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‘Why are you trying to protect him? He’s a grown man and, my sources say, a talented Grand Master,’ the fae asked, pressing the edges of the wound together.

‘Because he’s family. I know the man behind the assassin’s mask, and right now his heart is bleeding worse than my arm. How could I punish him more?’ I gritted my teeth. ‘I’m sure if Annika or Ormond made you bleed, you’d forgive them, too.’

‘I would revel in each cut and ask for more, but I’m Dark Fae, and you are not.’ Alaric smirked before drawing a symbol over my bleeding flesh and chanting.

For a moment, there was nothing but his lilting voice and my ragged breath. Then the bleeding stopped. The red wound scabbed over before Irsha returned, dragging a wide-eyed Danka behind him.

‘Oh shit! What happened?’ my servant exclaimed. I closed my eyes, breathing through the pain, while Alaric finished healing me.

‘A misunderstanding. Bandage it and remember, not a word to anyone,’ I said to her before nodding to Alaric. ‘My lord, return to the hall. If the king asks, tell him I spilt wine on my dress and went to change. Irsha, wait by the dining hall doors. Act like a guard and wipe that menacing scowl off your face.’

A smile ghosted across Alaric’s face as he placed a hand to his chest and bowed. ‘As you wish, my lady. If I may? Any doubts I had about Reynard’s choice, you dispelled masterfully.’

‘Well, good, since we’re about to become family. And for the love of the gods, please call me Sana in private or whatever nickname you prefer. I have plenty,’ I answered, gesturing to Danka to hurry.

‘Please tell me you need more than just me guarding a door,’ Irsha pleaded, but his back was straighter than before. He even picked up the dagger and wiped its blade clean.

I turned towards my oldest friend and shook my head.

‘For you? The hardest job. I need you to be patient. You will be with me until those bastards think you’re part of the furniture. I’ll try to bring her to my suite for a friendly chat. I’m betting no one will mind my personal guard being present.’ Irsha beamed, transforming his sullen expression into something utterly devastating. ‘Great. The talks and the ball are tomorrow. Tonight will be peaceful. Please, Irsha, I don’t have enough blood left for any more dagger play. Let me do it my way.’ At my plea, he nodded slowly.

‘You’ll have peace even if I have to smile at that bastard all night long. I’m sorry for earlier. I truly am. That was stupid, unworthy of a Brotherhood member. The…’

‘The Heart should never guide the knife,’ we repeated the assassin’s creed together, and Irsha sighed.

‘Fuck, I love you, Trouble. If Reynard ever wrongs you…’ I raised an eyebrow. ‘Fine, I’ll shut up now,’ he finished, and I pointed to the door.

‘Please, go on, both of you. I’ll be in the dining hall momentarily. Alaric? Thank you. You paid your debt.’ The fae smiled.

‘Oh yes, Queen Roksana, but now you are indebted to me.’

I groaned, sagging after they left, and let Danka pull the ragged dress off me.

‘What did I miss?’ she asked, tying the laces of my new dress. ‘And who was that Dark Fae? He’s pretty.’

‘He’s the king of Ozar, well, one of them. As for the wound? It’s nothing. I tripped and fell on the dagger.’ Danka snorted before clasping a hand over her mouth.

‘I’m sorry, that’s the usual excuse for accidents involving men’s pricks.’ She finished dressing me. I should’ve punished her, but this unguarded, almost one-sided conversation helped me focus.

‘How’ve the orcs been?’

‘Peaceful, quiet, snoring like drunks on the floor. The girl I sent to them came back untouched and deeply offended by their lack of interest. They hide nothing, just talk about honour and polishing their blades,’ she answered, tying the laces of my sleeves but making sure they weren’t too tight.

That was exactly what my observers had informed me. I nodded. I couldn’t fully trust her yet, but I was more willing to take her into my confidence.

‘Good. Loiter around the Lumivitae Fae, slander the king or me if you must. They might try bribing you, take their money and pretend to serve them. I’ll feed you the information I want passed on.’ I placed my hand on the girl’s shoulder. ‘There’s a woman with them, Lilliana. If you find out what they’ve done to her, you’ll never have to work again.’

Danka nodded, escorting me out of the room, but the moment the door closed, I released her hand. ‘Go mingle with the Lumivitae servants.’

She rushed away with a cheeky grin, and despite the dull ache in my arm, I straightened, projecting a confidence I didn’t feel.

Irsha was waiting by the door. He fell into step two paces behind me like the best-trained royal guard. I took a slow breath and gestured for the servants to open the door.

When we entered the dining hall, the guests were already eating.

It wasn’t what I expected from an end-of-winter celebration. The conversations were hushed, and with two exceptions, several factions wouldn’t even look at each other.

‘Roksana, I was worried we’d lost you,’ Rey said, standing as I approached the royal table. There were only two seats, as including any other representative would scream of favouritism.