Page 72 of The Cost of Blood and Bonds

His jaw flexes, and I can see the panic warring in his eyes.

“Lara says the kitchens are still sending food upstairs, quiet deliveries with no record. That only happens if he’s hiding something.”

He runs a hand through his hair and starts pacing again. I let him.

“We’re running out of time,” I add. “Every day we wait, we risk getting exposed⁠—”

He’s quiet for a moment, then, “What about the princes’ suites?”

“Why would she be there?” The question comes out sharper than I mean it to.

“It’s the only other place we haven’t ruled out,” he says. “And it’s less risky. We should check there first, and if she’s not there, then we figure out the King’s suite.”

The argument rises hot and ready, but the look in his eyes knocks the wind out of it. He’s not trying to control this. He’s trying to protect us, the way he always has.

“Fine,” I say, breath leaving me in a rush. “So how do we get into their rooms without tipping off every guard in the wing?”

Finn goes quiet for a moment, and then his mouth curves the way it does when he’s unmistakably pleased with himself. “A party.”

I stare at him, letting my disbelief show. “A party.”

“Drinks, cards, something loud and ridiculous.” He shrugs. “While everyone’s distracted, we slip away and search.”

“And how do you plan on convincing the princes to throw one?”

His smirk deepens. “Please. Those two would do anything if the right people batted their eyelashes at them.”

I snort. He’s not wrong.

“Grier and I will search while the princes are distracted,” he says.

“We’ll need them to think it was their idea,” I say.

Finn waves a hand at me dismissively. “Easy. Leave it to me.”

“Humble as ever,” I say with a giggle.

He grins, and his face softens the way it used to look before we had to learn how to disappear. He reaches over and ruffles my hair, ruining it on purpose, the way he’s done since we were kids.

“We’ll find her, Gem,” he says softly. “I promise.”

I want to believe him, but the knot in my chest doesn’t loosen. Finn pulls me into him, and I bury my face in his shoulder, letting his scent of driftwood wash over me. He wraps around me completely, the way he has my whole life, like if he holds on tight enough, nothing can reach me.

Chapter 24

Finn

Training ends, and I make the call I’ve been avoiding all day. I know it’s not safe, but it’s safer than the alternative.

Two guards linger near the far archway longer than necessary, close enough to hear, but far enough to pretend they aren’t listening.

Gemma is finishing her cooldown stretch near the weapons rack. And, of course, Rye’s stealing glances at her while pretending to examine his blade. He thinks no one’s watching, but I’m always watching when it comes to my sister. The way Rye’s attention keeps snagging on her sets my teeth on edge. I used to think he saw her as a prize, another conquest for the charming prince. But I’m starting to see it for what it actually is—longing. And it’s making him reckless.

I catch Gemma’s eye and give her the slightest nod. She returns, already waiting for my signal. We’ve done this dance too many times. I cross to her, keeping my voice casual but pitched just loud enough to carry.

“Bad news,” I say. “We’re going to have to cancel the poker game tonight.”

Gemma’s brow furrows, playing it perfectly. “What? Why?”