He glared at me, then gave a short nod. “Stay, then.”

I turned my attention back to the King. “What do you want?”

“I’ve told you,” he replied. “I want your word that you will do everything within your power to find Anushka and deliver her to me. And in exchange, I will allow you and Tristan to be reunited.”

“Cécile, don’t.” Tristan rested a bloody hand against the barrier. “You know what will happen if you break the curse. It won’t just be us you set loose, the others will be free to walk in this world once more.”

“She knows what you’ve told her,” the King said, looking down at his son as though no longer quite certain how much Tristan had divulged. “What loyalty does she owe the Regent of Trianon? What has he ever done for her? Is keeping him in power,” he said, turning his attention back to me, “worth the cost?”

Indecision racked me to the core. “He says he can take back the Isle peacefully,” I said, my eyes flicking to the King. “He said he has a plan.”

I felt Tristan’s shock at my words, and he tilted his face up to look upon his father, who nodded. “It is the truth. When my plans are complete, Trianon will be ceded without violence against the citizens of the Isle.”

Long moments passed, and then Tristan dropped his head. “It’s a trick. Don’t believe him.”

“But, Tristan!” I desperately wanted the King’s words to be true – desperately wanted there to be an easy solution to this hopeless situation.

“Please,” Tristan pleaded. “Don’t promise him anything. If you do, he’ll own your will. Walk away from here and never come back.”

I trembled, my mind racing through all of the possible options. Tristan couldn’t see the future, he didn’t know for certain that history would repeat itself. Was it not possible that the King really meant what he said?

“I’m begging you, Cécile,” Tristan said, his voice shaking. “If you love me, you won’t give him what he wants.”

My eyes stung. “If I refuse,” I said to the King. “What then?”

His face hardened. “Are you certain you want to know?”

“Yes.” I had to tear the word from my throat, which was tight with terror.

“As you wish.” An invisible hand of magic slammed Tristan against the barrier, making him grimace in pain. I could see him struggling, muscles straining as he tried to free himself. Fresh blood welled up around the spikes through his arms.

“No!” I screamed. “No, no, no. Stop, please don’t hurt him!” I flung myself at the wall caging them in and ran up against magic as hard as rock. The King had erected his own barrier to keep me out. I whimpered as one of the guards revealed a whip studded with iron spikes.

“I’ll ask you again, Cécile, is it worth the cost?” The King nodded at the guard, and the lash snapped wickedly across Tristan’s shoulders, tearing open his skin. His face twisted, but his eyes locked on mine. “Don’t do it. No matter what he does, agree to nothing.”