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I held my breath and didn’t look down until we reached the other side. I glanced back as if we’d just crossed the Sahara Desert instead of a short footbridge. It took Revel a few extra steps before he released my hand. I wouldn’t have minded if he’d held it all the way to Raina’s cottage.

“I thought I belonged here, but I don’t. That was—what was—how often does that happen? What are those things, and don’t just blurt out Krakers or Krakow or whatever you said earlier. The human world might have its flaws, but at least we don’t have man-eating fish. Well, I mean there are sharks. And, of course, piranha. All right, there are man-eating fish in the human world, but they don’t just bust through a busy town on a whim and gobble people up.” My throat thickened, and I pressed my fingers to my mouth to stifle a sob. “Poor Tildy. Poor Worlo. What a way to die.” I stopped and turned to him. “I should go back. I liked my quiet, invisible existence.”

His gaze was soft, caring and protective, always protective. Weak sunlight glinted off the beads in his hair. “It’s not safe for you there. Did Raina tell you⁠—”

“About being fated to two princes?” I scoffed. “It’s barbaric and archaic and I’m not interested.”

A crooked smile tilted his mouth. It was a lopsided grin that only made him more breathtaking. “Unfortunately, it’s the way things work here.”

I squeaked in terror as a fluttery shadow flew over us. My nerves were so frayed, all I needed was a sudden breeze and I was ready to drop, roll, and hide under my desk. Omni settled easily onto Revel’s shoulder. His beady black eyes regarded me as if he knew me well.

“Just how long has that bird been keeping tabs on me?” I asked.

“About a month, human time. When word got out that Prince Fenrick was ready to take the throne, we knew you needed to be protected.”

“We?” I asked.

“Mayor Havet and the town council.”

“And they called you?”

“Raina will be worried.” He motioned for us to keep moving. “I’m one of Norvale’s top warriors, and I was a friend of⁠—”

He paused. I stopped again. “Of my mom’s. You helped us escape. You didn’t kill her, did you? Is she alive?”

“It’s better not to talk about it.”

I blew out a loud sigh of frustration and resolved then to find out answers soon. “So, this Prince Fenrick, is he handsome?”

“Not really a judge of that, but he’s an asshole and a drunk and a gambler.”

“Well, that does not sound promising. What about the other prince, Prince Granier?” I could tell the topic was irritating him, but I pressed on. Maybe it was on purpose. The only other time I’d seen the man lose his composure, albeit it only slightly, was when I climbed on his back and pressed my body against his for the river crossing.

“Granier is an arrogant prick,” he said bluntly.

I stopped again and looked at him. Omni almost seemed to be smiling as if he was enjoying this, too. “So, which one should I pick?”

Revel’s jaw tightened. My teasing smile faded.

“Rafi!” Raina cried out. She hurried down the road toward us. Her hand flew to her chest. “Thank Odin, you’re all right. I can’t believe today of all days.” She was gulping air by the time she reached us. “It’s been … so many … months, we’ve all let … our guard down,” she said to Revel between breaths.

“Revel saved my life,” I stated plainly.

Raina reached up and took his face in her hands. “You come by sometime, and I’ll make your favorite boar stew.” It sounded like a rather paltry reward for my life, but his eyes lit up.

“I’ve got to go. I think she’s got a few questions about the Krakatow.” He spun around and lumbered off, his shoulders tight with tension.

“What happened? He seemed angry,” Raina said.

I shrugged. The discussion of my ridiculous fated future had really upset him.

Raina wrapped her arm around mine. “I’m sorry, Raina, I lost your shawl in the chaos and the cakes. Oh, Raina, the most awful thing happened. Tildy’s son was killed by the terrible fish.”

Raina stumbled but I held tightly to her arm to keep her from falling. Her face drained of color. “Not Worlo.” Tears filled her eyes.

“I’m afraid so.”

Raina straightened and stiffened her posture. “Then I must get started making some stew and bread. And she’ll need some of my ribo tea leaves. They’re good for healing the heart. Come, you’ve had a shock, and you need something to eat.”