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I blinked a few times, and this time I could keep my eyes open, though I kept them on the carpet and didn’t look straight into any of the light sources. “Don’t ask me to stay away from her, please. I just got her back, and she’s…” I let the words trail off because I couldn’t say them. It made it all too real.

“You did right bringing her here. The dragons are helping. There’s nowhere safer for either of you.”

I didn’t miss that he didn’t assure me of her salvation, and even though I knew that was fair, my hands clenched to fists on my thighs.

“You arrested me,” I said tightly.

“You entered the Keep without permission.”

“I was trying to save my mate’s life!” I pushed to my feet, working hard not to sway, eyes darting left and right to find the exits. There were no guards here in the room, which meant I could run and—

“We know,” Donavyn said patiently. “And trust me, I understand. Which is why you’re here on a couch instead of the cold stone of a dungeon floor. As I said, we’re doing everything we can not to draw attention to this, or you. But if you want to return to your mate’s side quickly, my advice would be to sit the fuck down and listen.”

I met his gaze and made myself breathe.

Donavyn stood before me in flying leathers, hands loose at his sides, and no outward appearance of tension. But his gaze was sharp, and the set of his jaw serious.

Then, to his left, the queen cleared her throat and tipped her head, fixing me with a gaze that was far more firm.

“The arrest was my order,” she said in a tone that said distinctly, I could take it up with her if there was a problem. I took a deep breath and made myself bow, frustrated that the room spun again when I bent forward. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I was… unaware of your presence.”

She arched one brow as if she didn’t believe me, but then turned to glance up at Donavyn. “You should thank your Battle Commander. Had it been my choice, you would have been in chains. But he trusts you. The arrest was necessary. If any of these fuckers we’re hunting are still hidden here, they’ll think they’re still safe, because they know you weren’t welcomed with open arms,” she said with a sniff, then gave me a look that dared me to challenge her.

“Thank you,” I muttered. “That’s a good plan.”

“So glad to have your approval,” she said dryly. “Now, I insist you cease glaring at Donavyn. Were it not for him, you would not even have been allowed to re-enter the castle. But the dragons tell him that you come bearing some quite important news. So, take my advice, and thank your General, because without his intervention, I would have left you to rot.”

I swallowed, then did as she said, and turned to Donavyn. “Thank you, sir. Truly.”

He nodded once.

“If the dragons are true, my advice would be that you fill us in immediately. And if your work pleases me, I may allow you to return to your mate without guards. We will see,” the queen said airily.

I opened my mouth, then caught myself. There wasn’t time. Grace was hurt now. I had to—

“Voski,” Donavyn said quietly, catching my eye. “We’ll be notified if there’s any reason for you to return to her side. The healers would not have you in the room while they work. You may as well help both of you, and fill us in while we have time.”

I didn’t want to. Everything in me screamed to sprint out of there, to find Grace and be at her side, to watch over any who helped her in case they shirked, or might give up too easily.

But Donavyn’s gaze was intent, and the queen’s expression bordered on skeptical.

‘Kham?’

‘Koa listens. She’ll know if Grace needs you. I will tell you immediately.’

I blew out a breath. “I do have important news. But it’s… quite a story.”

“I would expect nothing else,” Donavyn said dryly.

I nodded. “I think we may have solved the problem. At least, we’ve interfered. Your Majesty, you can expect to receive word soon that the crown of Fyrehold has been vacated. You may also receive details on who has taken it in hand. But have your eyes and ears looking for links to the Lord Hanson. One of the nobles. If I’m right, the true power of the next king lies in his hands, though he won’t take the throne himself.”

The queen’s brows rose.

Donavyn tensed. “Hanson? The same noble who expressed—”

“Yes. He’s… well, as he put it—the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I can’t tell you if he’s a good man. I can tell you he isn’t dark as the former king was. And that’s a good thing.”

The queen looked back and forth between us as Donavyn’s expression tightened.