My heart stalled. They were alvers.
“Hello, Princess. It’s Ash. I have on some masking powders that’ll wear off soon enough.”
Each breath came faster, sharper, tears—unwanted and unexpected—spilled over my lashes. “Ash.”
They came for me. I knew it would happen, but . . . I expected weeks, months, not half a night.
Ash patted the back of my head when it dropped to his shoulder.
The second guard picked at a few things on the tray they’d brought in. “When you feel like you can stand, lovey, we best be going. They’ll soon discover the two guards with broken necks in the root cellar.”
I blinked and lifted my head. “Raum?”
“Clever girl.” He clicked his tongue and pointed a finger at me, then turned back to the tray.
“How . . . how did you get in here?”
“I don’t think you realize how well I can see.” Raum didn’t look at me and kept inspecting the offerings on the tray. “Kept to the deep wood and made around the back of the palace. Strangest thing, though, I could’ve sworn the trees moved. Almost leading us.” Raum popped a roasted nut onto his tongue and faced me. “Have I slipped my mind, or is it not so impossible?”
“Not impossible.” My voice was small, breathless. “Natthaven aids those it trusts.”
Raum shrugged and went back to the meal. “Foolish of the isle to trust thieves.”
Ash grinned. “We took over the guards when Raum noticed Dokkalfar palace guards locked in the stables.”
“The stables? Damn Gerard.” I rubbed the sore skin around the white iron. “He’s overtaking the palace. He killed my . . . he killed Eldirard.”
“I thought elven couldn’t harm their folk.”
“They can do whatever they please, but it stains their affinities, brings madness. We call it a soul stain. Gerard is having his guards act on his behalf, believing he will avoid the corruption. I think he was corrupted long ago.”
“Hmm.” Raum hummed again, mouth full. “We’ll want to free yourclan’s guards, unless they don’t stand with you? I know some of your folk like to whimper about darker mesmers—affinities—no, you have mesmer; I prefer that term.”
“The palace guards will defend Natthaven. They will not take kindly to the death of their king.”
“Good.” Raum brushed crumbs off his palms. “Well, blood’s about to spill and I don’t much like leaving Mal out there alone any longer.”
“The queen is here?”
“Of course. Our mark was only meant to catch the first sighting of you, then send word to the others in the sea, but when we noticed the discrepancy of the guards we worked our way inside. Truth be told, I think Mal might’ve been afraid we’d find you dead if we waited too long.”
I didn’t understand how they would send word to the sea, but I didn’t question. There wasn’t time.
“We can’t send the signal unless you tell us if you can walk or if Ash needs to carry you. We can do either.”
“I can walk.” I winced as Ash helped me rise to my feet.
He chuckled. “Reminds me of Shelba when she tries to stand, our little is getting too big.”
“Well.” I groaned and rubbed against my swollen knees. “If this is how it feels with a little inside, I hope you soothe her aches each night.”
“I try.” Ash combed his eyes over me in concern. “All right? No shame if you need help, but it’s better to know before we make our next moves.”
“I’m fine. Where is Jonas? Arion wrote something to him, and whatever it said is a lie and?—”
Raum cut me off with a laugh. “Princess, princess, princess. First, Jonas is only a little bit of a fool. Second, if that elven sod wants to plan a scheme, he better learn about his marks. As I understand it, he called you the wrong name in the missive. Foolish mistake. Damn near insulting he thinks any of us would fall for it.”
Raum peered into the corridor, then pulled back inside. “Best to take the window, I’d say. Mal can handle the patrols outside, but there are groups of elven in the next corridor. We’d need to kill our way out.”
