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I ignored the shrieks as Kham landed on the large lawn outside the castle’s main entrance, cradled Grace against me, carried her down the dismount, then led her to the castle, stepping over bodies on the stairs, and ignoring those that littered the grand lobby.

I denied any offer of assistance, watching Grace warily as she walked—without apparent pain, despite the horrifically bloodstained robe she was swathed in—until one of the maids that had traveled with Grace and Breckon rushed to us in the corridor. The one Grace liked, named Jade.

“My lord, my lady,” the woman said breathlessly, curtseying. “I was sent to assist my lady Grace.”

“Arrange a bath, and a clean set of clothes. Bring them to the chamber being prepared for us in the royal wing, Jade.”

Her eyes widened. “I had heard. The bath is being drawn now, my lord. I will assist her in dressing and—”

“You will remain out of the chamber, but take the servants’ quarters next door, and remain close so you can be called upon at a moment’s notice,” I said quietly.

Jade curtseyed again. But I led Grace past her without another word.

She had been honest—the last buckets of hot water were going into the bath as we entered. The servants bobbed and squeaked, all of them fearful.

Were they Cruors who’d heard about the Dominus mark? Or had they heard that the king was dead? Or did they just hunch in fear under the eyes of any ranking lord?

It didn’t matter. The moment the last of them poured her bucket into the bath, I urged them all out and locked the door.

After bracing a chair under the doorhandle, I turned into the room and tried to breathe. It was a grand suite. Two royal-ready bedchambers—his, and hers—separated by a large sitting room with two fireplaces, enough furniture to seat a dozen men, a massive, thrice-arched window on the wall opposite the door. But I ignored all the grandeur and urged Grace to rest while I took a methodical circuit of every room, checking for passages, and potential escapes, or ambushes.

There were two secret exits into the wall passages, and a third, hidden servants’ stairwell. I blocked each with furniture which could be moved aside. I found only two peepholes, both already covered with paintings, but made a mental note of their positions and to watch in case those were moved.

Then I finally turned to Grace.

She stood in front of one of the fireplaces, nearest the bath. Her hands gripped at her waist. But her eyes were on me.

When I finally finished my searching and turned to meet her gaze, we both went still.

Dread and terror clanged through me.

Don’t Leave Me

SOUNDTRACK: Hymn for the Missing – LIVE by Red

~ VOSKI ~

‘God… Grace.’

Her brows pinched and she stared like she worried for me. ‘I’m not hurting. I don’t know what she did, but I’m not in pain anymore.’

I didn’t know whether to thank God, or plead with Him. ‘The spell she used… No matter what it is, it can’t last forever. We have to get you to a healer before it wears off to see… to find out…’ I couldn’t finish the thought.

To see if she could be saved. Or if Cali had merely staved off the inevitable.

Grace swallowed, and a flicker of fear shadowed her gaze, but she raised her chin. ‘Then we have some time, at least.’

I nodded, because I couldn’t think what else to say, but hurried to her, urging her to undress and get in the tub, so I could examine her and clean her and…

And what?

As I helped her lift and peel off the bloodstained robe, I grimaced.

‘Kham… what the hell am I doing? We need to get home! I need to get her to the Queen’s healers to see… they might… there must be—’

‘Koa holds her. She says all is well—for now. You will finish your reconnaissance, and then we will go. And Grace will be safe.’

‘Do you know that? Or are you just trying to comfort me?’