Page 70 of Where We Belong

“Nykholas told us you’d be here. He set it all up.” Jace’s eyes flick up, wild and ashamed, and suddenly breakfast tastes like ash in my mouth.

“These contain a poison,” Hunah says quietly when another guard holds out a bundle wrapped in cloth. He places it carefully on the table and unfolds it, revealing three golden arrows. “The same type of substance that was poured into the Princess’s glass at the bonding ceremony. But this is far more potent.” My heart drops. So Nyk has been lying to us all along.

“I made those from Aiden’s design.” Eira shoots Jace a scathing look. “I trusted you. I trusted—” She stops herself, the rest of that sentence far too painful for her.

Kaed’s jaw tightens, face contorted in confusion. “I knew I recognised the scent, but I just couldn’t place it. But why are we to think this was Nyk and not your own attempt on the bloodline? You too attended the royal wedding. You were shocked when we arrived yesterday. Is that because you did not expect us to survive your ambush?”

“Absolutely not,” Hunah snaps, anger flashing across her young face as she watches Kaed’s onyx wings begin to solidify behind him.

“You?” Kaed turns sharply on Summer and Mari. Grasping for anything that might prove Nyk’s innocence.

“Not us, Captain,” Summer looks like she’s about to say more but Mari hisses something in her ear. My shoulders tense, and I tune into my heartbeat. Following the thread of sound through the table, right to Maris lips.

“We cannot throw this information around. We were wrong; they are clearly not ready. They will tell the King and we are not prepared.”

“We will have to tell the King everything anyway, so you might as well share what you know. If it was the rebels that did this and Nyk is guilty, then he’ll be freed when we get back. God knows what he’ll do then or what he’s already planned.” Maris’s eyes snap to me, and I’m immediately grateful for Kaed’s little trick.

“We will tell you,” Xalan says slowly, searching the faces of his fellow leaders, “Kaed and Prince Aiden as planned. If you follow us.”

“No. All of us.” I demand. “I’ll just tell them anyway.”

He exhales sharply. “Fine. But you will need to trust us. Implicitly.” He turns toward the far doors. “This way.”

Chapter 64

Ashley

but He has sworn He will not leave,

He’ll help us bear the strain.

“You must strip to your undergarments.”

The windowless room looks like the inside of a cathedral, built from dark blue stone. The whole interior is smooth and seamless with no furniture or art. I can’t even see where the door has gone. Magic prickles against my skin like the static of a balloon and the air is thick enough to gulp down. For once, my magic cowers, like it climbed back into its cage of its own accord and slammed the door shut.

“I am no criminal,” Aiden snaps. “Nor a commoner. I am your King and I am not to be instructed to strip for your entertainment.”

Kaed rolls his shoulders, his expression turning into something violent. Summer, Mari and the twins exchange glances.

“I told you,” Mari murmurs, crossing her arms. “It isn’t the right time.”

Summer tips her head back with a groan. “So, what do you suggest, Mari? She already said she would tell the King anyway. And where would that leave us?”

“She is Princess Agnimitra. And the answer is no,” Aiden says firmly. “You will simply tell us what you think you know or release us. That is an order.”

Hunah steps between them, hands raised. “Prince, if we are wrong, then you will be offended and you can exact your punishment. But if we are right, you will understand. Please, humor us.”

Eira grabs Aiden’s hand and kicks off her boots, a strange look on her face. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Shoes and layers of fabric pool at our feet. I fold my arms across myself even though I’m still covered by my underwear, suddenly aware of every inch of skin. It takes all the strength I have not to glance at Kaed standing half naked next to me. Vanilla and orange radiating off his bare skin.

“Jewellery too.” Summer adds. And though more protests rise, Eira leads the group as rings come off. Chains, earrings, bracelets, weapons. We stand there stripped of armor and dignity. Mari’s eyes roam our bodies before they turn completely black. Veins darken and spread beneath her skin like eels darting through water.

“Oh, great Feye, hear our cry for protection,” she chants. The blue stone walls almost breathe with her, pulsing like a giant heartbeat. White light erupts from her hands and shimmering orbs snap into place around the four of them.

“Remove your crown, Prince.” Summer says steadily.

“No,” he snarls, teeth clenched, the muscles across his back tensing.