“What in goddess’s name are you talking about?” Olivian said. “That dagger is just an heirloom. It’s worthless.”
“Oh, really?” Vick snapped. He gestured to the diary, which had somehow survived the scuffle tucked within his waistband. “Because your wife’s journal would suggest otherwise. So would this.” He flipped up his tunic to reveal a livid bruise where I’d unleashed the blade’s magic on him yesterday.
Olivian made an enraged sound. “You read my wife’s diary?”
“I did. And now you can either command your keymistress to hand over her dagger, or bid your precious prince and your fancy little wedding goodbye.”
My heartbeat swelled to fill my entire throat. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t see anything but the lethal silver line indenting Kai’s neck.
“Go fuck yourself.” Olivian’s bellow sounded like stones rattling in a can. “No man reads my wife’s private diary, and no one tells me what to do in my own house.”
Vick’s eyes narrowed. His sword-hand flicked.
A scream tore from my throat. “No!”
Kai’s eyes widened. The blade bit through his skin, and a crimson dribble slid down his neck. Blood flowered on his white collar, but he was still standing. Still breathing, thank Zephyrine. Thank every god that had ever walked this earth.
“I’ll give you anything,” I heard myself blubber. “Just don’t hurt him. For the love of all that’s holy, please don’t hurt him.”
“Harlowe,” Olivian warned.
Vick made an impatient, get-on-with-it gesture. “The dagger, then. Hurry up.”
My stomach pitched and rocked. I grappled with my belt, scrabbling at the buckle until it came undone.
“Harlowe,” Olivian roared. “Don’t.”
“Shut. Up,” I hissed, then ripped off the belt and tossed the entire bundle down the stairs. I didn’t even look at where it landed, because I couldn’t wrench my gaze from Kai’s. I needed him to be okay. I needed him not to die.
“Why, thank you.” With an exaggerated smile, Vick toed the belt and dagger across the parquet, then snatched them up without lowering his blade from Kai’s throat.
Something moved in the background. Lunk and Miss Quist, along with Merron and the stewards, wandered from the library. No doubt they’d gathered for the wedding, then heard the commotion.
“Nobody move,” I said. “Just let Vick go. Let him leave.”
Olivian started down the stairs. “He isn’t going anywhere.”
Vick flicked his sword again. “Stay back.”
Kai grunted. More blood leaked from his throat. I muffled my cry in a fist and came within a hairsbreadth of vomiting.
Olivian stopped, two steps down from me now, vibrating with fury. “Unhand him, you conniving little shit. You have your knife.”
“Oh, me, conniving?” Vick arced his brows. “That’s rich. If you thinkI’mconniving, you should hear the story the prince here has to tell you.”
Oh, no. All my blood dived into my feet and stayed there. I knew exactly where Vick was going with this. How he planned to divert everyone’s attention long enough to escape.
But...I wouldn’t stop him. If I had to choose between Kai’s life and getting Amryssa to Hightower—well, I’d choose both. I’d just have to take my best friend to the capital on my own.
“Tell them,Kyven,” Vick said. “I’m sure the seneschal would love to know who you really are.”
Olivian’s focus shifted. “What in Zephyrine’s name does that mean?”
Kai’s unfailing half-smile kicked into place. “I’m afraid you won’t like it.”
Vick’s attention darted—first to Olivian, then to Merron and the stewards—before settling on the front door. “Tell them. Don’t make me cut it out of you.”
He applied pressure, more blood leaking from Kai’s neck. A grunt tore from my husband’s chest as he raised splayed hands. “I’m no prince,” he rushed out. “All right? The real Kyven Windermere died on the Oceansgate road when his carriage overturned. I’m just...well. An actor. Here at the urging of the gentleman who’s about to saw my vocal cords in half.”
