As he tows me towards the entrance, I can practically feel the distance closing between me and the Aurora King, pressing in on me like an iron noose. It’s like he’s calling to me, reeling me in like the helpless worm I am. If he gets his hands on me again, I’m so very dead. Or worse. My entire life has been a lesson in things that are so much worse.

Cyan throws open a door and hauls me onto a high balcony that overlooks the city surrounding the castle. Rain falls in a steady drip, making everything glisten in the moonlight.

In the distance, Rion’s army approaches, spreading across the horizon like a black stain. I thought I’d killed more of them, but he probably has endless resources to draw on. I’ll never be a match for him, and I knew it wouldn’t be that easy to kill him anyway.

“Cyan,” I say, pleading. “Don’t do this. I’m begging you.”

He whirls on me. “How dare you?”

He snatches the ark from my clasped hands, scraping my already bloodied fingertips, and hands it to a guard.

“Keep that safe,” he orders. “And don’t let her near it.”

The guard nods as he gives me a suspicious look. Great. This is just fucking great.

Rion’s army marches closer, passing through the gates and down the wide boulevard bisecting the city. Screams echo from below as people cower in the safety of their homes. Alluvion’s soldiers also move through the streets, trying to maintain order, but Rion’s army ignores everyone, and I understand why. He didn’t come here to level the ocean kingdom; he came only for me. But I also have no doubt he’ll destroy everyone here if that’s what it takes.

I jerk against Cyan’s hold again and find myself surrounded by soldiers, including Linden. Anemone has also appeared, and she passes a quizzical look between me and her king.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“This thief tried to steal the ark,” Cyan says. “Ate our food, slept in our beds, and then just walked into my throne room and took it.”

Anemone’s eyebrows draw together, and the look on her face makes guilt burn at the base of my neck. She looks so . . . disappointed in me.

“How did you know where to find it?” she asks.

Cyan pauses and looks over at me as if he’s just remembered what I said earlier. “She claims Coral spoke to her,” he says, squeezing my arm so tight I wince. “I’ll throw you off this balcony if you don’t explain yourself.”

I grimace and then say, “Sometimes, the Artefacts talk to me.”

“Liar!” he hisses. “The Artefacts speak only with the ascended.”

“No, they talk to me,” I say. “I swear to you.”