Page 52 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

Without discussing it, we all avoided the bedrooms. Although the house had been emptied, all personal touches removed, it felt like invading someone else’s space. It was easier to stick to the public rooms, and we would all be within reach if something happened.

“I’ll take second,” I tried again.

“No, no, I’ll take second,” Fitz insisted. “I often wake up after a few hours to read or eat a midnight snack.”

“I’ll take third!” Delilah flopped onto her own bedroll and squeezed the limp pillow close to her, wrapping her whole body around it, then curling her tail around herself to tie up the package. “It’ll be like two cat naps.”

I sighed. “Fine, then wake me up when it’s my turn.” It was probably best to be well rested when dealing with Wilde anyway. I removed my jacket but kept my boots on, then laid out my bedroll in the center of the room. Despite the exhausting day, it would probably take a while to fall asleep …

Something grabbed me, shaking roughly. Without opening my eyes, I clenched my fist and swung blindly, connecting with something solid.

“Ow!” A small first struck my chest in retaliation. “That hurt!”

My eyes snapped open, and I stared up at Delilah. “What’s happening?” I demanded, sitting up abruptly. I drew one of my swords as I searchedfor the threat. “What’s attacking?”

“Just you, you jerk,” she muttered, rubbing her shoulder. “It’s your turn on watch.”

I relaxed and stood up, stretching out the kinks that had settled in from sleeping on the floor. “Sorry I hit you.”

“Apology accepted,” she replied as she crawled into my vacated bedroll.

“That one is yours.” I pointed to her perfectly fine spot next to mine.

“You’ve already warmed this one up.” She snuggled deeper, pulling the flap over her head. “Goodnight.”

At least she’d gone to sleep quickly. I walked around the house, double checking that everyone was sound asleep.

Fitz sprawled out, limbs spread everywhere and only the upper half of his body on his bedroll.

Angelica slept perfectly still, with a silk mask covering her eyes.

Look at her—completely unprepared for this damn quest.I was tempted to startle her awake to teach her a lesson. Except then she would wake the others, and I’d lose my opportunity to contact Wilde.

Maximus lay with his hands on his chest, eyes gently closed. He wasn’t snoring or sprawled out or voluntarily blinding himself, so it was hard to tell how deeply he slept. Hopefully the sound of voices wouldn’t wake him.

To put some distance between us, I walked to the edge of the clearing. Even from several feet away, I could keep an eye on the house while I spoke with Wilde.

I pulled the compact from my pocket and grimaced when I saw the black, tarnished metal. How long ago did he leave his message? Fuck, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d checked.

The message inside gave me no additional context. It was the same as before:Call Me.

I whispered the summons and waited.

After a few minutes, the reflection changed to a black hooded figure.

“You’re still wearing that?” I groaned.

Wilde ignored my question. “You should have called me before you entered the forest.”

“When exactly? No one wants to be alone, even to go to the bathroom. Everyone’s on high alert because of the damn spooky trees and ghost wolves.”

“You’ve seen the ghost wolves?” Was that concern in his tone? Probably not. Evil mages—and their apprentices—weren’t concerned about anyone but themselves.

“Heard,” I corrected. “They’ve harassed us since we entered the forest, constantly howling back and forth to each other.”

He canted his head to the side. The damned annoying hood blocked his expression, so I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Which is the only reason I want him to take it off. Not because I have any desire to see him. I just don’t like feeling at a disadvantage—