The guards dropped me, and I ground my teeth to keep from crying out. My eyes fixed on the familiar carpet beneath my knees.

“Leave,” said a voice I would recognize anywhere. The guards grumbled, but their boots retreated from my line of sight and the door slammed shut behind me. It took a concerted effort to lift my head enough to see the troll standing in front of me. “Hello, cousin,” I said, my voice hoarse.

“You look terrible,” Marc replied, his disfigured face grim. “Can you get up?”

“I think I am content where I am.” The carpet scratched against my cheek as I lay my head down. “Why am I here?” I asked as an afterthought.

“I’ve little notion – I was hoping you might provide some insight into why your father ordered your change of accommodation.” Marc came toward me, and I rolled one eye up at the sound of metal keys clinking together, remaining motionless as he unlocked four of the six manacles skewering my arms. “Brace yourself,” he said, and jerked one of the cuffs open. A wet sucking noise filled my ears, and I fainted.

When my consciousness returned some moments later, the manacles lay in a blood-crusted and rusty pile on the floor. The two remaining on my wrists stung, the cursed iron still itching and infuriating, but the relief of having the others removed was enormous. Having them in place was like having bands of metal wrapped around my chest, allowing me little gasps of breath, but never enough to satisfy my need. I greedily drew upon my magic, using it to prop myself up on my knees.

“Better? He ordered that I leave two in place.”

I nodded. “Much.”

“I had a bath ordered for you.” He gestured to the steaming tub. “I hadn’t reckoned on the injuries.”

“Just as well.” I slowly got to my feet. “I’m not much for conversation, I’m afraid. Send in my servants on your way out.”

“I’m afraid you have no servants.”

I turned from the bath to look at him. “What?”

“They all refuse to attend you.”

“All?” The loss was surprisingly painful. “So I have only you.”

He nodded. “And the twins, of course. But his Majesty ordered them to the mines as punishment for their actions. I believe he thought the low ceiling would trouble their backs, and perhaps it does, but I doubt he considered how well they’d take to the competition of it all. They do well enough down there.”

I gripped the edges of the tub. “He’ll only find another way to make them suffer. You should all forsake me – attempting to continue our friendship will only bring you trouble.” I fumbled with my destroyed clothing, cursing my numb fingers. “You may go.”

“Tristan, we knew what we were doing when we helped you free Cécile.”

“Don’t say her name,” I snarled, glaring at the water. I swore I could see her eyes reflected in its depths. “Leave.”