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I hoped his switch in tactics would calm Cornaith enough to see reason and spare Zeke. For all Cyn’s fire, he knew when to use his intelligence and keep his temper suppressed.

“Needs to? What makes you believe that?”

“There might still be remnants of the curse. Ezra can help if—”

“The guards can watch him and inform Ezra should we need him.”

Cyn growled. “No.”

Cornaith’s brows rose. “No?”

“He’s not going.”

“You insolent little-!” Cornaith rose to his feet, the air around him warping and settling. Most of his body remained hidden beneath his clothes, but a pair of thick black horns curled out to the sides and upward like a buffalo’s. “I’ve had enough of your defiance. You have allowed your Nyrith to corrupt you.”

Cyn lifted his chin. “This has nothing to do with her.”

“Son,” Ardvaen said in warning.

I didn’t think he agreed with Cornaith based on my interactions with Lymsrana, but if the king kept everyone bound with fear, Ardvaen likely wanted to protect his son from Cornaith’s wrath.

“Dad, you have no idea what we went through out there. He doesn’t need to be locked away after that.”

“Cornaith,” Ardvaen said with caution. “While Cyn’s method of addressing his concern leaves much to be desired, I would ask that you consider what he’s asking.”

“Oh, but Ardvaen, he’s not asking.” Cornaith looked back at Cyn. “Are you?”

Cyn’s nose wrinkled with disdain. “No.”

“Perhaps you should spend time alone to reflect on your behavior as well. You have gone too long without being held accountable for your blatant disregard for authority.”

That made no sense.

Ash told me Cyn toed the line with Cornaith because he feared what Cornaith might do to Zeke. It was the only leverage the council had over him. But judging by what I’d seen today, even that leash wasn’t holding anymore.

With the others, it was easier to keep them under control. Ash was an orphan who felt beholden to Ezra’s family for taking him in. And Ezra was Cornaith’s future, carrying the weight of those expectations.

Still, those reasons felt too weak to justify letting Cornaith continue to abuse Zeke. It infuriated me that they’d let it happen.

Ardvaen rose from his seat, and Lymsrana’s hand flew to her mouth as Cornaith charged down the steps and struck Cyn. I’d missed what was said, but I couldn’t stand by and watch this.

I broke free from Ash’s grasp when Cornaith raised his hand to strike Cyn again.

Zeke reached for me as I lunged forward and placed myself between them, forcing Cornaith to either stop or hit me. “Rae!”

“What are you doing, girl? You dare challenge me in my own palace?”

I glared at him, daring him to hit me.

Ardvaen descended the steps and joined me, placing a hand on Cornaith’s chest. He was as big as Ash, so I felt a little safer having him as a buffer. “Cornaith. She doesn’t know our ways. Amra is educating her.”

I turned my ire on Ardvaen. “Your ways involve letting him hit your kid?”

“Well, no.” Ardvaen’s jaw muscle tightened as he glanced at Cyn, who had a trail of blood running down his cheek from where Cornaith’s claw tore his skin. “This situation has gotten out of hand. I think it best that we all retire to reflect upon this experience.”

Cornaith breathed heavily with anger as he looked at Ardvaen in silence, hopefully considering his words instead of preparing to lash out at him too.

“Ardvaen has a point, Brother,” Lymsrana said, voice soft and steady, a calm contrast to the rising tension in the room. “Their experience in Feranzis is not something any of us understand. It is clear that it has taken a significant toll on their minds and bodies. They need to eat and get adequate rest.”