Page 106 of A Thieving Curse

“And the others?” a knight asked.

Tristan hesitated. “They aided a fugitive and harbored a threat to the crown. That’s treason.”

Raelyn froze. Treason meant death.

“No!” Alex grunted as he strained against the men holding him. “Leave them alone!”

“Please, my lord!” Raelyn fell to her knees. “They believed they were serving the crown! They’re innocent.” She dropped the clothes and grabbed Tristan’s hand, her own cold and trembling. “Please.”

Tristan exhaled through his nose. “Fine. Take them all captive. Including the Eynlaean prince.” He pulled her to her feet. “Are you going to behave, or do I need to have you bound, too?”

“Cad!” Gareth shouted.

Raelyn drew her hands away. “I won’t cause trouble.” She picked up Alexander’s clothes. “Just…let him get dressed. Please, my lord.”

Tristan grunted his assent and crossed his arms. She held the clothing out behind her. Alexander’s fingers brushed over hers as he took it. Tristan continued to stare at her, stone-faced, as the moments ticked by while Alex dressed.

“Bind his hands behind his back,” Tristan said.

She spun around. The men reached for Alex, now clothed but barefoot. He dodged them and rushed toward her, stumbling and uncertain. She caught him before he fell. He grasped her shoulders.

“Raelyn,” Alex breathed. “Are you all right?”

The men grabbed Alex again and ripped him away. Tristan seized her as the knights bound Alex’s hands behind his back, but they looked anxious, their furrowed brows low over their eyes. Raelyn hoped their conflicted loyalty would help protect Alexander.

Tristan wrapped his arms around Raelyn, pinning her against his chest. “You’re still betrothed to me.”

Her mouth felt parched. She strained against him and looked back at Alex.

“Until I’m crowned,” Alex said darkly.

The knights finished tying his hands, and Alex took the opportunity to step forward. He immediately rotated to the side and fell to one knee. Raelyn wished she could go to him. He jerked his shoulders, as if frustrated his wings weren’t there to lift him up. Her heart twisted as the men pulled him to his feet.

“Crowned?” Tristan sneered. “You and your friends will die on the executioner’s block.” Raelyn quivered in his arms, but he didn’t seem to notice.

Gareth cursed at Tristan, and the prince turned his attention to her brother. “Don’t tempt me to have you join him.”

“What?” Raelyn stared up at Tristan, her breath coming in gasps.

“He threatened my life. Twice.” Tristan hesitated. “But…he is your brother. For your sake, I won’t have his head. However, the monster will die.”

“What iswrongwith you?” Tears pricked at her eyes. “Let me go!” She wrenched his hand back, contorting his wrist, and he released her with a muttered curse. Raelyn backed away, nearly falling in her haste.

Tristan huffed and offered her his hand. “Let’s try this again, shall we? Come here.”

As if.She stepped further away.

“I should have burned you alive.” Alex pulled his lips back in a snarl that was much less intimidating with his fangs gone.

“And I should have run you through,” Tristan replied. “Maybe I will.”

“You can’t,” Raelyn protested.

Tristan frowned. “My lady, come here, or I’m going to have you bound.”

I’m not your dog to come meekly when called.She didn’t have the courage to say that to his face, so she simply stood still. She would not be ordered around.

Tristan lowered his hand, and something like heartache flashed across his features before he reclaimed a stoic mask of indifference. “Very well. Bind the princess.”

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