The Water Prince sent her back to her room while he considered everything he’d learned. She hoped it would take him a long while to work up the nerve. No way the prince would allow anyone else in his organization to attempt to wake The Eyes. He trusted no one and was too power hungry. The priestess could assign an underling to make the sacrifice because her people were fanatics and worshipped her.

It only took a couple sun jumps before the prince called for her. The doubt had grown and he wanted to know if he had magical potential.

Two guards held Kaveri tight—the prince’s insurance that Shyla wouldn’t double-cross him. Her mother no longer reeked and her torn monk’s robe had been replaced with a clean tunic.

The prince noticed the direction of Shyla’s gaze. “I’m keeping your parents close. They’re being well treated and will continue to be as long as you cooperate.”

She wondered if that was the entire reason or if the threat about the King had him worried. Either way, her mother appeared healthier. And, by the gleam in her eyes, ready for action. Kaveri was a trained monk. Two guards, even armed, were no match for her.

Too bad Yates remained in the room and he wore his torque. Plus the prince was trained to fight as well. She’d seen the hard lines of his muscles under his form-fitting tunic.

So she behaved and instructed the prince to gather his will. She sought the glow of potential as he tried to move the sand inside a clock. There was nothing inside him but blackness.

“You don’t have potential,” she told him.

“You lie.” He backhanded her.

She spun with the blow and lost her balance, ending up on the floor. Yates clamped the hated collar around her neck before she could reach the prince with her magic.

“I am the Water Prince. Of course I have magic.” He stared at her with such venom, she expected him to order Yates to kill her. “I will have the power of The Eyes. Captain, send a man to fetch Timin. Have him bring his sharpest scalpel.” Then he grabbed Shyla’s chain and yanked her up to face him. “After I remove your eyes, I will kill you.” He shoved her back.

She landed hard on the ground but barely registered the pain. The Water Prince had meant what he said.

Timin arrived along with a few more guards. Kaveri was taken back to her quarters. She’d raised a blond eyebrow in inquiry at Shyla before leaving. But Shyla shook her head. Too many guards for the two of them to handle.