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“Is that another one of her lies?” I exclaimed. “She deserves to have the living daylights squeezed right out of her. I would be glad to do it.”

“May I remind you that executing a high-blood, especially woman, without the sanction of the King of Kings is an offense punishable by death,” Sanjit interjected.

Thanu stepped forward. “He won’t do that, Sanjit. We’ll settle this now. There will be a blood union after all. Sanjit and I will be mated. If you won’t honor the agreement, I will.”

“There was never any agreement, Ghid. She’s brainwashed you. Don’t be her fool,” I told him.

“I am no one’s fool,” he said.

While grinning from ear to ear, Sanjit inched closer to Ghid. “I didn’t want to come between the two of you, but at least I’ve learned which Xihran brother is worth my while and everything I have to offer.”

“I decline your offer,” I said, covering my injured side with my hand as my entire body tensed up with anger.

“You were injured,” Sanjit said, glancing at the stitching on my abdomen. “You’re bleeding.”

When I lifted my hand, a good amount of blood had seeped out. I’d somehow ruptured the stitching.

Sickened by her words and actions and Ghid’s stupidity, I turned around and limped out of the room.

Only when we were outside of the castle did Thanu inform me that Visla was hidden away safe from Sanjit’s crazed antics.

“Thank you, Thanu,” I told him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be rewarded for your troubles.”

“It was no trouble. At least I know who not to trust.”

“You’re referring to Zorfov…?” I asked.

He nodded. “I know you left him and I in charge, but—”

“Zorfov is Ghid’s second commander. He was left in charge to oversee the new build-out in our absence—nothing more. Evidently, he had other priorities and it seems that the Princess has led them both astray. I noticed he was not around when I returned nor with the princess at the castle when I confronted her.”

“From the moment she sent the horde away, I knew she was up to something. Several citizens witnessed as Zorfov ruthlessly dragged your lady friend into the prison. He’s probably hiding and too scared to face you,” Thanu stated.

“He should be. I’ll find him soon enough,” I said. “And no one, not even Ghid himself, will be able to save him.”

“I haven’t been able to make contact with the horde they blindly sent out,” Thanu said.

“I’ll go and get the rest of my horde myself if I have to,” I said.

“You’ve just returned with injuries. You’re not well enough to be shipped out again. Send me instead while you recover,” Thanu said.

A ground-floated drifted toward us and then settled on the ground. The pilot inside awaited my instructions.

Thanu grabbed my forearm and leaned in toward me. “Visla’s not too far. She’s been staying in a small hut in Mandia. She’s been well taken care of and she is a strong woman despite all of this. When you get there, Trest’k, the lead medic, should be able to take you to her.” He pointed to my battle wound. “Get that taken care of before you bleed to death, my King.”

We parted ways and I jumped into the carrier.

I had a lot of apologizing to do for what Visla had gone through.

And if she never accepted my apologies or refused to have anything to do with me ever again, I wouldn’t blame her.

But I had to see her now. I had to know for myself that she was safe.