“So, what now?” Bri asked. “What would be your plans to prevent another attack if you were in charge?”

Tem considered her for a moment before he spoke. “I would increase the guard on the palace, train more soldiers loyal to me, and not the former Queen, for whatever is to come.” He stared at her through the cloud of smoke. “But what I would do isn’t important. Lina is the future ruler of this kingdom, and I will follow her no matter what she decides.”

Bri snorted at his stoic proclamation. “You really love her, then.”

“Don’t tell her.”

Bri stood and gave Tem a half-bow. “I won’t.”

He mirrored the motion, walking her to the door. He was a fool, but he wasn’t a threat. She needed to find out more about the witch hunter king and organize a visit to their camp. Now she just needed to figure out how to convince Lina to stay behind.

*   *   *

The first snick of the window latch made Bri push off the wall and crane her neck up. She grinned, proud of herself for figuring out how Lina was sneaking out. Though surely there was an easier way than climbing down from her chambers four stories above.

This Princess would be the death of her. Bri watched from the shadows as Lina found her footing on the rocky outcroppings of stone. She moved in a practiced way, knowing where each nook and cranny would be. She leapt the last few feet, her cloak flying back as she landed.

“Hello, Airev,” Bri said, stepping out of the darkness.

Lina whirled, and fast as lightning, her hand axe appeared in her grip. Bri looked at the simple weapon, a common tool, nothing like the one Lina wielded as a Princess. She wore simple breeches and a threadbare tunic, her cloak a muted gray. The hand that held the axe was bare of jewelry, but flecks of gold dust still clung to her fingertips. At a single glance, she was a commoner, but with a little more scrutiny, it was clear she was something else.

“Gods, it’s you.” Lina released a slow breath and lowered her axe. “What are you doing out here?”

“I swore I’d guard you,” Bri said with a shrug. “So, I’m guarding you.”

“I don’t want or need your chivalry,” she hissed.

Bri’s brow arched. “And if Airev gets killed, what am I meant to tell Delta then?”

“Royals have to be fair and tempered, but thieves can pass out judgment as they see fit.” Her voice dropped to a biting whisper. “I won’t hide behind closed doors when I could be out there helping my people.”

“I’m not telling you to hide behind closed doors,” Bri grizzled back, looking past Lina to see if any guards patrolled the northern side of the castle. “I’m just asking to come with you.”