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The warmth lasted until Adrian struck the doors again. Every trace of humour left Stellan’s face.

He released me and returned to the other side of the line.

“Again.”

This time I watched the thin white marks around his boots. He ran straight at me, then cut left.

I waited until both feet cleared the edge of the hidden door.

“Close.”

The stone swung in front of him. Stellan stopped with one palm against it. He could have struck the door hard enough to break my concentration. He stayed still.

“Better,” he said.

I opened it. “Thorns next?”

His expression tightened. “Only if the doors fail. Harrowmere’s vines don’t know when to stop, and I may not be able to heal while Adrian controls the cuffs.”

It was a real answer, and I didn’t need to argue with it.

Another impact hit the main doors. Black metal appeared through the crack for half a second, then withdrew.

Lenora checked the silver light around the frame. “The right side is failing faster.”

I moved towards it. Stellan caught my hand, stopping me well short of the damaged stone.

“You don’t need to touch that door. Control the side sections and let him enter one space at a time.”

I looked at the red marks around his wrists.

“And when he commands you?”

“You close me away from him again.”

His answer came easily. Mine didn’t.

“I hated doing that.”

Stellan lifted my hand and pressed it against the middle of his chest. His heart beat hard under my palm.

“You kept me from hurting you. Hate it as much as you need to. Do it again.”

I nodded. He bent and kissed me once, quick and firm.

The main doors shuddered.

“Positions,” Lenora said.

Stellan picked up his sword and returned to the silver line. I stayed several steps behind him with the side door on my left. Lenora raised her damaged blade near the service arch.

The throne made a soft scraping noise.

All three of us turned.

The Crown no longer rested on the high back. It sat in the middle of the throne’s empty seat.

“Did either of you see it move?” I asked.