“No. If they can’t get in here, who knows what they’ll do to Arberly or the nearby villages. We’ll let them attack, but in a controlled way.” Every nerve in my body protests the plan. “There are many servants’ entrances. You can tell them about one of them. We’ll let them in, but I’ll be ready for them.” I dislike this plan, and I’m about to look to Silene for help to convince Laurel that this is madness when my friend adds her own twist to the scheme.

“Good point. We should rush our plans to take out their headquarters in Oakton and do it at the same time,” Silene adds, and I slump in defeat. “It will probably be empty while they attack the palace, and we can send a group to the manor. We’ll collect all the information we can from it, then burn it to the ground. It only brings our plans up by a few days, and this way we won’t have any unnecessary casualties.” I don’t like this, and my agitation throws me off. I’m not used to getting so worked up, but the thought of Laurel putting herself at risk makes my skin crawl.

“If the timing of our attack on their manor coincides, the rebels will know we’re working with you. Our ruse will be over,” I offer, clawing for any excuse not to move forward with this plan.

“As you said, Thorne,” Laurel says coolly, challenge in the gaze she lands right on me. “We’ve gained what we needed to. Time to cut our losses. Might as well go out with a bang.” Her smirk is wicked, and if I weren’t panicking for her safety, I’d growl back my own flirtatious barb.

“I think Laurel’s right,” Fionn says gruffly, and I give him a look of betrayal. “A lot of the rebels are just common folk, pulled into something they don’t understand. We shouldn’t punish them, at least not without a warning first.” Of course he would take the commoners’ side.

Laurel gives him a grateful nod. “We can tell the Council tomorrow morning and complete our plans.” No. No, no, no. This isn’t safe. I can’t allow Laurel to put herself at risk like this.

“Laurel, can I speak with you privately, please?” I ask, trying and failing to keep the tension out of my voice. She follows me into my bedroom in the apartment. “I don’t like this,” I growl, my voice low. “It puts you in unnecessary danger. I know you haven’t accepted the mating bond yet, so you don’t understand the… primal urge I feel to protect you.” She puts her hand on her hip, expression haughty and fierce.

“I’m the strongest fae to ever live, Thorne. I think I’ll be okay,” she snaps.