Ericen and I didn’t talk on the ride back, and I left him at the carriage the moment we arrived at the castle. I knew the way back to my rooms well enough to manage it on my own, but each Illucian soldier I passed in the halls, their bodies heavy with weapons, made me regret not having a guard with me.

Sealing my uncertainty inside, I kept my head high and met the gaze of everyone I passed. Their pale eyes burned with the same hatred that simmered inside me, but I refused to look away. Who knew what they’d been given permission to do or what rules they’d risk breaking.

With half my mind on my night with Ericen and the warmth of the Ambriellan boy’s body beside mine, I almost didn’t notice the voices drifting down the corridor. As I grew closer, they turned sharp and loud. I slowed. Someone cursed, a loud thud following, then the harsh ring of metal sliding against a sheath. My stomach dropped, and I dashed around the corner.

My door guards stood beside Kiva, Sinvarra drawn. Shearen and three other Vykryn faced them, hands on their weapons.

“The queen—” he began.

“Are you serious?” Kiva’s voice cut across his. “If you think your queen’s orders mean anything to me, you’re stupider than you look.”

“What in the Saints’ name is going on?” I hurried forward.

Kiva’s eyes didn’t leave Shearen as she responded, “He says Razel ordered your guards sent home.”

“That’s Her Majesty to you, Korovi dog,” one of the other Vykryn hissed.

Shearen smirked. “You don’t have enough soldiers to resist us.”

“We have enough to kill the three of you.” Kiva lifted Sinvarra.

I laid a hand on her shoulder, my mind spinning. Razel wanted my guards sent home. Tendrils of ice crept down my spine, but I pushed back my fear. If this fight started, it wouldn’t end until one side was dead or severely injured.

I couldn’t refuse Razel’s order. Shearen knew that. Razel knew that. I drew a deep breath and addressed my other guards. “Go with him. Tell everyone else to follow the orders they’re given. I’ll talk to the queen.” The words were knives in my throat, but I forced them out steadily.

The guards bowed. Kiva stiffened beneath my touch but said nothing.

I faced Shearen. “Bring me to Razel.”

He smirked and then nodded at one of the Vykryn at his back. She sneered as she pressed past me.

“Come on,” I said to Kiva. She sheathed Sinvarra, her movements stiff with frustration, and we fell into step behind the Vykryn. My mind ripped through options for what to say. Was this in response to Ericen taking my place in that fight?