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“Maybe they warmed up enough that they kept travelling?”

Her lower lip wobbles. “A fire like that shouldn’t even be possible in this weather—” An arrow flies out from the trees and throws her from the horse.

I scream as the arrow sinks into her rags.

No. It’s not an arrow. It’s… water?

“Eden.” A familiar tone warms me as two hands pull me from the horse. I sigh, relieved, as Lux gathers me against his chest. “Are you hurt?” He holds me tightly.

But Meera’s groan pulls me back to my senses, and I leap away from him. “Don’t touch me!” I yell before rushing back to Meera.

“Eden, stop!” Another male voice makes me gasp. Castor steps out from between the trees, his hands glowing with fire. He must’ve made the campfire. This was a trap, and like an idiot I made Meera take us straight to it.

I’m not being their idiot anymore.

“Don’t you dare hurt her.” I use my body to shield her from the princes.

“You don’t understand,” Castor argues. “She’s not a servant.”

“Eden, step away from her.” Lux edges towards me slowly. “Warm yourself by the fire. Let us deal with this monster.”

“Monster?” I huff out a laugh. “The only monsters here are you two. Look at what you did to her!” Meera tries to stand, but I force her to sit with me. She’s so frail now it’s not hard. “Stars, what have they done to you?” I whisper, holding her hand.

“Listen to us, little butterfly.” Lux steps towards us, and I kick snow up at him while dragging Meera backwards. “You don’t understand. She’s not your friend. She’s an assassin.”

“I know she’s an assassin,” I scoff. “And if you don’t let us both go right now I won’t stop any of her assassin friends when they come after you for what you did to her!”

Surprise covers his face while Meera grips my hand. “They can’t be reasoned with, Eden,” she panics. “I’ll distract them. You take the horse and run.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper back to her.

“She works with your eldest sister then?” Castor folds his arms before glancing at his brother. “So she was telling the truth.”

“Even if she was truthful about who she works for, that doesn’t change the fact that she kidnapped my mate.” Lux’s tone turns dangerous. “Now step away from her, Eden. I won’t ask you again.”

My stomach dips. “Meera is a friend. She didn’t kidnap me. I was running away and it just so happened that I bumped into her on my way out.”

Lux gasps, “You wanted to run away?”

Castor sighs, “What did you do this time?”

“I did nothing!” he growls back.

“Those letters from my father say otherwise!” I shout before I can stop myself.

I shouldn’t have this conversation now. Shouldn’t give them the chance to explain themselves. Even just looking into Lux’s ocean eyes has me thinking all kinds of things that I should not be thinking about the prince who’s convinced my father and sisters I’m being tortured.

And the way my gaze keeps catching on Castor’s exposed tanned biceps doesn’t help either. How is he not freezing without a cloak?

I pause, internally rolling my eyes. His fire magic probably helps…

Lux’s breath stills. “You found my letters then?”

“Yes.” I hold Meera tightly. “You’ve been lying to my family.”

She draws closer to me, stammering, “Eden.” But I keep my focus on the prince.

“Why did you do it?” I demand. “Why tell them that I’m being tortured?”