“I will be King!” he screamed, and flung himself at me. I leapt back, but my heel snagged on my dress and I toppled to the ground. Chris’s hands caught my arms and heaved me far out of reach, but not out of sight of Roland throwing himself over and over against the barrier, his fists splitting open and healing in an instant, his blood splattering the magic that caged him and rendering it visible. The rocks shook and trembled as his power hammered against the curse, muffling his screams. But nothing could spare us the feral rage written across his face – an expression void of any form of sanity.

“Heaven help us,” Chris whispered, our hands locked together as we watched.

The hammering stopped. Roland’s face smoothed into composure, and turning, he bowed low to the troll-light coming down the road. “Father.”

The King walked into view. “You’re making a great deal of noise, boy.”

Roland scowled. “She said Tristan was heir, not me.”

“Did she now?” The King looked through the blood-splattered barrier and caught my eye. “Humans are liars, Roland. You know that. Now go back to the city. The Duke is waiting for you.”

An answer that was no answer. There was hope for Tristan yet.

Roland shot me one last triumphant look, then sped off into the darkness.

“What do you want?” I asked, climbing to my feet. “Why did you have me brought here?”

“Oh, I think you know why,” the King replied. Removing a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the blood off the barrier. He watched us with interest, but said nothing. I stared back until I could stand it no more. “Where is Tristan? I want to see him.”

His chuckle drifted around me. “You’d make a poor politician, Cécile. You’re far too honest about your desires.”

“I thought all humans were liars?”

He shrugged. “True, but you are honest in spirit, which is more than I can say for myself. Or any troll, really.” His orb of light brightened until the tunnel shone like day. “One wants what one cannot have. And when one cannot lie, the ability to deceive becomes a far more meaningful talent. Something to be revered. But all this philosophizing is something better left to another day. I have what you want; and you, my dear, I believe to be capable of delivering what I want. What I propose is an exchange.”

I shook my head rapidly. “I am not so stupid as to think it would be that simple, Thibault. Nor am I so selfish as to consider releasing you upon the world for the sake of one life.”

Which was a lie. I considered it every waking minute.

The King tilted his head and nodded slowly. “Tell me, Cécile, what exactly is it about my release that terrifies you so?”

“Everything.” My voice sounded high-pitched and strange. “You’re a cruel, heartless tyrant. I’ve seen the way you rule – I know all about your laws. If I let you free, you’ll slaughter every last one of us.”