one of smooth words to cover layers of pretense.

“Rumors run faster than horses,” Morkai said. “Soon everyone will know of your kingdom’s shift in status. I’m willing to bet that by the time you return home, your beloved princess will fall at your feet begging you to marry her. You’ll never have to face the indignity of another ridiculous poetry contest again.”

Seven gods, how much did this man know about him? Every kingdom had spies in every court, even his own. Still, it was unsettling to realize just how much more effective Khero’s informants were compared to Menah’s. Teryn forced a smile. “I’m sure you’re right.”

Morkai watched him through slitted lids. He leaned forward in his chair. “That is…unless you’ve changed your mind about her.”

Teryn swallowed hard. His mind—for whatever strange reason—went to Cora. “Changed my mind?”

“Perhaps you’re tired of being slighted by Selay. Had they wanted to sever your engagement to the princess, they could have done it with far more tact.”

“They could have.”

“And yet they pitted you against two other princes in a frivolous quest for unicorns. Is that why you came to Khero, Prince Teryn?”

There was no use denying it. “Yes.”

“You didn’t happen to have anything to do with the slaughter of an entire company of unicorn hunters, did you? They may have worked directly under me, but I serve the king.” His tone was cordial, but Teryn could hear the threat laced between each word. It told him he knew Teryn had interfered with the duke’s hunt. A hunt approved by the king himself. Teryn and his kingdom could be condemned for such a crime. Morkai clearly knew Menah couldn’t afford war. Meanwhile, the elegant armor worn by the duke’s guards was proof enough that Khero could.

Teryn’s mind spun as he took it all in. Layers upon layers of the duke’s words, actions, threats. He still felt like he’d barely begun to unearth the half of it.

Morkai’s lips stretched into a wide smile. “It’s fantastic that we are allies now, is it not?”

“Indeed.”

“An alliance is reciprocal. You finding the princess is worth even more than what the king has done for you already. Should you wish it, we could do more.”

Teryn shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “More?”

Morkai steepled his fingertips against his chin, brow furrowed as if deep in thought. “I think I might know what prevented your father from demanding that King Verdian honor the contract between you and the princess.”

And we’re back to the expense of war, Teryn noted. “Is that so?”

Morkai nodded. “That is no longer an issue, let me assure you. King Dimetreus has a prodigious army. One that would have Selay quaking with fear. Should you seek justice rather than matrimony, say the word and Khero will come to your aid.”

Teryn’s mouth went dry. Once again, the duke’s words were generous at face value. But under the surface…

King Dimetreus has a prodigious army .

Teryn had already assumed as much, but Duke Morkai had wanted it reinforced in Teryn’s mind. Not only that but the idea that Selay would easily fall beneath said army. And if Selay—a wealthy kingdom with a more-than-adequate military force—would so easily fall…

So would Menah.

Teryn kept his expression nonchalant. “Your Grace, Menah has no desire to go to war with Selay.”

Morkai tore his gaze away from Teryn and pushed back from the desk. “No, I wouldn’t think so,” he said with a sigh.

He and Teryn stood at the same time. It was clear the conversation had come to a close. The guard opened the door and Morkai strode toward it. As he reached Teryn, he said, “Your reward is being counted and packed at this very moment. In the meantime, the king invites you to a celebratory dinner tonight. You will attend, yes?”

“Actually, I’d rather be on my way at once.” The words were untrue. Teryn had no intention of leaving until he saw Cora again, but he was curious how far the king’s—and the duke’s—hospitality extended. Was he truly free to leave as he wished, or…

Morkai gave him a cold smile. “Better not, Your Highness. The king does insist.”

“Then I’ll simply visit the stables and see to my horse after such arduous travels.”

“See to it then,” Morkai said. “But you should know this. Should you try and take your horse beyond the castle walls, you will find Ridine’s gates closed to those who deny the king’s kindness.”

“His kindness.”

“Like I said. He insists you stay for dinner tonight.”

As the duke swept away, Teryn was certain of two things. One, that he was a prisoner, not a guest. And two, that he’d get himself, Lex, and Cora out of there if it was the last thing he did.