“To the edges of the earth, Your Highness,” Bri quipped, hastily climbing off the rock. The sound of Lina’s laughter made her stomach flip.

Lina rolled the waistband of her skirt over—once, twice—until the strips of leather grazed the very tops of her thighs. A rumbling growl shook through Bri at the sight.

“A little incentive to keep up,” Lina called over her shoulder.

Bri bit back a snarl as she stalked after the Princess, knowing for certain she’d follow those swishing hips to the ends of the earth and straight over the edge.

Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

Storm clouds gathered on the far horizon. Just a little further and Bri and Lina would make it to the lookout and the sweeping vistas of the Sea of Callipho. A small smile tugged on Bri’s lips. Her sweaty hair was plastered back on her head, drying quickly in the whipping breeze. With the rushing air, the scent of rain, and the beautiful fae leading the way, she felt deeply grounded, as if her soul had rooted into the soil. She understood now why this place was so special to Lina.

The calm was sharply interrupted by the snick of Lina’s axe leaving her harness. Bri’s eyes snapped up. She heard the muffled shout before her eyes landed on the three soldiers wearing thin silver chest plates etched in the old Northern Court crest.

Bri’s mind flashed back to the same soldiers fighting for Balorn in Valtene. On instinct, she unsheathed two of her daggers and bent her knees, bracing herself.

“How the fuck did you get all the way out here?” she snarled, stepping in closer to Lina.

The soldiers seemed just as surprised to have stumbled upon them. They stared at each other for one heartbeat, then another, before the farthest soldier turned and bolted.

“Stop!” Bri shouted, her legs tensing as she tried to decide if she should go after him or stay and protect Lina.

“Go,” Lina hissed. “I’ll deal with these two.”

Bri barreled into the forest, sprinting after the fleeing soldier. She heard the clang of blades clashing behind her and pushed down on her desire to turn back. Lina was a good fighter, some might even say better than Bri. She’d be able to take two soldiers, but regardless of skill, sometimes victory in battle was a matter of luck, and one misstep would mean death even for the best trained warriors.

Acid burned up Bri’s throat as she gained on the soldier. He dashed in the direction of the cliffs, nearing a steep trail cut into the earth that led to the silver beaches far below. Bri finally caught up, grabbing him by the hair and yanking him to the ground.