The cuff?My eyebrows drew together just as Arenn let out a furious growl. Something silvery glinted in the soil beside me. Before I realised what I was doing, I lunged forward and used my unbound hand to swipe up the metal cuff and click it around Arenn’s wrist.
“Agh!” The prince’s back arched, tossing Raena to the side. “What have you done?” he howled.
Immediately, the vines around my waist loosened, and I scrambled to free myself.
“Iron cuff,” Erik said gruffly. “I never leave home without it. It suppresses faery magic.” Reaching for Raena’s arm, he helped her up from the grass.
“Take it off. Take it off now.” Arenn writhed into the soil, clawing at his wrist. In the distance, I heard shouts as Lukas and Ivy freed themselves.
“I don’t think so…” Raena grinned, wagging her finger. After patting the dirt from her gown, she stepped to my side and extended a hand to help me up. Somehow, I managed to take it even with the violent way my fingers shook.
“What just happened?” I rasped, struggling to stand.
“Erik and I just saved your lives. All three of you,” shelaughed. “I thought you’d be more grateful.”
“How?” I spluttered. Though she didn’t have time to reply as Lukas crashed into me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Are you alright?” he breathed into my ear.
“I’m fine,” I said, unable to help my sigh as his fingers nestled into my hair. Salted caramel teased my senses, soothing my aching limbs. I could’ve stayed there forever. Iwould’vestayed like that forever, had his entire body not tensed before he drew back, dropping his arms from my sides.
“What is it?” I murmured.
“I’m going to kill him.” Gaze turning molten, he watched the weak prince groaning into the grass. “I won’t give that beast another chance to take you away from me.”
“I’d like to see you try.” Arenn whipped his head up to face him. His arms shook as he tried to push himself up, only to fall back into the dirt moments later.
I tilted my head at the sight. I’d call him pathetic if I didn’t know what he was capable of.
“There won’t be any killing today.” I grasped Lukas’s forearm before he charged forwards.
Erik huffed, “We can’t just let him get away with this.”
“Agreed. I vote to kill him,” Raena chimed in.
“No killing,” I said again, shooting my gentle friend a concerned look. “At least not right now. Cora will want him to be put on trial for poisoning her son. We mustn’t deny her a chance to confront him.” I received a few frustrated murmurs of agreement before a gasp slipped from my lips. “Wait. Where’s Ivy?”
“I’m here,” a weak voice sounded from across the meadow. I turned to see my friend slowly limping towards us,blood soaking through the fabric of her gown.
“Oh, Ivy.” I rushed over to help. Slipping her arm around my shoulders, I half-carried, half-stumbled with her as she limped over to the group. “Why didn’t you call for help?” I asked after setting her down by a shrub.
“You were all so absorbed in your conversation. I didn’t want to disturb you.” She shrugged. “Also I’m fine. These cuts are nothing a little nightbriar can’t fix.”
“You’re too stubborn.” I shook my head.
“Sounds like someone I know,” Lukas mumbled, but I ignored him as I checked over her body for any serious wounds.
“How did you know we were here?” Ivy turned to Raena and Erik. “You weren’t in Raphael’s bedchamber when Arenn used his magic.” Her nose scrunched up in thought. “Where even are we? Are we still in Ryntook?”
Erik made a strange nervous sound before clearing his throat. “You’re still in Ryntook.” He swallowed. “And we’re um… not far from the palace. Right by the beach, actually. The path back is just over there.” He pointed to a gap beyond the trees before dragging his hand through his mussed golden curls.
My brows lowered. I didn’t remember his hair being so messy when he’d met us by the beach.
“But how did you know we were here?” Ivy blinked.
Erik swallowed again. “We… Um. Well, Lady Raena and I were just—”
Raena burst into a fit of laughter. “We never made it back to the palace,” she announced, her laughter intensifying while Erik turned a deep shade of crimson.
