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A growl built in my throat. Geraldine had found her. I should have snapped that witch’s neck when I had the chance.

My legs pumped furiously as I sprinted through the double doors, down the steps, and past the outer bailey. I ignored the shouted protests of the alarmed guard at the gate. Gravel crunched under my sandals, pebbles getting caught between my toes, but I didn’t care.

Cerise was in danger. Fire roared in my chest as I rounded the corner and leapt through the portal. Magic washed over me, warm and tingling. The power seemed to hum with satisfaction as it deemed me friendly, then released me.

With a sharp grunt, I landed hard on the ground. The late afternoon sun burned against my eyes, and the leaves whispered in the wind. The sharp scent of cloves filled my nostrils.

They were close.

I broke into a run, following the scents I recognized. Geraldine smelled of cedar and blood, but Cerise’s warm, flowery aroma was something I could identify in my sleep.

“I’m coming,” I thought to her, not sure if she could hear or not.

My steps slowed when a loud voice rang out. I ducked behind a tree and peered around it to find Geraldine standing several yards away, her back to me with her arms stretched toward the sky. Her voice echoed as she chanted in a language I didn’t understand. A circle of green fire surrounded a motionless figure on the ground.

Cerise.

Fury raged within me, and my hands tightened around the circlet and crown still in my grasp. I would tear out Geraldine’s heart with my bare hands.

But if she saw me coming, her magic would stop me. Clearly, it was powerful. Jets of green flame speared toward the sky as she continued with her spell.

I was close enough for her to sense—certainly closer than I’d been at the witch encampment. But she seemed to be completely consumed by whatever enchantment she was conjuring.

With careful steps, I inched around the tree, drawing closer to her. My arms were stiff at my sides, fingers itching to wrap around her throat. I thought about summoning my shadow wolves, but if there were other witches nearby, it would draw their attention.

No, I needed the element of surprise.

I crept closer. A pungent, rotten odor stung my nose as the green flames burned hotter. My gaze flicked to Cerise, whose eyes were closed. Blood coated her temple and trickled down her ear.

My breath shuddered, and something feral exploded in my chest.

I could hold back no longer.

With a roar, I surged forward, closing the distance between me and Geraldine. She turned to me, eyes wide, as I tackled her around the legs. My crown and circlet fell to the ground as we collided. She cried out, arms flailing. I gripped her wrists in my hands, holding them still before she could attack with her magic. A piercing scream burst from her. I slammed my forehead against hers, and she fell silent, her eyes rolling back. Her head lolled, and she muttered something incoherent.

I released her wrists so I could snap her neck. But she lashed out, searing my shoulder with a crackle of energy. Her elbow met my gut, and I grunted. She thrashed against me, trying to rise, but I pinned her with the bulk of my weight.

“Get off me, you dog!” she shrieked, wriggling wildly underneath me.

I bared my teeth at her, then struck her in the jaw with my fist. “May Lunaria’s justice find you swiftly. And may you know an eternity of pain for your wrongdoings.” My hands gripped either side of her head. With a swift motion, I twisted hard. A deafening crack echoed in the forest, and she went limp.

For a moment, I lay there to ensure she was truly dead. But her chest didn’t move, and I felt no pulse. Her eyes were closed, her expression slack.

I climbed off her, panting as I hurried to Cerise’s side. The green flames had vanished with Geraldine’s death, but the air was still hot and churning with residual energy.

Cerise remained unconscious, her hair tangled and matted with dirt and blood. Her ragged red riding cloak had leaves and twigs stuck in it, and mud caked her cheeks and hands.

I gently grasped her shoulders and shook. “Cerise?”

Her head turned slightly, and she winced. I ran my thumb down her cheek, wiping away a droplet of blood. A fresh wave of rage boiled through me, and I wished I could kill Geraldine all over again.

Slowly, Cerise’s eyes blinked open and fixed on me. Her brows knitted together. “Alaric?”

Relief crashed through me, and I gathered her in my arms, holding her tightly against my chest. “Thank the gods. I feared I was too late.”

Her hands shook as she wrapped them around me, her pulse racing. For a long moment, we simply held each other, as if neither of us was willing to let go just yet.

When we finally broke apart, I helped her to her feet. She flinched and brought a hand to her bleeding temple. “Storms, that hurts.”