Page 89 of Heart’s Rescue

“Royal order?” I say.

It’s not really a guess; I get the feeling Aloserin likes me about as much as I like him, which means he wouldn’t come all the way out here to make a social call.

He nods. “I’m to bring you to the palace.”

“For what?” I reply. “Punishment?”

“Would you believe me if I said no?” he asks.

I shrug. “Probably not. And if I don’t want to come? You’ve got a bunch of goons waiting to attack and drag me back in chains?”

I glance around the woods, although I already know they’re empty. My magic would have let me know if anyone else was out here.

“The goons are at your house,” Aloserin says. “They’re playing cards with Phaedron.”

“Son of a bitch,” I mutter. “Might have been a better strategy to bring them with you, you know.”

“King Galan wanted me to bring them,” Aloserin says. “I don’t think they’re necessary.”

“Really?” My magic hisses across the snow, pulling the shadows tight around my legs. “That’s confident of you, oh Mister Acting Captain of the Royal Guard.”

Aloserin shakes his head as if he’s annoyed by this entire conversation.

“I’m not going to fight you, Rowan. But you are coming with me to the palace.”

“Oh yeah?” I reply. “What could you possibly say that would make me want to come with you?”

Aloserin pushes his hood back and looks straight at me with his black eyes.

“Because you want to see her,” he says. “For one last time.”