Page 115 of Somber Prince

“Rha, we ran away from you because we wanted to be free. People aren’t meant to be anyone’s property.”

I thought he understood that when he’d held the portal open for us.

“I can’t send them back, Dawn. This was the last portal possible between our worlds, and it’s closed now.”

“So it’s true, then? There can’t be any more?”

“No. The spell was only meant to open three portals, three times to cross into your world.”

“To snatch vessels for you and the queen.” I sighed, bitterly.

He glanced away. “Well, the third time was meant to procure them for Alzali, the next in line to the throne. By opening the portal a day early, the Watchers went against the queen’s order. It’s a good thing that those who did it are now dead. Had they been alive, they’d be executed ruthlessly.”

“Did they know what they risked?”

“I’m sure they did.”

“Why do you think they still did it?” I asked.

“From what I’ve learned, the Watchers believe they’re doing the right thing by trying to rid Alveari Kingdom of humans.”

“The four who opened the portal are dead now. There also were two guides who led us here. That makes it six. Could there be more?”

“Probably. But since the portal can no longer be opened, it doesn’t really matter, does it? The Watchers can’t harm you anymore.”

Unlike so often before, his words didn’t calm my worry now.

“The Watchers never meant us harm to begin with. They simply wanted us gone.” I thought about what the hag had said. “Rha, who are the people who wear the flowers of golden hyacinth?”

He gave me a confused look. “The golden hyacinth is a dangerous flower. Planting and gathering it is forbidden. I’ve never heard about people wearing it.”

“The one who took Elaine had a small bunch of yellow flowers in his chest armor. Your hag warned me about them the morning I left Teneris. She said the Watchers want us out of the kingdom, but those who wear the golden hyacinth want to hurt us.”

“Kanjie said that?”

“Yes. She’s with the Watchers, by the way. Did you know? She has the same scorpion tattoo.”

“I’ve seen her tattoo. I never knew it was related to the Watchers.”

“The guide who took us here sported the same wrist tattoo as well.”

His frown deepened in concentration. “I remember seeing a hyacinth flower next to the dead body of a man who killed himself under unexplained circumstances. Not much is known about the Watchers other than they’re a secret faction of Joy Guardians. Their organization is new. But so is the humans’ presence in Alveari Kingdom.”

“Maybe you should question Kanjie? She also gave me these boots before I left.” I stretched my leg out, demonstrating my fancy footwear. “Did she tell you about that?”

To my surprise, he nodded. “Yes. She told me everything.”

“Everything? Even that she saw me this morning and didn’t stop me from escaping?”

“Yes, that too. Kanjie has no choice but to be honest with me. She vowed to serve me. Yet she still found a way to act behind my back, allowing you to escape into the desert filled with danger.”

His eyes narrowed as he snarled softly, baring his fangs. It sent a chill down my spine. Aside from the mating fever, Rha’s demeanor usually remained calm and even. He didn’t roar or rage. His wrath ran cold but was just as lethal, like the curved blade of his sword.

“What did you do to Kanjie?” I asked. “Is she still alive?”

“Kanjie has been with us since I was born. This was her first offense. It was a grave one, however. Maybe she deserves to die for it. But no, I didn’t execute her, just locked her in the dungeon before rushing to get to you.”

He caressed the side of my face with his fingers. His mating fever was gone, but the longing in his eyes had grown.

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