Page 66 of Thorns of Deceit: The Beast Within

This was bad.

Skylar’s mind raced. If Arye went through with this, if he tortured and killed the princess, it would have dire consequences for Regalclaw. War with Thorncrest would be inevitable. It was too early. They needed more time to prepare their troops, to produce armors and weapons, to secure enough food for the commoners to survive the winter.

She had to stop this before it went too far, before Arye did something they couldn’t take back. Despite her own hatred for her, despite the part of her that longed to see Princess Quince suffer, Skylar knew this wasn’t the right course of action.

She stepped between Arye and the princess, forcing him to look at her. “We need her alive,” she said, her tone low and urgent. “Think about it, Your Highness. She’s more valuable to us as a hostage. If Thorncrest starts a war, we’ll have leverage.”

Arye’s grip on one of the rusty pliers loosened slightly. “Go on,” he said, his eyes locked on the princess’s face.

Skylar took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. “We can always execute her publicly later if need be. But for now, she’s our insurance.” She paused, allowing a hint of dark humor to creep into her voice. “And besides, killing her here would be…anticlimactic, wouldn’t it? Surely the Crown Prince of Regalclaw can devise a more fitting punishment.”

A ghost of a smile flickered across Arye’s face, gone so quickly Skylar might have imagined it. “You’re right,” he murmured. “Everyone should watch her fall. Hear her scream.”

Behind her, Skylar heard Princess Quince’s sharp intake of breath. She felt a twinge of satisfaction at the princess’s fear, even as she silently berated herself for it.

“There’s something else to consider,” Skylar continued, pressing her advantage. “His Majesty doesn’t know about this yet. If word gets out that we’re holding her in the dungeon, it could cause problems. Both with your father and with Thorncrest.”

Arye finally lowered the torture instrument, his expression thoughtful. “What do you suggest?”

“Confine her to her chambers for now,” Skylar said. “Under heavy guard, of course. It’s safer, politically speaking, and it gives us time to decide our next move.”

For a long moment, Arye said nothing. The only sound was the princess’s ragged breathing and the steady drip of water. Finally, Arye nodded. “Captain,” he called over his shoulder. “Escort her back and post guards at every entrance. She’s not to leave or communicate with anyone without my express permission. Not even my father.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Captain Knox replied, relief evident in his tone. He motioned to his men, who moved to help Princess Quince to her feet. She flinched away from their touch, her eyes never leaving Arye but seemingly too afraid to scream at him.

As Captain Knox and his men led the shaken princess to her chambers, Arye and Skylar were left alone. The silence stretched between them.

Suddenly, Arye pulled Skylar into a fierce embrace. She stiffened initially, surprised by the sudden contact. Pain flaredthrough her body where his arms pressed against her bruises, but she suppressed a gasp. She wanted to pull back, to keep her distance, to protect her disguise. But beneath all this, she felt Arye’s vulnerability, his need for connection.

“Thank you,” he murmured into her hair. “For reminding me who I am.”

Skylar relaxed into his embrace, allowing herself this moment of comfort despite the voice in her head screaming about the danger. “I’ll always be here for you,” she whispered, her words muffled against his collarbone. “Just like you’re there for me. When we’re on the brink of losing ourselves.”

Arye pulled back slightly, his eyes searching her face. “Will you?” he asked, the question barely audible. “Always be at my side?”

Skylar felt her heart constrict. She wanted nothing more than to say yes, but she knew the impossibility of that promise. Her time as Duke Anathemark was coming to an end. “You know what I mean,” she said, unable to meet his gaze.

Arye released her, taking a step back. His eyes raked over her, intense and searching, making her shift uncomfortably. She pulled his cloak tighter around herself, suddenly feeling exposed.

With a heavy sigh, Arye ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “I’m torn,” he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Between locking you in a golden cage or tying you up in a dark dungeon. To keep you safe. To keep you with me.”

Skylar forced a laugh, trying to treat it as a joke despite the goosebumps on her skin. “I’d like to see you try,” she retorted, aiming for a lightness she didn’t feel.

In an instant, Arye was in her space again, his face mere inches from hers. “Don’t tempt me, Sky,” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

Before she could respond, he was gone, striding out of the cell and leaving her alone. Skylar stood frozen, her cheeks flushed and her heart pounding. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from her thoughts.

Yes, she wanted to be entirely his.

As much as she wanted him to be hers.

28

What had just happened? The events of the night swirled in her mind—the attack, Arye’s rescue, the confrontation with the Princess. And now… now Arye’s words echoed in her head, filled with a possessiveness that gave her a strange feeling in her stomach.

Skylar stood before her bathroom mirror, examining the countless bruises that mottled her skin. Steam from the hot bath she’d just taken fogged its edges, but it couldn’t obscure the stark evidence of her ordeal.

She gingerly touched the mark on her neck, the one Arye had left nights ago in the garden. It was nearly faded now, but still visible if you knew where to look. A reminder of a moment of weakness, of forbidden desire.

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