Page 55 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

“You’re the one who fights me unnecessarily.” He pulled his hand away slowly, ghosting a warm trail along my skin. “Since you don’t appreciate my help, I’ll withdraw for now. But when you need it again, know this—I’ll only help you when youbegme.”

I pushed myself to my feet and flipped him off. “Nothappening.”

“Return to the others. They’ll be worried about you.”

I couldn’t tell him ‘don’t tell me what to do’ when he’d stated the most obvious course of action. “Fuck—"

This time, when he swirled his cloak around himself, he actually disappeared.

“—off.”

The Grimnight Forest was the old man’s territory, which meant both he and his apprentice would be stronger here. Even though we were supposedly on the same team, I’d be at a distinct disadvantage for all future confrontations.

Sighing, I followed the trail of broken sticks back to the house.

When Delilah saw me, she burst through the door and threw herself at me, squeezing her arms around my stomach and digging her claws into my side. “Never, ever, ever do that again!”

I patted her head and allowed her to poke holes in me until she was satisfied.

“I don’t think any of us will get any more sleep in this house,” Fitz said.

Maximus handed me my bag, everything already neatly packed. “Don’t run off on your own again,” he said, concern furrowing his heavy brow. “You don’t have to fight the monsters alone.

Angelica glanced at me on her way out the door, her nose wrinkling. “You’re filthy.” That was all the concern she showed.

For now, everyone was too focused on leaving the minor dryads' territory to ask how I’d escaped the hoard, and I didn’t volunteer any information.

Knowing a little bit more about the dangers we faced, we walked farther into the forest.

Chapter Sixteen

Several hours passed before Fitz stopped near a huge, fallen tree and declared, “Let’s take a break.” Moss and other plants had grown up over the trunk, providing a soft cushion over the bark. It also potentially hid any rot underneath.

He kicked the trunk—thump, thump, thump—then gingerly sat on it to test if it held his weight. When nature’s chair didn’t cave in under him, he sighed in relief and removed his pack. “Everyone should eat a few bites and drink some water. After what happened last night, I don’t want to linger in one place too long, so we should get moving again as soon as we’ve caught our breath.”

Before sitting down, Angelica pulled a blanket out of her pouch and flung it casually over the fallen tree. Delilah skipped over to sit next to her, only half landing on the blanket, and Maximus settled down on the ground beside them.

I leaned against a nearby tree and ate a strip of jerky, washing down the dried meat with a few gulps of water. “Do we know where there’s a fresh water supply?” I asked, testing the weight of my canteen.

Fitz pulled out the old maps of Traumstead and traced a squiggly line down the middle. “A small river runs through the forest, and we might find some other streams along the way.”

“Is it safe to drink the water here?”

“That’s why we bought the purification potions. A few drops in everyone’s canteen will make it safe to drink.”

What if something drowned in it?I didn’t voice the thought aloud. I took a few more sips of my water, then capped the canteen and straightened. “Let’s go.”

“Do we have to?” Delilah groaned, tossing her head back. “My feet hurt, my shoulders hurt, my eyes hurt. Everything hurts. I hate quests. Why did we choose this over marriage again?”

“Because you didn’t want to spend the rest of your life wed to Angelica,” I replied.

“Oh, right.”

Angelica scowled at us both and swept to her feet. “I’d much rather keep walking than sit here and be insulted.” She turned on her heel, presenting us all with her back as she stormed off. A dark smudge stained her white blouse. The squiggly line resembled an S, and it undulated with every step, the flowing fabric giving it life.

Then the stain started crawling up her back.

“Angelica,” I called, keeping my voice calm as I lowered myself to the ground, searching for an appropriately sized stick. “Stop.”