I could spare Amryssaallof it—the screams, the blood, the gurgling. Maybe I could even spare myself. When the prince inevitably tried to hurt me, I’d be well within my rights to stab him. And self-defense didn’t carry the same penalties as murder.
Heat crackled in my veins. Amryssa’s biscuit still waited on my plate, so I crammed it into my mouth and chased it down with coffee. Strength bloomed in my belly, sharpening my focus.
“My keymistress is...delicate,” I finally said. “She’s still recovering from last night.”
I glanced sidelong at Amryssa, a plea not to undermine my lie, but she only stared at the table. Goddess, we needed to escape this so-called breakfast, and quickly. I could sort out the details of bride-swapping later.
“I understand,” Kyven said. “But you needn’t fear Lunk, here.” He jerked a thumb at the giant. “He’s far more harmless than he looks.”
The big man—Lunk, apparently, and what the hell kind of name was that for a royal attendant?—grinned, exposing yellowed, broken teeth. An unbridgeable chasm separated the bottom row from the top.
I fought back a grimace. He didn’t look harmless. He looked like he could clobber me to death with one half-hearted punch.
“Vick is significantly less harmless, but he’ll do as I tell him.” Kyven smirked as if amused by that, then indicated Foxface. “For now, at least. Though you’ll find he’s allergic to things like small talk. And rules.”
Vick sized me up with eyes as sharp as fresh-cut emeralds. His gaze seemed to take in...far too much.
A shiver skated down my spine. I escaped it by wrenching my attention back to Kyven.
“And you?” I couldn’t keep the bite from my tone. “Should I fearyou, my prince?”
His features slackened in what could only be feigned surprise. “Me? Oh, no, I’m perfectly safe. Unless you’re threatened by a cunning wit and devastating good looks.”
I only barely withheld my scoff. He was good, I’d give him that. Almost passable as a real, live human. I’d probaby have been fooled, if not for Eliana’s warnings. “Right,” I said. “Well, this has been delightful, but I seem to have lost my appetite. If you’ll excuse me.”
We needed out. Screw the food, screw the prince, screw the crooked smile I wanted to slap right off his face. I tugged Amryssa to her feet, propelling her toward the door with barely restrained urgency, as if our lives depended on it.
Hers actually might, which was close enough for me.
“My Lady?”
I pretended not to hear. I yanked open the doors and steered Amryssa through, but the prince called after me again.
I closed my eyes for an overlong moment before turning. “What?”
“It was a pleasure making your acquaintance.” Kyven winked. Actually fuckingwinkedat me, the snake.
Revulsion swelled in my throat as my attention dropped to his hands. No claws, this time. Just normal, human hands, one clasped loosely around his breakfast knife.
Kill yourself, I commanded, my fingers clamped around my dagger.Take that knife and stab yourself in the throat.
Kyven’s brow crinkled. He brought the blade haltingly toward his neck.
Sparks exploded in my bloodstream as I waited. Closer, closer... But no. The prince only itched his Adam’s apple and lowered the knife again. My dagger went silent in my hand.
Well, shit. It had been worth a try.
Kyven offered me another one-sided smile. Goddess, didn’t he know how to do anything else? “Marry you later, then?”
“Right.” I summoned a blinding, artificial cheer. “Marry you later. Can’t wait.”
I turned and fled.
4.
On our way up the stairs, Amryssa stumbled, but I shored her up as best I could.
The tangled knot beneath my ribs only loosened once I locked us in my room. I sat Amryssa on my bed, stowed my castoff chains, and dug through the bottom drawer of my armoire, searching for the letter that had arrived weeks ago. My pulse blurred as I scanned the lines.
