Page 127 of Ravenrose

Her green eyes widen as she takes me in. And for half a second, I just stare back. Until my initial shock at seeing her fades, and rage flames in its place. I tighten my grip, dragging her closer to me as I zero in on the Sitari princess.

I expect her to resist, but her body goes rigid, and she becomes utterly still in my grasp. My brow furrows as I look down at her. She’s not fighting me. Rowan always fights.

“You—”

The look I catch in those pine green eyes of hers stays my tongue.

A shout sounds from around the corner, pulling my attention up. Fingernails dig into my arms, gripping tighter, and my gaze drops immediately back to Rowan as a violent tremble rips through her.

Fear.

That’s fear I see shining in her eyes.

Rowan’s not afraid of me. To some degree—maybe… yes, and oh, how I wish she would fear me more. Life would be so much easier if she did. But yet, here she is, looking up at me, nearly white as a ghost, her fingers digging into me as if afraid I’ll let go.

Is she afraid of being punished?

She was running.

I warned her. I told her what would happen if she tried to run away. Is that what’s got her so terrified? I try studying her face, but the noise around the corner grows louder, footsteps approaching. Likely the guards from the dungeons catching up to her. How in the hells did she get past them in the first place?

“Did you really think you could run? What did I tell you would happen if you⁠—”

“Please,” she whispers, shaking now in my grip, only clinging tighter to me as the footsteps draw closer.

I look into her eyes, mine narrowing. I have to wonder if this is all just a new act of hers. She’s smart—clever, really—and if she’s trying to trick me, trying to get out of whatever punishment I’m about to dole out by playing on my emotions…

My mouth opens, but I don’t have time to reply because, in the next second, Riggs bursts from the same corner Rowan just did.

I stiffen, and Rowan nearly catches me off guard, lunging forward, taking advantage of the distraction and trying desperately to break free of my grip. But my hold on her is firm. She’s not going anywhere.

I yank her closer, tearing my gaze off her pale face to address my corporal’s sudden appearance.

“Captain,” Riggs wheezes, fighting to catch his breath, nearly doubling over with his efforts. “Thank the twelve moons, you’ve caught her.” He waves his hand weakly in Rowan’s direction, rage in his beady little eyes. “She—” heave, “escaped, and I was—” heave, “I was in pursuit.” He clears his throat, attempting to straighten his shoulders. “I was just about to sound the alarm,” he adds with a curt nod at me.

Is that nerves I sense in his tone?

I’m aware of Hayes’ presence at my back, though he stays silent, surveying the scene.

As do I. I take in the sight of my corporal: red-faced and bleeding profusely from a fresh cut to his brow. He reaches out a hand, trying to grab hold of Rowan, but the princess cringes away from him, seeking safety in my chest.

“Allow me to take her off your hands, sir, so you may enjoy the rest of your evening in peace.” Riggs’ eyes darken as he glares at Rowan. “I’ll see that she’s properly restrained and punished.” A dark gleam shines in his eyes, and my jaw tightens.

Rowan flinches. It’s subtle. But I felt it. I’m sure I did.

She shifts in my grip, trying again to pull away—but this time from him. Not me.

My eyes flick between them, but it is the princess who holds my attention.

The dress Hari gave her back at the inn is gone. Torn in places, her corset and shift are all she wears, as if someone attempted to rip them off. Blood runs in streaks down her arm. Bright red smears her cheek as well, and her lower lip is split.

While Rowan is crafty and clever, there is no way she could have gotten out of that iron cell, unless... My gaze hardens as something dark coils in my chest. Unless someone had gone in there.

My grip on Rowan’s arm tightens, and without warning, I haul her backward, shoving her behind me.

“Take her.” I thrust the princess into Hayes’ hold, reluctantly releasing her arm as I hand her over to my second.

“Put her in my room,” I order, my voice cold and controlled. “And make sure she stays there.” I don’t look back, my gaze icing over as I keep it fixed on Riggs. “I’ll deal with her later.”