“Is my face so well-known?” he said with a bit of delight. “I’d no idea. I’m rarely afforded the chance to leave Stonegate save for the Wild Hunt each harvest. I might break my precious neck, after all.”

I blinked. “My…Ser Darkwin described you, and I saw you at a recruitment once, several winters ago.”

“Darkwin. Got himself into a bit of trouble with all this, didn’t he?”

“Forgive me, Highness, but he was only trying to protect me.”

The prince held up one hand. “No need to convince me, my lady. He did what a loyal man would do for his family. I’m certain that will be taken into account when his actions are judged.”

Prince Thane had the same pale eyes as the boy skipping stones on the shore. His hair had darkened to a dirty gold, and was shaved on the sides, revealing inked runes and symbols on his scalp. The prince kept a trimmed beard, customary for leaders of the land, and had two bones speared through the lobes of his ears.

Undeniably handsome, but Thane’s smile did not reach his eyes.

“I wanted to meet you myself,” he said. “A new melder. I’m certain you’re filled with utter rage at being here.”

“You mock me, Highness?”

“No.” A bit of light left Thane’s eyes. “Forgive me, Lyra. I’ve been told more than once my jests are spoken at the most inappropriate times.” The prince held out one arm. “Still, if you can stomach me, I would be honored to escort you to the great hall. I’ve a great many questions.”

When Emi said she would not return for me, I did not expect the prince himself would be my guide.

Anger had made me snap at the Sentry, but with the prince, I bit down any glimmer of resistance. In truth, if I wanted to survive Stonegate long enough to find a way to escape it, I’d be wise to bite down even my snarls at Ashwood.

We glided down the corridor. The Stav remained five paces behind, and occasionally Prince Thane would mention a tapestry or two, describing its origins from one of the many provinces until we made our way down another hallway with more arched beams.

“I am glad for a moment alone,” Thane murmured from the corner of his mouth. His voice soft enough, I nearly missed it. “I wanted to meet you after what you did on the journey here.”

“What I did?” Gods, would he punish me for my attempt to flee the camp?

“To the Sentry, of course.”

I wasn’t certain what he meant, but replied with a soft, “I did not intend to put your Sentry at risk in the wood—”