Page 67 of Ash and Roses

His eyes flick down to my hands balled into fists atop the table. “Quite the temper you’ve got there,prince.”

“Stop calling me that.” The words come out like a low growl. This isn’t how this was supposed to go.

“Why not? Because it’s a lie, or are you just that weak?”

I stand, flipping the table with one smooth motion. The huntsman doesn’t even flinch as I close the space between us, putting my hands on either side of his chair in a show of dominance. “Listen close, because I don’t like repeating myself. I don’t want a war with Lunae, and I sure as fuck don’t want anything to do with whatever’s left of Marein. What happened to your people was a tragedy, but it was a tragedy that had nothing to do with me.”

He smiles back at me, but there’s a rigidness to him now that wasn’t there before. “But it has everything to do with your parents.”

“My parents are dead. If it’s revenge you want, your quarrel is with Lunae. Take it up with your king.”

I turn away from him. I know better than to turn my back on an opponent—weapon or not—but I can’t bear to see the look in his eyes. What happened in Marein has haunted me since the day I learned the truth behind my parents’ crowns, and of the blood that coated their swords.

“Is she really not here?” The huntsman’s words have me turning back to him. The pained hatred in his eyes is gone, and what remains seems to be genuine concern.

“No.” I have to bite my tongue not to say more.

“I guess I’ll go then.” He stands, moving past me without fear.

I could do it right now. His neck would crack before he registered my movement, and my fingers twitch with the longing to do so.

But I don’t.

“What will you tell your king?” I call after him.

He turns back to me, an insolent smile plastered across his face. “That there’s nothing left to find.”

When he leaves, I blow out a long breath and fix the toppled table. I hear someone enter the room, and when the scent hits me, I know it’s Ruben. I’m not surprised he was close. He probably heard the entire exchange, and was likely in the adjacent room before I’d even arrived. Even without war looming on the horizon, he’s as much a warrior as he was before the curse left me in charge.

“Do you believe him?”

I shrug. “Not particularly. There’s something off about him.”

Ruben makes a sound of agreement. “Abby knows him?”

“He wouldn’t still be alive if she didn’t.”

“Orders?” I think this might be the first time Ruben has directly asked me for a command, and the first time I haven’t minded giving one.

“Take a group and follow him. Don’t engage unless he gives you reason to.”

He nods before hurrying out of the room. A pang of guilt hits me because it shouldn’t be Ruben chasing after him. There’s something about the huntsman that just doesn’t sit right with me, and it’s more than his history with Abby or my family. My gut screams for me to end him now, or, at the very least, lock him away where I can be sure he won’t cause any trouble, but Abby wouldn’t stand for it.

The thought of the huntsman behind bars acts as a stark reminder that I already have a prisoner, and that’s something that must be rectified before she can never look at me the same way again.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

ABBY

Idon’t know how much time has passed, but it feels as if I’ve been locked in here all day. When the door finally opens, I throw myself towards it, stopping only when I realize it isn’t Quinn on the other side. Tess looks smaller than ever, her eyes looking everywhere but at me. I’ve never seen her so timid before, and that alone has me on edge.

“Where’s Quinn?” I ask, just barely keeping the simmering rage from my voice.

“The dining hall. He’s requested your presence for dinner.”

Dinner?He’s got to be joking. I have no intention of eating with him after the stunt he just pulled. How dare he! The slow simmer of fury within me bubbles hotter. “And where’s Jade?”

Tess shifts from side to side, avoiding the question as if confused, but she knows exactly who I mean. I wait for her to answer, crossing my arms to keep my chest from splitting open. “I’ve been ordered not to say.”

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