Page 77 of Essence of the Throne

“No,” he protests. “We need to get back.”

I roll my eyes, though he can’t see it. “You’re no good to anyone if you pass out and fall off this horse.” His answering groan vibrates through my chest. “Besides, the horses need water. We didn’t give them any before.”

That gets his attention. Of course the damn prince would care more about the horses’ wellbeing than his own. I guide us toward a small stream cutting through the dense trees, helping Caspian dismount when he sways.

“Sit,” I command, pointing to a fallen log. He looks ready to argue but thinks better of it when I narrow my eyes. While herests, I lead the horses to drink and check their legs for any signs of strain.

The fading sunlight filters through the canopy, something about the approaching darkness feeling like a warning. A tingling chill drifts down my spine as I notice how unnaturally quiet it is. No birds. No insects. Even the stream seems muted somehow.

I chew on my lip, remembering the way the ocean revolted against nature itself. The wave that was so close to claiming Caspian’s life—

No.I refuse to stress over things of the past that did not happen.

“We should keep moving.” I help him stand, chuckling when he waves me away. “Can you even ride, prince?”

“I’m fine.” His stubborn tone would be more convincing if he wasn’t leaning so heavily against me. I raise an eyebrow and he sighs. “Okay, maybe not entirely fine. But we cannot afford to delay.”

“Then you’re riding with me again.” I mount first, pulling him up behind me before he can protest. His arms circle my waist once more, and I pretend not to notice how he presses his face into my hair. How his hands splay against the lines of my abdomen. How fucking warm his body feels wrapped around me like this.

As we continue toward Valoria, my mind wanders to Gavriel’s confession. The locket he gave me feels heavy in my pocket. There’s a familiarity to it that I can’t place—if only I could get the old thing open.

“I can hear you thinking,” Caspian mumbles against my neck, and I shift in my seat.

“Someone has to do the thinking around here.” My attempt at levity falls flat. After a moment, I add, “Are you okay? About Gavriel?”

His arms tighten around me. “No. But I understand why he did it, even if his methods were wrong.”

“That’s very…mature of you.” Not a lie. If he weren’t Caspian’s closest friend, his body would rotting be back in the clearing.

He chuckles. “Don’t sound so surprised, angel. I’m capable of growth.”

I hum in a teasing manner as we fall into silence again, the road winding through familiar territory. The closer we get to Valoria, the more tension builds in my shoulders. Our time is running out.

“We need a plan,” I say, my mind whirring. “We can’t just storm the castle.”

“Why not? It’s worked so well for us before.” Despite his sardonic tone, I know he’s right. Our previous confrontations with the king have only made things worse. Perhaps we wouldn’t be on such a deadline—with Thalion’s threat hanging over his son—if we were more careful. Well, ifIwas more careful.

“We need proof of what he’s doing, and we need to find a way to stop him that won’t throw the realm further out of balance. And we both know the tunnels are that proof.”

Caspian shifts behind me, his thumb tracing absent patterns on my hip. “Then we venture into the tunnels,” he says after a while, squeezing me harder.

My mind flits through ways I could subdue him—make him stay behind. The tunnels are creepy, but protecting him while focusing on my task will be rather difficult. It won’t work, but I try anyway. “Maybe you should stay back as a distraction. If your father catches us—”

“He won’t.” The steel in his voice reminds me that he’s not just the charming prince anymore. He’s chosen his side in this fight, chosen me, and the weight of that choice is inarguably important to him.

I can practically feel him wrestling with everything, remaining quiet behind me. I find myself longing for his voice—the same one I’d almost lost just hours ago.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I demand with an awkward attempt at softness, frowning at myself because while I am perfect in most aspects of my life, conversation is not one of them.

He takes a shuddering breath, cuddling into me as if he cannot get close enough. I’m afraid to admit I feel the same. “I’m thinking about how everything I believed about my father was a lie. About how many people have suffered because of my choices. About how many more will suffer if we don’t stop him.”

I look over my shoulder, needing him to understand the truth of my next statement. “Noneof this is your fault, Caspian.”

“Isn’t it? I’m the crown prince. I should have known what was happening in my own fucking castle.”

I guide our horses around a fallen branch before responding, having to lightly tug on the other one. “The king fooled everyone.He’s had years to perfect his deception. Even I didn’t know anything, and I’ve been planning his death for decades.”

“But you knew he was capable of evil. You saw it when he killed your father.”

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