Still clutching the statue, Emeline pressed into a corner, staying out of the way. The prince and Yates kept their distance from her. The Water Prince wore an unremarkable tunic and pants that showed off his athletic build. At twenty-five circuits old, he was young for such a powerful position, but his ruthlessness had developed at an early age.

Holding his hands out to the sides, the prince said, “Relax. We’re here to talk.”

The truth. Yates’ massive fists were pressed to his hips, but he hadn’t drawn his sword. Or his knife. His fierce glower warned her that he could grab both at any time.

She gestured to the six guards on the floor and edged closer to the door. “Sure doesn’t seem like it.”

He gave them a disdainful look. “They’re for my protection.” Then he returned his full focus on her.

Even though she knew he was evil to his core, she was still struck by his handsome features, the deep emerald of his eyes flecked with silver, his black hair contrasting with his tan skin. Like many others who lived deep in the bowels of Zirdai, the prince spent little time in the sun, while Yates could almost be his shadow.

Subtly she shifted, increasing the distance between them. The door loomed behind her about two meters away. But then she sensed more guards on the other side. They filled the hallway in front of Emeline’s quarters.

Scorching sand rats.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked, delaying the inevitable. Her best chance would be to dive into the hallway, surprising those waiting, and hope to sprint away without having to send them all to sleep. She inched closer.

“About a possible exchange.”

She froze.

He smiled, but the sharp lines of his face didn’t soften. In fact, they appeared even more severe, and she wondered how she could have ever thought this man attractive.

“It’s your turn,” he said. Then after a moment, he continued. “No? All right then, I wish to discuss the fate of the two monks in my custody—your parents.”

She kept her expression impassive despite her heart’s frantic beats. “My parents abandoned me in the desert. You are mistaken.”

“Oh, come on, Shyla. You’d have to be blind not to see the resemblance.”

Considering she was raised in the monastery and spent eighteen circuits with Hanif, blind was an apt description. “What do you want?” Although she had a good guess.

“I want The Eyes of Tamburah.” He swept out a hand, indicating the sleeping guards. “But you’ve already claimed them and somehow woke their power.” His tone almost filled with awe until it sharpened. “You lied to me. You said The Eyes held no magical powers. That you didn’t seek power. Yet, here you are.”

“I didn’t lie. At that time, I thought both statements were true. But now…”

“Now?”