Pacing the length of the room, I consider my next move. I need to speak to the Coral. It seems like my best chance. Heading for the door, I twist the knob, hoping for a late night visit. But I’m greeted by the presence of the two guards Linden promised.

“You are to remain in your room until morning,” one says, folding his thick arms.

I squeeze the door handle, but this isn’t really a surprise. Getting to the Artefact won’t be that easy.

“Fine,” I say, slamming the door.

For now I’m stuck and tired enough that maybe I’ll be able to sleep. I pull back the covers and slip under them, tucking them up to my waist. Once I’ve had some rest, maybe I’ll be able to think clearly enough to come up with a plan.

Then I open my hand and stare at it. I’ve spent so many years craving my magic, but I’ve forgotten what to do with it.

I miss Willow and Tristan, and I wish they were here with me to sort this out. Tristan controlled his magic so easily. Why am I so bad at this? Willow would know what to say to make me feel better.

And Nadir. I would give anything to feel his arms around me. To slide into my feelings for him and pretend nothing else exists. He would help me, too. He’s the only one who’s ever been able to coax anything from my magic, and I’m sure he’d know how to help me understand this.

With my other hand, I clutch at my chest, my breath pinching with loneliness. Once again, I’m alone in a strange bed in a strange palace, being asked to risk my life to save the ones I love.

Pressure wells in my eyes until tears start to fall. I wipe them away, but more replace them, so I let myself go, sobbing into my pillow until I cry myself into a lonely, troubled sleep.

CHAPTER 9

PRINCE RION

287 YEARS AGO—THE AURORA KEEP

Rion stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the lapel on his black jacket, wishing this day into oblivion. He’d been such a fool to sleep with that woman, but she’d been attractive and embarrassingly flirtatious, clearly eager to bed him.

Rachel had been giving him the cold shoulder again after he’d canceled another dinner when a skirmish had occurred along the kingdom’s southern border. She didn’t understand the pressure he was under and how much The Aurora needed his firm hand.

He’d wanted to make her jealous that night. Make her pay for her lack of . . . attention.