Page 170 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

“And what are the chances they mistook her for someone else?”

“It is not likely. Princess Annika is beautiful beyond compare, and her blond locks are distinctive. Also, the ship she was on was nearly empty. One source claims she was held at knifepoint by a male with dark hair. A regal-looking elven.”

I frown. “A lord, perhaps?”

“They did not know who he was.”

That is certainly curious. “Did they know where she was sailing to?”

“They did not say. But options would be limited. Either they sailed to Seacadore or to Northmost. Anywhere beyond that and they would face the sea sirens. No captain would risk it.”

“Sea sirens.” I shake my head. There is still so much for me to learn about this world. “So she might still be alive, then.”

“Yes. And safe from Cirilea.”

“Safe is a relative term.” There is an army of Saur’goth warriors rushing south from the mountains and they will obliterate anyone and anything in their path. How long before Romeria and her precious exiled king discover that? Not long now, I imagine.

I lead us through the cedar labyrinth, past the circular rose garden, and toward the nymphaeum, checking the position of the moon as my heart hammers in my chest. All day I’ve waited for Malachi to mention something about the missing guards at the nymphaeum last night, but either he’s been distracted or the Saur’goths never noticed their comrades missing. Or perhaps Malachi wishes to catch my treasonous hand in action, so to speak.

“Where are we going? The bulk of the damage is the other way.” Wariness touches Wendeline’s voice.

“It is, but I need you to come with me this way first. There is something you need to see.” Or, more accurately, someone who needs to see you.

45

Romeria

“Where is she? We cannot stand here all night,” Zander grumbles.

“We’ve been here for two minutes.” But he’s not wrong. The pile of beast-guard corpses will be hard to explain should someone stroll by.

“I’m surprised there weren’t more after last night.” Jarek hovers near one side of the nymphaeum while Abarrane takes the other, their eyes grazing the shadows. “Unless she and Malachi are scheming and this is a trap.”

“I’d hope Lucretia would be here to warn us if that were the case.” If she didn’t somehow give herself away. “Regardless, I’ve shielded us.” The entire nymphaeum is protected by an invisible dome. Of all the tricks Gesine taught me, that might be my favorite.

The slightest rustle in the cedar hedge sounds, setting everyone into a fighting stance.

Two forms step out.

I nearly lose my grip of my affinity at the sight of Wendeline. She was always slight, but now she looks frail, like a strong gust of wind could knock her off balance, her white priestess robes hanging off her skeletal frame. In just a few months, the threads of gray in her hair have multiplied, taking over the corn silk blond. She looks tired and worn, as if she has been dragged through a figurative hell and back.

Still, when her eyes land on me, they sparkle with surprise. “Your Highness!” She takes a step forward.

Sofie’s hand locks onto her wrist, keeping her in place.

I gasp at Wendeline’s missing pinky finger.

“You’ve left me with another mess to clean up.” Sofie’s eyes glow as they drift over the corpses. She’s wearing a red satin dress that I remember seeing in the closet here—one of Princess Romeria’s gowns—and her hair is collected in a simple but elegant chignon. She looks every bit the queen and as stylish as that first night I met her, at the charity ball when I was sizing up a set of cuff links and she was sizing up me. The bruising and gash across her cheek from last night are almost healed.

“Tell them to stop guarding the nymphaeum and we won’t have to keep killing them,” Zander answers coolly, his gaze on Wendeline. What is going through his head?

“That is not an option. But luckily, they seem too disorganized to notice guards missing from their posts. Have you found my answer for me?”

“Not yet. It’s only been a day. The scribes are scouring the library in Ulysede. If there’s anything there, we’ll find it.” Though part of me doesn’t want to give Sofie her husband back after all she’s done.

“If you’d like anyone left alive in this city, I suggest they look faster,” she snaps. There’s a different air about her. Where once she oozed confidence and calm, now urgency and impatience lace her tone.

Zander’s body stiffens. “What does that mean?”

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