Page 61 of Reaper’s Curse

With his pale complexion hidden and his common attire designed to help him blend in with the masses, no one greeted or bowed to him as he approached the palace and veered for the side servant entrance―one of the few locations where citizens could pass through supervised gateways in the palace’s surrounding protective magic.

The guards had stopped and identified Winter at the front wall and the subsequent second gate, but beyond that, the prince strode across the grounds like the employed rather than the employer. It wasn’t his first time moving in and out of the palace in that manner, but the adventure never ceased to thrill him, albeit slightly.

Steps inside the side servant entrance, foot traffic stalled. Four guards ushered Raven into the bowels of the castle keep. They pushed and prodded her with the edges of their weapons like she was a prisoner.

Winter threw back the hood of his cloak and stepped forward. “What is the meaning of this?”

Murmurs, gasps, and bows from the surrounding servants ensued.

“Orders of the Crown, Your Highness,” one of the guards reported. “We are to escort her to the infirmary.”

“Infirmary?” Winter snapped his gaze to Raven and raked it over her from top to bottom, spotting no obvious wounds. “Were you hurt?”

“I’m fine.” She glanced at the guards to her left and to her right. “They just want to take my vitals. Make sure I wasn’t infected by the monster.”

She wiggled her fingers and pronounced “monster” like it was a sick joke, then she rolled her eyes and dropped her hands at her sides.

“What monster?”

Was she talking about the specters or an afflicted? Did something lurk in the citadel that he didn’t know about?

“There is no monster,” Raven deadpanned.

A guard cleared his throat. “The royal healer said⁠—”

“There is no monster,” Raven repeated, louder and more definitively.

“Okay.” Winter extended his hand to Raven. “Why don’t I take her to the infirmary?”

The outspoken guard stepped between Winter and Raven, blocking the prince’s view and reach. “You are to remain at a safe distance until after she has been cleared.”

“Are you serious?” Winter’s temper wore thin, and he already wanted to snap at the men.

The men who were merely doing their jobs and following orders.

The guard nodded once. “Very serious, sire.”

“All right, then.” He leaned to the side, attempting to see around the blocking guard and catch a glimpse of Raven.

Resignation dulled her eyes, and her lips curled into something between a smile and a grimace.

“Need you usher her forward as if she were a dangerous prisoner? She is a guest here and should be treated as such.”

“We’ve been ordered to limit contact until after she’s been cleared of any infection.”

Winter grabbed the guard by the shoulders and pushed him to the side. “But⁠—”

“It’s fine, Winter.” Raven took a step away and sighed. “It will only be a few tests, and then I’ll be back in my rooms before dinner.”

A muscle in his jaw worked and worked, his mind finding any comfort in the situation impossible.

What monster had she supposedly come in contact with? Why did they fear this monster had infected her? And why the need to treat her so crudely?

Valen had been Raven’s guide for the day, so no doubt Valen was responsible for the treatment Winter was witnessing. He dragged a deep breath through his chest to calm the winter beast threatening to claw itself free.

“Very well.” He turned his chilly blue gaze to Raven. “If you have not returned to your apartment by dinner, I shall come find you.”

Raven nodded then turned and followed the push and prod of the palace guards.