Kravin’s backhand was swift and sharp. Practiced. Her head snapped to the side and her vision swam.

Mattias had told her to get answers from the boy. But he didn’t seem to have told Kravin anything. The dungeon master saw her as another piece of meat to fillet. Nothing more.

“Leave her alone!” Runt hollered, fighting his chains to claw at Kravin.

Kravin laughed, inches out of reach. “Maybe I’ll give her your medicine today.”

Too young to understand negotiating, Runt growled like a cornered cub and Coralythe wanted to throttle Kravin with his own whip.

She lifted her chin. “Someday you’ll die of your own medicine.” She hadn’t forgotten the last time she was his victim, before she managed to bargain her way out by giving King Mattias information about the Wishtress.

Kravin got in Runt’s face and whispered, “What do you think, boy? Want to hear her scream?”

“No,” Runt croaked, parched and desperate. Too desperate.

Kravin grinned. “Down here, no means yes.” He rounded Coralythe so he faced her back, then shook out the whip.

Coralythe squeezed her eyes shut and swore to herself she would not scream. But it mattered not. Runt did enough screaming for the both of them.

Chapter 23
Myrthe

“I haven’t forgiven you.” Anouk alighted from her snowy steed onto the frosted sward.

I sprang to my feet from my spot beside the frozen canal waters. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

I’d daringly ridden into Fairhoven to have a boy deliver my message yesterday evening after talking with Bastiaan. I still hadn’t dismounted the cloud of hope it sent me on. But I sobered quickly when Anouk responded less than two hours later.

She’d agreed to meet at sunrise.

“I came for the glade mostly.” Anouk stepped into the spot where we’d spent most of our youth. A secret place off a small side canal where we’d confessed all manner of secrets, dreams, and confidences. If the canopy of branches could speak, our very souls would be laid bare to the listener.

For a moment Anouk’s features softened with memories, and despite her elegant riding gown, she looked every bit the cousin who used to race me on the ice and cry with me over Oma’s harshness. Then her gaze found mine and the young queen returned. “A militair and one of my attendants are within screaming distance.”

My heart crumpled beneath the weight of what we’d lost. “Do you believe me such a threat to you?”

“I’m not sure yet.” Anouk still stood at her horse’s side. “What is it you want?”

“To tell you a story,” I whispered, daring a step closer. My emotions rippled on the surface, but part of me didn’t mind the idea of losing control and ending my life in my favorite place with the person dearest to me.