And if the people in Ebon Rih thought Lucivar was freed because of his family connections rather than because he was truly innocent, it would shatter his life. The Blood here would never continue to accept him as the Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih.

“You can’t,” Marian said. “Even if they believed you, even if they did demand that he serve you, he’s an Ebon-gray Warlord Prince. You’d never control him.”

“He’d have to wear a Ring of Obedience,” Roxie replied. “I’ve heard those Rings can control any male.”

Roxie didn’t care that this would ruin him. She just wanted to enslave him, wanted to force him back into that pain he’d endured when he’d lived in Terreille. Lucivar would never obey Roxie willingly, so she’d have to use the Ring to hurt him—and because he’d never shown any interest in her, she would enjoy hurting him.

“You can’t do that to him,” Marian said as something inside her strained to break free.

“Watch me.” Roxie turned and started to walk away.

“No!” Dropping her basket, Marian threw herself at Roxie.

Lucivar pushed his way through the crowd, cursing under his breath. A brawl on the main street of Riada. Just what he needed today. He’d hoped to convince Marian to set aside her chores for an hour to go flying with him since it was a lovely day and she hadn’t had much of a chance to enjoy her recovered skills during the winter. Although that icy free fall they’d performed one sunny afternoon had ended with an enjoyable evening keeping each other warm in bed.

First he’d take care of this mess, then share a midday meal at The Tavern with Jaenelle as they’d planned. After that, he’d go home and see—

He reached the front of the crowd and stared at the two women rolling around in the mud, punching, slapping, and generally trying to tear each other apart.

“Mother Night, Marian,” he said, shaking his head. What in the name of Hell was she doing?

Moving forward, he waited for an opening, then grabbed the back of Marian’s belted cape and yanked. He heard cloth rip as he lifted her enough to get his other hand under her and haul her back out of Roxie’s reach.