Page 161 of The Chains You Defy

Without waiting for a dismissal, I spun around, abandoning the Sun Room. Anger was churning through me once more, and I desired to tear someone apart, just as the prospect of leaving Nayana behind without speaking to her beforehand shredded the fabric of my soul. I loathed the situation I was in, and I despised Galrach so, so very much.

Sometimes, I wondered if for every good thing arising, a multitude of terrible events occurred to balance the fortune out.

Not only did Galrach blackmail me into doing his bidding—as if that wasn’t bad enough already—no, the only one of my allies hanging around the stables was fucking Thain.

Well, at least better than Thain fucking.

Shit, I was really losing my mind if I made dreadful puns about Thain, of all people.

Before he could open his mouth, I raised my hand and growled. “I have no patience for you today. So keep quiet and listen closely.”

“Oh, someone is cheery. Did the Third Act of Courtship go wrong? Of course, your arrangement must have displeased her if you were your usual sunny self.”

“Thain, I’m warning you.”

Something in my tone must have tipped him off that there was something seriously amiss, and a fucking miracle occurred—he nodded without making another sound.

“Galrach sent me on a fucking mission. Alone. And he counted on that I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone. For fucking reasons I won’t explain to you, I can’t back out. I’ll be gone for approximately three-quarters of a moon cycle. My fucking grandfather—fuck, I have no clue what fucking lies he’ll spread.”

“Where are you going?”

“Fucking Breocharn.”

“Ouch, unpleasant. And I actually enjoy fire.”

“Not—helpful.” As I’d expect, Thain made a spectacle out of the fact that I had to rely on him. My fingers twitched, and my magic convulsed restlessly under my skin. But if I killed him now, there would be no one left to relay my message. Once again, I was helpless, and I fucking despised every second.

“Of course, I’ll communicate the change of plans to everyone.”

Mouth hanging open at the sudden agreement without any more of the redhead’s telltale teasing, I weighed my options.

My skin crawled as I considered what I had to order next. “You and the others will keep Nayana safe at all costs. She is never to be alone or unprotected. And Thain, if I hear that you set only a single toe in our bedroom or tried anything funny with my female, I’ll eradicate your existence for real this time. I’ve had enough. Of you, of Galrach, of fucking Alaiann. So, make sure the High Fucker doesn’t harm Nayana until I’m back.”

Just as I wanted to turn to Cath, I stopped dead in my tracks.

What the—

Thain was bowing. And not in an ironic way. As he straightened, I was still gaping at him, and the strangeness didn’t end there.

The redhead faced me with the most serious expression I’d ever witnessed on him, then bowed once more. “Yes, Your Royal Highness. Never forget that you have friends who have your back. Your message will reach everyone, securely and swiftly, and will be followed by the letter. Nayana will be safe. On top, I guarantee that everything will be in place, so immediate departure upon your return can be possible, my prince.”

Madness had finally sunk its claws into me—there was no other plausible explanation.

“So he’s gone?”

Antas, who had taken a seat across from me, massaged the temple not hidden by his mask before catching my gaze. “He would not have left the palace if he could have avoided whatever he has to do.”

“Still, it’s horrible. And without a word. Gods, imagine if he hadn’t run into Thain.”

“But he did.”

“And our plan? What will we do?” More worry crept into my eyes as my stomach revolted. While I trusted Antas and the others with my life, they were no match against the High King. With Dion gone, every single one of us was in real danger of getting into the crosshairs.

Evenif the prince couldn’t fight Galrach in the traditional sense, he was a buffer between the king and us because he wasn’t expendable. We were.

A wave of self-loathing about how useless I was in defending myself crashed over me so suddenly that the negativity left me breathless.

“One of us will stay close to you at all times. And we are in the process of figuring out if evacuating you from court would be better, and if so, to where. With Dion gone, you are in more danger than before, and I am sure he would appreciate if you disappeared out of Galrach’s reach.”