And with the Go’Doan exiled from Firenz, he would be able to teach the children and maybe even take over the schoolhouse and implement the changes that he thought would benefit his pupils.

It was a curiously strong and pleasant sensation to have things in life to look forward to. Seeing the beauty of a child that Nyx and Lorenz would create. Finding his own dwelling and making it his. Learning more about his warrior and enjoying that endeavor. Spending time with his friends without weighty matters on their minds.

These were his thoughts as he turned toward the back entrance.

He stopped dead at seeing the trail of blood that flowed under the door and down the steps.

Then he burst forward, opened the door, and what filled his vision made him take a quick step back.

“Now, now, now,” Fenn called. “Do not beat a hasty retreat, my lover.”

One of Nyx and Lorenz’s servants, her name was Isabo, a quiet girl with a toothy smile, lay inert on her side on the tiles, her lifeblood having flowed from the gore that was now her neck.

And on her knees some feet away in the back hall, her face a hard mask of wrath, was Nyx.

Fenn was on his feet behind her.

Her eye was swelling and there was blood dribbling from her nose, over her lips and down her chin.

Fenn held her hair in one fist.

And in the other hand, a dagger to her throat.

“You could, of course, flee,” Fenn shared. “Though if you do, I will slice her throat and your beloved captain will find his wife just like that one.”

He jerked his head to Isabo.

Saliva filled Tedrey’s mouth as he stared directly into Fenn’s eyes, waiting to hear his next option.

Fenn did not make him wait long.

“Or you could come with me,” he continued. “For even if your heart is the black of treason, I have an important use for you.”

“Teddy, do not,” Nyx said angrily.

They had found him out, he did not know how.

But it didn’t matter now.

Tedrey did not look at Nyx.

He could not.

His Nyx.

The first person he had met in his life that he had ever loved.

Because she was the first person he had met in his life who had ever loved him.

“If you harm her, Lorenz will fire a swath of vengeance through Triton to find you,” Tedrey warned.

And I, he thought. I will burn down all of Triton until I find a way to make you pay.

“These Firenz warriors are not as frightening as everyone thinks,” Fenn retorted.

“Tell that to the dead men who stormed the palace,” Tedrey returned.

Fenn had no reply to that.

“Let her go unharmed, and I will go with you,” Tedrey said.

“Teddy! No!” Nyx shouted, but then cried out in pain as Fenn yanked at her hair.

Tedrey took a step forward but halted when Fenn pressed the point of the dagger deeper to her skin and he saw the rivulet of blood trickle down.