I glanced over at Etan, who seemed completely at ease, riding up to Keresken with one hand on the reins and the other on his hip, not bothering to look back at his men, but simply trusting they were behind him. So sure, so calm. I took a cue from him and pulled my posture up as we laced through the last of the town and moved toward the entryway of the castle. The space that had been filled with carriages the night Silas and I ran was empty now, and two guards stood at the door while another two kept watch at the edges of the plain.

They were surprised, of course, and raised their spears at our approach. “Halt!” they commanded.

“I assure you, your king wants to meet the new king of Isolte,” Etan said, standing tall on his horse, the coronet shining in the setting sun. “Stand aside. I have an urgent message for His Majesty. And my men outnumber you, should you be foolish enough to disobey my command.”

Chills went up my arms at his words. I watched as the guards looked at one another, unsure. After some hurried whispers, one looked forward. “The men have to stay here.”

Etan nodded, and they let us pass. Just inside the gates, Etan and I both dismounted, tying the horses to a post. He scratched both of their noses before turning and standing tall. He held out his arm . . . and I just stared at it.

“What? A lady needs an escort. Might as well walk in on the arm of a king,” he said, his cocky tone back in full force.

I sighed, putting my hand on his and asked a question that I hated to ask but that my vanity demanded of me. “Don’t lie. How do I look?”

Etan’s face instantly softened. “Absolutely radiant. Like the moon,” he said quietly. “Sure and determined, reflecting light on everyone around you, and so desperately beautiful to those who don’t even realize they’re in the dark.”

I ran my hands over my knotted, windswept hair. “Really?”

“Absolutely.”

I closed my eyes and turned beside Etan to make our way into the castle. I took a few deep breaths as we walked, trying to focus my thoughts. I knew what I needed to say, but I feared none of it would come out right. I was going to give them—my parents, Silas, all those innocent bystanders—my best or die trying.

“By the way,” Etan began as we entered the hall, our footsteps echoing in the grand entryway, “I realize I said I’d never go near an altar, and I maintain that you are an obnoxious brat . . . but I will love you to the very last beat of my heart.”

He looked into my eyes, gaze unwavering. My breath caught for a second, but my reply had been waiting to be said for so long that it came out easily.

“I know I said I’d never go near a crown, and I believe you are far too full of yourself . . . but I will love you to the very end.”