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Gavyn reappeared, half diaphanous. “What the hells is taking—” The Bone Lord glanced at Sander’s throat, then the lifeless woman in his arms. “You all right, Prince? Don’t go almost dying again; your brother’s already got a wife.”

Sander chuckled. It was true. He nearly died by Skadi’s blade during the battle for the Ever, unintentional as it was, and Jonas ended up vowing with the woman.

“I’m fine.”

“Good. Heartwalker.” Gavyn glanced at my bound hands. “Need a little help?”

He swiped his bone dagger through the ropes.

“Many thanks.” I rubbed one wrist. “What’s happening out there?”

“Townsfolk are being gathered in the square. Most of the men who had talent with a blade have fallen.”

“How many of our folk?”

“I don’t know.” Gavyn shook his head. “Tavish took a bad hit, but he cast a flesh-eating spell on the bastard who did it. Quite a sight. Swordeater might’ve lost part of his ear, but I think it’s only made him more determined to slaughter anyone who tried to kill him while here.”

Mira pressed a hand to her heart. “Have you seen my parents?”

Gavyn chuckled. “Princess, they’re most entertaining. Your daj is creative with his illusions, and your mother simply strides right up to those he has confused and slits their throats. I’m almost certain they’ve been arguing over where their next holiday will be when they return home.”

“We ought to go,” I said. Shouts of battle rose over the gates.

“Right.” Gavyn spun his dagger in his hand. “I’d like to get this over with and get out of here.”

“She’s not safe here.” Sander gestured at the sleeping Veri.

Gavyn’s nose wrinkled, but he nodded. “Take her to my ship. Get her away from these sods before they try to claim her again.”

“They’ve controlled her somehow. I suspect Lena.” I glanced down at Mira. “Lena was the elder from the isle village. The one who brought battle with the gods who walked with monsters.”

Mira’s eyes widened. “What? How do you know?”

“I don’t have time to explain everything, but turns ago, Lena found the Veri Ikuinen, took Eeva, and joined with Eilifur after they slaughtered the isle folk.”

“Gold.” Mira pressed a palm to her brow. “Gold at the pond, where we found the boat. I saw a glimmer of a bright vine. What if…what if Eeva was there before Eilifur?”

Mira’s cheeks flushed with heat, from rage or horror, I wasn’t sure.

“It doesn’t matter, but we cannot allow Lena to find her.” I faced the alver prince. “Eeva tried to give me time to run. She doesn’t remember killing the others. I walked through her desires, and she wants love, like everyone else. Not death.”

“Take her from here, Sander,” Mira insisted. “They cannot control her if they can’t find her.”

The prince nodded. We hurried outside the garden. Gavyn kept close to Sander, both men bidding us swift farewell and good luck before sprinting toward the switchback pathways that led to the shore.

Smoke rose over rooftops. Mortals scattered across the pathways and shoreline. Some were draped in vines, open wounds across their necks. Livia’s work, no doubt. Even more corpses were a sickly shade of puce.

My cousin’s poison always left bodies looking like rotten flesh.

“There!” Mira pointed toward the beginning of the stone staircase leading to the main house.

The Ever King battled Djur. The brute was taller than Erik but not as swift with a blade. My cousin was not alone. King Ari stalked the battle from behind, a tight look of rage on his face. The king swiped one palm and Djur stumbled, shouting in stun when a spout of fire shot from the ground.

Erik took the opportunity to strike, landing his blade in Djur’s middle. Ari slashed at the mortal king’s chest. Djur cried out in rage and attempted to land a weak blow against the Ever King.

He did not even come close.

Erik chuckled and dragged his thumb along his jagged tooth. “The mortal king falls to fae kings. Seems like a cruel twist of fate. For you.”