Page 48 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

“That’s not up to you.” I tug the tent, the point sharp. At least I can do this much right.

“As the resident guide and only being who knows what’s in this forest, it is.” He pulls on my cords as if it undo it and I slap his hand away. “You need protection.”

“Taylay will stay beside me.”

“In your tent?” His nose wrinkles as if disgusted. “We both know the Witch is big but protection, he is not.”

“Not in my tent,” I gripe, throwing my bedroll inside. “And what happened to your rule? Never go anywhere alone. I’m not alone over here.”

But I am away from the raiders and therefore, everyone is safe.

He frowns deeply, brows furrowed. “I know a great many things. Including things about this forest. And it’s not safe for you to be over here, with the Witch or not.” He scans the crowd, waving over a guard. “We’ll move you closer to our site?—”

Pulling my dagger, I hold the bladeto his throat, taking care not to draw blood. I don’t want to tempt my magic. Not here, not in front of the Humans.

“You will not touch my things,” I command. “And you will stay away. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, heir,” I murmur, elongating his title, “but I am more than capable of protecting myself. I’ve done it since I was a child, and I will continue to protect myself.” I edge the dagger closer. “We both know what I am and what I can do. Do not insult me by claiming I am a defenseless woman.”

If I expected him to be annoyed at my refusal, at my defiance, I was wrong. He smiles wide, glinting fangs in the shadows, hands raised high in surrender.

“Ferocious and vicious,” he purrs, taking one step back. “I know exactly what you are, kitten. What you can do. And that is exactly why you should be protected in these woods. And there’s only one being who can do it.”

Scoffing, I flick my dagger up. “Let me guess: you?”

He winks.

“Unless you want my dagger inside your throat, you’ll leave me alone.” A twig snaps behind me, but my eyes never leave the heir. “Go.”

The heir smirks, bowing his head just enough to show me respect. “When they come for you, remember, I offered my help.”

“I don’t need your help.”I don’t.What I need is to keep him away and finish this journey without being discovered. I can’t do that if he gets too close.

“We’ll see about that.” He turns on his heel, glancing over his shoulder. “Sleep tight,pet.”

I don’t dare drop my weapon until he’s across the way. When I do, my fingers tremble.

Chapter 17

Kaden

“You’re going to get us killed,” Fee warns, sword glinting in the firelight as she sharpens the edge. Her amber eyes flicker across the camp and back, body tense with worry.

Dressed in her leathers and weaponry, she’s no longer the princess my father thought to mold. Here, she’s my best warrior.

“No, I’m not,” I say, stretching as I drop on to the rotted log.

The rest of the lords huddle together among community bonfires, while my siblings and guards keep our own site. Our fire is small, our perimeter patrolled.

We know what hides in the woods behind us. Every firstborn royal who had the curse I possess was cast out, sent into the Eternal Night Forest, kept at bay by the barrier that locked beasts within. Growing, mating with the other monsters, the beasts turned this forest into their domain, hunting anything that entered. They particularly don’t like anything more powerful coming into the forest—it upsets the balance of their land.

Max is the biggest fucking threat here. Soon, they’ll sense it and come for her.

Carefully, I let my eyes sweep the camp, locking on to the dark tent at the far edge, closest to the woods. She’s right on the barrier.It’d be too easy for a claw to grab her under the flap and whisk her away.

The stubborn woman should have moved closer. If not to my site, than to the fire; it’d offer some kind of protection.

I only care because if she dies, she’s of no use to my father—tome. Not because the mere thought of something killing her turns my blood cold and halts the air in my lungs with dread.

“Then explain to me, dear brother, why we’re here.” She gestures to Reid, who looks up, chewing on jerky. “You were very clear in what was to happen: infiltrate Griffin’s palace, find a weapon, go home. Going on an expedition wasn’t part of that plan. Now, we’re off chasing one of your idiotic plans—the worst, mind you, and praying it all works out.”