Page 67 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

Roots spilled out from the open doorway and disturbed the once smooth ground, eliminating the flat surfaces within the barn. The roots had even damaged the stables, causing them to collapse into each other.

The hayloft was far enough away from the tree to remain intact. Delilah scrambled up the ladder, then called down to us, “Darn it, they took all the hay!”

Overall, it wouldn’t be a bad place to spend the night—as long as the vegetables weren’t carnivorous.

“The MacFayden farm is on the outskirts of Traumstead,” Wilde explained.

Fitz pulled his map out of his pack and searched until he pointed at a spot. “So, we’re here?”

“Yes, so you can find your own way from here.”

Fitz’s head jerked up as he tore his attention away from the map. “You’re leaving?”

“You can’t leave yet!” Delilah exclaimed, hanging upside down over the edge of the loft. “You just got here! What if we get lost? Or run into other monsters?”

Navigating the forest would be easier with a mage’s help, but she was pleading with the wrong mage. Wilde wasn’t helping us out of the goodness of his heart. He was ensuring that some other forest dweller didn’t steal his master’s prize before we reached the lair. The longer he stayed with us, the more it would hurt when they learned who he really was.

“This is our quest,” I said, raising my voice to be heard over their protests. “Releasing us from a magical trap was one thing, but we can’t drag him along ‘just in case’ we need something.”

Maximus nodded in approval. “We can handle this on our own.”

Fitz sighed. “I suppose it was too much to expect an unrelated mage—”

“Apprentice,” Maximus, Wilde, and I said at the same time.

“—to risk his life for our quest.”

“If that’s settled,” Wilde said, “I’d like a moment alone to say goodbye to Treasure.”

“Oo, they’re going to kiss again,” Delilah chanted.

I flipped her off even as a blush heated my checks.

“Don’t go too far!” Fitz called.

“Stay in sight,” Maximus added.

I waved off their concerns and walked outside with Wilde. Once we were out of earshot, I grimaced and said, “Thanks for coming. I know you didn’t have to.”

“I have my reasons,” he replied lightly.

That’s what I’m afraid of.Taking a deep breath, I decided to get it over with. “What do you want as payment?”

He leaned in, lashes lowering, lips parting. “You know what I want, Treasure.”

I bit my lip to suppress a groan. “But they’re still watching us.”

“It’s more exciting with an audience.”

Mouth suddenly dry, I carefully lowered myself to my knees and looked up at him. His gaze softened as he admired me, one hand tracing the line of my jaw. “Good enough?”

He snorted derisively. “I believe I told you tobeg.”

“But you already helped us.”

“It’s the principle of the matter.”

I sighed and clenched my fists on my thighs. “What do you want me to say? Please help us?” Begging for helpafterthe fact seemed stupid.