《Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain Book 3)》 Accomplice to the Villain: Prologue Once upon a time¡­ Evie Sage¡¯s first month working for The Viin had been rather unconventional, though at least not cataclysmically shocking. A spilled cauldron brew here, a poisoned intern there. But there had been a few strange¡­incidents. The most recent being her summoned into work two hours early for a meeting she was almost certain could¡¯ve been a short message sent through the ravens. Find better things toin about, Evie! Like the hand you found in the reuse binst week! Although that had at least given her the opportunity to ask the boss if he needed an extra set of hands. The frank horror on his face had caused her tough so hard, she nearly made herself sick. It was mildly disconcerting that he was more offended by her harmless jokes than the foreign limb he¡¯d lobbed in with the discarded parchment¡ªBecky hated when they mixed anything in with parchment recycling¡ªbut she digressed. Sighing and wiping the sleep from her eyes, she watched as the invisible barrier around Massacre Manor wavered underneath her fingers. Her attention flickered to the rising sun leaking color into the still-darkened sky. It looked as though someone had spilled orange and pink inks onto a dark-gray tapestry¡ªpretty, if anything could be so before eight in the morning. Marv, the Malevolent Guard at the front gate, gave her a gentle wave, and she smiled brightly at him, blowing a kiss that pinked his cheeks. ¡°Good morning, Ms. Sage! Early bird gets the worm?¡± His normally wild hair was contained underneath a red leather helmet while Evie¡¯s was ited to the side, a few loose hairs pulling free around her face as they swayed in the early-morning breeze. She stepped back as therge wooden door slid open with a familiar creaking, the damp chill of the entrance hall cooling her cheeks and filling her senses with the smell of wood burning and musty walls. ¡°More like the early bird doesn¡¯t get fired¡­and knowing the boss, that would be literal, I¡¯m afraid.¡± Marv¡¯s chortle sounded behind her as her heels clicked on the stone floor, the torchlight brightening the room and warming it against the morning air. A low groaning echoed from the other end of therge, open space, near the only corner that was shrouded in darkness. Her brow furrowed as she waved a hand forward. ¡°Hello? Whatever creepy sound you¡¯re trying to make, can you kindly do it under the torchlight so I can see you? That way I can scream properly.¡± ¡°Sage?¡± The rasp of The Viin¡¯s voice caused a tingle of sensation to move down her spine. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± he grunted out, his dark shape inching toward the edge of the shadows that cloaked him. She huffed and quirked a brow, folding her arms and pushing her thick braid behind her shoulder. ¡°On that, we agree. I should still be in bed, curled up with my favorite nighttimepanion.¡± She thought she heard him choke. ¡°Companion?¡± There was an odd sound of warning in the word that made her shiver just slightly. ¡°Yes.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°His name is Mr. Muffins.¡± ¡°Mr. Muffins?¡± She could see his shadow inching closer to the light, his voice gruff andced with confusion. ¡°You¡¯reying with a man called Mr. Muffins? Who in the deands is named something so ridiculous?¡± She bit her lip to keep from smiling at his obvious outrage. ¡°A teddy bear I¡¯ve had since I was six.¡± There was a long silence before a t word broke it. ¡°Oh.¡± She snorted and walked closer, as did he, finally washing himself in the light of the torches and the colors seeping into the room from the rising sun. She halted a few feet from him, eyes widening when she saw his face, words falling off her tongue before she could think better of them. ¡°Wow, you look¡­terrible.¡± The cobwebbed logical part of her brain sighed and rolled over so it wouldn¡¯t have to witness what came next. The boss¡¯s normally tailored stubble was overgrown into a near beard, his shirt untucked, his hair mussed, and his normally pressed pants wrinkled beyond reason. ¡°I beg you not to shower me withpliments, Sage. I hardly know what to do with them.¡± Worry wove itself into the bottom of her stomach. Even his drymentary seemed off, almost guarded. Clearing her throat, she stepped closer to take in the rest of him. Purple under his eyes, flexed fingers, tensed jaw, pulsing vein in his forehead. She frowned and tsked. ¡°Did one of the interns say good morning to you again? I told them pleasant greetings were strictly prohibited.¡± He shut his eyes for a moment and ttened his mouth into a firm line, like if he pressed hard enough, he could crush whatever emotion was about to show itself on his lips. ¡°As much as I enjoy ming others for my mistakes, I¡¯m afraid there is no one to me for my unkempt appearance but myself.¡± His dark eyes roved over her soft orange day dress, the distaste at her color choice obvious in the tightening of his fists at his sides. ¡°And you, I suppose. For having the gall to witness it.¡± The door suddenly mmed closed behind them, and Evie jolted, sping a hand to her chest and her racing heart. ¡°I hardly think it¡¯s fair to me me for anything, when you were the one who requested me here so early in the first ce.¡± He frowned deeper¡ªif that was even possible¡ªwhich made him look even more beautiful¡ª If that was even possible. Annoyed and tired, she lost her patience at waiting for him to catch up to her. ¡°You sent a raven¡­¡± When he stared nkly at her, she continued to bumble out words, her mouth eager to get every thought out of her head to make room for the new ones. ¡°It showed up at my window at four in the morning and scared the living daylights out of me. With a note saying we had an early-morning meeting about something urgent?¡± A low hum sounded from his closed lips. It cleared any remaining tiredness from her system, like cauldron brew but better, warmer. ¡°I don¡¯t recall writing or sending¡­ My restraint is at a low this morning, Sage, and apparently my memory as well. I must have written it before I was fully lucid. Please disregard the raven.¡± nging metal sounded from the back courtyard¡ªlikely the Malevolent Guards getting in some morning exercise with their lethal weapons. Fitting, as she was now imagining grabbing something sharp and stabbing her boss in the toe. ¡°Disregard? You couldn¡¯t have disregarded before your damn bird cut two and a half years off my life?¡± ¡°That¡¯s an rmingly specific number,¡± he said, nting his hands against his tapered waist. ¡°It was rming for me, too,¡± she deadpanned, snickering as he red. ¡°I keep a tight rein on my magic, and I think sometimes when I sleep, when my body rxes, it stirs ufortably and makes it difficult for me to continue resting.¡± A pang in her chest she identified as sympathy made her anger dissolve like shadows in the sunlight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that. Is there any way I can help?¡± His jaw went ck. ¡°Help¡­with my death magic? The magic that sends most people running and screaming?¡± She blinked innocently. ¡°I can do that after I help if it¡¯ll make you feel better.¡± His incredulous expression could so easily morph into augh, if she just pushed him a little further¡­ But of course, as Evie¡¯s calling card, disaster had to strike first. Doubling over suddenly, The Viin breathed heavily into his knees. ¡°Damn it all. My hands burn, and my arm¡­¡± He reached up to grip his arm, circling his biceps. Her hand fell lightly atop his, trying for gentleness with a man she was certain was scarcely used to it. And sure enough, his response was violent and startled. So startled that he jerked away like she¡¯did an open me to his skin. ¡°Sage, are you mad? I¡¯m dangerous right now.¡± ¡°I know,¡± she said softly. ¡°You haven¡¯t had your cauldron brew yet.¡± ¡°You are not amusing,¡± he wheezed. Evie inched closer, angling her body down just a bit to meet his face. ¡°My goodness, but that¡¯s nothing to cry over. I think you¡¯re as amusing as dry wood, and you don¡¯t see me bursting into tears.¡± His face softened as he looked up, perplexed, then shook his head, but in a gentler way. ¡°Sage. How on earth did you get here?¡± She folded her arms. ¡°I walked.¡± ¡°That was rhetorical,¡± he said, sounding almost unaffected, his voice losing its strain. ¡°Those questions are the most fun to answer.¡± He sighed; it was one of defeat. She knew it well. ¡°Why is that, Sage?¡± Evie propped a hand on her hip to angle herself lower. ¡°Because it annoys you.¡± The harsh sigh out of his lips could almost be counted as augh if she was clever enough with her imagination. When he brought himself back up to full height, rubbing his knuckles in soothing motions, thest points of tension on his face finally smoothed back into his normal t expression. She couldn¡¯t see his magic¡ªnobody could, and likely nobody ever would¡ªbut she could feel something very dark moving about the room with them, smaller than it was moments ago, but still something that should¡¯ve made her shrink away in fear. Instead, she felt settled in it, almostforted? She stayed where she was. ¡°Is it any better, sir?¡± His head turned toward her slowly, dark brows nted downward. ¡°Yes. It is. How did you¡­¡± She shrugged, eyes flicking up to the glisten of sweat on his forehead. ¡°I find that it¡¯s more difficult to focus on pain when you¡¯re distracted, and I excel at being distracting.¡± Pulling a yellow handkerchief from her pocket, she boldly stepped forward and began dabbing at his skin, leaning on his arm with her other hand for leverage. The man was taller than was sensible. She made a note to start wearing a higher heel. To make lecturing him more efficient. No other reason. Gooseflesh rose on his exposed forearm, the chill from the room obviously setting in after the adrenaline fled his system. ¡°Th-Thank you, Sage.¡± He pressed the bright cloth to his knuckles, the color contrasting harshly with his all-ck attire. ¡°I¡¯ll return it promptly. Clean, of course.¡± She shook her head, smiling gently. ¡°Keep it. You need more color in your wardrobe anyway.¡± He nodded, processing the words as if scribing updates to their inventory logs. ¡°Very well.¡± A small ribbit sounded from the other side of the room, and Evie¡¯s eyes followed it until she caught the gleam of Kingsley¡¯s shining crown and the glow of his golden eyes. The frog¡¯s oddities had grown on her in her short time in the office, his charming little signs a darling addition to what was turning out to be rather bloody work. Literally. ¡°Good morning, Kingsley. Aren¡¯t you looking handsome today.¡± Another ribbit followed her pronouncement, and her boss rolled his eyes in annoyance. Too many pleasantries, clearly. ¡°He looks like he¡¯s up to no good. What are you doing down here, Kingsley? Trying to make another escape attempt?¡± ¡°Maybe he was checking on you,¡± Evie suggested, thest word fading away slowly when the boss shot her a re. She took a few careful steps back, veering closer to the stairs, closer to Kingsley, who was scribbling on his small board with a vengeance. ¡°Not likely,¡± the boss said tly, moving around her and taking tworge strides up the stairs, a creak following in his wake. Which, she mused, didn¡¯t make much sense¡ªthere should be no creaking. The stairs were stone. ¡°What is that?¡± she asked, looking from side to side for the source. Foolish. She should¡¯ve looked up. ¡°Sage!¡± Before she could take another breath, she was being tugged forward like a rag doll, a startled scream leaving her lips when arge crash sounded behind her. She coughed at the dust that was kicked up and the sudden stream of lighting in through the roof. ¡°Are you injured?¡± the boss asked, the low timbre of his voice pulling her from the adrenaline making her mind race. His dark eyes were scanning her, hisrge hands on each of her shoulders. It brought her back to their first meeting in the forest. She¡¯d thought the shock of his touch would fade as time trickled by¡­ No such luck. She only managed to nod before he pulled his hands away, stalking toward the ruined b of roof that had nearly clobbered her. ¡°Shall I send for someone to repair the roof, sir?¡± she asked carefully, amazed at how steady her voice sounded when her heart was beating out of her chest. ¡°You were nearly crushed, and you¡¯re asking about the roof?¡± He stared at her, mildly outraged. She shrugged. ¡°Still not my most life-threatening day on the job, believe it or not.¡± Something went dark in his face, darker than normal. He stared at the hole in the roof for a few seconds, taking deep, steadying breaths. ¡°You¡¯re still new, Sage. Worry not. There¡¯s time.¡± Sheughed, and his face pinched the way one would respond to eating a sour grape. ¡°So, uh. What happened to the roof?¡± ¡°The manor is old. It was likely natural wear. Some rusty screws probably giving. I¡¯ll have it looked over by someone in the office and get the hole repaired. This won¡¯t happen again.¡± She hmmed. ¡°Too bad. Near-death experiences are a very efficient morning jolt.¡± ¡°Stick to the cauldron brew, Sage. Specifically, for me. Even more specifically, on my desk, in twenty minutes. But be careful getting around this mess.¡± He kicked at the broken piece of roof like it had deeply offended him, and Evie took it as her cue that she was dismissed. She lightly skipped around the debris, coughing a bit when her feet kicked up extra dust. Something slid under her shoe, a tiny ringing from it as it slid across the floor. She nearly stumbled over another as she leaned down to pick them up. The metal glinted in her hand. Screws. Not at all rusty. In fact, they looked perfectly intact. ¡°I told you to be careful.¡± The words stopped her, and when she turned to look at him, he appeared older than she knew he was. Weighed down by some burden he¡¯d never share with anyone but himself. She smiled brightly, trying not to take offense when he winced. ¡°I¡¯m a terrible listener.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll get you into trouble someday, I think.¡± She scrunched her nose before spinning around, her dress swishing about her legs as she made for the stairs to get them both a cup of cauldron brew. Kingsley hopped beside her, expertly bncing a sign in one webbed toe, whatever word he¡¯d been trying to convey earlier written inly. Danger. She smiled small. ¡°Littlete for that warning, Kingsley.¡± Gently straightening his crown, she continued up the stairs. She called back cheekily, tossing the screws through the air, and the boss caught them with ease and frowned down at them. ¡°I think my terrible listening will actually get you into trouble someday.¡± She almost stopped again at a sound. It was as if The Viin was whispering something behind her. Something that sounded an awful lot like¡­ ¡°It already has.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 1 Kingsley There were severed heads hanging from the ceiling¡­and one of them belonged to Trystan Maverine. Alexander William Kingsley awoke with his tiny heart pounding in his slimy green chest. The cushions on his small, gilded bed were pressed under his webbed toes, and he nced down from his perched resting spot at the sleeping man on the bed, rxing only slightly when he saw Trystan Maverine¡¯s chest moving in a smooth rhythm, a slight snore escaping his best friend¡¯s nostrils. A horrid nightmare. That was all it was. Alexander wouldn¡¯t pay it any heed, lest he drive himself mad trying tomunicate what he¡¯d dreamed one bloody word at a time. It was morning, birds were chirping happily outside, and he¡¯d awoken¡­ Another day in the body of a frog. It was another nightmare entirely¡ªor at least, he used to think so. Over the decade he¡¯d spent mourning his life as a man, Alexander hade to find several useful things about his predicament. 1. There were no exhausting expectations of always being gant and chivalrous (because who in their right mind would expect a frog to be either of those things?). 2. He didn¡¯t have to fill silences with useless conversation. (He actually found that in most instances, a single word sufficed quite nicely.) 3. He was small enough to sneak around the manor to wherever he wished in order to keep a close eye on his friends (and it could not be overstated how much his friends needed keeping a close eye upon). 4. People often forgot that he was once human, leaving them unguarded in confessions, secrets, even feelings. (Every day was fresh entertainment!) 5. And finally, and certainly most enjoyable, was watching his best friend¡ªThe Viin¡ªa man who Alexander had never thought would open up his cold, closed off-heart, fall truly, deeply, and wildly in love with Evie Sage. A screech sounded down the hallway, and Trystan startled awake as Alexander just had moments prior. ¡°What in the deands? Who is screaming?¡± he grumbled gruffly, turning to Alexander with a t expression. ¡°It¡¯s one of the Sage girls, isn¡¯t it?¡± It had been two weeks since the Valiant Guard had attacked the manor, since the pregnant guvre had been taken, and since Evie¡¯s mother, Nura, had returned from being in hiding among the stars. Two solid weeks of Evie and Trystan not speaking¡ªin part because of the erratic impact Evie seemed to have on Trystan¡¯s magic, and in part, Alexander was certain, because the two would sooner knock their heads together than confront their unspoken feelings. Or, as Alexander had begun referring to their silent avoidance of each other¡ªtorture for the masses. Trystan grumbled, throwing back the covers and donning the shirt strewn over the chair by his new desk. Somehow, the movement was timed to near perfection with Lyssa Sage barreling through the door, giggling and skidding to a hard halt when she saw the scowl on Trystan¡¯s face. ¡°Evie said if you make faces like that, it¡¯ll get stuck that way, Lord Trystan,¡± Lyssa said, giving Alexander a tiny wave. Alexander lifted his webbed foot and waved back. Lyssa Sage was a constant delight, as were all children who¡¯d yet to be touched by the horrors of adulthood. And the depravation ofmon sense. ¡°Good. I prefer my face this way,¡± Trystan grumbled, tucking the ends of his shirt into his loose trousers as Lyssa went to tug open the dark drapes over the windows. The girl frowned at him as early-morning light streamed in. ¡°You prefer it like that? Why?¡± ¡°I like to look angry and intimidating,¡± Trystan said, sticking a foot into each of his well-worn boots. Lyssa pressed her lips together before muttering, ¡°But you don¡¯t. You look like you need to use the bathroom.¡± Inwardlyughing, Alexander furiously jotted down a word on one of his signs¡ªa difficult feat when Trystan had first presented him with the idea, filling the office area and every room with baskets of the little signs and chalk for Alexander¡¯s use alone. The first few times, his handwriting had looked abysmal, but after ten years of practice, no one ever had trouble deciphering what he wanted to say. He held up his sign proudly. Yep ¡°I will throw out every one of those sted boards right now!¡± Trystan bit out. It was an empty threat¡ªone Trystan had thrown around countless times over the years and one Alexander knew his friend would never dare follow through on. ¡°Lyssa!¡± Another light voice echoed down the hall. ¡°There¡¯s breakfast for you in the kitchens!¡± Alexander identified the voice as that of Evie Sage, The Viin¡¯s newly promoted apprentice. If Alexander had not already recognized the person attached to the voice, he need only look at how rigid Trystan had be at the sound, like one more word would break him in two. ¡°Are youing for breakfast, Lord Trystan?¡± Lyssa blinked at him, then gave Alexander a wide, innocent smile. Trystan stared hard at the door, like he was willing Evie to stay far away from it. But Alexander knew his friend¡¯s internal war well enough to understand that Trystan was simultaneously wishing her to walk through it. This had be, in Alexander¡¯s opinion, a masochistic ritual over the past two weeks. Admittedly, ¡°The Viin¡± had been sneaking looks at the young woman all along; this wasn¡¯t new. They¡¯d started as curious nces, like studying ab specimen, then begrudgingly moved to intrigued staring, and then to the current stage¡ªpure agonizing, desperate ring. The past two weeks, however, had taken the man¡¯s self-inflicted torture to a new extreme. In thest fortnight, The Viin had crept around corners, lingered in doorways, and pressed his ear against any wall she was on the other side of. All not especially different from before¡­ Except for the groaning. ¡°I¡¯ll take breakfast in my office.¡± Trystan halted halfway to the door. ¡°Is your sistering to retrieve you?¡± Lyssa shook her head innocently. ¡°No. She¡¯s just returning from an errand.¡± Trystan¡¯s expression did not change, but his eyes became more alert, his gaze sharp on the little girl, though it gentled as he bent a knee to match her height. ¡°What do you mean, little viin? What errand?¡± Lyssa shrugged and gestured an arm toward the door where Evie¡¯s voice had just sounded. ¡°I don¡¯t know. She just said it was off the property with Keeley and that I couldn¡¯t go.¡± Alexander was not surprised at the clench in Trystan¡¯s jaw or the obvious worry shadowing his dark eyes. The manor had been located, and Evie¡¯s face was stered all over Rennedawn on a wanted flyer with a generous award attached. The only protection they had now to ward against the Valiant Guard was a grove of thorns nted by a ck-market gardener, which had proved to be an efficient deterrent for the king¡¯s men thus far, but outside the manor doors¡­the danger was real. And it was great. Still, Keeley¡ªthe head of The Viin¡¯s guard¡ªbeing present was an indication that Evie would likely have been in no serious danger. The young woman had been ced in charge for very sound, very violent reasons. Logically, Alexander knew he need not worry. He suspected Trystan might know this, too, and though Alexander was a frog, not a mind reader, when you spent every moment of every day for ten years straight watching, you became somewhat of an expert observer. But that hardly mattered. No expertise was required to look upon Trystan Maverine and know that the feeling boiling within him was the purest sort of anger. But Trystan didn¡¯t showcase any of that emotion to Lyssa, who looked at him with concern, her big brown eyes homed in. ¡°Since Evie is so busy, shall we do our tea party today, Lord Trystan?¡± Trystan looked relieved at the subject change as he nodded, a small movement upward tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°I suppose I can postpone my afternoon target practice.¡± Lyssa squealed and made her way to the door¡ªhopefully not knowing the target at said practice was the interns. As both Alexander and Trystan watched Lyssa Sage¡¯s dark head disappear, a somber mood descended upon the now empty and joyless space. Trystan sighed before moving to open the armoire and pulled out what Alexander knew was something of great import to his friend. The scarf Evie had given him at their fateful first meeting sat in Trystan¡¯s hands, and Alexander watched with a painful sympathy as Trystan brought the scarf up to his face and closed his eyes. It was too sad even for a cursed frog to watch. Alexander Kingsley turned his attention to the floor while his friend mourned a fate that Alexander swore he could prevent. If only he were human enough to stop it. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 2 The Viin Trystan Arthur Maverine took torture quite seriously, but the past fortnight was a newfound low even for him. Attempting to stay away from Sage was akin to a horror spectacle he¡¯d seen performed at a theater a few years prior: bloody, awful, and forcing him to question his ability to make sound decisions. The door was cracked open, and the morning buzz of the workers trickling in made an ache form near his temples. Even so, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to close it. Because while Sage was on the other end of the wide office space¡ªand though he had to strain to aplish it¡ªhe could still hear her humming. He couldn¡¯t close the door¡­and risk missing it. Even if the sound ravaged as much as it healed. The low din of the office beyond grew louder, the telltale sign of some new tidbit of gossip that would be in Tatianna¡¯s ear before the day ended. He didn¡¯t care to know; his foul mood had plowed through any sense of social decorum he might have had. Not that much had existed inside him even before he¡¯d extracted himself from Evie for their own good. Sage believed their separation was in the name of protecting his magic, but in truth, he didn¡¯t care about that. He cared for nothing but preserving the fragile thread between them without destiny cleaving it in two. Evie Sage is meant to be your downfall, and you her undoing. Destiny monsters were rare; most considered them mere myths. Creatures that existed before the creation of the magical continent, watching, waiting for the gods to paint it in magic and color. The destiny monster at the Fortis Family Fortress had announced the tragedy of their future as if it were absolute, but Trystan dered to himself he could avoid it¡­if he avoided her. His chair screeched against the stone floor as he threw it back so far it mmed into the wall. Wood creaked beneath his fist as he gripped the door by the edge, but before he could m it closed and bring himself the peace he desperately craved, the entry to the main office space opened. And what he saw bent the knob beneath his hand. Sage appeared at the entry, one shapely pants-d leg moving in front of the other, giving him no choice but to pull the door to his office open wider, treading away from his safe haven, the same space where her desk had once sat. The ice pixies were wafting cool trickles of air through the office vents topensate for the cloying heat outside. It brushed against the skin at Trystan¡¯s neck to chill him. But it made no difference. It all felt like it burned. Sage stepped inside, the loud conversations lowering to mumbles as she began her walk down the middle of the office floor, straight for him. He tried to remain unmoved despite the purpose in her eyes as her hips swayed, and she looked directly at him for the first time in thirteen and a half days. He folded his arms and leaned against the doorway, waiting, watching, trying for indifference. Meeting the challenge in her eyes with one of his own. Only wavering when Trystan noticed a few gazes from other workers¡ªlingering on the way Sage¡¯s pants clung to her or the way her hands sped behind her back, on how she thrust her chest up at a soul-rendering angle, or on the small curl of her red lips as she was stopped by one of his finance men. She politely pushed past him when he leered down and whispered something in her ear that made her cheeks pink. It was only a sh of difort as she continued past the man. That was enough. Finally, he thought maniacally. An excuse to burn every arithmetic book within a ten-mile radius. Sage¡¯sugh knocked through Trystan¡¯s inner tirade as she bumped her hip against the finance worker gently. Too gently, if you asked Trystan. She needed to use more force¡­or a pickax. Trystan made a note to have one left in her officeter with a blue bow on it. Keeping his distance from her didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t gift her with weapons¡ªthat shouldn¡¯t tempt fate or destiny or whatever fucking force decided that together they would be each other¡¯s downfall and undoing. As if she sensed the turmoil of his thoughts, Sage¡¯s light eyes lifted back to Trystan¡¯s. His practiced stoicism was well in ce, if the answering ice in her expression was any indication. She hated when he was emotionless. Little did she know, beneath the nk expression was so much feeling it was practicallying out his ears. It was horrid. She stopped in front of Trystan, too close forfort, too close for breath. ¡°Good morning, sir.¡± Her curls were pinned back with little strands left out, teasing the sides of her face. She hadn¡¯t addressed him directly in a fortnight, and those three words had his ck heart lodged in his throat. ¡°Good morning, Sage.¡± Trystan swallowed, almost wincing at the hoarseness of his voice. Without standing on ceremony, she thrust a small page of notes wrapped in brown thread against his chest. It was then he saw why her hands had been sped behind her back: it wasn¡¯t simply to torture his senses. At least, that was what Trystan inferred, looking down at her gentle fingers with more curiosity than horror. ¡°I¡¯ll ask about these documents you presented me with, Sage, but first I think I¡¯d rather address the giant in the room.¡± Gods help him, she looked confused as her brow furrowed and her nose scrunched. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Your hands,¡± Trystan said wryly, gesturing at them. His patience was walking a tightrope with no below. Surely she knows it is obvious. Sage looked down, her suddenly white cheeks the only indication of something amiss. ¡°What about them?¡± Trystan¡¯s eyebrows shot toward his forehead. ¡°Is there any particr reason?¡± He scrubbed a hand down his chin. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°That they¡¯re covered in blood?¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 3 Evie In all honesty, Evie¡¯d had more than enough time to wash the blood from her hands before returning to the manor. But that would not have been half as satisfying as looking her boss in the eyes for the first time in two weeks, her expression even-keeled as he gazed upon her with rm and concern, an awkward silence settling between them. That was fine. Evie was well acquainted with awkward. They were old, dysfunctional friends. ¡°Oh. This blood?¡± She made a show of examining her hands, turning her wrists, scanning them from all angles. Her acting was exaggerated, bordering on animated, but the goal wasn¡¯t to fool The Viin. It was to drive him out of his gourd. She shrugged, privately relishing the twitch in his eyebrow. Brushing a curl away from her eyes, she tilted her head curiously. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± The twitch turned into a full-blown jerk of his head, and she nearly jumped with glee. Oh, how she had missed this¡ªpulling emotional reactions out of him until he looked ready tobust. Don¡¯t torment the boss, Evie! Unless you think of a super fun way to do it! ¡°You¡¯re a menace,¡± he growled. She smiled demurely as she dipped into a small curtsy. ¡°How kind of you to notice.¡± There was a pause as The Viin took a deep, bracing breath. He was hanging on by a final fraying nerve, and one more push could have him snapping like a twig beneath her boot. She frowned inwardly to herself. What she was doing¡­it urred to her that it was rather cruel. Her frown turned quickly into a smirk. This charming development in her character was enough to assuage her guilt at purposefully causing difort. Usually when she did it, it was an ident, one she made an honest attempt to rectify. Now it was as if the leash on her brain had been untied, and her mouth was all too happy to amodate her new level of freedom. This two-week reprieve was kind enough of her. The Viin¡¯s break was over, as was his peace. With a ragged sigh and locks of his unshorn hair falling into his face, he looked at her with world-weary impatience. Woo-hoo! ¡°Sage, I have more pressing matters than cracking the code of whoever you have mutted this morning. Spit it out.¡± Instead of answering as he asked, she reached for the handkerchief sticking out of his pocket, the maroon fabric so deep in color that it masked the blood she was now staining it with as she began cleaning off her hands. A gasp sounded at her actions, and Evie felt the eyes of every office worker on her back, even as they pretended to shuffle papers, using the low murmur of conversations to disguise their eavesdropping. She nced at Trystan to see if he would reprimand them, but he was evidently too busy looking like a cornered animal, ready to snap at the next threat of attack. ¡°Are you finished?¡± he asked with a bored drawl, but the slight twitch of his eyelid gave him away. ¡°Almost.¡± She smiled again but wider this time, baring her teeth. Then she finished swiping over each finger with a flourish, folding the handkerchief carefully and tucking it back into his open palm. She waited several seconds to speak, just to see if she could make the vein in her boss¡¯s forehead protrude any farther. Another moment of silent staring passed. Mission aplished. She used her victory as a call to mercy. ¡°I went with Keeley to the East End Slums,¡± she said, clipped and sinct, as if she was speaking of going for a jaunt about a meadow filled with daffodils and gumdrops, not one of the most fraught and dangerous sides of Rennedawn, where every manner of reprobate spent their time. Her boss included. His eyes went impossibly wide, his jaw clenching in a bite that looked like it might shatter his teeth into nothing but bone dust. It was delightful. ¡°And what, pray tell, were you seeking there?¡± He stepped closer, his gaze hard, and for the first time since Evie had entered the office space, she felt like her control wavered. Because this was the first instance in two weeks where she was close enough to smell the cinnamon on his skin and see the depth of his ck eyes as they saw right through to the heart of her. ¡°I¡ªum¡­¡± Suddenly, she was at a loss for words. Which in and of itself should indicateplete and total disaster. She cleared her throat, banging a hand against her chest like a bit of dust had gotten stuck. ¡°We were looking for leads on Rennedawn¡¯s storybook prophecy. The waning magic is worsening. There have been reports ofrge gray patches ofnd leeched of color, like all the magic is folding back into the earth.¡± Evie worried her lip, and The Viin averted his eyes. ¡°If we¡¯re to have any hope of fulfilling the prophecy before Benedict can, every lead counts. The Malevolent Guards got a tip this morning about an elderly gentleman spouting poetic nonsense about the lore. Apparently, his great-grandfather was one of the early king¡¯s advisors and he¡¯d read some of it as a child.¡± She gestured to the papers that were nearly crumpled in his hands. ¡°We found him, and all it took was a few battings of ourshes and some helpless sighs and he was spilling everything he remembered. Which, granted, was sparse¡­¡± Trystan¡¯s eyes shed to the blood on her hands once more, this time with an intensity that felt like it could touch her. ¡°So you decided to punish him for it?¡± She faltered, remembering the other men in the bar grabbing for her, the scar on her shoulder tingling in response to the dagger hidden at her thigh. ¡°A few of the tavern¡¯s regrs caught wind of who we were and attempted to turn me in for reward money.¡± His arm tensed, and it reminded her that beneath the surface of his starched linen shirty a golden tattoo identical to the one circling her finger¡ªthe one that would¡¯ve told him quite clearly if Evie had been in any mortal danger. He should¡¯ve been aware that, an hour ago, she and Keeley had been circled like prey by a group of men. Perhaps he had known and just didn¡¯t care¡­? Her riotous emotions grasped for anything to cover the hole carving out the center of her chest. ¡°I stabbed one of them,¡± she blurted. Perfect. The Viin¡¯s brows shot skyward, his gaze returning to her hands as he asked with lethal quiet, ¡°Only the one? What of the rest of them?¡± Closing the distance between them, her face tilting up to angle closer to his, she watched in satisfaction as his throat bobbed and his hand flexed at his side. She pushed further, annoyed that he was brushing past her first true violent act since her promotion. ¡°I stabbed him in the neck. Is that not enough for you?¡± He shook his head, his face hard. ¡°Not if he touched you. Not if any of them did.¡± Her lips parted in surprise, and she blinked. ¡°Does that matter?¡± Anger shed in his dark eyes but then winked out to nothing secondster, and with a small sigh of defeat, he closed them. ¡°Of course¡±¡ªhe said the words carefully, like if theynded too hard, they would shatter something¡ª¡°it matters.¡± Her head tilted as her hand brushed lightly against where his hearty, an unwanted burn ring where they touched. ¡°Why?¡± she whispered. He did not open his eyes, even as his head tilted closer, like he couldn¡¯t resist the pull between them, like it was agonizing. His shoulders rolled in an apparent attempt to shake away pain. ¡°Because, Sage¡ª¡± In a sh that knocked them both apart, his dark-gray death magic, the magic only she and Trystan could see, started toe off him in waves, swirling about her feet before extending out to the rest of the room. ¡°No!¡± Trystan hissed. ¡°Come back. I did not call for you!¡± But it was toote. The dark magic swarmed about the room, enveloping everything in its path. Gray mist tangled around her ankles, gliding over her wrists and swirling through the strands of her curls so closely, the cool whisper of it tickled the sides of her face. ¡°Sage, get back!¡± Trystan bellowed, holding out his hands, his face straining in his attempt to regain control. It should be noted that Evie¡¯s first instinct was to resist the request, to stand beside him until the power calmed¡ªbut in a humbling turn of events, she realized that the only way to calm him, to calm his magic¡­was to stay away. The cobwebbed chandelier swung under the force of the ck mist, the framed wanted flyer of The Viin rattling against its ce on the wall. ¡°Okay. I¡¯m backing up!¡± she announced to the magic, trying to stifle it. And failing. Thoroughly. The wanted flyer fell, crashing hard onto the floor, a horrible breaking sound echoing in its wake. The frame had cracked directly in half at the impact, the ss slicing the portrait in the same manner, tearing the parchment right through The Viin¡¯s ming head. ¡°What was that?¡± one of the interns cried as the mist swiped out several torches, casting even more darkness about the space. usatory eyes fell upon her boss, who was still grappling for an ounce of self-control. ¡°It¡¯s a new Scatter Day method,¡± Evie said quickly. If she could not quell the boss, she would have to put herself to use some other way. By getting rid of the workers. The boss¡¯s voice was ragged as he ordered, ¡°Be calm, everyone. Do not panic.¡± ¡°The boss has set a ghost upon the office. First person it possesses loses¡­their head!¡± Evie yelped and then closed her hands over her lips as if it had been someone else. There was a moment of silence, followed quickly by shrieking, the workers tripping over themselves to get to the exit, pixies squealing as they fluttered past, a stampede of interns following them. When thest person finally stumbled out of the space, the silence was overwhelming. Her boss was staring at her, his face unreadable, as he started to saunter casually to one of the abandoned chairs across the room. The power was slinking back to him in slow ripples, some of it still lingering at her feet until, with something between a puff of breath and a tiny squeak, it abandoned her boots and returned to The Viin¡¯s side. His eyes were no longer hard on her, but he was leaning back in the chair, his arms crossed like an indolent king as he sighed. She flinched like there was usation in it, forcing her defenses to rise. ¡°I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d all run away.¡± ¡°You threatened them with a ghost,¡± he drawled, rubbing at his chin. ¡°What were you expecting?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t threaten. I warned,¡± she corrected, walking over to the shattered wanted portrait, picking up the remnants of The Viin¡¯s false depiction that had once brought her such joy. ¡°Would you rather I announce to them that your magic¡¯s out of control anytime you get too close to me? While I¡¯m at it, I could mention that the entirety of Rennedawn¡¯s magic is going wonky because the prophecy is nowhere nearplete. Oh! Or I could tell them that if we fail toplete it ourselves, King Benedict will have ultimate power over the kingdom, probably forever. That ought to make for good break-room conversation.¡± His eyes shed dangerously, and she regretted her words as soon as she saw their impact. His magic edged closer to her again, the mist dancing around her feet until she felt the cool slide of it against the skin of her ankles. It was dangerous magic, it was what made her boss ¡°The Viin¡± in the first ce, but she couldn¡¯t help but find the dark power delightful. Comforting, even. Like a home she¡¯d never known. ¡°Sage. I think you should return to your new office. Since I¡¯m so¡±¡ªhe swallowed¡ª¡°out of control.¡± Her heart softened, and her soul felt as tattered as the ruined portrait between her fingers. ¡°You know I did not mean it that way,¡± she said softly. ¡°Go.¡± The word was hard and cold. Nothing of the man she¡¯de to love, no hint of him behind the walls he was rebuilding around himself. She looked down at the flyer, clutched between fingers still pinkened with the remnants of her morning skirmish, and pulled it to her chest. Sniffing and straightening her shoulders, she walked toward where he sat and bent down to eye level. ¡°No.¡± His head shot up, and his lips parted, a sheen over his ck eyes. ¡°Sage¡ª¡± ¡°Ms. Sage! Mr. Viin!¡± One of the newer interns burst through the door, panting wildly, arms waving. ¡°It¡¯s horrible!¡± The Viin shot to his feet, exchanging a nce with Evie while they braced for the worst. ¡°We found the ghost!¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 4 Evie ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t believe in ghosts,¡± Evie said as they took long strides down to the office kitchens, where the apparent ¡°ghost¡± was residing. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± her boss grumbled. ¡°Then why are youing with me?¡± she asked, eyeing him suspiciously as they rounded the corner, a sh of an open window gifting them wisps of warm breeze and the sweet smell of green grass. ¡°Because on the off chance there is a spirit haunting my kitchen, I hardly want you to be its first impression of the living. You¡¯ll scare it.¡± Evie huffed and shoved at his shoulder. His magic aided her and formed a line around his feet until he was stumbling headlong into the wall. ¡°Sage!¡± She shrugged innocently, spinning around and walking backward through the kitchen entryway, addressing him with wide eyes. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. Did I scare you?¡± When Evie turned, however, she did in fact scream¡ªin surprise. ¡°Gods! Mama, what are you doing?¡± Nura Sage stood before them, moaning over the kitchen sink with a cloth wrapped around her finger, buried in one of Edwin¡¯s giant aprons. The garment was so overlong on her that she did appear spirit-like¡ªhaunting the oven, apparently. Her mother brushed her curls back behind her ears with one hand, her golden skin glistening with sweat. ¡°I heard your office chef was taking a day off, so I thought I¡¯d make one of your favorite desserts. But I think I was overly ambitious. I haven¡¯t used an oven since Gideon¡¯s fifteenth birthday.¡± Her mother smiled sheepishly. ¡°I burned myself, and I¡¯m afraid my moaning and hunching over may have frightened a few of your workers. I¡¯d forgotten how clumsy I am in the kitchen.¡± ¡°That¡¯s just as well, Mistress Sage,¡± her boss said dryly beside her. ¡°Your daughter appears to be clumsy everywhere else.¡± Evie red at him, outraged. ¡°I¡¯m not the one who just tripped over my own magic.¡± ¡°Oh my,¡± Nura said quietly. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble. Shall I excuse myself?¡± ¡°No!¡± they both yelled, proceeding to re at each other again. Ironically, as much as she loved them both, there were two people in the world Evie would not want to be alone with, and both of them stood before her. At least not right now, when there were too many feelings tied up in every direction. She wanted to retain her calm im to power, and she could not do that with Trystan when she felt a little like she might strangle him. And Evie¡¯s mother, well¡­ Her mother¡¯s presence felt a bit like it was strangling her. ¡°All right,¡± Nura said carefully, stepping away from the counter, a serene look upon her face. The calm woman before Evie was a stranger. She¡¯d hoped that the past weeks would relimatize her to her mother¡¯s presence as she¡¯d done with Gideon, but this was different than her brother¡¯s return. Granted, it had hurt to have her brother willfully stay away all these years, but it hadn¡¯t started that way. He didn¡¯t always have a choice. Nura Sage, however, had a choice, and no matter what happy feelings surged at reuniting with her¡ªand as much pain as Evie knew her mother had suffered¡ªshe couldn¡¯t help but resent her for forcing Evie to suffer all those years, too. Alone. Nura smiled at her; it was motherly and nostalgic. It upset Evie¡¯s stomach to look upon it, but she smiled back anyway, praying her mother still couldn¡¯t tell the difference between her sincere one and the false one. ¡°Perhaps you could stay, then, Evie? If Trystan must return to work? We could attempt to salvage this dough together.¡± Nura was so hopeful, and every inch of Evie¡¯s soul was screaming at her toply, to be agreeable, because surely she¡¯d avoided this long enough. The past two weeks, she¡¯d only seen Nura when she was also with Gideon or on the very rare asion that Lyssa spoke with their mother. It wasn¡¯t that Evie wasn¡¯t grateful for her mother¡¯s safety or the newness of Nura¡¯s emotional stability. It was that she couldn¡¯t trust it. She wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d even know how. When a childhood was ruled by the patterns of others, that child learned as an adult to heed them. And as was her pattern, anytime Evie¡¯s mother had a good day, it was always followed by several bad ones. ¡°I would love to, Mama,¡± Evie started, feeling a little like a rabbit caught in a snare. ¡°But I¡¯m working. Perhaps another day? The week¡¯s end, maybe?¡± Nura¡¯s smile faltered, a sadness Evie recognized behind her warm brown eyes. ¡°Oh. Of course, how silly. I shouldn¡¯t have assumed¡ª¡± ¡°I have no work to do,¡± Trystan said, folding his hands in front of him expectantly. Evie and her mother stared at him, awaiting an exnation. ¡°Are you bragging?¡± Evie angled her head as she took him in. Had the two weeks apartpletely undone her ability to read him? What on earth was he doing? He raised a brow at her before turning to address her mother. ¡°I¡¯m attempting to say that I would be happy to help you bake if you need a steady set of hands.¡± Oh. No cause for rm. He was merely attempting to turn her heart inside out. That terribly warm feeling spreading through her chest only worsened when her mother¡¯s face brightened and her eyes softened, hopeful. ¡°Oh, Trystan, dear, I could not ask you to do that. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s much business you need to attend to.¡± Her boss began rolling up his sleeves until they were tucked neatly at his elbows. Forearms¡ªwhich she was sure weren¡¯t meant to be a sensual part of the body, but at which Evie found herself staring anyway¡ªwere revealed, and she felt her face flush. ¡°No business,¡± Trystan said, sauntering toward the dough and looking at it like it might detonate. ¡°The boon of being the boss is deciding my own schedule withoutint from my subordinates.¡± Evie grumbled, ¡°I wasn¡¯t going toin.¡± The Viin gave her a pointed look as he pulled a significantly shorter apron from the small closet and handed it wordlessly to Nura, who smiled, busying herself with it in the corner of the room. ¡°¡®Subordinate¡¯ implies I have some sort of control over you, Sage,¡± he said quietly, turning away to cinch the ties of his own apron at his back. ¡°And I would say, by all ounts, you¡¯re hardly below me.¡± ¡°Even if he¡¯d really like you to be.¡± de grinned, appearing at Evie¡¯s shoulder. At her eye roll, he slung a muscr arm around her, his green sleeves billowing from his copper vest all the way to his wrists. A metal spoon soared through the air and knocked de square between the eyes. ¡°Ow!¡± the dragon trainer yelped, releasing Evie as he rubbed at the spot with an usatory look in his amber eyes. ¡°Evie¡¯s mother is present, you disrespectful lout.¡± The Viin took a threatening step toward the dragon trainer. de rubbed his forehead, ring. ¡°I¡¯m not the one undressing her daughter with my eyes.¡± The Viin¡¯s nostrils red, and Evie was between the two before her boss could take another step, holding a hand out, halting him. ¡°I¡¯m almost certain my mother would find violent murder more offensive than innuendo.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be violent,¡± her boss said dryly before turning to attend to the bowl of mangled dough. ¡°Although this¡­¡± Nura stepped forward, her bemused grin at the disy fading into a wince when she looked upon her creation. ¡°I know it¡¯s hopeless. I thought it would help if I added that strange pink flour, but it seemed to only make the texture worse.¡± ¡°You used my pink flour?¡± Lyssa stood in the doorway, her ck hair now in two braids adorned with red ribbons, her dark eyes round and glistening with unshed tears and her fingers clenched into tight fists. ¡°That was for my and Edwin¡¯s tea scones.¡± Their mother seemed to be unsure of what to do with her hands as she tried to grasp for something to say to the daughter who had been ignoring her almost entirely since her return. Lyssa had refused nearly every attempt at Nura¡¯s attention, and Nura, for all her faults, had taken it in stride. Until now. ¡°Lyssa.¡± Nura reached out for her youngest daughter and flinched when Lyssa stepped farther into Evie¡¯s side. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m so sorry; I had no idea. Can you forgive me?¡± Lyssa¡¯s dark brows turned to a downward nt, and Evie felt her sister¡¯s hands shaking against her waist. ¡°No. That was mine, and you ruined it. You ruined everything.¡± ¡°Lyssa,¡± Evie said carefully, reaching for her little sister but catching only air when Lyssa stepped away and bolted from the room. A long pause settled over the kitchen, no one moving an inch until Gideon poked his head in, his sandy-brown hair slicked back away from his face. ¡°Everything okay in here? I ran into Lyssa, and she seemed upset.¡± When Evie finally found the courage to look upon her mother¡¯s face, she knew with a certainty that Nura¡¯s good day was over. And Evie braced herself. For a bad one. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 5 Evie The sun had barely risen the next morning when Evie sat upright in bed, clutching her chest, feeling a yawning ache, like someone had hollowed her out and left nothing but emptiness behind. Lyssa snored quietly beside her, not even flinching when Evie sprang up and dressed,pleting all her morning ablutions before gently shutting therge wooden door. Her sleep schedule had been abysmal as ofte; she often woke several times during the night until she finally gave up. The sunlight had just begun to show itself as she crept toward a window, leaning her arm on the ledge to peer out over the wide range of Hickory Forest. She was so lost in thought, she didn¡¯t hear footsteps approaching. ¡°Good morning, Ms. Sage!¡± Marv called, nearly dropping a crate that was teetering too far to the left. Evie rushed to grab the other side, helping Marv ce the crate on the ground. ¡°My goodness, Marv. Are you moving?¡± Marv pulled at his cor, sheepish, shyly looking upon the box. ¡°No, just taking the donations down to the entryway until they can be transported. Lots of treasures for the less fortunate! It was your sister¡¯s idea.¡± The box was filled with keepsakes¡ªan oval portrait of a very pretty woman, a paperweight in the shape of a flower, a cluster of pens, a small toolbox, and a few other odds and ends. Evie bent down and picked up a fresh pack of quills for writing reports. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ce this in the storage closet just down the hall? There¡¯s plenty of room in there, and you won¡¯t have to travel as far with something so heavy.¡± Marv blushed, fiddling with his fingers. ¡°That¡¯s most generous, Ms. Sage. Thank you.¡± She patted his cheek and picked up the box, but she had overestimated her own strength. As the bin ttered back to the floor, the toolbox rattled out, and the lid cracked on the stone. Out fell a small hammer, a smaller screwdriver, and several shiny new screws. Marv calmly went to his knees to pick them up, cing them back in the box. ¡°Oh, my. Now I¡¯ve made a mess. My apologies, Ms. Sage.¡± Something about the screws looked familiar, and Evie wasn¡¯t certain why¡­ Until she heard a creaking sound above. ¡°Ms. Sage! Look out!¡± Marv cried, tugging Evie to the ground just out of range of a copsing air vent cover, falling down atop her and guarding her body with his own. The metal nged against the stone floor with a ringing so loud that the door it had copsed in front of swung open. Trystan¡¯s room. ¡°What the zes was that?¡± Trystan roared, shirtless and disheveled, freezing when he spotted Marv atop Evie just a few feet away. ¡°Marv.¡± Marv looked skittish and frightened. ¡°Yes, sir?¡± ¡°Get off her now. If you please.¡± Marv scrambled off of her, and Trystan was already at her side, tugging her to her feet. ¡°Don¡¯t be rude to him,¡± Evie scolded. ¡°He just saved me from being squished.¡± Marv frowned down at the screws, connecting something Evie had already started to. ¡°Hey. These screws¡­ Did someone try to unscrew the vent? But why?¡± ¡°To squish me on purpose,¡± Evie guessed, remembering the manor¡¯s copsed ceiling a while back and its perfectly intact screws somehowing loose. ¡°Or me,¡± Trystan rumbled beside her,ing to the same conclusion. ¡°Marv. Whose tools are these?¡± Marv¡¯s eyes dipped, saddened. ¡°I don¡¯t recall. The crate was left out for any items to be discarded in the office. It¡¯s been sitting there all night, sir. I should¡¯ve been more vignt; shall I gather the workers for questioning? Or you could question me!¡± Marv offered generously, always eager to assist. ¡°Not necessary, Marv. I¡¯ll find the answers on my own,¡± Trystan stated, and Evie felt her hackles rise. ¡°I could help,¡± she argued. Trystan shut his eyes tight, releasing a breath before returning to his chambers, muttering as he walked¡­ ¡°No. You can¡¯t.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 6 Evie ¡°She just needs time, Mama,¡± Evie assured her motherter that morning as Nura paced the length of Evie¡¯s new office. What had once been a mere brightly lit corner alcove had been converted into an open and cheery little space. Her white desk, which Trystan had once thrown a body across, was now pushed up against the window so that the light delightfully warmed her skin while she worked. Every morning, a bouquet of white roses appeared upon her desk, as well as a new tin of vani candies¡ªthe first from Marv, the second from Edwin. Small touches of kindness that felt like the grandest of gestures were often Evie¡¯s favorite. It meant someone was thinking of you at the most ordinary times of the day and sought somehow to improve yours. It created an air of sweetness to mask the bitter feeling of being shoved off to the corner like a child in a time-out. She¡¯d made the effort to adorn the windows with small blue and white paper butterflies Lyssa had made the day Evie was ¡°banished.¡± It had been Lyssa¡¯s attempt to make the distance between Evie and The Viin seem like a happy change. Except Evie was afraid the only change it invoked was her new and sudden rming disdain for butterflies. Nura stood by the other window, leaning against it and running her fingers gently down the stained ss. ¡°I know. I¡¯m sure this is all very frightening for her. I suppose I just wish she¡¯d be more like you in that regard.¡± There was pride in her voice as she walked toward where Evie sat. She leaned over the desk to ce both hands upon her cheeks, looking into her face with a gratefulness Evie did not deserve. ¡°You epted me again right away.¡± A tear ran down Nura¡¯s face. ¡°My sweet girl and her sweet smile.¡± You could fix a broken world with just your smile. The tears stinging Evie¡¯s eyes were not ones of joy, because those words her mother had told her so long ago¡­they no longer felt like apliment. But she smiled anyway. Just in case. ¡°Lyssa¡¯s been dealing with a lot of changetely. I can¡¯t me her for not coping well with another. Especially one so confusing.¡± Evie kept her gaze down at her desk, moving her head away from her mother¡¯s hands, refocusing on the notes in her journal she¡¯d taken the morning before, meager bits of the old man¡¯s memories she¡¯d written down at the tavern. Pieces of Rennedawn¡¯s storybook prophecy. Keys, windows, and something about a door and a stain? Then again¡­he had been chained up by the owner for public drunkenness¡­and he had been trying to escape¡­ Keys, windows, door, stain. With a loud groan, Evie let her forehead fall against the open gold-foiled notebook. ¡°Why is it confusing?¡± Nura asked, her voice distant as Evie contemted the question. Slowly picking up her head, furrowing her brow, she said, ¡°What?¡± ¡°Why do you think my return is so confusing for Lyssa?¡± Nura asked, her head leaned forward like she knew the answer, like she was preparing to hear it but needed Evie to say it aloud. ¡°Well¡ª¡± Please don¡¯t make me do this. Don¡¯t force me to be strong in this moment. Not when I¡¯ve earned the right to curl up and cry. Her mother was alive and whole. Evie needed to be grateful, needed to ept that the pain and resentment of the past didn¡¯t matter any longer. Her head knew this, but her heart was twisting so hard in her chest that she felt nauseous. Nura¡¯s face grew solemn. ¡°Evangelina, I am not fragile. My magic has been dormant since I returned, and my head is clear. I can handle the truth.¡± The scar on Evie¡¯s shoulder began to send shocking sensations down her spine, all the way to the dagger at her thigh, and it hurt. ¡°You didn¡¯t raise her!¡± The words burst from her as if the burning had shoved them out. Nura flinched and stepped away. ¡°I¡­I realize that.¡± Evie sighed, pushing away from her chair to stand. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to be cruel. You said you could handle the truth, and the truth is that to Lyssa, you are little more than a stranger.¡± To me, too. But she didn¡¯t add the final part, as her goals for the day didn¡¯t include ravaging her mother¡¯s heart, and if her forced eptance of the woman who¡¯d left her behind took some of the brunt off Lyssa, Evie would do it. Feigned smile and all. ¡°She¡¯ll get to know you, and all will be well, Mama. Please don¡¯t fret.¡± Evie reached for her mother¡¯s hand. Nura smiled back. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. I¡ª Oh, hasibsi!¡± Her mother¡¯s eyes caught on the journal sprawled open on Evie¡¯s desk, picking it up and pointing to the stains on the pages. The bloodstains. From the stabbing. Oops. ¡°What on earth happened here?¡± ¡°Oh, I just ran into a little trouble yesterday on a work¡­excursion. There was a bit of, um, fighting involved. My journal was one of the casualties.¡± She forced herself to sound sufficiently sheepish instead of proud. Her mother likely wouldn¡¯t entirely approve of her work pursuits. But Evie knew she wasn¡¯t ignorant of them, either. In her time as a star in the sky, Nura had witnessed and watched over all her children in between periods of dormant sleep. Nura frowned. ¡°If I¡¯de back sooner, you never would¡¯ve needed to force yourself to do such things.¡± Evie shut her notebook and tucked it protectively under her arm. ¡°No forcing required, actually,¡± she said and straightened her spine. ¡°It turns out I¡¯m well suited to this job and it¡¯s well suited to me.¡± There was something haunted in her mother¡¯s eyes, something Evie wasn¡¯t brave enough to ask after. A knock sounded at the door, and Evie let loose a breath of relief as Tatianna poked her head in, a curve to her painted pink lips. ¡°You sent for me, Evie, dear? Your note said it was urgent? Good morning, Mistress Sage.¡± Yes. Urgent. As in ¡°save me from being alone with my mother.¡± ¡°Good morning, dear.¡± Nura smiled and stepped backward, her white gown sweeping back with her. ¡°I suppose I shall leave you two to your business. I think I¡¯ll go find Gideon.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Gideon stepped in, gesturing widely with his arms as if he were a sight to behold. ¡°I have arrived.¡± He moved closer to Evie, leaning down to whisper in her ear. ¡°Designated buffer at your service.¡± Evie¡¯s elbow found itself shoved into her older brother¡¯s abdomen. ¡°I don¡¯t need a buffer,¡± she hissed. ¡°Is that why you look like you¡¯re determining the nearest exit route? Don¡¯t use the window¡ªit doesn¡¯t seem to work well for the interns,¡± he warned. She elbowed him again. He grunted, but to his credit, his easygoing smile didn¡¯t falter. Despite its unfortunate origins, Evie¡¯s office had be a bit of a sanctuary. Every time she¡¯d caught herself thinking too much of her boss or feeling particrly inadequate, she found herself sequestered in this room. That was to say, most of her day. re stumbled through the door next, eyeing Tatianna, followed by a hopping neutral-faced Kingsley, and then finally, because the room hadn¡¯t grown crowded enough, her boss poked his head in¡ªso carefully Evie had to choke back augh. ¡°Why are you all in here?¡± Trystan asked roughly, dark eyes not looking at hers. ¡°Tatianna, I need you to look in on Bradley in our finance department.¡± Tatianna pouted and folded her arms. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°He fell down the stairs.¡± She gaped, tucking a braid behind her ear. ¡°How?¡± ¡°I pushed him.¡± Evie stifled a giggle in her hand, meeting her boss¡¯s eyes with a teasing reprimand. He had the good sense to look the very smallest bit sheepish, and the even better sense to sh one of his dimples at her as a low chuckle huffed from his mouth. Their eyes held for a moment. And then Kingsley hopped onto The Viin¡¯s shoulder, slowly lifting a sign that read: Blushing. The boss¡¯s cheeks were indeed pinkening, and Evie felt a warmth spread through her belly that surely shouldn¡¯t be there. She was meant to still be angry! And torturing him little by little! Although, by the look of horror on his face, at least he did find blushing to be a torturous endeavor. As it stood, many of Evie¡¯s sesses seemed to be idents. Her mother watched the interaction with what looked like begrudged amusement, and when Trystan noticed her in the corner, the red color tingeing his cheeks deepened even further. ¡°Or rather, he happened to be¡­at the end of my¡­hands when they were¡­extending,¡± he corrected. re grinned, seeming to enjoy her older brother¡¯s difort in a way Evie could understand. ¡°I thought I saw you punch him first?¡± ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Trystan gritted out. re gave a satisfied smirk, rocking on her heels and leaning against the wall. ¡°I only came because Tatianna and I were working on a potion to help the male guvre calm when she got Evie¡¯s summons, and I don¡¯t like to be excluded.¡± ¡°How unfortunate.¡± Trystan red. ¡°Since I so enjoy excluding you.¡± ¡°Is the male guvre still struggling?¡± Evie asked, knowing what an understatement this was to describe the turmoil the animal was going through every day he was separated from his mate and unborn baby. re¡¯s easiness faded into something guilty. ¡°de¡¯s been slipping some of the calming potions into his food, but he isn¡¯t eating much, so it¡¯s difficult to get him to take enough to stay that way. The poor thing¡¯s either thrashing and fighting or lying in the corner, making this awful whimpering sound.¡± ¡°Hard to work up an appetite when the one you love is so out of reach,¡± Tatianna said, her dark eyes falling to re. The two women held each other¡¯s gaze before sliding away. Evie made a note to follow up with themter. Their rtionship status was hardly her business, but she needed something else to focus on besides her disastrous love life¡ªorck thereof. A heaviness settled about the room; Kingsley seemed to sense this as he leaped on the table and held up a sign spelling out the word: True And another sign: Live Tatianna¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Is he attempting to tell us to live truly?¡± Gideon bent low, squinting at both signs. ¡°I think he spelled ¡®love¡¯ wrong.¡± ¡°Impossible,¡± The Viin snapped. ¡°Kingsley doesn¡¯t misspell words.¡± ¡°Um.¡± Evie paused, snapping her fingers, pretending to contemte. ¡°Halp?¡± The Viin stared at her. ¡°With what?¡± ¡°Oh gods.¡± Evie moaned into her hand. ¡°Halp. As in, I¡¯ve seen him misspell the word ¡®help.¡¯¡± The Viin blinked, unfazed. ¡°Oh. That doesn¡¯t count.¡± Fate must have been having a grandugh at her expense, because her n to torture The Viin into submission seemed to have been switched around on her. ¡°How does that not count?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an inside joke.¡± He said this in the same dry tone he always used, but Evie caught it. The slight shift in his mouth, a near curve, eyes shing to the flush creeping up her neck with a hint of satisfaction. ¡°Are you ying with me?¡± she asked. ¡°Sage, I wouldn¡¯t begin to know how.¡± She folded her hands behind her back, giving him her best customer service sharine sweetness. ¡°I could loan you one of my books. They¡¯d give you some inspiration.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to pretend you¡¯re discussing a sports manual so that I don¡¯t lose my breakfast,¡± Gideon said, waving his hands back and forth like he was attempting to wash an invisible window. ¡°Mother, would you care for a stroll about the courtyard? Or perhaps a nosedive into the thorny grove?¡± Nura had been noticeably absent from the conversation, her gaze taking on a faraway look that Evie had spent her youth in fear of, but instead of leaping to fix it, Evie felt her limbs frozen in ce, the bottoms of her feet rooting her. ¡°Yes,¡± their mother replied dreamily. ¡°And perhaps Lyssa might want to join us?¡± Gideon hadn¡¯t leaped to please everyone when they were children as Evie had, but he¡¯d always been theughter in the room, the lighter presence, and people who basked in light tended to avoid things that lived in the dark. ¡°Perhaps,¡± he said, though his easygoing manner faltered for just a second. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go ask?¡± When they shuffled from the room, Tatianna looked quizzically at Kingsley¡¯s signs, picking one up to inspect it. He released them both, hopping toward re, who looked down at the frog with a fond familiarity. The Viin leaned down and spoke quietly in Evie¡¯s ear, his voice smoky and dark. ¡°I don¡¯t need your books.¡± His dark gaze on her was a caress, a finger running down her cheek. ¡°I already have it.¡± It felt like a secret confided and a bitter confession all rolled into one. What in the deands? ¡°You already have what?¡± His eyes lingered on her face, dipping to her red lips. ¡°Inspiration.¡± Now, why does that seemingly ordinary word suddenly sound absolutely filthy? Probably because he¡¯s saying it while staring at you like he wants to melt your corset. And pathetically¡­it¡¯s working. ¡°Ms. Sage!¡± Marv rushed through her office doors, and the fragile moment shattered. Evie kept a certain pleasantness to her, even though it felt a bit like steam was about to shoot out of her ears. ¡°Not a ghost again, Marv?¡± she asked, feeling a twitch settling into her eyelid. ¡°Worse!¡± Tatianna frowned, running a hand down her pink silk skirt. ¡°Ew. A ghoul?¡± ¡°No, Ms. Tatianna.¡± Marv took a deep breath. ¡°It¡¯s King Benedict!¡± They were all alert now, Kingsley included, though there was a vague distractedness to his expression Evie reminded herself to look intoter. ¡°What about him, Marv?¡± The Viin barked. Marv paled. ¡°He¡¯s knocking on the front door.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 7 The Viin ¡°Knocking¡± had been an understatement. The king and his Valiant Guard were using a catapult tounchrge stones past the thorny grove and into the manor¡¯s front entrance. Trystan had a catapult of his own, and if one more person screamed, he was going to startunching the rest of the finance department. He might do it anyway just for some amusement. Another stone flew, and then another. ¡°Launch!¡± Trystan shouted, sweeping his arm down as a pair of Malevolent Guards pulled the lever and let Trystan¡¯s favorite weapons oddity fly. Detonating pumpkins¡ªimbued with the same dark gardening magic that had made the formidable thorny grove. Innocuous, until the tip of the pumpkin was lifted; then it became a rather efficient bomb. The pumpkins smashed into the flying rocks, creating a sh of red-and-yellow sparks that rivaled fireworks. ¡°Keeley!¡± he yelled, sweeping out the office side doors onto the parapet overlooking the front of the manor. The captain of his guard was leveling her gaze outward, assessing. ¡°Launch ten more!¡± ¡°We only have three left!¡± Trystan¡¯s head whipped around. ¡°That cannot be! We were just given ten barrels of them. What happened to the rest?¡± Keeley held up a hand, an undetonated pumpkin in the other, not tearing her golden gaze from what was ahead. ¡°I don¡¯t know! I went down to fetch them, and they were gone.¡± He shook his head, frustrated that he didn¡¯t have time to investigate. ¡°How many knights?¡± Peering over the edge, he lifted his spyss to see farther. The king sat atop his horse, his fur cape draped around him in regal waves, his crown gleaming so brightly in the sun Trystan had to squint. By his count there were only¡­six Valiant Guards. ¡°Are the rest hiding beyond the trees?¡± Keeley shook her head, her thick braid moving with her. ¡°No, sir. We sent out ravens, even some of the pixies. This is all he brought along.¡± ¡°It has to be a trap.¡± Sage¡¯s voice at his side made him jolt. He red down angrily at her dark curls. ¡°What?¡± she asked, her nose scrunching in a way that forced his fool heart to do flip-flops. ¡°I told you to stay put, little tornado,¡± he gritted out, though he was unsurprised, of course, that Sage hadn¡¯t obeyed orders. She leaned over the parapet, using her hand to shade her eyes against the sun. ¡°I¡¯m The Viin¡¯s apprentice. If I¡¯m to learn my trade, I need to observe you in action, Evil Overlord.¡± It was a reasonable assessment¡ªwhich pissed him off. And strangely made his insides warm. Which¡­pissed him off more. Another rock came soaring, and Trystan wrapped both hands around Sage¡¯s arms and bodily lifted her away from the edge. The entire manor rattled with the impact. Sage squealed until her feet met the ground again. ¡°Viin! Do we have your attention?¡± Benedict¡¯s words echoed, a magical speaking trumpet carrying his voice over the distance. ¡°Or shall we continue?¡± Damn it. ¡°Sage, I need my¡ª¡± But his own magical speaking trumpet was already in his hands, and Sage¡¯s self-satisfied smile made him want to kiss her senseless. Or run as far away from her as he could. He coughed, not looking at her any longer. ¡°Thank you.¡± Her light hum told him that she didn¡¯t require his thanks. She knew he needed her, and that seemed to be enough. Evie Sage is meant to be your downfall, and you her undoing. He shook away the tainted future he had to prevent and focused in on the one thing in the world that had never failed him. Viiny. ¡°Is the alternative to your attack having a conversation with you, Benedict?¡± Trystan called dryly. ¡°Because in that case, the rocks are preferable.¡± A few of the knights shuffled nervously at the king¡¯s side, waiting for a reaction from the man with so little tether. But the king wasn¡¯t angry; instead, he began one of Trystan¡¯s least favorite pastimes. The son of a bitchughed. ¡°A wonder you can jest under the circumstances, my boy.¡± Trystan¡¯s magic stirred beneath his skin, and when Sage brushed against his arm, it was no longer at his side. It swept out so far and fast it swiped one of the knights at the catapult, leaving a ck spot shining. The kill spot. The man dropped dead as soon as his magic struck true. Trystan let out a ragged sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Killing by ident was a terrible thing. It was far more gratifying when done on purpose. ¡°Humorous enough for you, Benedict?¡± he called. Benedict blinked at his fallen man with the same interest Trystan gave a speck of dust floating through the air. ¡°Now, now. Let us not argue. I¡¯vee to strike a deal.¡± ¡°No.¡± Sage went to reach for Trystan, and he lurched away from her. If she touched him one more time, the whole parapet was going to copse beneath their feet. Her eyes went downcast, but there was a resolve in the set of her shoulders. ¡°I think you should ask what it is first.¡± Trystan scoffed. ¡°In the mood for negotiations, are you?¡± ¡°No. I just think it¡¯s better to know things than to bury your head in the sand. But you¡¯re the boss,¡± she said with a smile so fake he wanted to pull his hair out. Tatianna glided onto the parapet with a cursory nce at the group of them. ¡°Fluffy won¡¯t be of any assistance in the fire-breathing department, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Sage asked, a note of worry in the word. ¡°de said he has a cold.¡± Lyssa trailed out from behind her. ¡°He¡¯s sneezing little poofs of smoke!¡± Sage swept past him until she was turning Lyssa around by the shoulders. ¡°Back inside now.¡± She paused. ¡°And stay away from the front door¡ªand the windows, for that matter. I wouldn¡¯t trust their ability to continue aiming at the same target without missing. No ss. No doors. Go.¡± ¡°But Tatianna said you were doing viin things!¡± Lyssa dipped under Evie¡¯s arms and ran for Trystan. ¡°I have to observe!¡± Sage let out a small growl and stomped her boot. ¡°Lyssa, that is absurd. Go inside. Now!¡± Trystan whistled low. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say the same thing, Sage?¡± Sage nted her hands on her hips, betrayal gleaming in her eyes. ¡°Shall I test my viiny on you?¡± ¡°If it¡¯ll end this faster, have at it.¡± Lyssaughed, and Trystan¡¯s mouth twitched. Until another crash shook the manor, causing everyone to fall against the stone ground. Except Trystan. ¡°Forgotten about me?¡± Benedict¡¯s voice carried to them on the wind. ¡°For the love of the gods,¡± Trystan yelled, lifting the speaking trumpet back to his mouth. ¡°What deal do you want to make, Benedict? Out with it!¡± Even without the looking ss, Trystan could see the king¡¯s smile stretching wide, sinister in a way Trystan had never fully mastered. It was an irony he had no trouble acknowledging that the purest forms of evil seemed to be buried inside a man so desperate to reach ultimate power and all those who would ignore his wrongdoings to keep him there. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the entirety of Rennedawn¡¯s prophecy. Here and now.¡± No. Too easy. ¡°And in exchange?¡± Trystan drawled. King Benedict¡¯s greedy gaze fell upon Sage and Lyssa, who¡¯d made their ways to his side. Trystan contemted ripping the king¡¯s eyes out, but then the king said something that caused a riotous silence on the raised tform. ¡°I want Nura Sage.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 8 Evie ¡°My mother is dead,¡± Evie called down to the king, solemn. ¡°Hadn¡¯t you heard?¡± Benedict pointed a finger at her, shaking his head like he found her amusing, and Evie caught herself wondering how difficult it would be to break a finger and how badly it would hurt. ¡°Lying does not be you, Ms. Sage.¡± ¡°Evie?¡± Lyssa asked warily, not quite tall enough to see over the wall down to the king. ¡°Take Lyssa inside,¡± Trystan said at her ear. ¡°I will handle this.¡± Evie turned and looked up at her boss with defiance as she uttered a word she was growing rather fond of¡ªone she¡¯d had such trouble with in the past. ¡°No. Keeley. Please take my sister inside, if you would?¡± Trystan¡¯s jaw clenched, the muscle moving with the motion, and Evie found herself fixating on it to keep herself calm. He didn¡¯t fight her, just nodded stiffly, epting her choice with no protestation as they stood there together against the man who had taken so much from both of them. Behind them, Keeley quietly ushered Lyssa back into the manor, handing off the undetonated pumpkin lightly into Evie¡¯s palm as they passed. The captain whispered words of reassurance to Lyssa until they disappeared. Evie allowed herself a moment to pretend she believed them, for the part of her that still wanted to. She nced to the side and internally groaned when she spied Lyssa¡¯s wide eyes through the stained ss window, openly defying her. Oh, the lecture that girl was going to get when she was through¡ª No. That was a Becky thought. Oh dear, how¡¯d that get there? Trystan called back to Benedict. ¡°You were a fool toe here, Benedict. But in the interest of destroying you at a more opportune time, I¡¯ll allow you ten minutes to get as far away from Massacre Manor as you can before the Malevolent Guards descend upon you.¡± Benedictughed again, and something buried deep inside Evie¡¯s mind snapped. She rushed the wall, climbing atop the edge and holding the undetonated pumpkin high, ready to pull the stem and detonate it. The king stoppedughing, the thin veil of the patient ruler dropping to reveal what the king truly was. ¡°Ms. Sage, be reasonable. Is this really the person you want to be? A murderer?¡± She could feel Trystan at her back, but he didn¡¯t pull her down, didn¡¯t stop her when her red lips stretched wide, the wind billowing her shirt, her fear of heights melting away behind her anger, her fury. Her darkness. ¡°Do you know, Your Majesty? What happened to Otto Warsen that day you left him behind to kill me?¡± Her voice was melodic, light; it almost didn¡¯t sound like hers. Benedict edged closer to the grove. ¡°I suppose your traitor brother dispatched him with your help?¡± he responded coolly, though Evie could hear the masked curiosity in the vagueness of his answer. She tsked and shook her head, unsheathing her dagger from her thigh. ¡°Close! Gideon was a help with the remaining guard, to be sure, but Otto was mine, I¡¯m afraid. I slit his throat.¡± The king stilled, his head angling for a moment before snapping straight. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Yes. It was a quick death and my first. So I wanted to be sure tomemorate it in the way Mr. Warsen deserved. One that paid tribute to the life he¡¯d lived and those he left behind.¡± Benedict was eager to hear the rest. Evie could tell by how he pressed: ¡°And how did you do that?¡± Evie held up the pumpkin projectile in one hand, her dagger in the other. She grinned wide as she used the tip of the knife to lift the stem, speaking strong and loud so all could hear. ¡°I removed his head.¡± She flicked the stem fully off and threw the pumpkin as far as her arm would allow, only a few short strides from where she threw the ticking bomb she found beneath the boss¡¯s desk when this had all begun. Except now she was no longer throwing the danger away from her. She was throwing it toward someone else. And that made Evie do something she knew even The Viin didn¡¯t do during his acts of violence. She smiled. A real one. The king and his men moved in a flurry to get away, the explosion hitting just where Benedict had been standing, leaving a small crater behind. Now Evieughed. ¡°I think you¡¯d better go, King Benedict. Next time, I won¡¯t miss.¡± There was a buzzing in her ear, and when she looked down, she realized that the cool breeze hitting her ankles and tangling with the curls of her hair was not the wind at all. It was The Viin¡¯s magic. And Benedict¡­was looking right at it. Furious. ¡°Well, Ms. Sage.¡± Benedict¡¯s crown was tilted, his clothes no longer as pristinely crisp as they had been a moment ago, but infuriatingly enough, he kept hisposure. ¡°It seems I made a mistake.¡± Though he didn¡¯t specify which one. ¡°I wonder what your dear parents would say if they could see you now.¡± Evie dipped into a curtsy, steadied by the power wrapped around her ankles. She didn¡¯t dare nce at her boss, didn¡¯t dare see the look in his eyes, knowing her resolve would crumble and she¡¯d do something desperate. Like ask him for a hug. She steeled what was left of her spine. ¡°As I told you before, my mother is dead. But please send Father my regards and tell him I look forward to seeing him again. We have much to discuss.¡± Benedict¡¯s horse backed away, but hisposure remained. That confidence rang rm bells in Evie¡¯s mind. ¡°And as I told you before, lying does not be you. If your mother is dead, then who is that behind you?¡± The hairs on the back of Evie¡¯s neck stood on end, and she turned her head slowly in the direction of the open side doors. Her mother stood there, dark eyes round with horror. Benedict called up, ¡°Pity. It appears you have a ghost problem after all.¡± Evie¡¯s heart stopped, and her boss went rigid behind her as they exchanged a nce that said something unmistakable. How did the king know about that? The clomping of hooves signaled their departure, but Evie hardly noticed¡ªshe was too fixated on her mother. ¡°Mama? It¡¯s okay,¡± Evie said carefully, reaching for something to hold on to so she could step down. Her hand closed around the boss¡¯s gloved fingers, his strength supporting her weight as she left the parapet¡¯s ledge. As soon as her feet were back on solid ground, he released her. ¡°Mama?¡± Nura stood there, staring in horror, watching The Viin¡¯s death magic swirl around Evie with an uracy that could only mean one thing. The Viin¡¯s magic was visible. ¡°What. Is. That?¡± Her mother¡¯s voice was tainted with fear. The Viin boomed. ¡°Gideon! Someone get Gideon! Right now!¡± The shuffle of footsteps sounded behind her, and Evie knew the urgency. She¡¯d seen this look on her mother¡¯s face before, but unlike the others she¡¯de to know, this was a look Evie had only seen once. In the dandelion fields. Evie walked toward her mother slowly, as if approaching something wild, something delicate. ¡°Mama, it¡¯s okay. It¡¯s all going to be okay.¡± Her mother¡¯s dark eyes were spilling tears freely, her whole body shaking with a force that made her teeth rattle. ¡°My poor daughter. My poor Evie. My sweet girl, what has happened to you?¡± Evie flinched, her hand going to her chest like her mother had just run her through the heart. It would exin the pain, the tingle from her dagger in her palm, the scar glowing on her shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s. Happened?¡± Anger burned behind her eyes, blurring her vision. ¡°I survived. I did what I had to without any help. Without you.¡± Evie¡¯s voice broke, and she closed her hand over her mouth to stop herself from going any further. But The Viin¡¯s power seemed to sense her distress anyway. It seeped closer, and then, much like the pumpkin Evie had just thrown, Nura Sage glowed brighter than a firework. A beam of starlight was about to shoot from her chest. ¡°Mama, no!¡± Evie ran for her mother, but her boss grabbed her by the waist and threw them both to the ground, covering her body with his. ¡°Stay down, Sage!¡± Under The Viin¡¯s protective arms, Evie watched in horror as the same beam of light that had destroyed their family all those years ago shot out toward the manor. Toward the stained ss window. And worst of all? Toward Lyssa. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 9 Gideon Gideon Sage had awoken that morning with a raging headache and a sickly feeling that his day would somehow only worsen as it went on. As it happened¡ªthough not often, of course¡ªGideon was correct. ¡°Gods damn it!¡± Gideon cried, sprinting into the office space at full speed, watching in horror as the beam of light¡ªthe same one that had once knocked him into a different identity¡ªbarreled for the window, right toward his youngest sister. The next few moments happened in the time it took for a heart to beat or a bead of sweat to form at his brow. ¡°Lyssa!¡± Gideon lurched for her, projecting his shielding magic¡ªmagic that had saved him from perishing due to his mother¡¯s starlight the first time. But it was toote. The beam would hit Lyssa. Gideon and his magic were too far away. They were all too far away. All except¡­ Keeley. The head of The Viin¡¯s guard, the woman who Gideon had spent the better part of their acquaintance detesting, dove in front of Lyssa without a moment¡¯s pause, taking the beam of starlight at her back with a gut-wrenching scream. Though it was Gideon¡¯s ears that were ringing, he oddly felt that scream burrow both deep into his chest and down into his gut. The light faded just as fast as it had shined, desks and nts throughout the room singed from the st. Evie burst through the side doors, already to Lyssa, throwing her arms over their crying little sister. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re all right. You¡¯re safe. I¡¯m here,¡± Evie soothed as Lyssa buried her head in Evie¡¯s shoulder, crying. Thankfully, Lyssa couldn¡¯t see the horror in Evie¡¯s own eyes as she stared at Gideon. ¡°Keeley. Is she dead?¡± Lyssa sobbed, and Gideon¡¯s pulse raced, the room suddenly suffocating despite the shattered window and the fresh air spilling in. He knew it wasn¡¯t poisoned. But every breath sickened him just the same. Keeleyy t on the ground, her ravaged back exposed, and Gideon was kneeling beside her before another breath could be taken. The pleading look on Keeley¡¯s face as her golden eyes searched his would be seared in his memory forever. To his great relief, Tatianna appeared next to him. The healer¡¯s pink-painted lips pulled up in a rather sad smile as her hands glowed over Keeley¡¯s back, hovering but not touching. ¡°It could have been worse. That st should¡¯ve killed you.¡± Gideon¡¯s brow was furrowed, his heart somewhere in the vicinity of his shoes. ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯s sorry to disappoint. Keeley is usually so very good at following a chain ofmand, aren¡¯t you, Captain?¡± Keeley sputtered augh, and Gideon felt as if he could fly, or end a war, or something as monumental as the sound made him feel. ¡°Very¡ª¡± The captain stopped to cough. ¡°Very funny, sir knight.¡± Tatianna brushed a gentle hand against Gideon¡¯s arm, her dark eyes boring into his. ¡°Could you carry her to my quarters, Gideon? And avoid touching her back if you can manage it.¡± Gideon nodded, bending toward Keeley. ¡°As much as you¡¯ll hate this, Captain, do you think you can manage to put your arms around my neck?¡± Keeley attempted to sit up but nearly fell, and would have if not for Gideon¡¯s quick reactions. He gripped her elbows, guiding her long, lithe limbs around his neck, then reached for her legs, looking at her for silent permission. She nodded, and Gideon took hold of each of her thighs, bending his knees to stand, her arms folded around him, her lemon-scented skin making him unpleasantly dizzy. ¡°Don¡¯t drop me, sir knight,¡± she whispered in his ear, causing goose bumps to rise across his skin. Gideon tightened his arms, only enough to strengthen his hold, ensuring she could fully rx against him. All the pretense of his ire toward the woman had disappeared, perhaps forever. She¡¯d saved his sister. Her first instinct was to throw herself right into the danger to protect a little girl. It made Gideon wonder if anyone had ever done that for Keeley. It nearly made him volunteer right there. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, Captain,¡± Gideon replied unsteadily, giving Evie a gentle nod before turning to follow Tatianna. Nura Sage appeared from the parapet, ssy eyes wide in horror. ¡°My gods. My gods, I¡¯m so sorry. Is she all right?¡± A faint white-silver glow still remained around their mother, as if it was weakened, slowly fading little by little. Before Gideon could take another step, carrying the woman in his arms like fine porcin, he watched Trystan step toward Nura, a hard look of resolve on his face. ¡°Worry not, Mistress Sage. It was entirely my fault. My magic is waning and unruly; it should never have made it that close to you.¡± He was nk when he continued. ¡°Your reaction was only natural. It¡¯s best for all to keep their distance from me until the prophecy is broken and the magical order to Rennedawn is restored. Especially you, Sage. If I give an order to leave, I expect you to heed it when your safety and that of others is in jeopardy.¡± Gideon sighed. Evie looked wounded, naturally; Trystan Maverine looked a bit like someone about to have a tooth pulled. She tugged Lyssa farther into her neck, gently standing them up. ¡°I¡¯ll leave, then. I¡¯d hate to disappoint you. I¡¯m rather familiar with the emotion.¡± Gideon couldn¡¯t be sure, but he felt as though something unsaid passed between Evie and Trystan Maverine in that moment. Something that made Evie re at the man with a charge that nearly shook the room more than the starlight. Gideon hadn¡¯t revealed his suspicions about where the prophecy could be headed or who he thought would y each role. It was a silly, senseless theory. But as Gideon Sage turned his head to check on his sisters onest time, the look in Evie¡¯s eyes made him fear many things. The greatest of them being¡­ What if he was right? Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 10 Evie ¡°Sometimes I have daydreams about punching him in the jaw. Really hard!¡± Evie eximed. She watched for Rebecka Erring¡¯s reaction. Their newfound friendship was still fresh and potentially fragile, but at the same time, Evie felt very much that she could say anything to Becky, and the Human and Magical Creature Resource woman would understand and, even better, reply with words that could soothe the fire inside Evie. But Becky didn¡¯t look up from her paperwork. Her long fingers leafed through the pages of her notes one at a time, her sses perched on the tip of her nose. Behind them, her light-brown eyes flicked to study Evie¡¯s serious expression. ¡°If we¡¯re referring to the boss or anyone else who works in the office, just be sure you fill out a form first.¡± Evie huffed, crossing her arms before shoving a freshly baked blueberry scone into her mouth. It was delicious, the sugared dough melting on her tongue. It mattered not that the scone was fluorescent pink where it should¡¯ve been blue; it seemed the strangest creations that came from Edwin¡¯s kitchen tasted the best. Plus, he¡¯de in on his day off just to make arge batch for everyone after the near miss with Lyssa and her mother¡¯s starlight magic. Lyssa had thankfully settled quickly after the terrifying encounter. Keeley would heal fully from her physical wounds¡ªthank the gods and thanks to Tatianna, who had been working on the Malevolent Guard captain for thest few hours. Evie owed the captain every gratitude, but the pain in Trystan¡¯s eyes when he¡¯d realized the incident had begun because of his magic¡­that was something Evie was decidedly not grateful for. Especially since she was almost certain her mother¡¯s magic wasn¡¯t reacting to Trystan¡¯s magic at all. No, Nura Sage had been reacting to her. Her mother had glimpsed a side to her she¡¯d never seen and rejected it in the most dramatic way possible. Evie chewed her bright-pink scone with a vengeance, the memory of The Viin¡¯s chastising rebuke only fueling her. ¡°Are you giving me permission?¡± Becky didn¡¯t look up, but her lip curled slightly. A sure sign that Evie had barged through her friend¡¯s defenses. ¡°I certainly don¡¯t have the pay grade to stop you.¡± Evie folded her arms over her cinched bodice, leaning back in her chair and throwing a wink at Edwin¡ªtheir office chef and dear friend enjoyed eavesdropping far more than most ogres of Evie¡¯s acquaintance. ¡°I thought you said you were paid best in the office, Becky.¡± Rebecka Erring, or¡ªif one knew her better¡ªRebecka Eriania Fortis, stiffened, her attention flickering to Edwin. ¡°Next to Edwin, of course, and unfortunately, there aren¡¯t work benefits in the world to bid me to stop you from striking someone. My new office included.¡± Becky shuddered, likely at the thought of losing a well-deserved space of her own, and adjusted her sses farther up her nose. Edwin Beningtonughed as he stirred the cauldron brew with argedle and dropped a refill into both Evie¡¯s and Becky¡¯s ceramic chalices. The nutty aroma was an instantfort, as was the warmth the chalice brought to Evie¡¯s chilled hands. ¡°I do not think you are the very first to want to strike Trystan, Miss Evie.¡± Evie took a bracing sip, the bitterness from the brew sitting on the back of her tongue and livening her senses. ¡°Yes, but might I be the first who wants to do it with a frying pan?¡± Edwin looked up thoughtfully, considering. His sses were no longer too small for his face. Lyssa had ensured the ogre finally had a pair that sat morefortably atop his blue nose. ¡°Someone threw a soup pot at him once.¡± Evie¡¯s ears perked up, and she sat straighter in her seat. ¡°Was there soup in it?¡± Edwin frowned. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Could there be?¡± Evie steepled her hands together, smiling gleefully. ¡°No,¡± Becky said without looking up. ¡°Edwin isn¡¯t wasting a whole pot of soup on a joke.¡± Evie red, huffing out a breath. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a joke.¡± ¡°Edwin! The new yellow sparkles arrived!¡± Lyssa plowed into the kitchens with reckless abandon and with enough energy that you would never know she¡¯d spent an hour crying in Evie¡¯s arms that morning. Nura had fled to her bedchamber, allowing Lyssa the space to recover. So much pain. It seemed to be all their family was made of these days. And Evie knew that for their mother, there was no greater pain than disappointing a child you thought you could protect. It was why Evie was grateful for the family they¡¯d found in the offices, for how this group had epted Lyssa as one of their own, anticipating her little sister¡¯s needs. Evie had never thought of Lyssa as a burden, but it was nice¡­to have people to share her with. Edwin seemed to agree, taking Lyssa¡¯s news of the sparkles¡¯ arrival as if she¡¯d told him that the sky was raining gold and chocte. ¡°That¡¯s wondrous, Miss Lyssa! We must retrieve them at once!¡± Lyssa squealed and pped, running over on her tiptoes, giving Evie a gentle kiss on the cheek and then repeating the sweet gesture with Becky. To the shock of all of them, Becky epted it with a small smile. ¡°Not too many sweets while you¡¯re baking.¡± Becky pointed a finger at Lyssa. Lyssa grinned and sprinted after Edwin. ¡°I¡¯ll wait until after we¡¯re done, then!¡± Becky shook her head while pushing herself up slowly to stand. ¡°The familial rtion between the two of you was never in question, but if it were, her conniving wordy would prove it.¡± Evie saluted before sipping anotherrge gulp of her brew. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as apliment.¡± Becky flicked Evie¡¯s head as she walked past her to return to the mountains of paperwork after the morning¡¯s events. ¡°You would.¡± ¡°Are they rebuilding the window?¡± Evie asked. Becky shrugged. ¡°Probably. They¡¯ve done it before.¡± Evie frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t recall any previously broken windows.¡± Becky shook her head, loose, silky brown locks falling from her normally very tight bun. ¡°I meant that the windows have been reconstructed. They used to depict happy things before the boss took over the manor. When he had them reced, the artist used the ss that was already there. Just rearranged the bits. The boss hates waste.¡± The severed heads in the entry doubling as decor pieces were making more and more sense every day. Becky headed for the door. ¡°Are youing?¡± Evie fiddled with the end of one of her curls. ¡°I¡¯ll be up in a minute.¡± Becky didn¡¯t speak again as her footsteps faded away, leaving Evie alone in the silence. She normally detested silence, but as ofte, she couldn¡¯t help but relish in it. Her life was louder than ever, as were her thoughts, and it was in these very few moments of peace that she allowed herself to wallow. Properly. Feeling sorry for oneself took up a ridiculous amount of time, and she hadn¡¯t had nearly enough to do ittely. The past two weeks had been spent juggling out-of-control feelings, ns to steal back the pregnant female guvre after the king¡¯s men stole the animal away during the battle, and, of course, searching for the fourth item in the prophecy to save Rennedawn¡¯s magic. It mattered not if they had every object in their arsenal (which they didn¡¯t). Without the knowledge of that fourth piece, Rennedawn would continue to descend into darkness. Dying magic and all. Think of me when you¡¯re with the trees. The memory of the Kissing Tree Caves monster¡¯sst words made her stomach twist so hard, she felt acid rise in her throat. Shutting her eyes, Evie let a few tears fall down her cheeks. She¡¯d tried to return to the caves twice since they found her mother, since the fading magic struck the home of one of the gods left behind. She¡¯d gotten her mother back, and within moments, something pure and good perished. It had been Evie¡¯s fault, for not understanding that her happiness would nevere without a price. The thought overwhelmed her as she stood, swiping at the tears burning down the sides of her face. She looked at her reflection in her favorite stained ss window¡ªthe one in the corner of the kitchen with the sun shining down on an old, weathered-looking book¡ªand wiped away the tears, forcing her mouth into a pleasant smile, a practiced one. Evie was an expert at hiding her pain. A terrible skill. She hid that the distance between her and Trystan had rattled her. She hid that sheid awake at night worrying about who in the office had helped her father escape. She hid the dark discontent stirring beneath her skin, worrying if Lyssa was growing up right. And most of all, she hid that it was incredibly likely that Trystan Maverine was her true love. She rubbed at the knuckles she knew he¡¯d pressed his lips to¡ªthe only reason she had awakened from the sleeping-death fruit¡¯s slumber. The antidote she¡¯d never taken even now was nging around in her pocket. Useless. ¡°Ugh.¡± Evie pulled it out and leaned it toward the basin in the corner, intending to dump it, but couldn¡¯t bring herself to uncork the bottle. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten used to you, I suppose,¡± she said, rolling the vial in her palm. ¡°Not so easy to destroy what¡¯s familiar.¡± Unless, of course, someone enters while one is talking to oneself, making every internal organ jump three inches. ¡°Ah!¡± Evie let out an embarrassingly high-pitched squeal, the motion forcing her arm to m into the basin, releasing the vial of antidote and shattering it on the ground. ¡°My apologies, miss!¡± A blond man had appeared at the doorway, dressed in a nice shirt and cks¡ªnothing extraordinary about them, but sensible, understated. Evie clutched her chest before shaking her head at the neer and making her way for the cupboard with the dustpan and broom. ¡°It¡¯s quite all right. It¡¯s a hazard, talking to oneself. Sometimes you get so caught up in conversation, you forget there are far less predictable people to converse with.¡± The man¡¯s eyes shifted back and forth, looking for something or someone. ¡°I just arrived. I¡¯m here to repair the stained ss window.¡± He held up a toolbox, and Evie rxed a little at the exnation. Her heart continued its erratic pace anyway, perhaps from the excitement of her surprise only seconds ago. But that didn¡¯t exin the goose bumps rising on her arms. ¡°Oh, of course.¡± Evie scanned the man¡¯s face. Her heart elerated. ¡°The broken window is upstairs.¡± The man nodded, walking around her and dropping the toolbox on the kitchen counter with a thud that made her jump. Meeting Evie¡¯s confused gaze, he gave her a sheepish grin. ¡°Thought I¡¯d fuel up before I get to work.¡± He pulled an empty ceramic chalice from the countertop anddled arge serving of cauldron brew into it, motioning it up toward her like a toast. ¡°Care to join me?¡± No, random man I¡¯ve never met before. I have stewing in my office to do, followed by lewd daydreams of my boss. Licking her lips, she grabbed her own mug and made for the door. ¡°That¡¯s kind, but I shouldn¡¯t¡ªI have work. But when you¡¯re through, the window repair is up one flight in the main office. Can¡¯t miss it.¡± She forced augh, but it sounded as strangled as it felt. The man smiled back at her. He was being friendly, yet Evie seemed to have lost the ability to socialize. And by ¡°lost,¡± she meant she¡¯d never found the ability in the first ce. ¡°No problem,¡± he said. ¡°Maybe another time?¡± He was handsome, like one of the princes from Lyssa¡¯s stories, and he did absolutely nothing for her aside from trigger her irritation at being stuck in this conversation. Don¡¯t you remember, Evie? Men only do it for you if they¡¯re dismembering people! ¡°Maybe,¡± Evie replied quickly, turning on her heel and moring down the hall as fast as her heels would carry her. ¡°Maybe?¡± she muttered to herself. Why was she so incredibly awkward? There was no way in the deands she was ever having a cauldron brew with that man. de moseyed up beside her. ¡°Maybe what, sweet Evie?¡± She smiled, leaning into her dear friend¡¯s shoulder, and smoothed back a lock of his long hair as they walked toward the stairs together arm in arm. ¡°Maybe I have terrible taste in men.¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± de gasped. ¡°You¡¯re friends with me.¡± Evieughed, furrowing her brow when she saw what was in his hand. ¡°de, dear. I love that you have rainbow pliers, and they do match your magenta vest rather well, but what are you doing with those?¡± de didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°The magical maintenance repairmen asked for an extra one. They¡¯re fixing the window upstairs right now. Poor guys¡¯ve been at it for hours.¡± Evie stopped just before they hit the first step. Everything seemed to slow down around her as ice bit into her skin, seeping into her blood and through the rest of her limbs. A terrible prickling feeling climbed up her neck as her pounding heart turned to a roaring in her ears. She didn¡¯t think. She ran. ¡°Evie?¡± de called. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Get the boss! Quick!¡± She sprinted back down the hall, and as she ran through the kitchen door, her heart sank. The strange man was at her favorite stained ss window, a tool in hand to chip out a piece. ¡°Stop!¡± she ordered, her dagger finding its way out of her thigh strap and into her hand. ¡°Back away from that window.¡± The manughed, his eyes crinkling, giving Evie a look that she was certain every woman had seen at least once in her life. A look that said, I could hurt you if I wanted to. ¡°Come to have that cup of cauldron brew now?¡± He chuckled. Then unsheathed a two-sided de from the holster hidden behind his back. She nodded, masking the sick feeling in her stomach with feigned innocence. ¡°Yes, actually.¡± The blond man¡¯s eyes narrowed as she walked toward him with her mug¡­and sshed the hot liquid right in his face. With a gruff cry, he lunged for her. He would have nearly missed her if not for catching hold of her braid and tugging her backward, then releasing her, the momentum forcing her to m into the wall. Her ears rang at the impact, and in that moment, she knew with certainty that this man not only could hurt her, but he very much wanted to. The blood in her veins was no longer ice; it was fire. The next thing she knew, he was charging at her, de swinging. She screamed. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 11 The Viin ¡°I don¡¯t care how you recreate the bloody stained ss! Just make it look like murder, torture, or death.¡± Trystan bit out the words in a frustrated growl. Hostility surrounded him like a storm cloud, but he had to ce his focus where it belonged. He¡¯d done far too much good as ofte. Taking in stray rtives, tea parties with children. No wonder his dark magic was treating him like a pariah. It was more than any viin could bear. The time for growing into a different man had long passed. He was a monster, always had been, and he would reim that role no matter what it took¡ªhis life¡¯s work depended on it. And so did the storybook prophecy. After all, there was no storybook without a viin. Rennedawn¡¯s magic was falling into a state of imbnce, and fulfilling the prophecy was the only way to regain control, for Trystan to regain control. There was no time for wallowing in what couldn¡¯t be, and there certainly wasn¡¯t time to give a damn about how his magical maintenance workers repaired a bloody window. Broken solely because his magic was bing foreign to him, something he didn¡¯t understand. Just when he¡¯d begun to think his control had been regained, Sage merely looked at him and his body reacted so violently, it scared Nura Sage into nearly creating another tragedy. It¡¯s far too early in the day for this degree of self-loathing. ¡°Very well, sir! We¡¯ll do our best! Do you want the inscriptions facing outward or inward?¡± Trystan pinched the bridge of his nose, resisting every impulse to shove the worker through the window. There was no point. It¡¯s no fun throwing people off things if Sage isn¡¯t here to scold me after. That left Trystan only one option: answering every annoying and asinine question that was flung his way. He no longer had an assistant. He had an apprentice. A furious, maddeningly frustrating, and disgustingly beautiful apprentice. ¡°Sir?¡± the maintenance worker asked. Trystan coughed, hardening his face and folding his arms defensively. ¡°Leonard, it¡¯s a picture. There are no inscriptions.¡± Leonard frowned at Trystan. Trystan raised a brow. ¡°Something to say?¡± Leonard gulped as if afraid to proceed. It annoyed him. You did just contemte throwing him from the window. But that was hardly the point. ¡°What is it, Leonard?¡± Leonard stepped forward, cing a stained ss piece in Trystan¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°You see, sir? It¡¯s faint, but there are words inscribed on the ss. Easier to see when the sun hits it head-on.¡± Trystan¡¯s eyes widened as he held the b of blue ss up to where the sunlight was flowing in¡ªsure enough, there were words in a delicate script. Once Upon a Time¡­ And called Rennedawn was forged by magical creators. All¡­ The ss cut off there, and the realization hit Trystan like one of Fluffy¡¯s sneezes. ¡°Rennedawn¡¯s story? Is printed on the stained ss?¡± ¡°Boss!¡± At that moment, Gushiken ran in, skidding to a halt at Trystan¡¯s side. ¡°Wait. Did you just say¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Trystan let out a yelp as a sharp pain seared through his biceps¡ªa quick, hot sting that burned like a brand to the skin. ¡°Fuck!¡± Trystan dropped to his knees. His vision faded to darkness. And he fell. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 12 Evie Evie spun on the wall just as the dended next to her. Mere inches from her head. Her heart rate soared as she half yelled, half screamed, dodging another sh of the de. ¡°Hey!¡± she cried in outrage, dancing from one edge of the room to the other, the intruder following her and blocking her every attempt to run toward the exit. ¡°You almost hit me.¡± The intruder¡¯s fierce, murderous expression wavered for a moment to a nearedic confusion. ¡°That¡¯s the idea, you wench!¡± he snarled. Evie used the split second of his attention leaving her to bolt for the door. Her dagger, which was normally so connected to her movements, deadened in her hand, like the magic was dormant or not there at all. The fading magic, she thought, rearing its head at the worst possible time¡ªas per usual. There was very little she knew how to do without the magical aid¡­other than stabbing until she hit skin. Which was exactly what she did when the assant picked her up from behind. She buried the dagger in his hand, pulling it back out and gasping in relief when he released her with a howl. She knew she had mere seconds to take advantage of the win. Or it surely would¡¯ve been a win, if Evie moved through the air with the speed and grace of a Malevolent Guard. But Evie moved through the air as she always had¡­ Frantic, panicked, and absurdly winded. She barely made it two steps before her attacker was swinging at her again, and the force of his fist burying in her stomach mmed her into the wall. Her head cracked against the stone, her vision going spotty and limbs going limp. ¡°What¡ªwhat do you want?¡± she whispered with a breaking voice as her knees buckled. ¡°Why are you doing this? Who are you?¡± ¡°He was right.¡± The assant closed a hand over her mouth, his hot breath against her face making her want to retch. ¡°You never do shut up, do you?¡± Evie¡¯s eyes widened, her words muffled beneath his hand, her vision starting to go dark at the edges now. ¡°He¡¯ll be displeased I killed you before he had a chance to. But the temptation is far too great.¡± Who? Who would want to kill me? Her mind answered for her: Who wouldn¡¯t? He grinned at the confusion likely apparent on her face. It angered her enough to clear her head¡ªand send power to her limbs. Her heel came down in a sh, crushing into the toe of his boot. As her attacker howled in pain again, she grinned. She knew switching to higher heels had been the right choice. ¡°Oh, no you don¡¯t, witch!¡± He gripped her harder as she tried to break free, squeezing her arms until she felt pained tears prick at the corners of her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t recognize me? Do you see the family resemnce?¡± His hand slid off her mouth, and she gasped for a breath, trying to steel herself so he wouldn¡¯t feed off her weakness. In the past, she had let all her fears crush her beneath their weight, but this was the present, and she was no longer trying to hide from the people who wanted to scare her. She had decided to scare them, too. ¡°My experience with family has been less than ideal thest few months, I¡¯m afraid,¡± she rasped, desperately trying to ce him. It was then that the cruelty in the man¡¯s expression looked familiar¡ªso familiar it made her world go cloudy with crushing fear. No. It can¡¯t be. ¡°You don¡¯t remember your old employer?¡± Her palms dampened, and a lump lodged deep in her throat, making her airway close further. But still¡­Evie smiled, sucking in a breath as he squeezed her arms hard enough that the bruises would berge and ugly. ¡°You must be a Warsen.¡± She feigned contemtion of the man¡¯s scalp. ¡°The receding hairline is hereditary, then, I suppose.¡± The man¡¯s lip curled as he shook with rage. She was physically weaker than him, it was true, but Evie¡¯s best method of attack was talking her victims through an endless circle of torture. She¡¯d yet to kill anyone that way, but by the gods, she¡¯d wager she had been very close on a handful of asions. ¡°You tried to run my father out of business and then murdered him in cold blood!¡± ¡°I assure you, my blood was quite warm when I did it. I think it was the wool socks I was wearing. They inste.¡± He sputtered, and Evie nearlyughed¡ªnearly. She still had some semnce of a sound mind. Otto Warsen¡¯s son pulled on her hair, forcing her to lift her chin. ¡°The kingdom has dered you ¡®The Wicked Woman¡¯ for a reason. You¡¯ve no sense of morality. Always feigning innocent, ying the victim when you are nothing but a snake.¡± He punctuated the final word with another m of her body into the wall. She nodded as he raised the de high above her, the pain in her head now causing her ears to ring. ¡°You¡¯re right. I was never very good at being a victim,¡± she choked out, feeling something sticky and warm running at the corner of her mouth. Blood. His de came down. Evie closed her eyes and whispered, ¡°Because I¡¯m a viin.¡± A dark-gray mistunched between them and stopped the de less than an inch from her face, followed by a voice booming through the kitchens that made her nearly copse at its familiar sound. ¡°Release her now or I will tear out your insides and lob you off the manor in pieces.¡± The threat was vicious, dangerous. It came from the kind of voice that gave children nightmares. I, on the other hand, will be sleeping like a baby tonight. ¡°Unless you¡¯d prefer that alternative, of course,¡± Evie added cheekily. Warsen¡¯s grip on her loosened, and he spun her around and pushed the de underneath her chin. ¡°You¡¯re taking me hostage? How boring,¡± she rasped, wincing as the tip of the de cut the skin at her neck. ¡°Release her. Now!¡± Trystan boomed, and his magic, as unruly as it had beentely, seemed inclined to listen to him in that moment as it shot out toward Warsen and jabbed at his left eye. ¡°Fuck!¡± The man threw Evie, his strength evident as he mmed her into the table so hard she fell against a chair and broke it on her way to the floor. Every part of her ached, her wrist was twisted, her head pounded, and her heart still battered against her chest so painfully that each breath was a struggle. Blood and sweat mingled on her skin as she swiped over her face with shaking fingers. Trystan took in the sight of her on the floor, then found her attacker with wild eyes. He paused, frozen for a moment as he scanned the man who had hurt her, but it was Warsen¡¯s hands, with a few of her curls twined about his fingers from when he¡¯d yanked on her hair, that seemed to break The Viin. He caught Otto¡¯s son by the neck and slowly backed the man up toward the wall, his fist raised, setting him up for a fatal blow. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Evie cried, bursting forward with strength she didn¡¯t think she had, gripping his wrist tight with both hands. ¡°You can¡¯t kill him.¡± The Viin didn¡¯t look at her; he kept his dark eyes on Warsen¡¯s son. But the fool must have had a death wish, because he was grinning. ¡°Would you look at that, Viin? I think your wench likes me.¡± Evie sighed. ¡°Bastard.¡± She released her boss¡¯s wrist and stepped back as he punched his fist straight at the man¡¯s head. Her attacker slumped over, instantly unconscious. Not an unappetizing state of being at the moment. Trystan¡¯s voice was rough. ¡°Now may I kill him?¡± Her energy was sapped, the adrenaline fog fading, and everything suddenly was heavy, including her eyelids. ¡°No, we¡ªwe need to question him first. Then you can hang up whatever body parts you want.¡± Her hand found the nearest surface to steady her¡ªit was the window. Something about the window¡­? Everything felt fuzzy. ¡°Sage?¡± ¡°Ssssssir,¡± she said, but the word was slurred, her eyes processing the colors in the room so rapidly she thought the ground was shaking. ¡°Marv, Min! Take the prisoner to the dungeons and double chain his restraints.¡± Her boss boomed the order with an authority Evie aspired to, and she watched in a dreamlike haze as the two Malevolent Guards shuffled in, gripped the intruder by the wrists, and dragged his prone form from the room. ¡°Can I question him¡±¡ªshe paused to catch her breath, her hands falling to her knees¡ª¡°with you?¡± In the next moment, she was folded into strong arms, cinnamon and warmth and everything right in the world pulling her into the safest embrace she¡¯d ever experienced. A hand clutched the back of her head, gentle but steady, unyielding in its support as she was well and truly held. ¡°Sir, are you¡­hugging me?¡± she asked as floaty ck spots formed over her vision. ¡°Yes. I am.¡± ¡°Oh, good. I thought it was just the concussion.¡± Her legs gave then as thest of her survival mode dwindled into heavy exhaustion. But she was caught, a strong hand gripping the back of her legs. ¡°How did you know I was in trouble?¡± ¡°The gilded tattoo burned the fuck out of me,¡± he murmured. ¡°I thought you were ignoring it,¡± she whispered, clutching at him tighter. He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯d never. Even if all the magic in thend seeped from the ink on my skin and yours. If you¡¯re hurt or in danger, I will find you. I swear it.¡± That assurance made her eyes close. He had her. He always would. Or was that just the concussion talking? His dark magic swirled around them, flicking out the candles, shattering a stray ceramic chalice. ¡°Sir, your magic?¡± she said sleepily as her boss carried her from the room. ¡°Maybe someone else should take me to the healer¡¯s quarters.¡± ¡°My magic doesn¡¯t matter.¡± He was resolved in that. Evie could tell by how strongly he spoke the words, how the statement didn¡¯t seem at all emotional, just factual, pure logic in his mind. ¡°No one touches you right now but me.¡± She snuggled deeper into his chest, her heart beating for a different reason now as her arms clutched his neck. ¡°I like possessive Evil Overlord. A new side to you,¡± she said dreamily, drifting in and out of consciousness. ¡°Oh, Sage. If only you knew.¡± There was too much subtext in the rough words for her tired mind to pull apart. Trystan had her. He had her. But as Evie¡¯s eyes drifted shut, she sensed that this simple statement was the gravest danger of all. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 13 re re Maverine had made a slew of mistakes in her life. Agreeing to work side by side with the woman she loved¡­that was one of the worst to date. ¡°Can you cut me more bandages, rissa?¡± Tatianna said her full name with that melodic ring the healer¡¯s voice always had, so smooth it tickled a part of re¡¯s brain she wished would remain neutral in Tatianna¡¯s presence. ¡°rissa?¡± re shook her head, her dark bob swept back by two flowered pins yet still managing to fall into her face. ¡°Sorry. Yes, of course.¡± re took careful snips of the gauzy fabric that Tatianna was currently cing against Keeley¡¯s mostly healed back. Keeley, to her credit, remained quiet despite their encouragement for her to scream as loudly as she pleased. Burns were never pleasant to heal, even with Tatianna¡¯s magic. ¡°You¡¯ll have to take it easy for about a week, Keeley. I mean it. No training, and you¡¯ll have to dy any missions into the Gleaming Pce. You won¡¯t be able to lead anyone to the female guvre in your condition.¡± The captain¡¯s eyes shone with a sh of defiance, but she nodded in deference. re knew what it was to hate being out of control, how terrible the captain must feel, as if she were letting down herrades and her employer. But in reality, she had done so much for them all already. Two more Malevolent Guards stood in the corner with Gideon Sage, who had only been permitted to remain because Keeley seemed to rx every time he made a quick-witted remark. ¡°I wasn¡¯t nning on it,¡± Keeley said. ¡°But time isn¡¯t exactly on our side, and our new recruits need guidance.¡± She pushed herself onto her elbows, some color returning to her cheeks. re knew she was referring to the fact that the female guvre could be pregnant for another few months, but it was equally possible she would give birth in the next few weeks or even days. Very little information was catalogued on Fate¡¯s creatures, mostly history from the early days of the magical gods¡¯ creation of the kingdoms. How fate had aided the gods, then left their creatures behind to keep the bnce between man and magic. With the state of Rennedawn¡¯s magic, it was clear man had failed. Miserably. Min and Andrea, the other two guards, tried to smile, Min running a hand over Keeley¡¯s very thick braid dangling off the exam table, moving over it in steady motions. ¡°We¡¯ll take the reins, Keel¡ªyou just take some well-needed rest.¡± Min frowned when she saw a few pieces of scorched hair. Andrea tsked, kicking a red boot against the floor. ¡°Yikes. Can we have the scissors?¡± Keeley stiffened. ¡°Why?¡± Her voice was shaky. Tatianna mindlessly handed the shears to Andrea, none of them sensing Keeley¡¯s evident distress, but re could read it. re had felt it. ¡°We¡¯re just going to take a few inches off to hide these burned pieces, honey,¡± Andrea said. ¡°No!¡± In seconds, Keeley had sprung from the table and sprinted to the wall, her red leather armor open at the back as she huddled on the floor. Almost unrecognizable as the warrior re knew the woman to be, she looked frightened and dazed, shaking. Her eyes misted as she looked up toward Gideon, who¡¯d moved almost without thought to her side. ¡°Don¡¯t¡ªdon¡¯t let them cut my hair. Please. I don¡¯t like it when people try to cut my hair. Please, I don¡¯t¡ª¡± The rest of the words were lost as Keeley shook so hard her teeth chattered. Gideon¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave her, his brown brows pushing together, his lips pulled down in a frown. re couldn¡¯t help it¡ªthe intimacy between the two forced her gaze in Tatianna¡¯s direction, but the healer was already looking right at her. re could only hold the intensity of the gaze for a moment before looking away. ¡°Get rid of the scissors.¡± Gideon¡¯s words were gentle but firm, resolved. He turned to Keeley. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t let anyone touch your hair, Captain.¡± He knelt and drew an X with a finger over his heart. ¡°Cross my heart and hope to die.¡± It was a mystery why the young woman seemed so shaken by an act so simple, but re had known enough scarred people to realize that the simplest acts could trigger the worst memories. Min and Andrea didn¡¯t seem any less confused as they nodded and left the room, giving Keeley some much needed privacy. Gideon grabbed a fluffy pink nket from the corner, draped it over a chair, then guided Keeley toward it and wrapped it around her shoulders. ¡°Shall I take you to your quarters, Captain?¡± Keeley nodded, and Gideon barely acknowledged the two of them as he lifted her like something precious and carried her from the room. Tatianna sighed and watched with a wistful look on her face. ¡°I really loved that nket.¡± re smiled, bumping her hip against Tatianna¡¯s. The healer¡¯s braids were pulled back in a high ponytail, giving re a perfect view of every beautiful ne of Tatianna¡¯s face. ¡°You lost it to a good cause.¡± Alexander Kingsley hopped in through the open door just then, jarring re back to the reality of the life she¡¯d built on the back of her best friends. He held up a singr sign. Wind Tatianna crouched to be eye level with their princely childhood-best-friend-turned-cursed-frog. ¡°Alexander, why are you speaking in riddles?¡± Kingsley shook his tiny head and pointed a foot toward the door before scribbling something else onto the sign he¡¯d pulled from the basket in the corner of the room. Kitch re sighed, frustrated that they needed to decipher Alexander¡¯s words this way. What was he getting at? ¡°Any ideas?¡± Tatianna looked up at re with a sheepish expression, her pink lips pulling wide at the corners in a near wince. ¡°I got nothing. He¡¯s normally more articte than this.¡± The camaraderie that had been tentatively building back between them gave re pangs of guilt in her stomach, but she selfishly wasn¡¯t prepared to give up the newfound ease. Just as she wasn¡¯t ready to admit that the day Tatianna walked out of re¡¯s life, she truly realized the depth of pain that came with a broken heart. She could own her mistakes, and she could make amends for them. She could start now. Tatianna licked her lips, drawing re¡¯s attention to them as Tati took arge swig of water. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here.¡± You wouldn¡¯t be. If you knew what I¡¯ve done. How much I¡¯m like my mother¡­ re felt the truth burning on her tongue, dancing at the edge of her parting lips. But the only thing toe out was, ¡°Me too. I don¡¯t like when we aren¡¯t together.¡± Tatianna¡¯s dark eyes softened as she took re¡¯s hand and squeezed her fingers. ¡°Maybe when this is all over, we could give¡­being together¡­another try.¡± re felt hope swell, sudden and strong, drowning out her guilt, her secrets, everything. ¡°You would¡­want to be with me again?¡± The healer began fiddling with her potions, reorganizing them¡ªa tell of nervousness she¡¯d had since they were children. ¡°I would be willing to try.¡± re sat on one of the stools at Tati¡¯s work desk, knowing she needed to tread lightly. ¡°Do you remember the day we first met?¡± Tatianna grinned. ¡°I remember you telling me my shoes had too much glitter.¡± re folded her arms, quirking a brow. ¡°And I remember you being so offended you dumped a vial of the stuff on our front porch.¡± Tatianna showed no remorse at this reminder, just delight. ¡°Yes, that was a wonderful day. Your mother was furious. I don¡¯t know why she never reprimanded me for it.¡± re looked down at her hands. ¡°I told her I did it.¡± ¡°Why on earth did you do that?¡± Tati asked. re looked up to see she was smiling quizzically at her. On a deep inhale, re breathed in the scents of herbs and medicines, the smells so exact to Tati; they soothed. ¡°I was afraid she wouldn¡¯t let youe over again. I think I told Tryst that night I wanted to marry you.¡± Tatianna pushed aside the ss bottles and leaned her elbows across the table. ¡°And what did he say?¡± re feltfort at the memory, mingling with regret at how bitter it had all turned out. ¡°He said, ¡®You¡¯d better growfortable with glitter, then. It appears she owns a lot of it.¡¯¡± Tatiannaughed¡ªthat light, carefree one she¡¯d had since they were children. The kind that had been so rare in re¡¯s home with the pain her mother caused, she¡¯d grown addicted to thatughter. re had taken every bit of her disapproval as a challenge to change her mother¡¯s mind. And failed at every turn. Tatianna¡¯sughter brought her back. How had re gone without it for so long? ¡°Oh, he would say that. A romantic, that one.¡± Suddenly, the door copsed inward with a loud crash, and both women leaped away from the splintering wood. ¡°Damn it, Trystan!¡± Tatianna screeched. ¡°Have you never heard of a doorknob, you¡ª Oh gods, Evie! What happened?¡± Tatianna rushed to clean off the table where she¡¯d been treating Keeley as Trystan carried his apprentice through the shattered door and ced her gently down. ¡°Someone broke into the manor,¡± he rasped, face stoic, eyes solemnly staring at the blood on Evie¡¯s face. ¡°She was attacked.¡± re grabbed her older brother¡¯s arm, gently tugging him away. ¡°Let Tatianna take care of her, Trystan.¡± ¡°Make sure she¡¯s still breathing,¡± Trystan pressed, the pain echoing in his voice. re imagined that pain was made exponentially worse by how simr this was to what Trystan had seen when he found Evie lifeless in the Gleaming Pce. ¡°Make sure she¡¯s okay, Tatianna. Please.¡± Tatianna¡¯s glowing hands roamed over Evie¡¯s body, assessing as she went. ¡°A few bruises, sprained wrist, and it looks like she has a concussion, but her skull isn¡¯t cracked.¡± ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ve got a hard head,¡± Evie muttered, opening her eyes with a hint of amusement. Tatianna brushed stray curls away from Evie¡¯s face, dabbing at the dried blood with a damp cloth. ¡°That you do, little friend. I¡¯ll mix something up for the pain, and then I should have you fixed up in just a moment.¡± ¡°I can make the mixture. I know the nts well,¡± re offered, already starting for the table. Tatianna nodded, returning her attention to Evie, who continued her jokes until the tension in the room eased. re grabbed several ingredients and began crushing them together, so distracted she didn¡¯t see her brother approach. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said quietly. ¡°For helping.¡± Kingsley hopped between them, holding up a sign that said¡­ Nothing? Not the word. It was simply nk. Trystan frowned, deeper than he already had been, and picked up the sign, staring down at his old friend. ¡°Is this meant to be a metaphor, Kingsley?¡± His gold crown tilted, but the frog prince did nothing to respond except ribbit. There was a pinch of worry forming an ufortable knot in her chest as she stared down at Kingsley, distractedly handing off the mixture she¡¯d produced to Tatianna. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s feelingzy today.¡± Pushing his hair out of his face, Trystan made for the door. ¡°How long will it take for you to heal her, Tatianna?¡± ¡°A half hour, maybe?¡± ¡°Good. When you¡¯re through,e find me. I¡¯m calling a meeting.¡± Evie sat up, ignoring Tatianna¡¯s protests. ¡°I¡¯ming, too.¡± Trystan paused at the door, one hand on the doorframe, but didn¡¯t turn around as he said, ¡°If you must.¡± And then he was gone. re was a victim of her mother¡¯s machinations, it was true, but Trystan had been their mother¡¯s choice for the brunt of her antipathy. And re was still ashamed that there was a time she¡¯d believed he deserved it. Sniffing, re handed Tatianna another batch of her nt mixture for Evie¡¯s head and thought of all the things she hadn¡¯t said. Yes, re Maverine had made many mistakes in her life. And she had a very terrible feeling she hadn¡¯t made the worst of them. Yet. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 14 The Viin Trystan knew when he became The Viin that he would always be the one to make the hard decisions, even the unpopr ones. It was a job he rather enjoyed, in all honesty, but there was one standard office practice even he vowed to never adhere to. Meetings. He¡¯d had very little need for such things in the past. The office ran well without him willingly interacting with the people who worked for him. In fact, there were days when he¡¯d found himself speaking less than Kingsley. He used to think he preferred it, that it was the closest he¡¯d get to contentment. But then Sage had stumbled into his arms and into his life, and now everything had changed. Including him. And his proclivities for avoiding human interaction. But this had be a necessary evil. Their methods as a group these past weeks had be far too disorderly for any sort of progress, and Trystan had a sneaking suspicion that he needed all hands on deck if they were to have any measure of sess going forward with any of their current problems: finding the guvre, stopping the king, restoring Rennedawn¡¯s magic. In the guards¡¯ usual training quarters, a long table was ced, and Trystan watched as one by one Tatianna, Rebecka, re, Gushiken, and Gideon, with Keeley draped around his arm, entered the room, taking all the avable seats. All except one. ¡°I realize we¡¯ve agreed to provide you sanctuary, Gideon, but that does not make you privy to this meeting.¡± Trystan red at him, but Gideon merely shrugged, unbothered by the animosity. A Sage to the core. Keeley interjected, wincing as she sat. ¡°I asked him to bring me, sir. He¡¯ll go if you wish.¡± Gideon raised a brow at her. ¡°He will?¡± Keeley red, and Trystan was surprised to find himself stifling augh¡ªso surprised he nearly let it loose. Too close of a call. ¡°Remain if you wish.¡± Trystan waved a hand, too distracted by Sageing inst, putting a smile on her face for the rest of the room that Trystan knew was not genuine; it never reached her eyes. ¡°Sage, you¡¯rete.¡± ¡°I was checking on my mother.¡± Her fake smile didn¡¯t falter, and the sight of it aimed in his direction infuriated him. ¡°Is that all right with you, sir.¡± The title of authority had never sounded more like the word ¡°jackass.¡± Sage stepped farther into the room to reveal she¡¯d changed out of her clothes from the morning into a green dress with sleeves that floated off her shoulders, exposing purpling fingerprints on her upper arms that either Tatianna had missed or Sage had asked her not to heal. Either option made something pop behind his eye socket. Questioning the intruder was going to be a treat. The ominous turn of his thoughts had his magic floating about his feet, dancing with the possibility of Sage sitting in the chair beside him, but then she asked de to move down a chair and proceeded to take the seat as far away from Trystan as she could manage. The death magic drooped like a dead flower, apparently disappointed in losing the possibility of free-range wildness in her presence. Sorry. You¡¯re stuck with me. He swore it punched his leg. Evie turned to Becky, who looked concerned, and patted the HR woman¡¯s hand in a gesture offort. Because the world had flipped upside down in the past two weeks, and in the mayhem the two of them had apparently be fast friends. de leaned over to whisper something in Evie¡¯s ear, and sheughed. The sound was so sweet it gave Trystan a toothache. And a sick stomach. That reaction at least remained consistent. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re all wondering why I called this meeting,¡± he started, ¡°so I¡¯ll get right to the point.¡± de frowned. ¡°No introductions first? Isn¡¯t that customary?¡± Trystan looked at de with an incredulous expression. ¡°We all know one another, Gushiken. Why in the deands would we need to introduce ourselves?¡± de held his hands up in mock surrender, eyebrows shooting to his forehead. ¡°But do we really know one another, sir?¡± Trystan¡¯s eye twitched. de threw a wink at Becky, who was very clearly fighting a smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, lovely Rebecka?¡± The smile only peeked through a bit when Rebecka said tly, ¡°Don¡¯t address me.¡± Kingsley hopped onto the table, a sign in hand, nearly waving it in Trystan¡¯s face. Calm. ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± he bit back. Another giggle from Sage, only this time the smile was genuine and her light-blue eyes were locked on him. He stepped back to sit and nearly missed the chair, eliciting another chuckle from Sage and a few others in the room who ceased as soon as he red in their direction. Clearing his throat, Trystan desperately tried to regain control of the situation. ¡°I¡¯ve called you all here because there are multiple issues that need to be dealt with swiftly. It¡¯ll be easier to tackle everything we need to aplish if we split it up among us. I trust you all to do what needs to be done.¡± Trystan nced to his left. ¡°Except you, Gideon.¡± Gideon looked from side to side, waving his hands like he was denouncing the need for Trystan¡¯s trust. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to trust me, Maverine, but I can be of use to you. No one knows the Gleaming Pce the way I do, and I know you¡¯ve been nning to send your Malevolent Guards in. I¡¯ve seen every hidden tunnel, every blueprint; I know my way in and out. If one of the items on your to-do list is getting the female guvre back before the baby is born, then I sincerely urge you to allow my aid.¡± Trystan couldn¡¯t afford to be generous with his trust. He¡¯d spent thest two weeks attempting to have the manor secured once more and to calm the male guvre in their hold as Trystan explored every possible n to get his mate back, while also trying to determine the final object to fulfill the prophecy. It was like he was juggling a million different objects. And they were all on fire. Keeley spoke up then, her face wan from her injury that morning. Trystan¡¯s feeble chest twisted in what he assumed was a pang of sympathy or a heart attack. He unfortunately was fond of the employee. ¡°The Malevolent Guards can apany him, sir, and ensure that he leads us where we need to go. And if he doesn¡¯t? We can handle him then, too.¡± Trystan contemted, looking to Evie for quiet counsel. She nodded at him, and that was enough. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it. One wrong move, Mr. Sage, and I will have Keeley dispatch you.¡± Gideon smiled, shrugging. ¡°What a way to go.¡± Keeley elbowed him in the stomach, and Gideon went into a coughing fit. Yes. Trystan was very fond of Keeley. Ms. Erring adjusted her sses, sneaking not-so-subtle nces at Gushiken before asking tentatively, ¡°And what is it you want me to do, sir?¡± ¡°I need the thorn barrier assessed. If you¡¯d be willing to call in one or two of your brothers to assist you, I believe the hedge needs to be stronger. Bigger, sturdier. I thought, since your family deals so often in powerful nts¡­¡± Ms. Erring nodded, not needing anything more than that. ¡°I¡¯ll send a raven for Rnd. He¡¯s the most knowledgeable of my brothers on the subject.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± He turned to Gushiken next. ¡°de, I need you to find out all you can on histories of guvre younglings. And for the deands¡¯ sake, please keep the one we still have in line; he ate two of my favorite interns the other morning.¡± Sage didn¡¯t allow thement to pass before she guffawed and rolled her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t have favorite interns, Evil Overlord.¡± ¡°Perhaps because they keep getting eaten,¡± Gideon chimed in, and de snorted into his hands. Trystan was among his own workers¡ªthose with whom he¡¯d always been intimidating and in charge¡ªyet he was still surrounded by thankless traitors. The life of a viin. ¡°If you¡¯re done.¡± More authority in his tone had everyone in the room sitting up straighter. Everyone but Sage, who remained in her rxed posture, her eyes shamelessly peering into his. Trystan took a swig of the water in front of him. And then choked on said water like he was trying to swallow flour. Wiping his mouth and feeling weary to the bone, he said, ¡°I have reason to believe that one of the stained ss windows in the manor may contain the fourth object in the prophecy.¡± Sage¡¯s eyes widened. Trystan continued addressing the room, but his gaze did not leave hers. It couldn¡¯t. ¡°With the recent break and the distinct possibility Benedict has an informant inside the office, I fear this is not thest attempt at sabotage. Keep this information to yourselves. Tell no one.¡± He nted a hand on the table, leaning forward, still looking right at her. ¡°As for the stained ss windows, we¡¯ll begin taking them apart for clues and attempting to put them back together as they were before I had them altered. It¡¯s the closest we¡¯vee topleting the prophecy.¡± Gideon opened his mouth, and Sage speared him with a re. ¡°Do not suggest going to retrieve it, Gideon, or I will talk in detail about your awkward phase.¡± ¡°Is he not still in it?¡± Keeley deadpanned. Gideon red at every person whoughed, so¡­everyone in the room. All except Trystan, who was seconds away from losing his temper. de shifted in his seat, bumping into one of Sage¡¯s bruised arms in the process. She winced. Minuscule seconds. Clearing his throat, Trystan continued. ¡°The words may only be visible in the sunlight, but banishing the workers during the day without suspicion is not an option. Be discreet and be cautious. You never know who¡¯s watching.¡± There was a collective shiver, and Trystan bent his head to hide his smirk. I¡¯ve still got it. They all left slowly, like Trystan had sucked the spirits from their bodies. The mark of a sessful meeting. ¡°Sir?¡± Sage asked, the only one remaining aside from Kingsley, who was staring off in the other direction like he¡¯d caught sight of a fly. ¡°The man in the dungeons. I want to question him with you.¡± Near the man who caused you physical harm? No, I¡¯m afraid I prefer to decapitate in private. Trystan was no longer trying to test her; she was his apprentice, and he was The Viin. And a professional at that. Still, he couldn¡¯t stop his cold denial. ¡°Not this time, Sage. You are still recovering from your injuries. I¡¯ll allow you to participate in the next interrogation.¡± He stood from his chair and was busying himself with straightening his shirt when Sage said quietly, ¡°He¡¯s Otto Warsen¡¯s son.¡± Trystan¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ You¡¯re sure?¡± She nodded, biting at her lower lip, something fragile about her as she recounted, ¡°He hinted at it, and¡­I could tell. They have the same smile, the same voice, and then I remembered Otto mentioning family working in the capital. He has no reason to lie.¡± Trystan was not a hero. He was not a valiant knight or anyone¡¯s savior; he was evil, and he would reim that title twenty times over if it meant destroying anyone who put that haunted look on Sage¡¯s lovely face. ¡°Very well. You may join me in the dungeons at the day¡¯s end when the workers have been dismissed, but only to observe. You are not to ask any questions. Consider it part of your apprenticeship.¡± Sage nodded, her hand going to rub at the back of her shoulder, where Trystan knew her scar lived. ¡°Thank you, sir. That¡¯s very generous.¡± ¡°If you want to thank me, don¡¯t ever use that vile word again.¡± She tilted her head. ¡°Generous?¡± He answered dryly. ¡°Absolutely disgusting.¡± One side of her mouth tipped up as she grabbed her journal from the table and made her way for the door. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at the day¡¯s end, Your Evilness.¡± The door shut tightly behind her. And Trystan stood there staring down at his friend Kingsley with a sigh. ¡°What now, old friend? A quick round of chess before we get to work?¡± Kingsley stared nkly at him, but it was more absent than the amphibian¡¯s normal expressions. Almost¡­unaware. ¡°Kingsley?¡± Nothing. Trystan¡¯s call became more frantic, his heart picking up speed. ¡°Alexander?¡± He hadn¡¯t really used the prince¡¯s name in years, but he was desperate, and it worked. It seemed to shake Kingsley back to himself. He held up a sign. Here. But his gold eyes were wide, and the writing was shakier than usual. Trystan smiled down at his friend and turned to get back to his office. But as he walked, he realized why that moment had been so strange to him. Kingsley had not looked like the frog prince he¡¯d been for thest ten years. It was almost as if Kingsley had just been¡­ An ordinary frog. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 15 Kingsley Alexander Kingsley knew when something was wrong. It was obvious when there were whispers, but Trystan hadn¡¯t whispered. His oldest friend merely stared. So long and so much that Alexander couldn¡¯t seem to handle the weight of whatever Trystan¡¯s dark eyes were trying to convey. So instead he leaped down the hall, from one stone in the floor to the next, finding the center of Trystan¡¯s office, where the sunlight gathered. The green skin of his foot as he hopped reminded him of his kingdom¡¯s crest, of the ring he¡¯d worn every day as a human. In the aftermath of Kingsley¡¯s transformation, Trystan had pocketed it and attempted to resize the gold ring to something that might fit a webbed foot. None did or would. Webbed toes were no ce for a prince¡¯s ring. It mattered not, for Trystan had found another ce for Kingsley¡¯s princely ring. Atop Alexander¡¯s head, as a crown. The sun hit the gold as hey t into the light, letting it warm his back. He wondered if what he missed most in the world was the simple sensation of sun against his skin, the way he used to know it. Everything was different now. Everything was¡ª Trystan burst through the door, breathing heavily, the dark circles under the man¡¯s eyes so prominent Alexander feltfortable enough to nickname them Evie and Sage. The source of their existence. ¡°Kingsley! You cannot just leave after that.¡± Yes, he could. In fact, he had! Kingsley shrugged, reaching for a sign and writing down a word he hadn¡¯t had cause to use in a while. Boring. ¡°My apologies that my concerns aren¡¯t more exciting, but you cannot run away from a problem.¡± Oh, a word. That needs a word. Alexander moved to jot it down and froze. HOP or HYPOCRITE? ¡°I need to know what happened to you just now.¡± Trystan crouched, dark brows nted downward, a worried frown on his face. ¡°Please tell me, Alexander.¡± Another word came to mind then, and Kingsley didn¡¯t need to deliberate. This one was easy: Friend. Trystan stared at the sign for a moment and leaned back on his heels, looking ovee. ¡°Yes,¡± he said softly. ¡°We are that, and I know you¡¯d tell me if there was something I needed to know.¡± Alexander only blinked. Trystan cleared his throat, standing and brushing off his pants. ¡°I have some things I need to do. But you find me if you need something. All right?¡± Alexander nodded, watching Trystan¡¯s back as he exited the room, closing the door softly behind him. It hadn¡¯t technically been a lie. There were many things Alexander hadn¡¯t told Trystan over the years, but none were things his friend needed to know. Just things he probably should. So he¡¯d let Trystan believe it had been a fluke, a mistake. And he flopped back onto his stomach, feeling what he now knew of the sun¡¯s touch, all the while aware that what had just happened to him in the meeting¡­ Had happened before. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 16 Becky Rebecka Erring allowed the raven to put the scroll of paper summoning her brother in its mouth, and the bird held it for approximately two seconds before it spied crumbs on the floor and abandoned the missive to dive beak-first for them. Becky sighed, rubbing her temples, and followed the trail of crumbs all the way to exactly where she suspected the little girl would be: hiding under the kitchen¡¯s wooden table with several cookies shoved in her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m trying to send a letter, and the raven is pecking for your leftovers, you little gremlin. Do you care nothing for cavities?¡± Becky huffed. Lyssaughed, crawling out from under the table with chocte all over her face. ¡°Lord Trystan eats sweets all day long in his office, and he has perfect teeth, Ms. Erring!¡± Lyssa wiped her chocte-covered hands against her soft green floral dress, and Becky winced at the stains already forming on the fabric. Becky folded her arms, her turquoise dress a far cry from the neutral attire she normally donned, but after the confrontation with her family at the Fortis Family Fortress, she¡¯d decided that keeping her distance from those who had wronged her didn¡¯t mean she had to distance herself from the things she enjoyed. When they left the fortress, Becky had resolved to try for a new sense of freedom, as free as the pint-size optimist who seemed to cling to her like a barnacle. Even if said pint-size optimist was attempting to rot all the teeth from her mouth. ¡°That¡¯s because he¡¯s The Viin,¡± Becky reasoned. ¡°Evil makes you¡­immune to cavities.¡± It sounded like an excuse Evie woulde up with. Becky grimaced. Lyssa jumped and pped her hands. ¡°I¡¯m evil, too! My teeth are safe, then.¡± Becky lifted a skeptical brow. ¡°I saw you say hello to a butterfly this morning.¡± ¡°Ms. Erring, the butterfly in question said it first, and you told me bad manners was bad workce culture.¡± Damn it. She had said that. ¡°Having manners and good workce culture negates evildoing, don¡¯t you think?¡± Becky volleyed, feeling a little ridiculous at the satisfaction creeping in over winning a debate with a child. Lyssa pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket and held it high, reading it aloud. ¡°Lord Trystan¡¯s Rules of Viiny. Number 4: We¡¯re viins, not ill-mannered. Decorum is everything.¡± Becky gaped. ¡°He gave you a list?¡± Lyssa folded it and carefully put it back in the pocket of her dress. ¡°During teatime.¡± Becky needed to go to a quiet room where everything made sense and no one said anything absurd for five to thirty-five minutes. ¡°All right, I give. Get a cavity, but don¡¯te crying to me.¡± ¡°You have my sweet tooth.¡± The soft voice came from the kitchen entrance, and there stood Nura Sage, looking meek and overly cautious. ¡°It was worse when I was pregnant with you. I wanted nothing but chocte cake.¡± Lyssa stepped closer to Becky, her hand clutching the back of Becky¡¯s skirt. A tenderness Becky never would have thought herself capable of panged around her cautious heart. The HR woman allowed her hand to fall against Lyssa¡¯s shoulder in an attempt atfort. ¡°I love chocte cake.¡± Lyssa said the words with a voice so small it was hardly above a whisper. No evidence of the vibrant energy the little girl had just seconds ago. Becky sympathized; she, too, tended to shrink in her mother¡¯s presence, but unlike Becky¡¯s mother, Nura stayed at a distance, perhaps to respect the unspoken boundary Lyssa had ced between them. As the older woman stood, fidgeting, Becky couldn¡¯t help but take in the family resemnces. Nura had the very same curly dark hair as Evie, Lyssa¡¯s dark-brown eyes, and Gideon¡¯s smile. It was as if the woman was an abstract of the three children she¡¯d left behind. Becky wondered how difficult it would be to face all the people you failed every time you looked in the mirror. But she kept those thoughts tucked away, something telling her that Nura was already punishing herself enough, from the day she left her children to the incident that morning. She decided the only way forward was an offering of peace. She owed Nura that much after the damage Becky¡¯s mother had done to the woman. ¡°I think there are leftover cookies if you¡¯d like one, Mistress Sage?¡± Nura smiled. ¡°Perhaps we could make another dessert?¡± A soft, lilting ent curled her words beautifully. ¡°The magic specialist Trystan sent for said I might benefit from some distraction to help rebnce my magic. I would love to teach Lyssa of a dish my mother and father¡ªher grandparents¡ªused to make for me when I was a child. If, of course, Mr. Edwin wouldn¡¯t mind memandeering his kitchen and some ingredients. I should¡¯ve asked before¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m very protective of the kitchen,¡± Lyssa interjected, surprising both Becky and Nura. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I hurt your feelings when you tried to make that gooey stuff.¡± Nura smiled softly, shrugging, a casual gesture that made her loose tunic sleeves re as if she had wings. ¡°I think it¡¯s perfectly normal to be cautious around me after how I scared you this morning.¡± Lyssa¡¯s grip loosened on Becky¡¯s skirt. ¡°You were scared, too. Evie always says people do things they normally wouldn¡¯t when they¡¯re afraid.¡± Lyssa wrung her fingers nervously. ¡°It¡¯s¡­okay.¡± Nura shook her head, eyes shining. ¡°It¡¯s not, actually. Evie is right¡ªit¡¯s okay to be scared¡ªbut it¡¯s not okay to allow my fears to be something that can hurt someone else, and did hurt someone else, for that matter. Fears are things for me to manage, and no one else can be med but myself. I¡¯m so very sorry I almost hurt you, Lyssa.¡± Lyssa nodded, and Becky had the feeling Nura wasn¡¯t just apologizing for that morning, but for every morning she hadn¡¯t spent with her youngest daughter. Becky gave Lyssa a gentle nudge forward. ¡°Lyssa unfortunately doesn¡¯t scare as easily as I¡¯d hope.¡± Nura¡¯s attention fixed on Becky, and a little smile tipped her lips up. ¡°I see your mother in you.¡± It was an ironic twist of fate that Becky¡¯s once greatest annoyance¡ªEvie¡ªturned out to be the daughter of her mother¡¯s dearest friend¡ªNura. Although not so dear anymore, after her mother betrayed Nura so badly she ended up hiding dormant as a star for who knew how long. Lyssa looked between the two women in confusion. ¡°You know Becky¡¯s mom?¡± Nura smiled. ¡°She was my very best friend. Since we were little girls.¡± Lyssa¡¯s eyes grew so huge they looked like teacup saucers. ¡°Becky is my best friend, too!¡± Becky coughed. ¡°I did not agree to that.¡± Lyssa patted Becky¡¯s arm with mock sympathy, clicking her tongue. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Erring. I¡¯ve already decided without you.¡± ¡°You and your sister are going to send me to an early grave,¡± she grumbled under her breath, folding her arms. Nuraughed, and Becky¡¯s cheeks pinked. ¡°I won Renna over much the same way.¡± Becky hesitated, knowing she shouldn¡¯t speak for her mother when they currently weren¡¯t even speaking to each other at all. But it felt like the right thing to do. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth¡­I do think she is sorry.¡± Nura grimaced, kohl-lined eyes looking to the floor. ¡°I know she is.¡± ¡°Sorry about what?¡± Lyssa asked, frowning. Nura jumped in before Becky could change the subject. ¡°This morning, my magic acted out of fear, and I hurt that poor young woman. Renna did something out of fear that hurt me.¡± Lyssa seemed to consider this for a moment. ¡°Will you forgive her?¡± Nura looked at Becky with a directness that made her skin itch. ¡°I already have.¡± ¡°I can retrieve whatever ingredients you might need to make the dessert,¡± Becky offered. This was all bing far too touchy-feely, and she desperately needed a subject change. Or that quiet room with no people. That would also be nice. Nura rolled her lips, eyes upward, contemting. ¡°Hmm. Well, first we¡¯ll need honey and a fair amount of patience.¡± Lyssa winced. ¡°Well, we have honey!¡± Becky gave a sigh of relief at having evaded another overtly emotional interaction. She was getting better with them, but the line had to be drawn before she grew nauseated. ¡°I will get you the honey, but then I need to immediately return to work. I have to get that missive out before the day¡¯s end. No. More. Crumbs.¡± Opening the pantry door, Becky froze, her relief fizzling into panic at what¡ªor rather who¡ªshe saw tied up and gagged in the corner. She shook her head in disbelief. ¡°Edwin?¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 17 Evie ¡°Gods, Edwin, are you all right?¡± Evie asked as she rushed to the ogre¡¯s side. His room was overge, as was the chair he was seated in. It was cushioned, red, and looked fit for a king. Or, in this case, a very sweet office chef with purple tears running down his blue cheeks. Edwin took off his sses with one hand, rubbing his eyes with the other. ¡°You didn¡¯t have toe all this way to check on me, Miss Evie.¡± Evieid a hand on Edwin¡¯s cheek. ¡°Your room¡¯s only in the east wing, Edwin. It was hardly a hike, and even if it was, you¡¯re well worth the trip.¡± Edwin rubbed at his wrist, where dark marks were forming from the ropes he¡¯d been tied up with. ¡°I¡¯m just grateful Ms. Erring didn¡¯t let on to Miss Lyssa what had happened. She got her away before she could see me.¡± The Sage sisters had grown up in a vige¡ªa small one, but it was full of people. And while they had received help asionally from their elderly neighbor, the rest were more inclined to whisper and gossip, leaving Evie on her own. ¡°It takes a vige to raise a child¡± was a saying she¡¯d heard frequently from people who meant well, but Evie knew that wasn¡¯t true. You didn¡¯t need a vige at all. An office full of loving entrics would do just fine. ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough for how good you¡¯ve been with her,¡± Evie expressed, standing to make room as Tatianna rushed in, along with re, Kingsley hopping behind. ¡°Oh no. Now I¡¯ve caused a fuss!¡± Edwin moaned. ¡°Hush, Edwin, and let me see your wrists,¡± Tatianna argued, her hands glowing yellow as she scanned over the chef for injuries. re stood back, arms crossed, holding her elbows as if she were staving off a chill. ¡°Trystan will be here any minute. Edwin, what happened?¡± Edwin¡¯s eyes went unfocused as Tatianna began healing the bump on the back of his bald head. ¡°I don¡¯t remember. All I know is one moment I was cleaning up the broken chair in the kitchen, and the next it was all darkness.¡± ¡°The prisoner who attacked Evie,¡± re said, tugging at the drapes in the corner to let in the rays of the setting sun. ¡°Was it him?¡± Evie shook her head. ¡°No, he was locked up by then.¡± Tatianna¡¯s sleeves fluttered as she worked, using the worn pink bow at her wrist to tie back the braids from her face. ¡°So it was someone else? Another intruder? Wouldn¡¯t one of us have noticed?¡± Evie held tight to her stomach with one hand. ¡°Not if¡­¡± re¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Not if what?¡± ¡°Not if it was one of the employees,¡± Trystan finished as he walked into Edwin¡¯s chambers, and the ogre made to stand before Trystan held up a hand. ¡°Edwin, so help me, if you leave that chair before you are fully healed, I will cut the chocte chip budget by half.¡± It was the most polite threat she¡¯d ever heard him deliver. And Edwin¡¯s only response was to smile and settle back into his chair. re shifted nervously from one foot to the other. ¡°You think that one of your employees did this? Who?¡± ¡°Whoever was slipping notes to Lyssa. To trick her into setting my father free,¡± Evie reasoned, giving Trystan a pointed look. ¡°We find who wrote the notes, we find our traitor.¡± Tatianna sighed. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why they would go after Edwin. What was the n, to sabotage the cauldron brew? Poison the cupcakes?¡± Something was tugging at Evie¡¯s memory, but her head still hadn¡¯t recovered from her own contusions; though the physical wounds were nearly healed, the fight in the kitchen was spotty. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not Edwin they were after,¡± Evie ventured. ¡°Maybe it was something in the kitchen?¡± Trystan nodded, a gleam of respect in his eyes that made her nearly preen. Don¡¯t take the bare minimum, Evie! Even though she was rmingly used to it. ¡°You¡¯re right, Sage. We¡¯ll investigate further in the morning.¡± ¡°Wait, say that again.¡± He rubbed at his chin. ¡°We¡¯ll investigate in the morning?¡± ¡°No, the ¡®You¡¯re right, Sage¡¯ part.¡± She lowered her voice to mimic him, steepling her hands underneath her chin. His dark eyes rolled so hard Evie thought they might disappear inside his head. ¡°I do not sound like that.¡± re snorted, looking more rxed than when she¡¯d entered the room. ¡°Yes, you do.¡± Kingsley held up a sign. Ha. ¡°Okay,¡± Trystan growled. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of this. Edwin, let me know if you need anything. Sage, let¡¯s go.¡± Evie stumbled after him, trying to keep up with his long strides. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Her boss stopped, giving her a look so disquieting Evie felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise. ¡°Why, Sage, the sun¡¯s nearly down, the workers have gone home, and it¡¯s time.¡± Evie rubbed at the sore spot on her head. ¡°For?¡± He smiled, his dimple peeking through. ¡°For you to try your hand at torture.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 18 The Viin The way down to the dungeons was lined with zing torches, the crackling sound a smallfort in the damp darkness before them. There was no reason for Trystan to carry his own torch, but he felt he needed to hold on to something, preferably something too dangerous to drop. He kept a foot of distance between Sage and himself, a strange sensation of pins and needles pricking at the bottoms of his feet, eventually climbing until they hit the back of his neck. As they finally made their way to the bottom of the stone staircase, a screeching sound came from farther below, where the guvre was being held. ¡°It¡¯s creepier down here at night,¡± Sagemented, brushing past him, her heels clicking on the stone. One scraped it, and she stumbled, immediately righting herself. She red at the ground. ¡°You should get that fixed.¡± ¡°Your inability to walk in a straight line? I wasn¡¯t aware it was fixable,¡± he responded tly. ¡°I feel as if your sense of humor only crops up when you want to irritate me.¡± He didn¡¯t deny it. That was when his sense of humor cropped up. ¡°What sense of humor?¡± he deadpanned. Sheughed, and his heart stopped beating. There was a fear Trystan had carried with him all his life, and most of it hinged on failing. First his parents, then Benedict, then the entirety of the kingdom. He¡¯d resented being The Viin at the beginning, resented having no choice in who he¡¯d be because of his magic, because of who he¡¯d always been destined to be. But he settled into it when he realized that, thanks to his new profession, he never needed to fear failing again. Being The Viin gave him a new set of rules, and if that was all he¡¯d ever be, he was going to hold on to it with both hands. Except he¡¯d just made Sageugh so hard her cheeks were turning red in the dim torchlight, her joy so powerful it overcame his fear of the darkness. And that very much did not feel like a failure. It felt terrifyingly like happiness. ¡°So am I actually going to get to torture him, or did you just say that to freak me out?¡± Thank the gods for Sage and her ill-timed, jarring questions. He kept walking. ¡°Are you finally admitting the prospect ¡®freaks you out,¡¯ as you so eloquently put it?¡± ¡°No. But sometimes it feels like you say stuff just to see how far you can push before I¡¯ll run.¡± The keys in his hand nged against each other. ¡°I was testing your mettle. I appreciate the eagerness to learn, but I need to take the lead on this. You¡¯re still recovering, and I have a bit more experience in the torture department than you do. Oh, and Sage, in the future,¡± he warned, his voice low, ¡°don¡¯t attempt to analyze me.¡± Especially when you¡¯re so frighteningly on the mark that I am now concerned you¡¯re a private mind reader or a witch. ¡°I¡¯m not analyzing. I¡¯m observing. I thought that¡¯s what you wanted, Your Evilness,¡± she said, folding her arms. He got to work on the lock in the thick wooden door. It muffled the sounds¡ªspecifically, the screams. ¡°Very well. Then observe this.¡± When Trystan entered the room, he saw that Otto Warsen¡¯s son was chained to a chair, his ankles bolted down, his waist wrapped in two cords of thick metal. His face was dirtied and bruised, as if it had been struck repeatedly, his light hair lying t on his head. Trystan took tworge steps before mming a fist hard into the man¡¯s jaw, forcing the gag from the intruder¡¯s mouth. ¡°You don¡¯t scare me, Viin.¡± He sneered, spitting in the direction Sage was standing in. Trystan gripped the man¡¯s cheek with one hand, responding ndly, ¡°That¡¯s not a requirement for what¡¯s about to happen to you, but I caution you not to spit in her direction again unless you desire doing so without a tongue.¡± The hatred in the intruder¡¯s eyes was merely fuel, the beginnings of Trystan¡¯s typical routine when it came to this room. Every man he¡¯d held here began with defiance, then fear, and then finally they broke and begged. In Trystan¡¯s experience, he needn¡¯t do much. The lowlifes he¡¯d brought down here typically were without scruples and without a spine. ¡°Calvin,¡± Sage said. ¡°That¡¯s your name, isn¡¯t it? I remember seeing it in your father¡¯s correspondence.¡± Calvin Warsen trained his hateful look on Sage, and Trystan stepped back, resisting the urge toy his fist back into the ckguard¡¯s face. ¡°My father wrote to me when you began working for him,¡± the man hissed at Sage. ¡°Said you unted yourself in front of him so often you were practically begging for it.¡± Trystan paused, then rubbed at his chin, sighing, before kicking his boot into Calvin¡¯s ankle. The crack was followed by the fool¡¯s pained cry. ¡°Who let you in the manor?¡± he asked calmly, waiting for the man to cease his moaning or for Sage to object. She didn¡¯t. ¡°Fuck you,¡± Calvin spat. Trystan nodded. ¡°Wrong answer.¡± Another kick to his broken ankle, and Calvin cried out again. Music to his ears. He allowed himself to slip back into old habits, allowed himself to not worry what Sage thought of the disy, allowed himself to be what he was always meant to be: a viin. ¡°Someone let you in. And that same someone tied up my chef, I¡¯d guess. I¡¯d like a name.¡± ¡°And I¡¯d like you and that bitch¡¯s heads on a pike.¡± Calvin sneered. ¡°We don¡¯t always get the things we want, Viin.¡± Trystan was all too aware of that, but instead of reflecting on the unwanted emotions it dredged up, he instead rammed the heel of his palm upward, causing Calvin¡¯s nose to crack and bend to an unnatural angle. ¡°You broke my nose!¡± Trystan shrugged. ¡°You bruised her brain.¡± He gestured back to Sage, bending down so that he was eye level with the mess of a man before him. ¡°All things considered, I think I¡¯m being rather generous, don¡¯t you?¡± Calvin¡¯s shoulders slumped¡ªthe first sign that he was breaking, the veneer of confidence fading as the pain in his body increased. ¡°Who is your contact inside the manor? Hmm?¡± Trystan gripped Calvin¡¯s chin. ¡°Why should they go free when you are down here suffering?¡± The chains rattled as Calvin thrashed, and Trystan allowed it, allowed the man to weaken himself until he could no longer fight, physically or mentally. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you! If I do, I die.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fairly certain if you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll also die.¡± Sage¡¯s light voice rang through the violence with calm reason, and both men turned to look at her. She hadn¡¯t moved from her spot, had stayed where she was directly behind him, no hint of fear as she stared at Calvin with confused fascination. Trystan knew he should object to her chiming in, but he couldn¡¯t. He was hypnotized. Stepping closer to their prisoner, Sage looked silently to Trystan for permission, and for some unfathomable reason, he gave it to her. Nodding slightly, he watched, enraptured, as she bent her knees until she was eye level with Calvin, gifting the bleeding man a saddened smile that outraged Trystan, but he didn¡¯t interrupt¡ªin all honesty, because he was too curious to see where she was going with this. ¡°How did you get into the manor?¡± Sage asked, repeating Trystan¡¯s earlier question but gentler, her wide blue eyes imploring. ¡°I was let in,¡± Calvin jeered. ¡°How courteous,¡± Sage said pleasantly. ¡°By whom?¡± ¡°By the fucking bogeyman.¡± Sage was oddly serene when she replied, ¡°So it was a man?¡± Calvin began to rattle his chains, shaking his limbs but not budging an inch. Sage remained just out of his reach. ¡°I won¡¯t tell you anything.¡± Trystan grabbed Calvin by the shirt cor. ¡°If thedy asks you a question, you will answer it.¡± Sage pushed off the ground to stand, then gently pried his hand from the man¡¯s shirt with a small smile that speared right through Trystan¡¯s heart. ¡°Mr. Warsen, I wonder if, to punctuate my point, you might need a little motivation?¡± Sage began lifting the hem of her skirt, and Trystan pped a hand over Calvin¡¯s eyes so hard the chair wobbled from the force. When Trystan finally dared to look, Sage was staring at him, self-satisfied, with her dagger dangling from her fingers. Trystan removed his hand from Calvin¡¯s face, being sure to knock into the man¡¯s broken nose. Calvin growled and shook, but he stopped immediately when he spied the dagger in Evie¡¯s hand. He recognized it¡ªTrystan could tell by how his eyes shed. ¡°Where did you get that?¡± Sage tipped the de underneath Calvin¡¯s chin until he was looking right into her eyes. ¡°Your father forged it. It¡¯s imbued with some sort of magic that¡¯s linked it to me, so I thought he wouldn¡¯t mind if I kept it. Call it severance pay.¡± She punctuated the statement with a sh to the man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Fuck!¡± He gritted his teeth as Sage gripped the back of his chair and leaned the dagger back at his throat. ¡°Now. Who. Let. You. In.¡± To her credit, Sage kept her friendly calm, herposure so together Trystan couldn¡¯t bring himself to object to hermandeering the torture session. She was too good at this. Trystan could do nothing but watch as Calvin¡¯s throat bobbed. Had she broken him already? ¡°I won¡¯t tell you.¡± Calvin¡¯s chest heaved when Sage drew a shallow cut at his throat. ¡°You¡¯re gonna kill me anyway.¡± Sage gasped, empty hand moving to her chest to convey some deep offense. ¡°Really, Mr. Warsen. You are our guest! We don¡¯t kill our guests.¡± ¡°Who is ¡®we¡¯?¡± Trystan drawled, and Sage gave him an exasperated nce, probably annoyed he was throwing out criticisms when he wasckadaisically watching her do all the heavy lifting. Why was he letting her do all the heavy lifting? ¡°All right, that¡¯s enough, apprentice.¡± He pushed himself in front of her and grabbed Calvin by the neck. ¡°Here are your options, because I¡¯m nothing if not in favor of choice. You can tell me all you know now, and I will make your death swift and painless. Or you can hold on, stay stubborn, remain true to a king who doesn¡¯t give a fuck if you live or die. And to a father whose head we chucked into a trash pitst week because it had developed a smell.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll always be loyal to my father,¡± Calvin spat. Trystan felt his magic pouring out then, wrapping around Calvin, and the man¡¯s eyes darted down to look at it. ¡°What¡ªwhat is that?¡± So it wasn¡¯t merely Sage and her mother who could see it any longer. His magic was now visible to anyone. Very well. Let it terrify them as much as it used to him. ¡°You may remain loyal to your father; that is a choice. But know that with that choice, you do not die¡ª¡± Sage interrupted, sounding confused. ¡°Um, he doesn¡¯t?¡± ¡°No. If he stays loyal, we keep him alive and we be sure to visit. Every day.¡± Trystan¡¯s eyes hardened, and Sage¡¯s lit up when she realized. ¡°Oh, you mean we torture him every day if he doesn¡¯t confess!¡± She looked pleased to have deciphered it, her curls bouncing as she nodded. Her green summer dress was a hard contrast to the dark room and even darker conversation. ¡°Precisely, Sage,¡± he affirmed, forcing his eyes away from her exposed corbones with a hard clearing of his throat. ¡°Imagine, Mr. Warsen. Living your life each day in the darkness. No doors to go through, no windows to see the sun.¡± Sage gasped, jumping and gripping Trystan¡¯s arm so hard his magic red and smacked Calvin in the face. ¡°Oh, now I remember!¡± she cried, smiling so wide he nearly returned it with one of his own. Instead, he stared at her like her head had fallen off¡ªlikely the only thing he and Calvin Warsen would ever have inmon. Calvin stared at her, too, half disgusted, half wary. ¡°Is she on something? What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± ¡°Watch it,¡± Trystan warned, pressing against his broken ankle before turning to Sage. Calvin¡¯s scream drowned out his hushed whisper. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± ¡°He was messing with the window! In the kitchen! When I came in, he was doing something to the window.¡± The kitchen window? It was the only one Trystan had never touched or rearranged into a viinous depiction. The window with the sun shining down on a¡ª ¡°That¡¯s it. Well done, Sage.¡± He couldn¡¯t hide how absurdly pleased with her he was. Not when she was beaming like the light reflecting after rainfall. ¡°I couldn¡¯t remember at first because of the concussion,¡± she said too casually, knocking on her head like it was a door. ¡°Guess it was locked up in there somewhere.¡± Sheughed, but Trystan didn¡¯t find anything about her head being injured amusing. He sniffed and grabbed the knee splitter¡ªa gleaming metal mp with a top covered in spikes facing rows of parallel spikes on the bottom¡ªand shoved it over Calvin¡¯s legs so his knees were wedged between. Then he flicked the switch. The two spiked ends began to close in slowly, and Sage¡ªgods help him¡ªlooked at the machine with more curiosity than disgust. ¡°Oh, is that going to¡­ Oh, ew.¡± He spun her around and nudged her toward the door as Calvin began to thrash in panic. ¡°Yes, ew. Now, let¡¯s go. The sound of kneecaps cracking is a bit grotesque even for my taste. We¡¯ll see you again soon, Calvin. Have a pleasant break.¡± ¡°Do what you will, but I will die with what I know before I ever tell you! The satisfaction when you realize the truth will be enough to sustain me¡ªand I suspect it will sustain my aplice, too.¡± Calvin grinned, and the machine made its final descent just as Trystan bolted the door shut. Sage stood there staring at it, her red lips parted as she pressed her ear against the wood. ¡°Either he¡¯s a very quiet screamer or this door works splendidly.¡± He waited for her to cry or panic or flee, as he¡¯d wanted to the first time he did something like this. But she did no such thing. Merely looked up at him with a grateful sheen in her eyes. ¡°Thank you for including me. I know you probably didn¡¯t want to.¡± He pulled at his cor, difited by her gratitude, hating himself for allowing it to make him feel weightless when he should¡¯ve felt fearful of corrupting her further. Instead, he felt so light his bloody head was going to knock against the ceiling. ¡°You had a right to be there. You¡¯re my apprentice, after all, and he had wronged you.¡± And he seems to continue to do so. ¡°Now,e.¡± ¡°Come where?¡± Sage asked, tripping to keep up. ¡°Yourck of direction is giving me whish.¡± Trystan quirked a grin at her. ¡°To find Rennedawn¡¯s storybook.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 19 Evie The back courtyard was quiet, save for the asional whimpering from the grate that led down to the male guvre¡¯s enclosure. Evie tried not to fixate on it or the way it caused a twisting in her gut as she and The Viin exited the manor into the night. The stars were shining, with only the small hint of a breeze, and the smell of burning logs drifted from the manor¡¯s many chimneys. Torches lit outside saved them from the shadows. The stained ss pieces nged in Evie¡¯s skirt pocket. She took the pouch out as she slowly came to her knees,ying them gently before her. A loud, nasal snore caused her to drop one, nearly slicing her hand when she dove to catch it. ¡°Aw. Fluffy is sick.¡± The dragon slept on his back under one of the awnings, all four of his purple feet stuck up in the air. He reminded Evie of a stray cat in her vige, except bigger¡­and scalier. The Viin harrumphed, cing the pieces he¡¯d been carrying beside hers. ¡°He always does that.¡± Evie frowned. ¡°Perhaps we should send for a veterinarian.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll consult de in the morning,¡± her boss offered, scratching at the stubble he clearly hadn¡¯t had time to groom. ¡°Let¡¯s just attempt to put this back together without waking him up.¡± Evie began to move the pieces around, remembering how terrible she was at puzzles, how the pieces always looked the same. She didn¡¯t know why she¡¯d thought it would be different merely because she¡¯d spent nearly all her days for half a year staring at it. ¡°Promise me when we¡¯re done out here we can return it to the kitchen exactly as it was,¡± Evie said as she gently pushed the pieces around on the stone pavement. Earlier, her boss had been quiet as he dismantled her favorite window piece by piece. The entire process had taken him no more than fifteen minutes, and Evie had only protested for the first ten. ¡°I told you I would. I beg you to stop asking.¡± ¡°Well, if you¡¯re begging.¡± She stuck her tongue out at the back of his head, and he must have sensed it because he turned so fast she fell back on her heels, her hand falling to the ground to prop her up. His gaze burned, his ck eyes fathomless and unreadable as he tossed a basket he¡¯d hooked under his arm toward her. ¡°Here. Eat.¡± Evie stared at it, then lifted the wicker p and pulled out arge loaf of bread, cheeses, a fig spread, and various fruits piled atop a folded checkered nket. ¡°Sir¡­is this a pic?¡± He stopped the puzzle to stare nkly at her. ¡°Absolutely not.¡± ¡°Then what is it?¡± He helped hery out the nket along with the rest of the food. ¡°It¡¯s dinner. Outside dinner.¡± ¡°On a pic nket?¡± Evie asked, looking pointedly down at it, giggling when she found a white rose buried at the bottom of the basket. She lifted a brow, letting the stem of the flower y between her fingers. ¡°And this is?¡± He grabbed her wrist¡ªnot hard enough to hurt, but enough to keep her from moving it. ¡°Less talking. More puzzling,¡± he said, giving her a look that made her toes curl in her shoes. It was an unspoken message that said she was being obstinate and if she continued, something bad would happen. But what? She had no clue, but for some reason she wanted to push every one of his buttons until she found out. Don¡¯t be sadistic, Evie! Unless it¡¯s for a very good reason! Was this a very good reason? He turned to fully face her, and a sliver of skin became visible in the loose V of his ck shirt. Good enough. The boss was staring at her expectantly. Oh dear, he¡¯d said something just now. She¡¯d registered the wordsing from outside her head, but for some reason her brain refused to process them while she ventured onto one of her mind¡¯s unwanted tangents. ¡°Well?¡± Trystan said, gesturing for her to answer. It was simply unfair that even disheveled with an overgrowth of stubble at his chin, he still managed to be devastatingly handsome, his skin gleaming in the moonlight. He looked warm and inviting, like a fuzzy nket with murderous tendencies. She was riding a train of delusion whosest stop was hopefully off a cliff. ¡°I wasn¡¯t paying attention, sir.¡± Trystan frowned. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I was staring at your chest,¡± Evie blurted, her grin turning sheepish at the way his eyebrows shot to the top of his head. ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± he asked incredulously. ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± Words continued rolling over her tongue, like a runaway carriage wheel. ¡°You could stare at mine, too, if you want.¡± What are you doing? she asked herself. Make it stop! ¡°To ensure we are, you know¡­even?¡± WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Amid her self-getion, her boss looked on the verge of a panic attack. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, Sage, nor is it a-appropriate.¡± But Evie didn¡¯t miss the way he stumbled slightly on the word, nor the subtle puff of his chest and the way his eyes shed to the small amount of cleavage peeking out of her green dress. She scrunched her nose. ¡°After I get you some pearls to clutch, would you mind repeating yourself?¡± ¡°I asked if you¡¯ve had any luck with the information you received when you ventured out with Keeley.¡± His eyes found something interesting about the stone archway in the back courtyard, and she had the sneaking suspicion that his control was slipping. It made her gleeful. Evie clicked her tongue. ¡°It turned out to be less useful than I¡¯d hoped.¡± She eyeballed the few ss pieces he was forcing to fit together. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why we couldn¡¯t just leave the window as it was and direct the sunlight against it in the morning.¡± He bent at the knee and gestured to the ss before him. ¡°Because, Sage, it needs to be held directly in the sunlight, not at an angle to it, and it was either take apart the window or knock down the west tower.¡± Well, that hardly seemed to matter; it wouldn¡¯t be the first time part of the manor needed rebuilding in some form or another. The Viin had a standing tab with the magical contractors for all the mishaps they endured. Only 30 percent of them were his fault. The other seventy was a split between their enemies, dragons with bad aim, and of course the most destructive of all of them¡­Evie. ¡°And you¡¯re sure the sunrise will hit it right here?¡± she asked. ¡°What if we can¡¯t put it back together exactly? What if none of the words are right or none of them go together?¡± He looked away from the arch, and though he didn¡¯t nce anywhere south of her face, she still felt blood rushing to her cheeks at the near reverence in his gaze. ¡°Ironic, little tornado. You¡¯re the one who taught me all words go together if you¡¯ve the proper imagination.¡± Oh, that was¡­inconveniently sweet. She rolled her eyes in a poor attempt to hide the way he had affected her. ¡°I¡¯m your apprentice, sir. You¡¯re meant to be teaching me, not the other way around.¡± He lifted a brow, his voice low and rasping when he asked, ¡°And what is it you¡¯d like me to teach you, Sage?¡± The most inappropriate and mortifying sentence popped into her head so quickly she desperately grasped for something else. Anything. ¡°How do you bnce viiny with, uh¡ªtaking care of your, uh¡­physical¡­ needs?¡± NOT THAT. Looking at her quizzically, he scratched his chin. ¡°I don¡¯t take your meaning, Sage. What is there to bnce? Exercise? Personal hygiene?¡± Oh well. If she was going to be brash and bold, she was going to do it as aggressively as possible. She stared at him head-on when she said, ¡°No. Sex.¡± He pressed his mouth shut, suddenly much closer than she remembered him being. His head angled down to look at her. His brows drew together in anger as he asked, ¡°Having difficulty with that, are you?¡± ¡°No.¡± She smiled reassuringly, and his eye twitched. ¡°I was just wondering how you went about it.¡± She would¡¯ve been more embarrassed if the way he was nearly choking on air wasn¡¯t so entertaining. ¡°I am certain this is not appropriate conversation between colleagues,¡± he replied through gritted teeth. ¡°Do you think we should ask Becky?¡± She was bluffing. If they asked Becky, they¡¯d probably send the HR woman into heart failure. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he rasped. She blinked. ¡°You don¡¯t want to ask Becky?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t bnce between them.¡± She gaped. ¡°Are you saying you do them at the same time?¡± He threw his hands up and banged his head into a nearby pir. ¡°Sir?¡± She closed in on him, putting a hand to his shoulder, and there was a near-painful shock at the contact, making them both jolt. He wouldn¡¯t look at her, but he didn¡¯t shake off her hand, either. ¡°Trystan?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t needed to bnce them,¡± he admitted. She paled, releasing a nervousugh. ¡°Ever?¡± He didn¡¯t say anything else, just gazed at her, pleading in his ck eyes, willing her to understand. And then she did, somehow, like lightning to the heart. I haven¡¯t¡­since you. ¡°Well. There¡¯s no choice, then.¡± Her voice broke, nearly ovee. ¡°In what?¡± he muttered hopelessly. She closed the distance and pressed her lips to his. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 20 The Viin Trystan could¡¯ve had the most perfect self-control, but after two weeks keeping away from her, after stolen moments peeking around corners and pressing his ears to doors, walls, and at times windows to hear her voice, there was only one possible response to the gentle press of her lips against his. And it was, naturally, to lose his ever-loving mind. Without hesitation, he bent to lift her legs, bringing her as close to him as possible, pressing her against the pir he¡¯d just been banging his head against while praying to the gods for a piece of sky to fall and clobber him to death. A light press of Sage¡¯s tongue brushed against his lips. Close enough. He answered the gesture by slowly seducing her mouth open, gripping the back of her head and losing himself in her the way he¡¯d wanted to from the start. From the moment destiny had pushed them together. For better or worse. The destiny monster¡¯s words echoed in his head as Sage¡¯s hands held his face tenderly, as she moaned softly into his mouth. Evie Sage is meant to be your downfall, and you her undoing. His answer to that reminder should¡¯ve been to pull away. To set her down and offer his regrets, as he had every time their lips had touched before that moment. But then, in a shy whisper, her light eyes glimmering with unshed tears, she said words he thought he¡¯d never hear from anyone ever again: ¡°I love you.¡± He pulled back farther so he could see her remarkable eyes, always brimming with her every emotion, like a message only he could read. ¡°You¡ª I¡ª¡± Her fingers fell over his lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need to say anything back. I¡¯m not telling you so I can receive titudes,¡± she said fiercely. ¡°I¡¯m telling you because you deserve to hear it. I¡¯m telling you because you deserve to know that someone does, very much, love you.¡± Whatever pieces of him that deration left behind were hers to keep. The destiny monster¡¯s words echoed in his mind again. And you her undoing. And Trystan responded to the monster with two. Fuck. You. Staring into her eyes, searching for it, trying to find the lie, desperately. But there was no lie¡ªonly the bare, honest truth of her words, her feelings. And then she said it again. ¡°I love you, Trystan, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.¡± He grabbed both her cheeks in his hands and crushed his lips back to hers. He shut his eyes tight, the way he did when he was in pain. Trying to show her with everything he had that he loved her, too. The destiny monster may have decided their fate, but it couldn¡¯t have his mind, his thoughts, his kiss. And Trystan used all of them in that moment to show Evie he loved her more than life, more than breath¡­more than death. Kissing her more deeply, like he was defying the gods, defying destiny, defying everything that had ever told him he didn¡¯t deserve the precious thing he held in his hands. He didn¡¯t need to deserve her. He was The Viin. He could take her, and she could take him¡ª A loud animal screech wrenched them apart, both breathless as the archway above¡ªthe very same one that had been rebuilt perhaps a dozen times since Trystan had taken over the manor¡ªcopsed in a swarm of dark-gray mist. They separated as quickly as they hade together, every part of his body screaming to rejoin hers, but that wasn¡¯t possible. Because in the short moments they had been lost in each other¡­the entire courtyard had been overrun. By Trystan¡¯s magic. ¡°What did you do?¡± Sage asked, her lush mouth swollen from his kiss, lips forming a little O. He sputtered, looking at her, trying fruitlessly to call his magic back. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, you menace! You kissed me first!¡± She shoved his shoulder, and her touch burned. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to kiss me back!¡± ¡°Yes! I did!¡± he yelled, and that¡ªmiraculously¡ªknocked her silent. His magic retreated, and Fluffy, who¡¯d been sleeping peacefully under one of the awnings, whined. The grate covering the male guvre¡¯s enclosure shook and rattled with a loud groan. de bolted out the back doors, a half-eaten sandwich in one hand and a butcher knife in the other. ¡°What happened?¡± The mist of Trystan¡¯s magic began to dissipate slowly,ing back to him in waves. And he could tell that de saw his magic in all its glory. Along with Sage and Trystan looking red-faced, guilty, and¡­unkempt. Standing next to two violently unsettled animals. Gushiken squinted, tossing the rest of the sandwich in Fluffy¡¯s direction and brushing his hand against his red-and-violet sleep shirt. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m supposed to ask?¡± ¡°If you do, I will ram that sandwich down your throat,¡± Trystan growled. de opened his mouth with a suggestive grin that made Trystan¡¯s blood boil. ¡°Funny. Was your tongue just down Evie¡¯s¡ª¡± But he didn¡¯t finish, because Sage dove around Trystan to close her hand over the dragon trainer¡¯s lips. Hands that had been around Trystan¡¯s neck moments prior. Until his magic and reality interceded and ruined everything. It¡¯s not the magic, his conscience argued. It¡¯s you. His mother¡¯s ugly words the day he left with Alexander¡¯s cursed frog body in tow reared their head for the first time in years. You¡¯ve always had the habit of ruining everything and everyone, haven¡¯t you? ¡°Settle Fluffy, Gushiken. I¡¯ll see to the guvre,¡± Trystan said gruffly, striding toward the guvre¡¯s grate, a sting burning behind his eyes that made him feel weak and foolish. ¡°Trystan,¡± Sage called after him. ¡°Not now, Sage,¡± he said, emotionless, not looking back. Not ever again. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 21 Kingsley Alexander Kingsley found Trystan exactly where he thought he would. In a puddle of his own regrets. A metaphorical puddle, of course. Alexander was the one sitting in an actual puddle adjacent to the guvre¡¯s cage. Trystan had one hand on the bar of the enclosure and one clutched to his chest. ¡°I know you¡¯re in pain. I know. I¡¯m sorry for it,¡± Trystan rasped at the moaning animal. Alexander scribbled on his sign. You Trystan looked down and rubbed at his eyes with both hands, the purpling underneath deepening in the torchlight. ¡°I am not in pain, Kingsley.¡± No. Trystan was right. Alexander scribbled another word. Anguish Trystan sighed and shook his head. ¡°Yes, I suppose that¡¯s closer to the truth, isn¡¯t it.¡± Alexander hung his head in sympathy. There had been a time when Trystan listened to his counsel. Alexander had been raised to be a diplomat, after all, and he¡¯d always excelled in saying just the right thing to achieve his goals when he was a prince. As frog counsel to ¡°The Viin,¡± Alexander excelled in being direct rather than smooth because there wasn¡¯t nearly enough chalk in Rennedawn to write every thought that came to his mind. And in thest ten years, he¡¯d had many. ¡°We¡¯ll have to be up before sunrise to check on the window,¡± Trystan whispered, taking a cautious step back as the guvre with all his colorful scales slowly crept over to the cage door before resting his head as close to the grate as he could. Fate¡¯s creatures were one of Alexander¡¯s first lessons in historical studies of the magical continent¡ªbeasts crafted by the hands of Fate. And whatever that fated creature saw in Alexander, he didn¡¯t like it, whimpering lightly as he moved as far away from Alexander as he could manage. Trystan looked down at him. ¡°Someone not liking you. Now that¡¯s a first.¡± It wasn¡¯t, but forget the kingdom¡ªthere wasn¡¯t enough chalk in the continent for him to tell that story in its entirety. So instead he wrote: Second. Trystan huffed, almost amused. ¡°I suppose the enchantress who cursed you wouldn¡¯t be too fond of you now. Considering she¡¯s been falsely imprisoned by your parents. All these years, I thought she was dead. My mother said she was executed on charges for ¡®murdering¡¯ you.¡± She may as well have. But Alexander didn¡¯t say that, either. He jotted another word down onto his small sign, suddenly all too aware of how small his webbed hand was, how small he was. Curse Trystan tentatively reached a hand past the cage¡¯s bars, and the guvre bumped his head into Trystan¡¯s palm. His rainbow scales created a ring of color around him when the light hit. ¡°I should be trying harder to undo your curse, Alexander. I shouldn¡¯t have grown discouraged so easily. I want you to know that even if it seems so, I haven¡¯t given up. I won¡¯t.¡± Alexander leaped toward his friend, hopping atop one of his shiny boots. When Trystan looked down, Alexander began shaking his head. I watched you struggle for years, Tryst. I know you tried. In the first few months of Alexander¡¯s transformation, he could hardly wake a single day without falling into a well of despair. The Viin¡¯s empire was just being built; Trystan had no allies, no resources, no reason to waste time on anything but building his business. It didn¡¯t matter¡ªmeager as they were, Trystan used every one of his possible avenues avable to break Alexander¡¯s curse. He watched as his friend paid money he didn¡¯t have to false enchantresses, curse consultants who refused to assist, false leads to find the enchantress who had cast the curse in the first ce, failing again and again. If Alexander were human, he¡¯d tell Trystan they both lost who they were that day and they both had to w their way back to who they were now. A frog and a viin. But Kingsley¡¯s foot was tired from all the writing he¡¯d been doing ofte, so instead ofmunicating the way he¡¯d learned, he looked up at his oldest friend and said the only thing he knew how: ¡°Ribbit.¡± Trystan scooped him up and ced Alexander atop his shoulder. ¡°d we¡¯re in agreement on what an awful friend I¡¯ve been. Ow!¡± Alexander used his non-writing foot to p the back of Trystan¡¯s head, effectively letting The Viin know they were not at all in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll go see if Sage got back to her chambers safely, and then we should probably attempt a few hours¡¯ rest before sunrise.¡± Alexander nodded, but just as Trystan took a step away from the cage, a low whimper followed. Trystan stopped, taking another step away to test it. Another whimper from the lonely animal behind the bars. Oh gods. The Viin was no match for it. The man was surely done for. ¡°Gods damn it,¡± Trystan grumbled. ¡°How on earth am I meant to leave that sad sop in such a state? Listen here.¡± Trystan pointed toward the guvre. ¡°I need to see that my apprentice has safely returned to her chambers, but I will return when I am through if there is time before I go to sleep.¡± The animal whimpered again, and Alexander hopped off Trystan¡¯s shoulder and toward the sign he¡¯d left discarded on the ground, scribbling a word as quickly as he could. Me? Trystan¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°You¡¯d check on her for me, Alexander?¡± His throat bobbed. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s for the best. I¡¯m afraid of what I might do if I see her right now.¡± Alexander couldn¡¯t erase and rewrite fast enough. The joke didn¡¯tnd the way it would if he could just speak it aloud. But he did it anyway. Kiss? ¡°No!¡± Trystan yelled. ¡°No kiss! There will be no more kisses.¡± Alexander slowly lifted his sign. Liar Alexander blinked. Trystan blinked back. The guvre whimpered again, and that seemed to snap The Viin back to himself. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he stalked for the enclosure and slid down the wall nearest the bars, begrudgingly patting the guvre¡¯s snout. The animal calmed, instantly purring into his hand. ¡°Check on Sage and then return to me at once, Alexander.¡± Trystan whispered hismand, and Alexander nodded, hopping toward the stairs leading away from the cers. But as Alexander ascended, his surroundings began to muddle. He was hungry. The floor was cold. He needed warmth. Hopping at full force until he reached a brighter room, he leaped for the window ledge, searching for a sun that wasn¡¯t there. Unsure of his original path. He¡¯d been doing something. He¡¯d been someone before this moment, but everything was fading. Everything he was seemed to be, too. And then the frog was no longer confused. Because he was just a frog. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 22 Gideon Gideon wasn¡¯t certain his old friend at the Valiant Guard barracks could be trusted, but it would indeed be a boon to their scheme if they had someone to aid them on the inside. If they were to have any chance of stealing back the female guvre, Gideon would need to provide a map of the ce, but a map was fruitless if they didn¡¯t know what part of the Gleaming Pce their rescuee resided in¡­if they had even brought the animal to the Gleaming Pce in the first ce. But that spection was far too much negativity for so early in the morning. ¡°Good day, Mother.¡± Gideon peeked his head into his mother¡¯s open chamber door. He¡¯d taken special care to keep an eye on her since her return, and she¡¯d appeared d for it. Clearly trying to make up an unnecessary debt for ¡°killing him.¡± Which she had not actually done, so said debt should be null and void for all intents and purposes. ¡°Gideon, hainasi.¡± My life. She kissed his cheeks and smiled. ¡°I had such a wonderful day with Lyssa yesterday.¡± Gideon¡¯s eyebrows shot up to salute his forehead. ¡°That is rather good news. I do hope the wonderful part began after you nearly burned her like a week¡¯s end roast.¡± Their mother¡¯d had a fragility to her when they first reunited, but Gideon had spent the most time with their mother out of all the Sage siblings, and he knew the woman to have a wicked sense of humor. And because of his mother, he knew how humor could heal a heart. Her brown eyes twinkled like the star she¡¯d once lived as. ¡°Fortunately, it beganter, in the office¡¯s kitchen.¡± ¡°Ah, where most good things begin.¡± He smiled wide but faltered when the door nudged open farther and there stood Captain Keeley, her long braid undone. Gideon had never seen the captain¡¯s hair undone. It did unpleasant things to his stomach. Very¡­unpleasant indeed. ¡°Captain, good morning! Come to call on your attempted murderer?¡± His mother pped his shoulder. ¡°Gideon Bernard Sage, that is not funny!¡± Keeley snorted as she hobbled in, and Gideon took his censure as well as he was able, dragging a chair from the corner of the room for her to sit. She didn¡¯t look at him as she took the seat, wincing in a way that made Gideon feel so useless he wanted to do bodily harm to the nearest throwable object out of frustration. ¡°I received your note, Mistress Sage.¡± Note? What note? His mother smiled and knelt before Keeley as if the captain was a queen and his mother a humble subject. ¡°I am so appreciative that you are willing to see me at all after yesterday and allow me an opportunity to apologize.¡± Keeley¡¯s lips curved up, and Gideon ignored what that small movement did to the organ in his chest. ¡°Let me assure you I hold no ill will. I¡¯ve been in business with The Viin for many years, and this is hardly the first time I¡¯ve been hurt.¡± She ced a hand atop his mother¡¯s. ¡°It is merely the first time I¡¯ve been hurt by ident.¡± ¡°Regardless. You protected Lyssa,¡± Nura said gratefully, holding a hand to her chest. Keeley shook her head, bowing it in deference, but Gideon didn¡¯t miss the haunted look in the captain¡¯s eyes. ¡°Children should always be protected above all else. I did no great service other than what all adults should strive to do.¡± Nura smiled, but it faltered as Lyssa appeared at the door, looking more than a little reluctant. ¡°Lyssa. Good morning, my sweet.¡± Lyssa wore a small grin as she entered the room, but when she spotted Keeley, she lost all inhibition, running over and throwing her little arms around the guard. ¡°I¡¯m so happy you¡¯re not dead, Keeley!¡± Keeley froze for a moment before her rosy lips pulled all the way up into a full grin that almost knocked Gideon into the wall. ¡°My thoughts exactly.¡± Keeleyughed. Lyssa gaped at the long gold hair cascading all the way down Keeley¡¯s shoulders and descending to near the floor; she ran a finger over it. Gideon tried to swallow his jealousy at the ease in which his little sister touched it. ¡°Your hair is so pretty!¡± It would be creepy if Gideon tried it. Which, unfortunately, did not mean he didn¡¯t want to. Keeley pulled a few strands between her fingers. ¡°It¡¯s a hassle most days, but it¡¯s mine.¡± There was a meaning behind that statement that Gideon could not decipher, and before he could make any attempts, Lyssa was already talking Nura into a frenzy before pulling her from the room. Keeley looked after them wistfully, like she could soak up some of that joy just by looking at it. ¡°Where are they headed, sir knight?¡± His nickname made him annoyingly buoyant. ¡°The kitchen, likely. It appears to be the most effective way to Lyssa¡¯s heart.¡± Keeleyughed into her hand, and she glowed like a sun that wouldn¡¯t burn him to a crisp but would instead warm him from the inside out. ¡°She has good taste. Any of Edwin¡¯s treats would crack through the hardest of shells.¡± Gideon sobered for a moment. ¡°You heard what happened with Edwin yesterday, yes?¡± Gideon had been as insistent as Tatianna that Keeley rest, but he didn¡¯t think it right to keep things from her. Keeley went rigid. ¡°Yes, I heard. Truly awful. Who would tie our chef up with rope?¡± Before Gideon could answer, she stood abruptly, and though he felt flustered at her fast reaction, Gideon reached his hands out to catch her if needed. ¡°Well. I hope they sort it out soon,¡± Keeley said, starting to hobble out the door. ¡°Yes, of course. I as well,¡± Gideon mumbled as he watched her go. Once she had left, Gideon remained there, something about the exchange not sitting right with him. It was only after minutes had passed that he realized, with a sinking stone in his stomach, what it was. The Viin had suggested they tell no one about Edwin being tied up with rope, fearful the information would make its way to Lyssa. Keeley shouldn¡¯t have known that. She was hiding something. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 23 The Viin The morning dew had barely had time to dampen the grass before Trystan began beating down Tatianna¡¯s door. ¡°Tatianna!¡± he boomed. ¡°Wake up!¡± The door was on a tilt, not entirely repaired from Trystan kicking it down with Sage the day prior, and creaked horribly when Tatianna finally yanked it open. Her nightgown wasvish, her robe a draped pink silk that matched the silk bo tying back her hair, her dark eyes blinking rapidly, voice still edged with sleep. ¡°Is someone bleeding or dead?¡± He paused, his fist still midair from knocking. ¡°The prisoners downstairs¡ª¡± ¡°Is anyone bleeding or dead who isn¡¯t meant to be bleeding or dead?¡± she rified, her lips pressing tightly together as she awaited his answer. This was a terrible idea. ¡°No,¡± he said carefully. ¡°Are you admitting finally that you¡¯re in love with Evie Sage?¡± She folded her arms, the fluffy ends of her robeing together. He sputtered, ¡°I¡ªI will admit no such thing.¡± Out loud. ¡°Then I am returning to bed.¡± Tatianna groaned and made to m the door, but Trystan caught it with his hand. She let out a little grunt, pushing it harder. ¡°Trystan, by the gods, whatever it is, let it wait until the sun¡¯se up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m busy then,¡± he stated logically. Her eyes red, her hands glowing in a threatening gleam. He released the door, stumbling backward. ¡°Come backter,¡± she bit out, then mmed it shut. He sighed, leaning his forehead against the cool surface. ¡°Sage and I kissed,¡± he admitted quietly. The door flew open so fast he was fairly certain it would be knocked off its hinges again, his forehead catching open air as he tripped into his healer¡¯s quarters. Fortunately, her exam table stopped him, though it possibly bruised his kidneys in the process. ¡°Tell me everything.¡± Tatianna grabbed afy chair from the corner and dragged it over, tucking her slippered feet underneath her. ¡°Did you kiss her? Oh! Did she kiss you? Good for you, Evie!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡± He pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°I didn¡¯te to talk about that, actually. I¡¯m worried about Kingsley.¡± He pulled the frog from his pocket. His friend¡¯s crown was so far down the side of his head it was practically hanging off one of his eyes. Tatianna leaned her chin against the palm of her hand, unamused. ¡°Why? Did you force him awake at an ungodsly hour, too?¡± The frog blinked, his eyes growing more alert, and he hopped and settled into Tatianna¡¯sp. ¡°He was meant to check on Sage for me while I kept the guvrefortablest night. Next thing I knew, I awoke hourster, alone, and Kingsley had never returned,¡± Trystan exined, staring at his best friend. ¡°When I finally tracked him down, he was dangling from the chandelier,pletely out of it. Something¡¯s off with him. Haven¡¯t you noticed? Misspelling signs, holding up empty ones? Seeming absent?¡± ¡°Mother hen.¡± Tatianna gentled her voice. ¡°He¡¯s not absent¡ªhe¡¯s a frog, and he¡¯s right here. So he got a little sidetracked. Happens to the best of us.¡± ¡°He was our best friend, Tati. He was our best friend, and now he¡¯s this. And it¡¯s my fault.¡± Tatianna shook her head. ¡°No, Trystan. It¡¯s your mother¡¯s fault. Shemissioned the enchantress to hurt you. Besides¡±¡ªshe held up Kingsley, cradling him with both hands¡ª¡°you spent a decade trying to find a way to undo it. You¡¯ve punished yourself enough for a crime that isn¡¯t yours.¡± ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why I¡¯vemitted so many others I¡¯ll never take the me for,¡± he muttered sarcastically. Tatianna blew out a breath that turned into a whistle. ¡°I¡¯m so d you said it so I didn¡¯t have to.¡± His irritation melted away when he lifted one of re¡¯s flower clips from the worktable. He held it up, pointing a questioning look at her. ¡°Speaking of the past¡­¡± ¡°We were speaking of crime, actually.¡± Trystan took the hint. Don¡¯t touch the subject of the youngest Maverine. Understood, but his daily interactions with others in the office seemed to be having an adverse effect on him, because¡­he wanted to know. Kingsley jumped to his shoulder, just when Trystan needed the distraction. ¡°Do you think you could look him over anyway? Make sure everything¡¯s functioning right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a healer for people, Trystan. Why don¡¯t you ask de?¡± ¡°Because I might run into¡­someone I¡¯m not quite ready to see yet.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Tatianna nodded, as if she¡¯d sorted him long before he¡¯d admitted a thing. ¡°You afraid you¡¯ll nt one on her again?¡± ¡°She kissed me!¡± he argued. ¡°HA!¡± She jumped, pointing at him, self-satisfaction evident in the little hops she was doing. She started waving her hand at her face. ¡°Hoo, all this excitement is making me flushed. Open the window, will you?¡± Trystan rolled his eyes, but he went to the window, cracking it slightly to bring in a rush of cool air. ¡°Thank you.¡± Tatianna smiled. ¡°Wow. So our sweet Evie kissed you. This is good. At least one of you has some sense.¡± ¡°Are we speaking of the same woman who identally baked a batch of cupcakes with salt instead of sugar her first week on the job?¡± Tatianna tapped her chin with a manicured finger. ¡°Didn¡¯t you eat them all anyway?¡± Kingsley found a sign from the basket in the corner and scribbled out a word. Yes. Tatianna smiled and shrugged. ¡°Look at that! He¡¯s as sharp as ever.¡± Something in Trystan¡¯s face must have conveyed his impatience, because Tatianna grabbed the frog from the corner and ced him on her examination table. The morning was still gray but lighter, thest dregs of night saying their final farewell, and Tatianna breathed it in like it was restoring her. ¡°All right. Let me have a look at him.¡± Her hands took on their warm yellow glow, and she hovered them around the frog, scanning his small body for any issues. ¡°But I¡¯m telling you, there¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± Kingsley blinked, his eyes homing in on the glow of Tatianna¡¯s hands. And then he leaped. Out the open window. ¡°Ah! Oh gods!¡± Tatianna screeched, and Trystan yelled as they both dove after him, shoving simultaneously through the window frame but clutching at only air. All they saw was a frog soaring, then hitting the ground gracefully and turning around to look at them with a soft ¡°ribbit.¡± ¡°Oh gods! Tryst, what do we do?¡± Tatianna grabbed his arms, and they both knew the answer. They couldn¡¯t take their eyes off that frog, but jumping out the window was a fool¡¯s errand. ¡°Sir?¡± Sage¡¯s voice floated up, and Trystan¡¯s heart dropped. Had she stayed out there all night, waiting for the sun to rise on the stained ss? And he¡¯d assumed she¡¯d retire; instead, he¡¯d inadvertently left her out there to put it together with only de and an abandoned ¡°outside dinner.¡± It was difficult to enjoy viinous acts when they made you feel like you were being boiled alive. And then Kingsley hopped right at Sage, smacking her in the chest and forcing her to the ground arse first. Thank the gods, though, she kept her hands tight on the amphibian, effectively stopping his escape. ¡°Oof!¡± ¡°Tatianna?¡± Trystan said lightly. ¡°Yes?¡± she asked nervously, likely sensing the danger beneath it. ¡°I think we have something to worry about.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 24 Kingsley Alexander Kingsley was confused. And perhaps a smidge disoriented. He¡¯d awoken, startled by the rush of footsteps, to find himself bouncing in Trystan¡¯s hands, then to Tatianna¡¯s office, and then¡­it was fuzzy, but he was no longer in the healer¡¯s quarters at all. He was sitting atop Evie Sage¡¯s midsection while she slowly moved to sit up. ¡°Sage!¡± Trystan yelled, bursting through the back door. ¡°Kingsley!¡± Tatianna scurried out next, her pink robe dragging behind her. Birds began their morning greetings, and Alexander tried his best not to be distracted by the sounds so he could understand the scene unfolding before him. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Evie assured them, looking down at Alexander, reaching up a finger to straighten his crown. ¡°I can¡¯t get my curls to stay put for more than a few hours. How on earth has this thing survived so long?¡± ¡°It¡¯s glued to his head,¡± Trystan muttered dryly, extending a hand to help her to her feet. ¡°Is it really?¡± Evie scrunched her nose, looking down upon him. Alexander sure hoped not. ¡°No, Sage.¡± Trystan was cranky, probably because he was tired. The man had been sleeping terriblytely, and judging by the dark circles under his eyes,st night had been no different. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Tatianna asked, rubbing a hand down Evie¡¯s arm. Evie shook her head, smiling ruefully. ¡°I think I¡¯ve just be a ma for troubletely.¡± ¡°Lately?¡± Trystan questioned. Evie pushed her tongue into her cheek, looking a bit like she was swallowing words that would unravel him. But instead she ended up stalking back toward where they¡¯d put the stained ss pieces the night before. Trystan caught up in seconds, and Kingsley hopped along, wondering how he got down here in the first ce. ¡°Were you out all night?¡± Trystan asked cautiously. Evie nodded serenely. ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep. So I finished what we started with de.¡± Trystan shot out an arm, halting Evie. ¡°Gushiken!¡± he called. ¡°With the stained ss window pieces!¡± de yelled from across the yard, hiding behind Fluffy with arge sponge in hand for the dragon¡¯s morning bath. ¡°You know, since you left her to do it by herself.¡± Alexander wondered if death wish was one or two words. ¡°Thank you for that courteous exnation,¡± Trystan replied sardonically. ¡°No problem, boss!¡± Tatianna snorted, and Alexander marveled at how different his friends were and yet, in some ways, exactly who they¡¯d always been from the time they were children¡ªwhen their lives had barely begun to intertwine. Alexander¡¯s father, the king, had been a fair but diligent guide in his son¡¯s education, ensuring he was a master in all things: diplomacy, science, philosophy, magic, an ironic skill for penmanship, and the history of the creation of the continent, including all its kingdoms. But his mother had worried he was spending too much time in the library and not enough with other children, so off they went one day in search of ¡°fun.¡± Within the week, he¡¯d met Trystan, re, Malcolm, and Tatianna, and his life had been forever altered. Alexander¡¯s tongue suddenly shot toward a nearby fly. His tiny body jerked at the sudden urge. A new, foreign urge that he¡¯d somehow avoided for thest decade. What was happening? Did frogs go through a second puberty? Evie ushered them along until they were all standing before the reconstructed window¡ªthe one Alexander had spent many hours gazing out of, wondering if this was the only life he¡¯d ever live. Trystan avoided getting too close to Evie as he leaned down to peer at it. The sun was just brushing the ss as it began to rise, and the light illuminated the two stubborn fools, surrounding them in a radiant glow. As if even the elements were growing impatient at the fight they were putting up to stay apart. de jogged over. ¡°Anything?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± Tatianna said, leaning her elbow on the dragon trainer¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I suppose it would be insensitive to ask Edwin to fix us a big breakfast after the day he had yesterday?¡± Evie held her midsection with a small moan. ¡°Don¡¯t say ¡®breakfast.¡¯ My stomach is eating itself.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make breakfast,¡± Trystan said quickly, thoughtlessly, watching the ss like he was waiting for it to explode. Evie¡¯s eyes went round. ¡°You¡¯ll make what?¡± Trystan shrugged, nting his hands on his waist. ¡°It¡¯s just breakfast, Sage. No cause for rm.¡± Perhaps not rm, no, but Alexander could see many causes for celebration, considering Trystan had avoided the kitchen since bing The Viin and now was offering to cook something for the third time in a month. ¡°I¡¯m just hungry. That¡¯s all,¡± his friend added. You aren¡¯t hungry. You are in love, you emotionally stunted fool. Unfortunately, there was not nearly enough room on a sign for Alexander to say that. And no time to, as the sun illuminated the pieces of ss head-on, shining against them so brightly the group shaded their eyes. Alexander mimicked the gesture. For a moment, all he could feel was a burning sensation every time he blinked, hopping backward until the rays weren¡¯t so imposing. But he stopped when there was a collective gasp among the group. ¡°Tatianna. Do you have your magnifying instrument with you?¡± Trystan asked, leaning down, voice tinged with wonder. The healer wordlessly handed it over, and when Alexander hopped atop Trystan¡¯s shoulder, he, too, could see that the once drab-looking book etched into the ss had been transformed by the sunlight into a streak of color, the pages turning silver with a single word etched into the top. Rennedawn. And then the window came alive and the book flipped open. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it!¡± Trystan ordered as de reached for it in wonder. ¡°What does it say?¡± Evie asked, squinting to make out the words that were almost too small to read. Trystan held the magnifying device over it and read the words aloud. At the start of the world, the magical gods knew That color would bleed and all would undo. So to save this ce they knew humans would break They enlisted the tools of Destiny and Fate. The beauty of stars that gleam at night The children of Fate, created in light And the magic that bnces all dreamed of Is the key to saving the world in true love. The person who rescues the magicalnds Will take this Fate¡¯s youngling well in hand. When luck and starlight must fall together, Thend will belong to you forever. But beware the unmasked Viin And their Malevolent dark¡ª For nothing is more dangerous Than a ckened good heart. And when the tides turn All will be as it was The heart of the true prince Will save his fated love. Where sunlight beams unvarnished Rennedawn¡¯s magic will begin mending. Evil will fall, kingdoms will rise. Heed this prophecy and all of Rennedawn Will have its happy ending. Silence fell among the group, the only sounds the chirping of birds and the swaying of tree branches. de broke it first. ¡°Do prophecies have to rhyme? Or do the gods just have a sick sense of humor?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t even follow a consistent rhyme scheme. What is this sentence structure¡­ Good grief. Does that mean anything?¡± Tatianna wondered. Evie pressed her fingers to her temples. ¡°Starlight magic, the guvre¡¯s youngling, the unmasked viin, and¡­the heart of the true prince, saving his fated love.¡± All at once, everyone¡¯s eyes fell upon Alexander. And he was once again confused. ¡°The fourth piece of the prophecy,¡± Trystan said, looking forlorn and cold, ¡°is Kingsley.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 25 Evie Evie read the prophecy aloud to the group as they gathered for their second meeting in a two-day span. She¡¯d had nightmares about such things, but since she¡¯d also been physically attacked and pped with a frog in that same two-day span, a stacked meeting schedule really was the least of her problems. At least this one came with fried dough rings. Although they came with the risk of choking, particrly Gideon. Particrly loud. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He coughed, crumbs expelling from his mouth, and Becky wrinkled her nose at him in distaste. ¡°The heart of the true prince?¡± Gideon¡¯s eyes fell to Kingsley, who sat in the middle of the table. ¡°What is confusing you, Gideon?¡± The Viin asked, dropping another tray of dough rings on the table. ¡°The part where you think it¡¯s the frog?¡± Tatianna snorted, and re jolted next to her, like the sound of her ex-betrothed¡¯sughter sent a shot of electricity along her skin. ¡°Kingsley is not just a frog,¡± Evie said gently. de tilted his head, his shoulder-length hair pulled back with a strip of leather. Bright-yellow leather that matched his vest. ¡°Yes, Gideon. Kingsley is far superior to the average amphibian. Haven¡¯t you seen his signs?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not¡ª¡± Evie began, but they continued like they hadn¡¯t heard her. ¡°Aha! Which brings me to my next point.¡± Gideon looked serious when he added, ¡°How does he have so bloody many? And where does he keep the damn things?¡± Trystan cut in. ¡°We have a carefully crafted system when in office, but when traveling¡ª¡± Evie put two fingers in her mouth and let out a whistle so loud she nearly shattered another window. ¡°I do understand that men derive enjoyment from interrupting women mid-sentence, so I¡¯d hate to be a spoilsport, but could you all unkindly shut your traps so I may continue?¡± Becky snapped her fingers in agreement without even looking up from her notes. Trystan¡¯s face went so red Evie began to worry. ¡°You may, uh, breathe, though,¡± she said, and she swore she saw Trystan¡¯s chest begin to move again. ¡°So generous of you, little sister. Please continue, with our apologies.¡± Gideon beamed with pride, which Evie shouldn¡¯t enjoy but of course did anyway. She smoothed a hand down her cherry-colored skirts, straightening herself up as she spoke again. ¡°Alexander Kingsley, prince of the southern kingdom, is the frog before you.¡± de¡¯s jaw dropped, Becky looked up from her notes with astonished eyes, Gideon held out a hand like he needed a brief pause to process, and Keeley¡¯s normally golden skin went wan. Tatianna raised a skeptical brow, adjusting one of the bows at the top of her dress as she looked around the room. ¡°You all can¡¯t be that shocked. We call him Kingsley.¡± Everyone stared at her nkly. re tried next. ¡°He wears a crown?¡± The room was so silent, if Evie closed her eyes she¡¯d swear she was standing there alone. ¡°He holds up little signs and can write words!¡± de scratched his head. ¡°I just thought he was really well trained.¡± Becky looked down her pert nose at the trainer when she said, ¡°Not a trait you share, clearly.¡± de¡¯s eyes turned smoldering when he looked back at her. ¡°Rebecka, please don¡¯t flirt with me in front of the others; this is a work meeting.¡± Becky scoffed, but a little smile tugged up her lips, and Evie felt an unfair spear of envy. These two could joke and hint and hope without fear the other would find some monumental reason to stay away. Evie was so very tired of being denied what she wanted. And unfortunately, she still wanted to kiss her boss the way she had the night before¡ªjust as much as she wanted to throw a pot of soup at his head. ¡°I think the point is that once we get the guvre and her baby back, we will have all the pieces to enact the prophecy and save the magic in Rennedawn,¡± Keeley said. ¡°Right?¡± ¡°Starlight magic¡ªthat¡¯s my mother. The Viin with a ckened good heart¡­ We all know who that is,¡± she said with a small smile in Trystan¡¯s direction. ¡°Fate¡¯s venom is the guvre. And the human prince saving his fated love.¡± Evie stated it inly, since the entire room seemed to be slowly piecing it all together. Becky stood, narrowing her eyes at the frog. ¡°Are you saying¡­we have to figure out how to turn Kingsley back into a man?¡± Trystan nodded, saying with a hard, emotionless voice, ¡°I¡¯ve tried unsessfully for years. The only known way to break a curse this strong is for the enchantress who performed it to be the one to break it. Enchantresses¡¯ magic is unique to them; they can¡¯t undo curses cast by someone else.¡± This was new information to Evie. She hadn¡¯t asked about her boss¡¯s efforts to turn Kingsley back into a man, but she somehow had known he¡¯d tried, and tried, and tried. It was the way he looked at Kingsley, like the frog was haunting him. ¡°And where can we find this enchantress?¡± Gideon asked. Trystan shook his head. ¡°We can¡¯t.¡± Tatianna chimed in, looking grim. ¡°She¡¯s imprisoned on charges of murder by the king and queen of the southern kingdom¡­for killing the crown prince.¡± ¡°Not for turning him into a frog?¡± Gideon asked with a quirk of his brow. ¡°No. But the southern kingdom has a fortified magical barrier. Going straight to the enchantress isn¡¯t a viable option. There is an alternative,¡± Trystan admitted, ¡°but it involves taking a risk and also involves¡­Sage.¡± His dark eyes found Evie¡¯s, and the irritating organ in her chest started pinging around like a rubber ball. The mere hint of being needed made her ready to leap to action like a¡ªwell, like a frog. Stop being needy, Evie! Gideon followed Trystan¡¯s gaze and frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t like the word ¡®risk¡¯ and my sister in the same sentence.¡± Evie smirked and crossed her arms, scrunching her nose when she replied, ¡°I do.¡± Trystan¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t move from hers, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose in response. She swallowed hard, watching his eyes go molten on her. ¡°So, what now, sir?¡± He looked haunted when he replied, ¡°We need to see the Curse Consultant.¡± There was a collective gasp around the room, which didn¡¯t seem to bode well for what was ahead. Or for whatever the deands a Curse Consultant was. ¡°It¡¯s our only hope of finding a way to break the curse, and we don¡¯t have the luxury of time,¡± Trystan added. ¡°We¡¯ve wasted too much already, and we still have the guvre giving birth to worry about.¡± Tatianna interjected. ¡°You¡¯ve tried the Curse Consultant before, Trystan. If you recall, he wouldn¡¯t see you?¡± Trystan shut his eyes tight, closing himself off from Evie once more, and it felt like a fist had mmed into her stomach, punching the wind out of her. ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± he gritted out. ¡°I have what he asked for now. I didn¡¯t before.¡± Tatianna¡¯s lips parted, and her eyes went to Evie. And then everyone else¡¯s did, too. Evie sputtered for a second, pointing a finger at her chest. ¡°Wait, me? You have me?¡± Trystan nodded, still not looking at her, and though she knew she should let go of hope, the optimism deeply entwined in her soul refused to die. Despite the world¡¯s unspoken mission to beat it out of her. Trystan was clearly alluding to something Evie had to offer the Curse Consultant; it had nothing to do with him. But she read into it anyway when he said, low and gruff: ¡°Yes, Sage. I have you.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 26 The Viin This was a fucking mistake. But it was toote to turn back. Trystan tried to think of what it would feel like when hepleted the prophecy before Benedict, when he stole the king¡¯s precious kingdom right out from under him. When he could watch all those who revered their ruler weep into their hands as they witnessed their hero fall into nothingness. Yes, revenge was enough to keep him warm at night. Despite his constant dreams about Sage and her soft curves pressed against the hard parts of him. The memory of her body in the sheer nightgown revisiting him nightly like a prayer. Or a godsdamned demon. They rode through Hickory Forest, taking special care to ensure no one was following them, with several Malevolent Guards circling the perimeter of the manor. It was a quiet trip, the only sound the horses¡¯ hooves and Trystan¡¯s insistent heartbeat, pounding out a rhythm that felt suspiciously like Mis-take. Mis-take. Until arge-winged animal swooped between him and Sage, making her squeal and Trystan yelp. ¡°Oh, wonderful!¡± Tatianna threw her hands over her head, therge animal swooping down mere inches from the healer. ¡°Bats.¡± The cove where the consultant lived was not very far from the manor, but regardless, they¡¯d had to take several excruciatingly long paths to ensure none of the king¡¯s men had followed. Trystan was relieved when they finally saw the shimmering waterfall ahead, and the party dismounted from their horses, taking the rest of the journey on foot. The horses let out a gruff whine, sensing the formidable presence of magic in the cove¡¯s falling water. A vibrant rainbow shimmered above it. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, big guy. I¡¯ll protect you.¡± Sageughed softly, patting her horse¡¯s head, the wordsced with a joy Trystan didn¡¯t think he¡¯d felt until he met her. It was horrible. Kingsley hopped over, holding a sign with his toes. Trystan subtly loosened his fingers from their tight grip, dropping tiny pieces of chalk in the grass for the frog to use. It was irritating having to drag the tools along, but if Kingsley continued his stowaway tendencies, Trystan wasn¡¯t so heartless as to leave the frog with no way tomunicate. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sage narrowed her eyes at him, and he jumped like he¡¯d been caught thieving the crown jewels instead ofmitting an act of kindness on purpose. That would be embarrassing. ¡°I¡¯m looking for the Curse Consultant¡¯s sigil to summon him,¡± Trystan exined, scanning the ground for any signs of a sword outline. When he looked up again, Sage¡¯s eyes were narrowed on him. ¡°Are you nning on sacrificing me or something? Because if so, I have objections.¡± She gestured to her trousers, the ones that clung to her thighs. He allowed himself two seconds to admire the shape and remember how good they¡¯d felt gripped in his hands. And then those two seconds were over and he mentally sshed ice water over his head. ¡°Because of your¡­pants?¡± he asked, hoping his t tone would hide his curiosity about the answer. ¡°No, Mr. Literal. Because if I¡¯d known I was going to be sacrificed today, I wouldn¡¯t have worn such a boring outfit.¡± As if any of her outfits could be described as such. She regrly wore colors of the rainbow not yet discovered by the public. ¡°Sage, you are wearing a corset that has a meadowndscape painted on it. If you¡¯re drab, then I¡¯m a corpse.¡± She patted his arm. ¡°That¡¯s not very kind to the corpses.¡± He gave a sardonic lift of his brow and folded his arms. ¡°All because I don¡¯t y into frivolities?¡± Something shuttered in Sage¡¯s face, and he regretted the words immediately when she said with a sudden seriousness, ¡°I think I¡¯ve more than earned the right to frivolities. I don¡¯t care what anyone thinks about it.¡± Trystan was in a constant state of surprise at his apprentice¡ªbut he knew her well enough to know that at one point in time, someone¡ªor several someones, now including him¡ªhad made Sage feel like there was something wrong with her colorful personality. It made him want to find every person who had made her feel less than remarkable and tear their eyelids off so they could get a better look at her. ¡°Sir?¡± Sage snapped him out of his meanderings and furrowed her brow adorably. Awful word, but there didn¡¯t seem to be another that fit better. ¡°Are you all right?¡± He opened his mouth to speak, to say anything, really, but he was cut off¡ª By Tatianna¡¯s and re¡¯s screams. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 27 re It happened in a matter of seconds. In one moment, Tatianna was smiling at re, and in the next, the ground rumbled and an overge bat dove right for them¡ªright for Tatianna. ¡°Tati!¡± re screamed. But before she could move to shield her love, Trystan was there, throwing himself between Tati and the beast¡¯s ws. He let out a startled grunt as the beast wrapped him in its great talons and lifted him from the ground. ¡°No! Oh gods, what is that!¡± Evie cried, rushing for the animal hovering just above them. re watched the enormous bat p around, Trystan gripped in its wed feet like a field mouse, yelling with an authority she¡¯d seen him use on the interns. ¡°Put me down at once. Or you will face the wrath of The Viin¡¯s magic,¡± Trystan threatened, sounding far too formal even in his warnings. He¡¯d used the same tone of voice when they were growing up and he found re rifling through his journals. It had been intimidating then. Now, it just seemedical to make threats while floating above the ground like a mouse caught by a hawk. ¡°Trystan, your magic! The death kind? It would be splendid right now,¡± re said frantically, feeling a creeping of ice-cold fear slicing her as the creature squeezed Trystan tighter. Dark mist unfurled from his fingertips, and re froze, watching the magic her mother so feared spill out into the world, clearly visible to all their eyes for the first time. And she was struck by the startling realization that the idea of something was far more frightening than the real thing, for his magic didn¡¯t look so menacing before them. In fact¡ª It went nowhere near the bat. Instead, it flitted downward, wrapping around Evie¡¯s ankles yfully. ¡°No,¡± Evie whispered, gently trying to push the magic back up to Trystan. ¡°Go help him!¡± The magic didn¡¯t adhere to her order. It merely started bouncing as it danced around Evie, the scar on her back glowing against the dark-gray mist gliding over it, poking rainbow beams through it. ¡°Trystan?¡± re asked carefully,pletely stupefied by the magic¡¯s defiance and, further, its sentience. Like a child testing its boundaries. ¡°I¡¯m trying. It won¡¯t listen!¡± he gritted out, angling his head toward Evie and ordering her, ¡°Sage, get away from me now!¡± Evie flinched but hurried to the other side of the clearing. Tatianna, who¡¯d been gripping re¡¯s arm in a stress-induced panic, paused at the harsh order and blinked up at Trystan in astonishment. Even the bat paused, appearing almost¡­amused? re should¡¯ve never left her cottage. Nothing good came from venturing away from the confines of one¡¯s couch. Tatianna shook her head at Trystan, who, despite the circumstances, appeared oddly at ease in the bat¡¯s ws. ¡°Gods, Trystan, you and your horrific delivery.¡± She turned to re. ¡°Didn¡¯t he used to be better at this? The girls in our vige found him charming, didn¡¯t they?¡± Kingsley held up two signs. Did they? Something about the calm way they spoke seemed to soften the bat¡¯s ire¡ªit stopped pping its wings as aggressively and hovered in the air, and re released a sigh of relief. At least Trystan wasn¡¯t in imminent danger. re licked her lips, her thin shoes dampening as she shifted on the soft ground. Distraction¡ªthat was their ploy to rescue Trystan. ¡°We took a poll about it that one summer. Some said he was quiet and mysterious, and others said they felt like he was probably hiding dead rabbits in our gardening shed.¡± ¡°I beg your pardon. You took a fucking poll?¡± Trystan asked, outraged, thrashing in the creature¡¯s ws. Tatianna tapped a manicured hand against her cheek, angling her head as she watched the animal that seemed far less threatening than it did seconds ago. Was the batughing now? ¡°If it helps, I didn¡¯t choose either. I wrote in a third option.¡± Evie looked delighted by this development, if not a little vindicated. re was beginning to like the young woman a great deal. ¡°What was the write-in?¡± Evie asked eagerly. ¡°I said he had a heart as soft as mush but every time he attempted to flirt he identally said something insulting.¡± Evie looked re¡¯s brother up and down. ¡°You flirt with me a great deal, then, sir.¡± Trystan gaped at her and made an inhuman sound. But amidst their calm conversation, the animal pped higher, squeezing Trystan tighter. ¡°No!¡± re cried. ¡°Stop, please!¡± But Evie was already before the animal, holding her hands up in a silent plea. ¡°Stop.¡± The animal flew lower, swiping out a wing and knocking Evie aside. ¡°Sage! Damn it. Don¡¯te closer,¡± Trystan boomed. Evie crawled to her feet, brushing off her trousers, looking more disgruntled than hurt as she nted her hands on her hips. The death magic still swirled through parts of her hair, twining around her curls. ¡°Excuse me!¡± The bat froze, angling itsrge head down at her. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving until you put him down. And you can pick me up in exchange if you want!¡± Evie folded her hands together in front of her, blinking up sincerely. ¡°Please?¡± The bat flew just a touch lower, dropping Trystan without ceremony. re watched as her brothernded on the ground with a hard thud, only having the wind knocked out of him for a moment before he was scrambling to Evie, throwing her behind him before the bat could take hold. But the batnded peacefully, as big as a small house. Its furry brown head ducked low to reveal a sh of movement in the trees beyond the cove. Alexander held up a sign, panic in his golden eyes. Trap. And then they were ambushed. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 28 Evie They were surrounded¡­by deer? Intimidating-looking deer, admittedly. Evie wasn¡¯t certain she¡¯d ever seen the animal look so menacing. She¡¯d been fairly sure the doe-eyed creatures weren¡¯t capable. Except these particr deer seemed to be, and one of them was growling. The foliage surrounding the cove made it difficult for Evie to determine an escape route, even more so when she realized that every opening or gap in the trees was guarded by more menacing-looking deer, in their version of a fighting stance. It made Evie so uneasy she nearly stumbled into the pool of water beneath the waterfall, but she was stopped by one of therge stones surrounding it¡ªand her boss¡¯s hand mped over her arm. Thergest of the deer clomped over the stones in the pool of water just as the waterfall parted, revealing a handsome stranger with swirling, swooping lines of deep purple over his bare arms and torso. He had golden hair streaked with bits of blue that were the same color as his eyes. Leaping from one rock to the next, he crossed the pool. His sapphire-colored bootsnded solidly on the damp green grass, his gaze homed in on Evie. ¡°And who might you be, lovely?¡± His voice was smooth, hypnotizing, as he picked up Evie¡¯s hand and bent over it with a polite bow. ¡°I¡¯m Evie. And are these your freakishly well-trained deer friends?¡± She tried to rip her hand away from his, but he held it firmly. Only for a second. Trystan didn¡¯t allow it any longer than that. Her boss¡¯s arm flew out to knock the stranger¡¯s hand away. ¡°If someone pulls their hand away, Lionel, it means they don¡¯t want you to touch them any longer.¡± He said it through clenched teeth, a deep rise and fall in his chest. ¡°You two know each other?¡± re asked, still eyeing the giant bat with wariness. Lionel¡¯s eyes alighted on her. ¡°What gave us away?¡± Evie deadpanned, ¡°The spear you have aimed at his abdomen.¡± Trystan¡¯s eyes shot down to see that Lionel indeed had a spear in his hand, and it was pointing up toward Trystan¡¯s stomach. Lionel coughed into his other hand andughed, blue eyes sparkling when he stared at Trystan. Therge bat meandered closer to its master¡¯s side. ¡°She¡¯s an amusing little thing, isn¡¯t she?¡± Trystan scowled, nostrils ring as his shoulders straightened. ¡°She¡¯s not a thing, you ass.¡± Therge bat sneezed, and Evie¡¯s eyes went round. This whole thing would make the most ridiculous HR report. Possibly ever. You¡¯re wee, Becky. ¡°We¡¯re no threat to you, sir.¡± Evie smoothed down her curls. ¡°We¡¯re only here to see the Curse Consultant.¡± Lionel appeared delighted. ¡°Such pretty manners.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s manners you want, why don¡¯t you take your hideous face and your hideous animal and fly straight into the sun,¡± Trystan hissed. re clicked her tongue in contempt. ¡°Don¡¯t call him ugly; that¡¯s unkind.¡± Trystan looked skyward. ¡°You are referring to the bat, aren¡¯t you?¡± re propped a hand on her hip. ¡°Obviously.¡± Lionel pped slowly and whistled. ¡°I thank you all. I needed morning entertainment. Now, shall we get down to business?¡± Evie felt indignation burning in her chest. ¡°We won¡¯t be doing any business with you, sir, and¡ª That one is ring at me. Why?¡± she blurted, waving a hand at the deer. Trystan sighed beside her. ¡°Unfortunately, Sage, we need him.¡± ¡°The ring deer?¡± Evie asked, stepping closer to Tatianna when it started pawing the ground like it was getting ready to charge. Tatianna held on to her arm, her lip curled in disgust. ¡°He¡¯s the Curse Consultant, isn¡¯t he?¡± the healer guessed on a sigh. Lionel gave a deep bow, and the bat did, too. ¡°At your service.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 29 The Viin Trystan hated Lionel. And if he touched Sage one more time, it would be thest thing the reprobate did, curses and prophecies be damned. ¡°Was your animal attacking us necessary?¡± Tatianna huffed. ¡°And the deer brigade? You couldn¡¯t havee out and greeted us with a normal introduction?¡± Lionel shrugged. ¡°For Betsy and me, this is a perfectly normal introduction.¡± They all exchanged nces. ¡°Betsy is the bat,¡± Trystan said sardonically, searching himself for patience. He didn¡¯t find it. Lionel folded his arms and tapped his lips, contemting. ¡°Wasn¡¯t there a rumor spreading that the dragon in your care is called ¡®Fluffy¡¯?¡± ¡°Who told you that!¡± Trystan yelled. Lionel snapped his fingers. ¡°Ah, so it is true.¡± Sage tugged on Trystan¡¯s sleeve, and he immediately gave her his attention. She was staring ahead at Lionel in disbelief. ¡°His people skills are even worse than yours, if that makes you feel better.¡± ¡°A miracle,¡± Trystan replied dryly. Remember when you used to crave quiet? No. Lionel tapped the nonexistent watch on his wrist. ¡°Time is money, Viin. Let¡¯s get down to business.¡± Trystan had never gotten this far before. Each time he¡¯d visited, Lionel had denied his services immediately, despite the exorbitant amount of money Trystan offered. Now it felt too easy. Trystan fixed his skeptical gaze on Lionel. ¡°Before you do anything for us, call off the troops.¡± ¡°Dismissed!¡± Lionel instructed, and the deer grumbled as they disappeared back through the trees. ¡°Now, as for payment for my services.¡± Lionel rubbed his chin. The Curse Consultant¡¯s shrewd eyes scanned over Trystan, then Tatianna, then re, then Kingsley, then¡­Sage. ¡°Her.¡± Lionel pointed to Sage. ¡°I¡¯ll take the girl. The Wicked Woman would be fun bed sport, I imagine.¡± Trystan grabbed the ingrate¡¯s throat. ¡°You will treat mydy with respect, you damn cad!¡± he bellowed, heat climbing his face and prickles going up his neck when he realized he¡¯d swapped the word ¡°the¡± for ¡°my.¡± He hadn¡¯t intended to say that. His mind had not approved it. Maybe nobody noticed. Except Tatianna and re¡ªthetter with her hand over her mouth, the former cackling into the inside of her arm. Trystan turned slowly toward Sage. Her mouth was open so wide he had a wild urge to tip his fingers under her chin to close it. Oh. He did, in fact, do that. What was going on? The chain ofmand in his body had gone all askew. Her chin was warm against his fingertips before he snatched his hand away. He rolled his shoulders, facing Lionel. ¡°¡®The.¡¯ I meant thedy. Not ¡®my.¡¯ She¡¯s not mine.¡± His magic took great offense to this, it seemed, as it snapped into his back like a rubber band. He rasped, ¡°Slip of the tongue.¡± Tatianna cackled harder. Sage was looking at him like he¡¯d lost all his marbles. He had suspicions she was collecting them in her pocket to keep his reasoning skills as a trophy. ¡°What, uh.¡± She turned to Lionel, her dark hair catching the sunlight. ¡°What my boss means to say is that I am not an option, and I suspect you know that. I don¡¯t like people tormenting him for the sake of their own enjoyment. Do not do it again.¡± The threat was delivered far too cheerily. Trystan would have to give her notes on itter if he was truly to be advising her. Although the delivery did make the whole threatening business far more unsettling. Maybe I should be taking notes from her. And Lionel did have the good sense to look not only chastised but a little afraid of her. Wee to the club. We meet on Tuesdays to have existential crises over tea. ¡°Apologies. But curse consulting can be dull work. Must get my entertainment where I can. Trystan has already fulfilled his end of the bargain. I will be happy to offer my infinite wisdom on your curses.¡± re scanned the nts lining the waterfall with interest, keeping a wide berth between her and the bat as she bent low to look at them. ¡°And what was his end of the bargain, exactly?¡± Lionel smirked. ¡°When we first met, I told him my price was proving to me that there was a kindhearted person in Rennedawn. Someone who met him after he became The Viin yet still cared if he lived or died. And with Ms. Sage¡¯s offer to take his ce in Betsy¡¯s ws, I¡¯m happy to say you¡¯ve finally proved it!¡± Sage went rigid. He didn¡¯t need to look at her to know her gaze was burning a hole in the side of his skull. He felt it like a brand. ¡°I¡¯ve followed through, Lionel.¡± Lionel crossed one booted foot over the other, his posture rxed. ¡°Only took you seven years,¡± he said callously. ¡°Hey!¡± Sageunched herself at Lionel, and Trystan caught her about the waist just before she reached him. ¡°There are plenty of people who care if he lives or dies. Plenty.¡± Is my heart¡­swelling? Vile. Regardless, he didn¡¯t need plenty of people. Sage was worth hundreds. Even at a distance. He needed to release her now, but he was distracted by the rose smell in her hair and the vani candies on her breath when she angled her head back toward him and said, ¡°Sir, I can¡¯t decapitate him with your hands around my waist.¡± She looked down at the way his grip on her tightened reflexively. ¡°We need him, Sage.¡± He whispered the words in her ear and felt her shiver in his hands. It shouldn¡¯t have been satisfying to know he could still affect her this way. But it was. He wanted to do it again. That¡¯s how he knew it was time to let go. ¡°Lionel. Let¡¯s get on with it,¡± Trystanmanded, hardening himself back into his stoic mask. His safety. Lionel angled his head. ¡°I can¡¯t begin until you tell me what curse you would like my advice on.¡± On cue, Kingsley leaped onto Trystan¡¯s shoulder with a little sign that read: Halp. ¡°The frog prince with the crown on his head,¡± re said, her voice wavering a bit. ¡°Isn¡¯t that obvious?¡± Lionel¡¯s lips ticked up, making him look disgustingly smug. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if you also wanted consulting on the other curse present.¡± Shock waves went through all of them. Evie red. ¡°What curse?¡± Lionel drove the final nail in the proverbial coffin¡ªand Trystan had never wished so much to be inside it. ¡°The Viin¡¯s, of course.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 30 Evie ¡°He¡¯s not cursed,¡± Evie hissed. ¡°What a terrible thing to say.¡± ¡°Sage¡­¡± The Viin tried to silence her, but she was seething and tired of this man messing with them. ¡°No.¡± She looked at him, feeling frantic. ¡°You can¡¯t be cursed.¡± It didn¡¯t make sense. When he¡¯d kissed Evie¡¯s hand after she ate the sleeping-death fruit, he¡¯d broken the magic; he¡¯d awoken her. They¡¯d kissed multiple times since then¡ªif he was truly cursed and her theory about true love was correct, her kiss should¡¯ve broken it. Unless he¡¯s your true love¡­but you¡¯re not his. Ouch. Before her emotions could get the better of her, she pretended she was somewhere else. Or someone else. Someone less feeling, someone whose emotions weren¡¯t so potent she sometimes couldn¡¯t breathe. Lionel looked unfazed as he plucked a de of grass and squeezed it between his fingers. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s true. It¡¯s different from any curse I¡¯ve ever sensed. Doesn¡¯t seem to be enchantress-born.¡± He hovered a hand near Trystan¡¯s head, and The Viin pped the consultant¡¯s hand away. Lionel merelyughed. ¡°Yes. All curses have an unnaturalness to them, but this is different. This isn¡¯t just unnatural. It¡¯s unbnced. You¡¯re unbnced.¡± Tatianna muttered, ¡°We already knew that.¡± Evie couldn¡¯tugh. She still felt like she was choking. Lionel angled his head at Kingsley, who had been sitting quietly thest few moments. ¡°Now, onto your froggy friend. Hmm?¡± He picked up the frog and began his inspection, but Evie was overwrought, and no amount of self-talk could get her feelings under control. She needed privacy; she needed a moment, just one clear breath. Tears burned behind her eyes, and she couldn¡¯t bear for anyone to see them. ¡°You can brief me when you¡¯re done. I need some air.¡± No one stopped her as she turned on her heel and walked toward where they¡¯d left their horses. Everyone in the group had the good grace to not point out that one didn¡¯t typically need air when they were already outside. She kept walking until she was hidden behind a tree, sniffling and furious at the tears spilling down her cheeks. The branches swayed above her in the gentle breeze, and her dagger tingled against her thigh. She rubbed her knuckles against her leg, trying to rid herself of the feeling, wondering when thest time she¡¯d felt this heartbroken was. A fallen leaf slowly floated down,nding softly on her shoulder. Think of me when you¡¯re with the trees. The reminder of the cloud creature was everywhere, all around, in every bit of bark and every branch, and it hurt. It all hurt. This was the price of feeling too deeply. Evie knew she was capable of the wildest, most uninhibited joy¡­but her pain was just as great. Pain was something she hid, twisting herself into knots, trying to clear more space for the people she cared for. And she had only herself to me for it. This was who she was. It was far toote to change. Slouching, she bent to put her hands on her knees, taking arge inhale, and then her breath stopped. Because galloping a mere thirty feet away, through an array of trees, was Benedict and a handful of Valiant Guards, riding right for the clearing. And right for her friends. Evie bolted, running for the people she loved at a full sprint, reaching them while heaving unsteady breaths. ¡°Benedict.¡± She wheezed, clutching her middle. ¡°He¡¯sing!¡± Trystan¡¯s hand found her shoulder, and his magic did, too. ¡°You bastard,¡± Lionel boomed. ¡°You led the king here?¡± ¡°We¡¯re both wanted for crimes against the crown, Lionel,¡± Trystan bit out, furious. ¡°Why would we ever do something like that?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, nor do I care. Rennedawn¡¯s magic is fading into the earth, and it seems to strike a piece ofnd hardest when Benedict¡¯s around. I want you all gone. NOW!¡± ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Trystan yelled, spinning Sage, then shoving at his sister and Tatianna. ¡°Quickly!¡± They ran for the horses, mounting with haste, and when the yelling began behind them, they rode as fast and far as they could. Evie was still not a gifted rider by any stretch of the imagination, but she was a little proud of herself for keeping her seat even when her steed began leaping and bounding over fallen logs and debris. Together, they rode without speaking for nearly an hour, until eventually they felt safe enough to slow to a trot. The threat was behind them, and Evie¡¯s heart could finally rest its relentless pace. ¡°Evie, dear, are you all right?¡± Tatianna¡¯s worried frown made her feel stripped raw. The smile Evie gave was bright and practiced. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just a little winded. Are you?¡± Tatianna leaned over her horse, putting an arm around Evie. ¡°Would you believe this wasn¡¯t my worst workday? I¡¯m okay. We¡¯ll catch you up on what Lionel told us.¡± Evie smiled again. ¡°Sage?¡± The Viin¡¯s gravelly voice queried. His hand closed around her upper arm, and she nched at how the touch burned. ¡°Ride ahead, you two. A few of the Malevolent Guards are waiting just up the path.¡± Tatianna and re nodded, as did Kingsley on re¡¯s shoulder, and as the three of them rode on, each nearly broke their neck to keep ncing behind them. He gave them a re so fearsome all three spun around at once. Evie, however, merely poked him in the cheek. ¡°Stop doing that with your mouth. It looks odd.¡± ¡°What happened? Why are you so upset?¡± he asked abruptly. She fumbled to steady herself, nearly losing her seat. When she was sure she wasn¡¯t going to m into the earth, she said, ¡°I was just surprised. I¡­I¡¯m not upset. I am worried for you, of course, and I hope whatever curse you¡¯re suffering from is a mild one. Although I¡¯m not sure how you didn¡¯t know you were cursed in the first ce or what a mild curse would be. Like, a head cold, maybe? Kingsley¡¯s would probably be likened to the Mystic Illness.¡± The sun was beginning its descent, the pinks and oranges mixing against the white clouds visible through the trees overhead. She¡¯d always liked the sunset, but not in this moment. ¡°You¡¯re lying. That smile is fake.¡± Riding ahead of him, she scoffed. ¡°Forgive me, but I don¡¯t believe you to be an expert judge on that subject, Sir-Frowns-A-Lot.¡± He grabbed her arm again, and the intensity of his stare, of the seriousness¡­ The tears nearly came again. ¡°It¡¯s. Fake.¡± This time, the smile on her face was real, but she could feel it stained by sadness. ¡°So what?¡± He blinked at her. ¡°So what? What do you mean, so what?¡± ¡°Who cares if it¡¯s fake?¡± She attempted to urge her horse away again. But he tugged her back once more, and her horse seemed more loyal to him, as the beast refused to budge an inch. This time, it wasn¡¯t sadness driving her; it was frustration. ¡°I care, you urchin,¡± he bit out. ¡°Stop faking it for other people. No one is asking you to. What is wrong?¡± ¡°Stop pushing me!¡± she yelled, leaping from the horse and stalking into the trees, her temper a long and now broken cord. ¡°I don¡¯t have to tell you anything. You insisted on this distance. You are the one who has been pushing me away! Stop trying to have it both ways.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t for me!¡± Branches cracked with each step as he swung off his stallion and followed her, cing a hand on her shoulder to stop her. ¡°You think this is the choice I wanted to make? I can¡¯t protect you if my magic isn¡¯t cooperating when we get too close. I can¡¯t lose¡ª¡± ¡°To Benedict. I know,¡± she snapped, shaking off his hand. ¡°You!¡± He spun her around, grabbing her face, and bent, pressing his forehead against hers, inhaling deeply as if to breathe her in. He whispered, ¡°I can¡¯t lose you. I will not survive it.¡± Her hands drifted up to wrap around his wrists, and the mere brush of their skin made her burn. His lips drifted closer to hers. ¡°My magic is hardly the whole of it, even if it¡¯s cursed,¡± he added. This made her reel back, but he couldn¡¯t seem to stop touching her yet. His hands found purchase on her upper arms. ¡°What is the curse?¡± she asked. His throat bobbed, and a cool breeze made her shiver. ¡°Lionel thinks someone ced a curse on my magic. He thinks before my magic was awoken, someone tampered with it. So, when it was triggered in the cell all those years ago, it wasn¡¯t working the way it should.¡± It didn¡¯t make sense. Nothing was adding up. ¡°Sir, what are you saying?¡± ¡°My magic has been under a curse for more than ten years.¡± She swallowed. ¡°And I think Benedict is the one who cast it.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 31 de Meanwhile, back at the manor¡­ de Gushiken had very few rules in life. Likely because he¡¯d had so many growing up with his politician father and socialite mother, so when he left home, all those things he hadn¡¯t done before became his favorite things to do. A new way of life. He tallied the few and only rules he had left. 1. Bring as many strange or unique animals into the house as you please. 2. Leave mud on the floor anytime it¡¯s possible. 3. Be best friends with a dragon. 4. Be best friends with some humans, too. 5. Wear colors so loud that your father can feel the defiance all the way in the capital. 6. Never shy away from telling someone how you feel. ¡°My brother is here.¡± Rebecka Erring¡­or Fortis, or¡­well, whatever name she was going by these days appeared at his side in a pale-yellow frock. She looked like a daisy. A perfect, angry little daisy. ¡°He¡¯s here, and he¡¯s looking at the thorn hedge.¡± She began pacing the courtyard, and de tried to make sense of her concern. ¡°Is that not¡­what you wanted?¡± Her normally tight bun rested on her neck, and de¡¯s hand itched to tug on the pin to watch it fall all the way down her back. But he didn¡¯t. Yes, he was a jovial fellow, but he still quite valued his life. ¡°I could hardly tell the boss no, and better Rnd than Raphael. At least Rnd is less judgmental.¡± de frowned. He didn¡¯t like that she had agreed to something she was notfortable with. Though he cared deeply for his boss, that didn¡¯t mean the man didn¡¯t scare the life out of him. Still, Rebecka mattered more than petty intimidation. ¡°Do you want me to tell the boss to kick rocks?¡± Becky raised a brow, biting her lip to keep from smiling. She¡¯d been doing that around him a lottely. As good a sign as any. ¡°That would be intolerably disrespectful, and he would murder you on the spot. Or worse, fire you.¡± ¡°You think he ever fires people with actual fire?¡± de mock whispered. A startled giggle that sounded a little like off-key bells sang through her rose-colored lips. A blink of an eye, and then it was over. de made a note to blink significantly less in the future. Coughing into her hand, Rebecka stiffened when Rnd Fortis, the middle child of the Fortis siblings, walked out to the courtyard from the side door. He looked much like Rebecka but also not. His high cheekbones were just like hers, as was the shining light-brown of his skin and hair, and the same shape of sses sat atop his nose, which had a lighter scar running across it. ¡°Bex.¡± Rnd smiled, his energy warm as he wrapped his arms around his little sister. Rebecka stiffened against the touch, and de¡¯s fist twitched at his side. ¡°You left so quickly we hardly had a proper greeting. Rudy wanted me to tell you he beat Reid in a spar and that he lost a tooth.¡± Rebecka frowned. ¡°What? I thought Rudy had already lost all his baby teeth.¡± ¡°He has.¡± Rnd winced. ¡°Hence the dentist visit that followed quickly after. Mother was furious, of course.¡± He chuckled and then stopped when he saw Rebecka¡¯s dark expression. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have brought her up.¡± Rebecka seemed to be struggling for something to say, which was fine. de never had that problem. He stood, adjusting his orange vest with blue flowers. ¡°Hello, Rnd. And how are we this fine day?¡± Rebecka looked to de, her brown eyes gleaming. It was an innocent expression of thanks, de knew, but his heart stuttered like she¡¯d just kissed him right on the mouth. If he ever did convince her to kiss him, he feared it would hospitalize him. Rnd sized de up, a friendly grin on his lips but a guarded rigidness to his shoulders. ¡°den.¡± Fluffy appeared at de¡¯s side, his head tilting down, and Rnd leaped back, adjusting his crooked sses. ¡°Dear gods. I forgot about you. Hello¡­ Fluffy, yes?¡± Fluffy nudged his head into Rebecka¡¯s arm, and she looked at de¡¯spanion with a tender-eyed affection that made de feel a little like someone was strangling him. ¡°Well, Rnd?¡± Rebecka asked, bringing them all back to the reason Fortis was here in the first ce. ¡°Did you find any inconsistencies in the thorny grove?¡± Rnd¡¯sposure wavered underneath Rebecka¡¯s stare, and de found himself sympathetic to the man¡¯s plight. ¡°No. I scanned the entire grove, which I¡¯d like to point out is illegal to have grown in the first ce.¡± Rebecka rolled her eyes, a loose hair falling against her cheek, and de watched it with an embarrassing amount of attention. ¡°We work for The Viin. It¡¯s not exactly aw-abiding business.¡± Rnd¡¯s gaze softened on his sister as he removed his gardening gloves and tucked them back into the pack at his waist. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, Bex. I could never imagine you doing anything rebellious like this, but you¡¯ve really grown into yourself here. I know Mother made it seem like a negative, but I want you to know that we love you.¡± ¡°Th-Thank you, Rnd.¡± Rebecka¡¯s voice was lighter, sounding surprised. ¡°That¡¯s¡ªthat¡¯s kind of you to say.¡± ¡°Oh, and Rudy wants to know if your boss can light his hair on fire at will.¡± de bumped Rebecka with his hip yfully. ¡°We could get some oil and give it an honest try!¡± Rebecka rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. So, he¡¯d won. ¡°The illegal thorn grove, Rnd? Please. We need to be sure the manor is secure so there are no more break-ins.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Rnd¡¯s throat bobbed and he wrung his hands. ¡°As I was saying, I scanned the entire thing, and the magic¡¯s all intact. Nothing amiss except¡­¡± ¡°Except what?¡± ¡°It¡¯s apparent to me that someone has managed to go around the magic.¡± Rebecka frowned, blinking her wide eyes rapidly. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. We had two intruders. Even if one of the workers is responsible, nobody can make it in or out of the grove without the magic word to part it.¡± Only The Viin knew the word. Rnd shook his head. ¡°There wasn¡¯t any disruption to the magic itself, but I did find some physical damage¡ªa small clearing through the thorns, justrge enough for one or two people, no more than that. It¡¯s small, hardly noticeable to the untrained eye. But it¡¯s there, and by the footprints in the dirt below, it¡¯s been used, likely since it¡¯s been grown. And by the newer ones, it likely still is.¡± Oh gods. de¡¯s smile faded into something hard, anger burning beneath his skin, rising to prickle at his neck and stifle his breath. Rebecka looked at him, panicked and wary. ¡°The person who¡¯s behind this¡­¡± Rnd finished her sentence. ¡°Is closer than we thought.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 32 The Viin ¡°The traitor again?¡± Tatianna hissed, pping Trystan on the arm. ¡°Damn it.¡± ¡°Why am I being struck,¡± Trystan grumbled, rubbing his arm. The office had emptied out for the day, night had fallen, and the only employees remaining were the guards who lived on the grounds and the rest of their motley crew. All the usual suspects. Tatianna, de, Ms. Erring, Edwin, Sage, rissa, Keeley, and Kingsley, with the new addition of Rebecka¡¯s brother Rnd, who was taking in his surroundings like one inhaled secondhand smoke. He hated that he was spending time so regrly with these people that it had be regr, but he didn¡¯t have much of a choice. After they returned, they¡¯d all convened in the kitchen. Edwin had ced chalices of cauldron brew in front of everyone with a forlorn look on his blue face, his purple eyes not holding their usual spark. Guilt ate at Trystan. Edwin dropped a tray of cookies on the table, and Sage patted the ogre¡¯srge arm gently. ¡°Edwin, why don¡¯t you sit down?¡± Trystan stood immediately without pause and without fuss. ¡°Here, Edwin. I need more cauldron brew.¡± The brew in his chalice was thick and entirely without cream, but Trystan drained every drop, miraculously not wincing. But as soon as Edwin sat, the chair creaked, and Trystan turned away, his mouth twisted in a wince. Gods, that is bitter. No one had seen him lose hisposure but Sage, who was watching him, eyes glowing with amusement. Gods, that was sweet. He took thedle from the cauldron and filled, then drained another ss, leaning into the burn down his throat. Tatianna¡¯s hands glowed golden as she moved them about Edwin¡¯s head, checking on his injury. ¡°Poor dear. Did you take that tonic I gave you?¡± Edwin nodded, staring down at his hands. ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel like the attack was my fault.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Rebecka objected. ¡°You mustn¡¯t keep dwelling, Edwin. It could¡¯ve happened to any one of us.¡± Edwin shook his head, taking off his sses and rubbing them against his linen shirt. ¡°The kitchen is my domain. What if little Lyssa had been with me? What would the knave have done to the poor thing?¡± Edwin¡¯s blue cheeks turned a deep shade of violet, and tears sprang from his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s my fault,¡± Trystan said, and every gaze in the room was on him. ¡°There is no one to me for this matter but me. I thought the thorny grove would be enough to keep the king¡¯s men at bay. I was a fool.¡± Kingsley leaped on the table, sign in hand that read, No. ¡°So, you think whoever snuck the notes to Lyssa was the same person who let in the intruder?¡± Tatianna asked. Trystan pinched the bridge of his nose, nodding. re cut in. ¡°Evie, do you still have the notes?¡± Sage looked up from her hands. ¡°I do. I tried matching them to different r¨¦sum¨¦s we have filed with very little luck. The writing isn¡¯t like any I¡¯ve seen.¡± re leaned her head side to side, appearing to weigh her next words¡ªa trait quite out of character for his little sister. Her normal mode was to speak as sharply and quickly as possible. ¡°May I see them? Perhaps the ink they used could be traceable.¡± Evie¡¯s eyes lightened, and she leaped up, grabbing re by the hands. His sister looked rmed at the sudden disy of excitement, no doubt feeling the full effect of the force that was Sage¡¯s joy. ¡°Oh, re, that¡¯s a wonderful idea! I¡¯ll go grab them now from our rooms.¡± Sage turned to go but ran straight into Gideon Sage, who was standing in the doorway, looking around the room like a hen that had walked in on a pack of coyotes. ¡°Well, this looks like jolly good fun. nning a funeral?¡± ¡°It will be yours if you don¡¯t shut your mouth, sir knight,¡± Keeley bit out, ring at Gideon. Gideon smirked at her. ¡°Ah, so you are feeling better, Captain. Good thing¡ªyourcency was making me uneasy.¡± Keeley¡¯s nose twitched, and there was something familiar about it, something that resonated in Trystan¡¯s mind. But he forgot immediately when Keeley gave Gideon a sneer before asking Trystan, ¡°How do we know the traitor wasn¡¯t him?¡± That familiar flush of anger deepened the color on Sage¡¯s cheeks and chest. But ¡°Careful, Keeley¡± was all she said. ¡°He¡¯s the one person who came here from behind enemy lines,¡± Keeley argued, not heeding the warning. Foolish, in Trystan¡¯s opinion. The look on Sage¡¯s face would send a weaker person to their knees. ¡°Forgive me, Ms. Sage, but I think we would be remiss to not at least consider him a suspect.¡± Sage moved toward Keeley, and Gideon was between the women in two strides. ¡°Smart, Captain, covering all your bases. Absolutely add me to the suspect list.¡± Gideon folded his hands in front of him, looking nearly schrly in his deliberation. ¡°What am I suspected of having done, exactly?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Sage bit out. ¡°The notes aren¡¯t in Gideon¡¯s handwriting. I checked.¡± Gideon frowned. ¡°Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis.¡± Sage turned her anger on her brother, and Trystan had the absurd urge to grab a snack, kick his feet up on a chair, and watch her deliver one verbal blow after another. ¡°I used to trust everyone who cared for me. You¡¯ve cured me of that ailment, along with every other member of our family.¡± She paused. ¡°Except Lyssa.¡± Gideon folded his lips inward, pressing them until they turned white. ¡°Brutally put, Eve, but right as always.¡± Trystan didn¡¯t like the way Sage folded her arms around herself, hunching like she was trying to be smaller. ¡°What did you want, Gideon? This is a private meeting.¡± Gideon unfolded a piece of paper that he¡¯d had in his pocket, the crinkling sounds loud in the quiet room. He spread it out on the table and gestured to it with a puff of his chest. ¡°Behold, my map of the Gleaming Pce.¡± Becky stared at it as if it were a dead cockroach on the table. ¡°Is this an official map? Why does it look like that?¡± The directions were somewhat clear, but the map was obviously hand drawn and nowhere near official. ¡°I worked off my memory,¡± Gideon said, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°A miracle,ing from you; we know memory isn¡¯t one of your strong suits,¡± Trystan said smoothly. ¡°Or is it easier to recall points of architecture than family members?¡± Trystan didn¡¯t hate Gideon. But he hated that Sage had scars that would never go away because her brother had been too selfish toe back after his memory returned. Someone pinched Trystan¡¯s thigh. ¡°Ow!¡± He red down to see Evie was whistling next to him, looking at the window whose repair was still in progress. ¡°Sage!¡± ¡°What?¡± She threw her hands up in surrender. Gideon watched them, as did the others, with a morbid amusement. ¡°Can you two finish thister?¡± Trystan answered on reflex. ¡°Yes, fine.¡± And then nearly pped his face into his palm when Sage gawked at him. ¡°I mean¡ªthere¡¯s nothing to finish. Walk us through the map?¡± Gideon shook his head and pointed to various spots marked in red. ¡°These are the tunnels. They¡¯re traditionally not used unless there¡¯s a security threat, but they lead underneath the castle ande up against the walls in one of the sitting rooms. This one¡±¡ªhe pointed to a long, straight line on the far right of the paper¡ª¡°is adjacent to Benedict¡¯s office, where he keeps Rennedawn¡¯s storybook. And this one¡±¡ªhe pointed to another line at the far left of the bottom¡ª¡°leads to where he kept the female guvre before.¡± ¡°Moving a guvre is no easy task,¡± de added. ¡°Agreed,¡± Gideon said. ¡°It¡¯s likely where he¡¯s still keeping her now.¡± ¡°You really think he¡¯d be foolish enough to hide her in the exact same spot?¡± Becky asked, rolling her eyes at the men and leaning back in her chair. Gideonughed. ¡°Doubt me on everything else if you must, but I worked for the man for a decade, and I know his greatest weakness.¡± ¡°Ego,¡± Trystan said. Gideon nodded. ¡°Exactly. He believes he¡¯s winning this battle now. He will get careless. But in reality, we have my mother, The Viin, and the frog-prince thing, too.¡± He gestured to Kingsley, who was blinking on the table. He jotted something on his sign. Ass Sage struggled for breath, and Rebecka pped a hand against her back. Rnd, who¡¯d been watching the entirety of this exchange quietly up until that point, waved his hands around like a madman. ¡°Wait, I beg your pardon? Nura Sage is alive, Rebecka?¡± ¡°Later.¡± Rebecka rubbed her temples, and Trystan had the strong urge to do the same. There was nothing the lot of them could initiate like a pounding headache. ¡°Did the Curse Consultant say anything else about Kingsley after I left?¡± Sage asked. ¡°Is there a way into the southern kingdom? Or an alternative to the enchantress?¡± Trystan shook his head. It was a long shot, but their options were limited, and unless they miraculously found Kingsley¡¯s true love in a matter of a few weeks, they had only one choice. ¡°Only the enchantress who cast the curse can undo it. The southern kingdom¡¯s our only choice. Lionel said we could get past the wards¡­with the use of a magic wand.¡± re licked her lips, looking paler than she normally did. ¡°Magic wands are dangerous and rare. Where would we even find something like that?¡± Trystan sighed. ¡°We¡¯ll have to visit an old friend of mine.¡± Tatianna frowned. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°One of Rennedawn¡¯s most powerful lords.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 33 Kingsley Alexander Kingsley was worrying. Not amon action for a frog, though neither was writing on signs or hiding under desks. Thetter of which he was currently doing in Evie Sage¡¯s office. Normally, he quite enjoyed the space: it was airy and excellent for sunbathing. It had quickly be a favorite napping spot. It had been frustrating for Alexander to watch Trystan intercept every shipment of vani drop candies, getting up before dawn or at midnight to clip white roses from the courtyard. Writing a note that said, Love, Marv. If frogs could groan, Alexander would¡¯ve, but unfortunately, all that came from his throat was a croaking sound that formed into its inevitable ribbit. When he was human, he had never been short of something clever to say or a witty retort that had his subjects fawning orughing jovially. He¡¯d been good at being a prince, he thought with a sigh. Though, oddly, he seemed to also excel at being a frog. So much so that things were growing muddled, his memories bing more difficult to grasp. He wasn¡¯t sure why. But he had a terrible theory. That theory had led him beneath the desk of a young woman he¡¯d grown quite fond of. Listening intently¡ªan act he excelled at¡ªas the two foolish human beings argued back and forth on Kingsley¡¯s behalf. When he was a prince, Alexander had never given much thought to love¡ªor falling into it, for that matter. He¡¯d always assumed he¡¯d marry for political reasons, as his parents had, and allow a natural fondness to form between him and his wife, also as his parents had. And now the fate of a neighboring kingdom hinged on not only him bing a prince once more, but also him saving a fated love? He wondered if pie might count. He loved pie, and that prospect required far less pressure and far less responsibility. No. Worry was not amon emotion of frogs, nor was frustration, but he felt them both. In spades. ¡°If any form of social diplomacy is required to speak to this lord, you¡¯re going to need me. You¡¯re being stubborn,¡± Evie said, and Kingsley flinched. Calling Trystan stubborn was like telling a bull it had horns¡ªobvious and foolishly dangerous. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you¡¯re not qualified,¡± Trystan thundered. ¡°I¡¯m saying there is no reason for you toe along. You¡¯ll only slow me down.¡± Kingsley pped a webbed foot to his face. Telling Evie Sage she was a nuisance was like telling a wolf it had sharp teeth¡ªleaving you wide open for it to bite. ¡°I have every right to join you in this. You promoted me to apprentice; you gave me an office and a fancy title,¡± she hissed. Kingsley couldn¡¯t see either of their faces from underneath her desk, but he¡¯d watched them both long enough to know exactly what they looked like in that moment. ¡°Or did you do all that just to tuck me away and shut me up so you could continue on without me?¡± Evie was no doubt ring. Her face would be red, her nose probably scrunched, and there was a high chance she was about to m one of her booted feet against the ground. Trystan would be watching her, looking impassive to the casual observer, but a trained eye could see how his friend came alive when he was sparring with his apprentice. How The Viin leaned into the act of being challenged, how utterly besotted he was with the woman who was brave enough to do it. ¡°That¡¯s not fair. You know my magic has not been working properly and I¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s cursed! What in the fuck does that have to do with me?¡± And if Evie Sage was using foulnguage, it meant she was about to do something drastic. Trystan was pinching the bridge of his nose. Alexander didn¡¯t see it, but he felt it. Just as he peeked out and saw Evie¡¯s boots move closer to Trystan¡¯s. ¡°Are you trying to punish me for yourck of control?¡± Alexander hopped out¡ªhe couldn¡¯t resistunching himself atop the desk and writing one word on his board. Damn ¡°Kingsley!¡± Trystan seethed. ¡°What have I told you about eavesdropping?¡± It was true, he¡¯d told Alexander to stop. Alexander, on his part, had not agreed to this¡ªin fact, he was sure he¡¯d held up signs that said Ha and then No. ¡°Why? You don¡¯t want him to hear what an ass you¡¯re being?¡± Trystan sputtered, ¡°N-No! He¡¯s heard that before!¡± He paused, the words catching up to him. ¡°Wait¡ª¡± It was toote, because Evie wasughing into her palm. And Trystan Maverine watched her, utterly, properly, and near hopelessly in love with her. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s amusing, is it?¡± he said usatorily, looking a little predatory as he backed Evie into the wall. ¡°You take enjoyment in how I turn into an ill-spoken nipoop every time I talk to you?¡± Evie¡¯s back hit the wall, and she grinned. ¡°I love that word.¡± Trystan¡¯s eyes smoldered, but his lip curled enough to show his dimple. ¡°I know.¡± The moment had grown too intense, and as deeply as Kingsley enjoyed butting into other people¡¯s conversations, he¡¯d been waiting far too long for the two of them to finallye together the way they were meant to. Alexander made to hop away, he meant to leave, but¡­suddenly, everything started to confuse him. His surroundings looked unfamiliar, and his tiny heart pounded when he tried to recall what he¡¯d been doing there in the first ce and his brain produced nothing. He was hungry. He knew that. Flies. He was thinking of flies. He was confused. And then there were tworge beings in front of him, and they were loud and scary, and he wanted to run, he wanted to hide. But therger one was picking him up and yelling something in his face. He couldn¡¯t tell what it was, but there was a small part of him that knew it was a name. ¡°Kingsley! Wake up!¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 34 Evie When Evie entered her and Lyssa¡¯s chambers that night, she was struck by a scene that appeared plucked from her own memories. Her mother was in the corner of the room with Lyssa, pointing out the window. ¡°There, sitting right on the top of that roof.¡± She had one arm around Lyssa and sat with her casually, the two of them the perfect portrait of mother and daughter. And Evie felt a stab of envy so strong, she sucked in a breath against the rush of it. Don¡¯t covet opportunities for Lyssa that you never got, Evie! Even if it hurt. ¡°What are you two doing?¡± Evie asked, lightening her voice so it wasn¡¯t weighed with the force of a deep-seated bitterness. She was sessful. Nura smiled at Evie, patting the cushion of the window seat beside her. ¡°Come see, hasibsi. Blue butterflies, two of them! Do you remember how we used to watch them together on the flower bush your father nted?¡± Evie did remember. She also remembered that often, before those sweet moments, her mother would have spent weeks buried deep in one of her depressive episodes. Evie had watched those butterflies then with a sick worry that one wrong move would force her mother back into another sadness. Her words just now had to be so careful. Happy. Upbeat. Make it easier for Mama, Evie. It had been her firstmand to herself. Tucking her hair behind her ears, Evie moved to the washbowl in the corner of the room and sshed cold water on her face. When she dabbed a towel across her cheeks, she found her mother frowning at her. ¡°Are you all right, Evie? Is there something I can help you with? The magical specialist won¡¯t be here for another hour.¡± Evie shook her head so fast she thought it might fly off her neck and clear out the window. ¡°No, Mama.¡± Becky had hired a full-time magical specialist to work with Evie¡¯s mother daily to ensure she could control and maintain her magic. ¡°Please just focus on getting better and taking care of yourself.¡± Nura smiled and glided across the room with an elegance that Evie had tried to emte every day of her childhood. Sheid a soft, golden-brown hand against Evie¡¯s cheek, her beautiful brown eyes lined with kohl that made them appear deeper. ¡°You are a wonder, sweet girl.¡± Evie forced another smile, and Lyssa frowned, scrambling off the seat and running toward Evie, taking one of Evie¡¯s hands in hers. ¡°What about me? I don¡¯t need to rest. Can I help you?¡± The smile on Evie¡¯s face turned true as she leaned down and tugged one of her sister¡¯s braids. ¡°Lyssa, can you grab me those notes that were left for you to go meet Papa in his cell?¡± The words had barely left Evie¡¯s mouth before her sister skittered across the floor, her socked feet causing a half run, half slide along the wood to one of the dressers. ¡°Here!¡± Lyssa said triumphantly, running toward Evie and waving them in the air. ¡°Did you figure out who wrote them?¡± Evie gripped the papers and looked at the handful of scrawled words, unfamiliar as any she¡¯d seen. ¡°Not yet, love, but I think we¡¯re getting close.¡± Nura squeezed Evie¡¯s arm, and she didn¡¯t have time to brace for it; she winced away from her mother¡¯s touch. Shit. The hurt in her mother¡¯s eyes was in as she pulled her hand back to her side, looking at the floor. ¡°I know that I¡ªI haven¡¯t done much to earn your trust, but I¡¯d like to help carry some of your burden, Evangelina. I want to make things easier for you in any way I can.¡± No. No, she couldn¡¯t deal with this now. Evie simply did not have the time to dredge up everything darkening her beliefs, one painful thought at a time. ¡°That¡¯s, um¡­very kind of you to offer, Mama.¡± She smiled as brightly as she could manage, and it made her stomach feel sick. Stop faking it for other people. No one is asking you to. What is wrong? Trystan¡¯s direct analysis of her charactermanded her attention as if he was presently speaking the words into her ear. He would tell her to stand up for herself, and why shouldn¡¯t she? Everything she¡¯d ever feared came true, even when she was careful. She was sick of being careful, sick of being scared. It felt well past time for her to embrace simple, reckless courage. ¡°Lyssa, why don¡¯t you go up to the kitchen to check on Edwin?¡± Lyssa¡¯s shoulders dropped. ¡°You¡¯re trying to get me to leave, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Well¡­yes,¡± Evie admitted, not having it in her to lie. ¡°But I would like you to check on Edwin. He¡¯s been down today, and I know a visit from you would lift his spirits. That part is true.¡± Lyssa looked between her mother and Evie, waving Evie down to whisper something in her ear. ¡°I love you.¡± Her little sister squeezed her hand, looking far too wise for a ten-year-old, then skipped out the door. And then they were alone. Evie and Nura. It had never been just the two of them, not truly, since they¡¯d reunited, and the silence might as well have been exchanged for Evie¡¯s screams of frustration. Must she lead them through this? A horrible thought filled her with guilt. Her brother and mother had returned to her life. There was a time when she would¡¯ve given anything for that to be her reality. For her family to be whole again. But she¡¯d been romanticizing it, romanticizing them. She¡¯d stared at their empty chairs at the kitchen table over thest ten years, missing them, trying to remember them. She¡¯d daydreamed of them both returning miraculously one day, hoping that it had all been a mistake and they would never leave her again. It had never urred to her, in all those daydreams, that if they did return, nothing would have changed. Everything still fell to her. She was still the glue that held their fragile rtionships together¡ªand she was so tired of it. And then her mother spoke. ¡°Talk to me, Evie. Let us be truthful. You are a young woman now and should speak your mind ordingly.¡± Her mother was attempting kindness, tossing Evie a life raft, though it was far toote. She¡¯d needed that life raft ten years ago. ¡°I am fearful that if I say what I¡¯d like to say, you will not take it well.¡± Nura frowned. ¡°You are my daughter. I am your mother. It¡¯s not your responsibility to make things more ptable for me. I am a grown woman, too, and I can handle whatever it is you have to say.¡± Evie stumbled backward like her mother had struck her, tears burning her eyes, her mouth pulled into a frown. ¡°No. You can¡¯t.¡± The tears fell, but she wasn¡¯t sad; she was so frustrated she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. ¡°You never could. I had to tiptoe my way through childhood for fear of upsetting you, and now I try to move through the world without making a sound.¡± She was speaking in metaphors, of course. Evie made plenty of sounds, all of them loud. Nura licked her lips, trying to keep the serene look on her face. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you felt that way. That you¡¯d felt the need to hide things from me.¡± ¡°Because I made sure you didn¡¯t know,¡± Evie said, swiping angrily at the tears running down her cheeks in an endless flow. ¡°I made sure that I was always pleasant because I couldn¡¯t bear to add to your burdens or to Papa¡¯s. Do you know how silly that makes me feel now? How awful it is to sacrifice integral pieces of myself for others and they don¡¯t even care enough to notice?¡± Nura¡¯s hand flew to her mouth, and a choked gasp came from behind it. ¡°Evie, sweetheart.¡± Her mother¡¯s tears fell now, too, her skin beginning to glow the white silver of her starlight magic. She took a calming breath. ¡°Yes, of course I know how that feels. I¡¯ve done it, too. I used to do it all the time,¡± she added. ¡°When I thought I had killed my child.¡± Her skin glowed brighter. ¡°I couldn¡¯t be around you or Lyssa. When I finally grasped what I¡¯d done, I thought you would be better in your father¡¯s care.¡± The pain on her mother¡¯s face was now brightened by hatred. ¡°I can¡¯t express what a horrific mistake I made with that assumption. When I realized that the king was after me and my magic, I thought it best to stay on the run and keep you girls safe.¡± ¡°But you left those clues behind for me?¡± Evie¡¯s hands were shaking at her sides. She tried to settle them as she moved around her mother and sat on therge four-poster bed. ¡°Why, if you really believed that?¡± Nura sat next to her, keeping afortable distance between them. A habit of hers, Evie thought. ¡°I missed you so terribly. Your innocent questions, your quick mind, your big imagination.¡± She looked Evie right in the eye. ¡°Your sweet smile. I thought that you might one daye to forgive me, and if you did evere looking, I wanted you and only you to be able to find me. So, I left clues I knew only you would understand.¡± Evie brought her hands up to rub her eyes¡ªthey were dry, now, and tired. She slouched as if she¡¯d just dropped arge weight. ¡°I am happy that Lyssa has been giving you a chance. That you¡¯re showing her blue butterflies and trying to start anew with her. I¡¯m happy you¡¯re healing from every person who betrayed you. My father, the king, Renna. But¡ª¡± She crossed both hands over her chest, attempting to protect herself. ¡°I¡¯m so angry sometimes, I look at you and I want to break things. I¡¯m so angry you left. I know you¡¯ve suffered, and I¡¯m sorry for that, but I am your daughter, and I suffered, too.¡± Nura¡¯s glow was now so bright it hurt to look at her. ¡°Of course. I understand.¡± Evie was firm. ¡°No. You don¡¯t.¡± She reached for her mother¡¯s hand, ignoring the stinging burn of the starlight. ¡°My girlhood was stolen from me.¡± She couldn¡¯t believe she was admitting this, that she was brave enough to look her mother in the eyes and say, ¡°And though you were not the thief, you did not do anything to stop it from happening. So¡­I need time.¡± She stood on shaky legs, grabbing Lyssa¡¯s notes and striding toward the door. ¡°Evie, wait. I understand what you¡¯re saying, but please, let¡¯s not leave it like this.¡± Her dagger tingled against her leg, and her shoulder glowed that rainbow-like blend of colors. The de was in her hand as she turned, catching her mother¡¯s flying magic against the steel, reflecting the beam away harmlessly. Nura looked horrified, her hands going to her mouth at the ident. But Evie¡¯s false smile was gone, reced with a sad shake of her head and a grimace. ¡°The specialist will be here soon. She can assist you with that. We can revisit this another time.¡± She closed the door behind her and immediately mmed into a solid chest,rge handsing up around her arms to steady her. There was no need for her to look. She knew exactly who it was. And before she could blink, her boss was tugging her into a dark linen closet. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 35 Evie The Viin flicked a switch, and the room was illuminated. Even in the dim light, he homed in on her face, which was surely puffy and streaked with tears. ¡°What¡¯s happened? My gold ink led me to believe you were in some sort of danger.¡± Ah, the link between them. He couldn¡¯t help but worry for her; it was a bond between them that forced him to answer every moment of her distress. It wasn¡¯t a choice. She wasn¡¯t his choice. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I need to get these notes to re. Move aside, please.¡± She pulled away from his arms, despite her body¡¯s screaming protests, and reached to open the closet door. She only made it one step before he gripped her wrist. ¡°Sage. Talk to me. I don¡¯t like the look on your face.¡± She turned and yanked down her hand, and he released her immediately. ¡°Then perhaps you shouldn¡¯t have put it there. Leave me alone, Trystan. I¡¯m tired.¡± Her use of his name threw him for a moment before he continued his pursuit to undo her. ¡°Kingsley is lucid again.¡± She halted but didn¡¯t look at him. ¡°I¡¯m d.¡± He was too close, the space too small, his front almost near enough to brush against her back. She couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t take a full breath. ¡°The magic fading back to the earth,¡± he added. ¡°I think it¡¯s¡­beginning to affect Kingsley¡¯s curse. We¡¯re running out of time.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not news,¡± she said, hating the weakness of her voice. ¡°Evangelina, won¡¯t you look at me?¡± She shut her eyes. Oh, that was just ying dirty. Evie didn¡¯t hate her full name; it was simply a mouthful and felt clunkying from others¡¯ lips. But from his, it sounded gritted and angry. It sounded like it meant something more than just a name. ¡°No. I can¡¯t be trusted to look at you.¡± He chuckled. The sound was so rare she couldn¡¯t help but spin around to see¡ª ¡°HA! Dimple!¡± she shouted and grinned, faltering when she realized she was meant to be dramatically angry. He smirked in satisfaction, and she shoved his chest until he stumbled against the wall. His cheeks deepened in color from the fall. ¡°You can¡¯tugh when I¡¯m angry. It¡¯s not fair.¡± ¡°Neither was you shoving me against a wall,¡± he barked, righting himself. She rolled her eyes but then hummed for a moment, tilting her head and looking up in contemtion. ¡°I love being shoved against a wall.¡± His mouth fell open so fast Evie thought he¡¯dbust right then and there. Very well. She was ready and waiting with the matches. ¡°You¡ª Who is shoving you against walls?¡± She bit her lip and was satisfied when his eyes tracked it. ¡°No one yet. I¡¯m waiting for the right man to give it a go.¡± She winked at him, needing to distract herself, nearly vibrating with unspent emotion from the confrontation with her mother. It made her reckless. It made her bold. It made her head hurt, in all honesty. ¡°Well, I wish you luck in that endeavor.¡± He sounded as if he wished for her luck about as much as he¡¯d wish for him and King Benedict to hold hands. ¡°If we¡¯re to break Kingsley¡¯s curse, we need to find that magic wand immediately.¡± Evie reeled. ¡°Wait a minute¡ª¡± ¡°Pack lightly. We¡¯ll be gone only a few days.¡± ¡°Wait a minute!¡± She waved her hands around frantically, and Trystan dodged them just in time. ¡°You¡¯re letting mee with you?¡± Trystan sighed, looking younger as he ran both hands through his hair and down his face. ¡°It¡¯s time you take the next step and learn what it means.¡± Her nose scrunched. ¡°What it means¡­?¡± He sighed. ¡°To be a viin¡¯s apprentice.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 36 Becky This was such a foolhardy idea, Becky thought she must have fallen, cracked her head, and slipped into a deep sleep. A bad sleep with some very bad choices. Including knocking on the door of the healer¡¯s quarters, but it was toote to turn back when Tatianna gently pushed it open. ¡°Hello?¡± Becky said. ¡°Come in, Rebecka!¡± Tatianna called. ¡°Evie and I are just finishing packing up a few essentials for the journey.¡± Becky wrung her hands and straightened her spine. ¡°Are you taking Fluffy?¡± Evie put another jar into the medicine bag. ¡°No. We all agreed we can¡¯t risk being spotted by Benedict¡¯s men or anyone else. We¡¯ll go by horseback.¡± Evie smiled at her, still an oddity Rebecka had not grown used to. ¡°Oh. Right.¡± Becky licked her lips and pretended she had something stuck to her skirt. ¡°Rebecka, are you all right?¡± Tatianna asked, striding over toy the back of her hand against Becky¡¯s forehead. ¡°Are you feeling ill? You look flushed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sick!¡± She pushed Tatianna¡¯s hands away. ¡°I just wanted to ask your opinions on something¡­delicate.¡± She swallowed. The two women waited expectantly. ¡°I¡¯ve only ever had my brothers for reference points when ites to speaking with, um, with¡­¡± ¡°Men?¡± Evie asked with far too much interest forfort. Rebecka paused, then said, ¡°Never mind.¡± She spun and attempted escape. It was toote. Evie was already barring the door with a maniacal grin. ¡°Now, Becky, we are all friends here. Do tell us anything that¡¯s on your mind.¡± ¡°No.¡± She scowled. Evie pouted, looking like a grown version of Lyssa. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re far too excited about it.¡± Evie deted with a re. Tatianna chuckled and slid over to the closed door next to Evie. ¡°We will keep your confidence, Rebecka. I swear it. Say what you need to say.¡± Horrific, foolish idea. ¡°I think that I am infatuated with¡­with de.¡± There. She¡¯d said it, the sky hadn¡¯t fallen, and all her limbs were still intact. For now. Evie jumped and pped. ¡°I knew it! You have a crush! This is marvelous!¡± ¡°Stop jumping, you one-woman circus show,¡± Becky growled, pointing a warning finger at her. Evie stopped, looking properly chastised. Tatianna was observing, a serene smile on her face that was almost worse than Evie¡¯s zealous excitement. ¡°I do not have a crush. I have an infatuation¡ªthey are entirely different things.¡± Tatianna blinked. ¡°In what respect?¡± ¡°Crushes are for children.¡± ¡°I have crushes all the time,¡± Evie objected. Becky waved a hand at her. ¡°See.¡± Tatiannaughed, and Evie stuck her tongue out. ¡°Real mature, Evie.¡± Evie dipped into a mock curtsy. ¡°My goal is never maturity. I¡¯m not that jaded yet.¡± Becky put her hands over her face. ¡°Oh, gods, I don¡¯t even know why I bothered to ask.¡± Tatianna pulled her hands away from her face. ¡°Rebecka, are you perhaps trying to seek counsel on how to pursue your¡­infatuation?¡± ¡°No,¡± she said firmly. Evie lifted a brow. ¡°No?¡± ¡°No!¡± Rebecka yelled and then went silent. One second passed, then two, then three. Evie clicked her tongue. ¡°Yes?¡± Becky threw her hands up and then back down. ¡°Yes! Are you happy? I can¡¯t speak to Rnd about this because then he will tell Reid, who will then tell Raphael, and then I will have to move kingdoms and change names.¡± Her eyes widened when it hit her. ¡°Again!¡± Tatianna poured tea into a small teacup and handed it to her. It was still magically warm despite it not sitting anywhere near a stove. ¡°Before you im another alias, why don¡¯t we have a friendly chat and see if it helps?¡± ¡°Shirley,¡± Evie said, tapping her chin. Tatianna and Becky both stared at her. ¡°What?¡± they asked in unison. Evie looked between them. ¡°Shirley would be a fun alias. It means meadow¡­ Never mind, go on.¡± She smiled sheepishly, and Becky was gued with an annoying level of tender feelings of friendship for the human cannonball. ¡°I¡¯ve worked hard to make myself strong enough tobat my brothers, tobat the men in the office who doubted my caliber when I assumed my position. I¡¯ve made myself so imprable to affection, I¡¯m afraid that I¡¯ve forgotten how to receive it. Or¡­how to give it.¡± Evie¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°Oh, Becky. You haven¡¯t.¡± ¡°What do you mean? How can you be so sure?¡± ¡°Look at your hands.¡± Becky squinted down at them, turning her hands palm up and back around. There was nothing but a pink flower that had been painted on her by Lyssa earlier that morning while Becky was sorting through paperwork. ¡°What? The paint?¡± Evie gave her a look that suggested Becky¡¯s hopelessness, but instead of admitting to it, she merely picked up Becky¡¯s hand and made her look at the flower again. ¡°Aside from me, you¡¯ve been kinder to my little sister than any other adult in her life. She adores you.¡± Becky felt her cheeks heat and hated the burst of tion at thepliment. ¡°Lyssa is an easy audience.¡± Tatianna scoffed. ¡°She locked re and me in a cupboard! I¡¯d hardly call her easy.¡± Becky pped a hand over her mouth to trap the inappropriateughter. ¡°She, um, she should not have done that, certainly.¡± The healer picked up another potion bottle, one in a funny shape and the color of melted gold. It nged against the others as she ced it into a bag. ¡°I admire her audacity, and I am not without my own issues when ites to romantic entanglements. Seeing as I am still foolishly in love with my ex-betrothed.¡± Tatianna leaned against the wall by the window and slowly sank to the ground. Becky walked over to join her, and Evie did, too. The three of them sat quietly side by side. Becky had to admit, it was apanionable silence. ¡°re still loves you.¡± Becky broke the quiet. ¡°It¡¯s obvious every time she looks at you.¡± Tatianna rubbed at one of her eyes, and some of the pink glitter on her lid was transferred to the back of her hand. ¡°You are probably right. And at one point in our lives, that would¡¯ve been more than enough. But adulthood brings with it far too manyplications to untangle.¡± Tatianna took hold of one of Becky¡¯s hands, and Evie took the other. ¡°In any case,¡± Tatianna added, ¡°enough about me.¡± She looked at Becky expectantly. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to flirt,¡± Becky blurted, and Evie¡¯s head now whipped around to look at her, too. ¡°I have no idea how to be charming or witty without being scathing, and every time I talk to de I lose all my faculties. That¡¯s why I came to you two.¡± Tatianna furrowed her brow and held up a hand, mock whispering behind it. ¡°Have you seen Evie attempting to speak to Trystan? She doesn¡¯t just lose her faculties¡ªshe loses her mind.¡± Evie appeared unable to argue, her lip twitching as she said gravely, ¡°It¡¯s true. I am ttered you think I have any idea what I¡¯m doing, but truly, I hardly ever know what is going toe out of my mouth. Which has gotten me into as many bad situations as it has good ones.¡± Tatianna gave Evie a pointed look. Evie admitted, ¡°Mostly bad ones.¡± ¡°The point is, Rebecka, flirting is just a way to y and indicate your interest. There¡¯s no right or wrong way to do that if the other person understands thenguage you¡¯re speaking.¡± Becky sulked, releasing Tatianna¡¯s hand to push one of her hairpins deeper into her bun. ¡°We¡¯re always speaking the samenguage.¡± ¡°She means metaphorically, dear.¡± Evie squeezed her other hand, refusing to let go. ¡°I would wager a guess that your direct manner of address is one of de¡¯s favorite things about you. You don¡¯t have to mold the way you speak to fit someone else¡¯s ideal. de will like you as you are, and if he doesn¡¯t, he is the worst kind of fool.¡± A warmfort made all her limbs feelnguid, her body rxing after releasing a tension that she may have been holding on to for years. A clear exnation for the headaches and the irritability. ¡°It¡¯s strange. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever spoken this candidly with anyone. I adore my brothers, and we have our own sort of bond.¡± She looked back and forth between the women on either side of her. ¡°But this is different, with women, I think. I never had sisters.¡± Tatianna leaned her head on Becky¡¯s shoulder, and then Evie did the same. They sat there in silence for a few more moments, taking in a level of safety that only other women could give. ¡°You do now,¡± Evie said. Becky¡¯s heart felt like it was much too big for her chest. But that contentment died when Becky realized that now that she had something worth holding on to¡­ Something¡ªor someone¡ªcould take it all away. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 37 The Viin ¡°This way. Watch the branches,¡± Trystan ordered as they squeezed their mounts through another tight cluster ofrge trees. The group of women behind him groaned their difort, and Trystan had to force his head forward to keep from turning around to check on Sage. Something had upset her. Something she would not confide in him. How many times had he wished her to share less? How many times had he found himself praying for her to cease her ramblings? Clearly whatever god had heard him decided lying in prayer was grounds for punishment. The punishment of giving him exactly what he¡¯d asked for. Sage¡¯s silence. She hadn¡¯t spoken once in all the hours they¡¯d spent on horseback. They didn¡¯t need the fading magic to tell them that the kingdom was in grave danger¡ªherck of babbling was signal enough. He warily tested the waters. ¡°I¡¯ve done a decent amount of business with Lord Fowler over the years. He¡¯s the only noble I know who gets his kicks from defying the crown. And he has a hankering for collecting magical objects. He told me of a magical wand in his possession, invited me toe see it a few times. I denied him, of course. I don¡¯t do social calls. Hopefully the offer still stands.¡± He waited for Sage to ask more, expected her to. But there were crickets behind him making noise¡ªand no one else. ¡°It¡¯s getting dark,¡± re added, rolling her eyes at the two of them, riding closer to Trystan. ¡°We should find somewhere to camp for the night.¡± ¡°No. I said no stopping. It¡¯s too dangerous. We must ride through,¡± Trystan ordered with as much authority as he could salvage. The first to defy him was naturally the fucking frog. Kingsley leaped out of his pack and atop the horse¡¯s head. Trystan¡¯s horse didn¡¯t react, used to Kingsley¡¯s light weight. Trystan soundlessly handed him a sign from his pocket, and Kingsley jotted down a word. A long one. Exhausted. ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t be exhausted after riding with the nkets all day? However will you go on, martyr?¡± Trystan barked at Kingsley, who rolled his gold eyes and jumped to join re. Her horse startled, whinnying, and raised up on her hind legs. ¡°Whoa!¡± re said, urging the mare forward until her hooves met the ground once more. Tatianna had surged forward to grip the reins. ¡°Are you all right?¡± Tatianna turned and red at him. ¡°Could you keep your temper in check for more than five minutes?¡± ¡°No, my cutoff is four,¡± he said dryly. Tatianna gave him a pointed look. ¡°We¡¯re all tired, Trystan. Let¡¯s stop here. One of us can keep watch, and the others can sleep.¡± ¡°I said we are not stopping until we get there. Not under any circumstances,¡± he said firmly, angling his head back to say the same to Sage. But she was hardly paying attention to them, too busy rubbing at her eyes and yawning into her hand, her entire face scrunching to amodate it. A fist clenched his small, shriveled heart, followed by a pang. She blinked slowly at him, as if her eyelids required effort to keep open. ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Another yawn cut off her speech. Fucking deands. ¡°We¡¯re stopping,¡± he ordered, dismounting his horse, and caught Sage about the waist before she fell over the edge of her saddle. She ced a hand against his shoulder, and it burned where she touched, causing an odd tingle in his bottom lip. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Sage frowned, rubbing at her eye with her other hand. ¡°You said we weren¡¯t stopping under any circumstances.¡± Damn it. May as well start carrying a fucking shovel. It would make digging all these holes much easier. ¡°You know me, Sage,¡± he said, gently easing her off the animal, attempting to keep her as far away from his body as humanly possible. His control was wearing too thin, and his pants were far too tight to take any unnecessary chances. Sage pulled away as soon as her feet touched the grass, taking his distance as disgust rather than essential. Good. Good. Let her think he didn¡¯t want her. He¡¯d been behind on his heinous-lie quota for the month; this ought to catch him up. ¡°There¡¯s a small clearing ahead. Seems as good a ce as any,¡± Tatianna said, guiding her mount toward the open space. The sun was beginning to set, and soon darkness would surround them. ¡°How near are we to Phoenix Vige?¡± ¡°Not far,¡± Trystan answered. ¡°We¡¯ll need to pass through after we get the wand. It¡¯s directly on our path to the south road, and I¡¯ve made arrangements to get us discreetly to the southern kingdom¡¯s border.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the vige with the giant bird guarding it?¡± re asked warily. ¡°No, the name of the vige is just for flourish,¡± Trystan said sarcastically, ignoring his sister¡¯s re. ¡°I¡¯ll get firewood.¡± Trystan handed his reins off to Sage, intending to have his un-viin-like panic behind one of the oaks. But he only made it two steps before a whoosh through the air had him spinning around to a small dart that had buried itself in his shoulder. He yanked it out and stared at it. The phoenix crest was a clear indicator of the owner¡­and a clear indicator he¡¯d walked them all right into a trap. ¡°Shit! It¡¯s an ambush. Take cover!¡± He turned, trying to summon his magic, but his arms were going numb, and then his legs. Sage cried out and ran to him, her hands on his cheeks, her lovely voice breaking from screaming his name. ¡°Sir. Sir, stay with me. Don¡¯t leave me.¡± How silly. Why would he ever leave such a beautiful woman? ck spots danced across his vision, and his awareness wed its way back to the surface. ¡°Sage, run. Tati! Take my sister and go.¡± ¡°Help me get him up, Tati!¡± Sage yanked on him with a surprising amount of force, draping his arm about her small shoulders. ¡°Come on. Gods, you¡¯re heavy. Time to cut back on the push-ups, Evil Overlord,¡± she huffed, struggling to lift them both to their feet. Tatianna gripped his other arm, and the two of them half walked, half dragged him toward his horse, but another whoosh through the air stopped them. Trystan fell to his side and watched, helpless, as Tatianna fell, too, an identical dart sticking out of her neck. ¡°Tatianna¡ª¡± Trystan croaked as she fell unconscious. Torture. This was worse than torture. Footsteps rumbled on the ground below them, and a set of guards took hold of a screaming re. ¡°No!¡± he yelled as one of them kneeled against his chest to pin him down. Their armor was familiar, but it wasn¡¯t that of the Valiant Guard. ¡°Get off him!¡± A dagger was shoved into the guard¡¯s shoulder, and he toppled off Trystan. Sage stood over him, dagger dripping blood and her eyes wild with fear and something else he couldn¡¯t decipher. ¡°Sage, go¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you, so stop asking.¡± She was resolved and wouldn¡¯t move from his side. He couldn¡¯t even yell at her to go any longer; his voice had given out. A guard grabbed Sage by the cheeks and shoved a yellow flower into her mouth, forcing her to swallow. She looked the guard directly in the eye, then smirked. If his whole body wasn¡¯t ovee by numbness, he had a horrible feeling he¡¯d be rock hard in all the wrong ces¡­or all the right ones. Sage began to go limp in the man¡¯s arms, and Trystan¡¯s magic broke free of him so fast, the gray mist flooded the clearing. ¡°What the fuck is that?¡± one of the guards questioned. No. They can see my power, too. What in the deands is going on? Despite his weakness, his magic worked to protect him, to protect them. Guards were dropping with a swipe of gray and then another. Their screams of terror were music to his ears. Nothing better than that sound. ¡°Trystan!¡± Sage yelled. Almost nothing. Almost. It was thest word she spoke before her eyes shut and she slumped, just as his magic gave out, disappearing. Sage¡¯s head fell back as the guard lifted her. Her limbs all drooped toward the ground, her curls cascading so low they almost brushed the grass. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but that seemed to be what infuriated him the most. ¡°You will rrrrreegret that,¡± he slurred, not sounding human, his arms giving out as he fell. Darkness slid over him, and he couldn¡¯t tell if the sun had made its final descent or if he was passing out. When he started seeing dancing unicorns, he began to suspect he was losing consciousness. Or losing his mind. Later. Trystan would make them all regret thister, when he awoke. If he awoke. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 38 re re came to consciousness in a library. One so grand she began to think she was still sedated, her mind conjuring a most fantastical dream. Kingsley hopped onto her chest, and that hope met a swift end. There was no good dream that existed where Alexander was still trapped in the body of an animal. Memories from before everything went dark came in pieces. The poisoned darts. Tati. Trystan. Then Evie. Then¡­well, herself, obviously, but she hadn¡¯t been conscious for that. Standing slowly, she stumbled, lightheaded, her vision disoriented as she took a few steps forward. ¡°Tatianna? Trystan?¡± she called to the empty room. ¡°Hello?¡± No answer. A hand closed over hers, and re squealed in the same manner as when Malcolm put a slug on her shoulder at her thirteenth birthday party. Tatianna stood behind her, a finger to her lips, chastising re with only her eyes. Her ponytail hade loose in a fall of dark braids. It was a bad time to yearn, but re simply couldn¡¯t help it when presented with near-obnoxious levels of beauty. re followed Tatianna¡¯s gaze and the tilt of her head to the other side of the room. Arge patio door stood there¡ªopen. Alexander leaped in front of them. With no signs avable to him, he was forced tomunicate with his eyes, too, drawing a webbed foot across his small green throat. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss this after we get out of here, Alexander,¡± re whispered, scooping the iling frog up as she and Tatianna quickly slipped out the balcony doors and onto the terrace. ¡°Where are Evie and Trystan?¡± Tatianna asked as the wind brushed back her bows and knocked the pins from re¡¯s hair. ¡°I have no idea. We need to send for the Malevolent Guards. The caller rubies were in the saddlebags.¡± re had never used the rubies or other caller gems tomunicate with anyone, but they did make things convenient and helpful¡ªboth things she was endeavoring to be to her brother as ofte. It was funny how she¡¯d spent her entire life building her scruples brick by brick, viewing the people she loved in ck and white boxes, only to realize the world wasn¡¯t just gray. It was a mess. Tatianna stopped at the far end of the balcony, gripping the side of the railing and peeking out over the edge. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll be able to get to the saddlebags.¡± She backed up a few steps, and re gripped the railing to peek over next. They were high up. So high that the only thing she could see below was darkness. No solid ground despite the litnterns lining the side wall. ¡°Gods, how far down do you think it is?¡± Tatianna picked up a stone from one of the potted nts and tossed it over the edge. They listened, and listened, and listened. After far too many seconds had passed, they finally heard it touch solid ground. ng. ¡°Okay, so we¡¯re not jumping,¡± re said, and Kingsley finally ceased wriggling in her arms. ¡°Only if you grow a steady pair of wings first,¡± a weathered voice said from behind them. They both spun, re stepping in front of Tatianna to shield her. ¡°Stay back!¡± she ordered. An old man stood there. His gray hair was swept off his forehead, his clothes so extravagant he looked to be dripping in gold. ¡°If you would pleasee back inside, my lord will see you both as soon as possible. He had the guards deposit you in the library, as he felt that would be far more entertaining for you both than trapping you in the cells belowground.¡± All the two women did was stare, and the old manughed in a hearty sort of way. ¡°Or we can take you to a cell if you¡¯d prefer!¡± he offered, seeming far too sincere. ¡°We¡¯d prefer to be let go, and we¡¯d prefer you do the same for Tryst¡ª¡± Tatianna mped her lips shut, correcting her speech in a probable attempt to protect them. ¡°For ourpanions. Where are they?¡± The odd gentleman wasnguid as he gestured upward. ¡°I¡¯m afraid they aren¡¯t avable. They are currently taking some air.¡± re felt a lump form in her throat, her words getting caught on it as she choked out, ¡°Is ¡®taking some air¡¯ code for ¡®we¡¯ve killed them and stashed the bodies¡¯?¡± The man waved his hand good-naturedly. ¡°Oh, no, child, worry not!¡± Tatianna sagged next to her, a relieved sighing out of her mouth. The man continued. ¡°We make it a point to never stash bodies. We usually pin them up!¡± ¡°Oh my gods.¡± re felt sick. The man finished. ¡°Oh!¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°And we haven¡¯t killed them! Yet, that is.¡± re picked up a rock to throw it at him, but Tatianna grabbed her arm, squinting at the symbol on the door: a phoenix. ¡°Wait. Is this¡­¡± re was frantic. ¡°What? Is this what?¡± A wave of emotion passed over Tatianna¡¯s features¡ªfirst spection, then suspicion, realization, and finally, relieved annoyance. re was exhausted just from looking at her. ¡°Are we at Lord Fowler¡¯s residence?¡± she asked. A gust of wind knocked them all off bnce as arge basket soared overhead, and a wild-eyed gentleman with a thick mustache and curly ck hair waved at them. ¡°We¡¯ll be right down! You two make yourselves at home!¡± re and Tatianna sprinted for the edge to watch the basket sail into the open air. Arge balloon was carrying it up and over them, above the roof, over the tree that re could now see held the house aloft. Tatianna turned around and addressed the butler. ¡°We?¡± The butler gestured to the floating balloon sailing higher and higher, giving her a pointed look, his bushy eyebrows raised high. ¡°I told you.¡± He smiled. ¡°They¡¯re taking some air.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 39 Evie Evie was on top of Trystan. Her eyes weren¡¯t even open when she realized this. She could smell him, could feel the solidness of his chest and the strength in his arms and the beat of his heart. There was no need to guess, but when she opened her eyes and looked at his face, it was nice to confirm. Wait. She pinched herself. ¡°Ow!¡± All right, I¡¯m awake. He was still unconscious, but his breaths were even, his face rxed. Peaceful in sleep, and Evie fell in love with him all over again with a mere nce. The furrow between his brows was soft, his lips lightly parted, no signs of anger or even indifference. ¡°So pretty.¡± Sheughed softly to herself at the memory of when she¡¯d called him that when they first met. She couldn¡¯t have helped it that day, either. She lifted a hand, cing it against his cheek, and it was slight, but she felt his cheek move harder against her palm. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t describe him as such, but what do I know?¡± A voice came from the other end of the wide basket, and Evie yelped, flying backward and knocking against the basket wall. The entire thing rocked back and forth with a force that made stomach acid rise in her throat. ¡°Who are you? What is this?¡± She felt around for her dagger, but her thigh strap was empty, causing her heart to beat triple-time in her chest. The man smiled at her, but it didn¡¯t look at all inviting despite his handsome features. ¡°Are you looking for that lovely little dagger, sweet?¡± He took two steps forward, and she stood on unsteady legs until she was in front of Trystan¡¯s still-unconscious body. It would¡¯ve looked ridiculous to an outside viewer: The Viin lying supine and unconscious while his apprentice stood sentry over him. His apprentice, who didn¡¯t reach more than a few inches above five feet tall and likely looked as intimidating as adybug. Evie, of course, was terrified ofdybugs, but that was neither here nor there. If a bug that small could be scary, so could she. The man took a gant bow, his long coat billowing in the breeze. ¡°Lord Edmund Fowler, mydy. Your humble servant.¡± She smiled, feeling off-kilter and oddly charmed by the gentleman¡¯s polite greeting. Lord Fowler? ¡°You¡¯re one of The Viin¡¯s allies, and you drugged us?¡± The lord was unfazed by this usation, appearing almost delighted by it, actually. ¡°Yes, of course! You were on your way here anyhow, weren¡¯t you? For my wand?¡± Before Evie could ask how he knew that piece of information, the lord pulled a lever below the small me, keeping therge white balloon overhead floating in¡­ Oh no. Evie took a subtle peek over the side and felt her stomach bottom out to her toes. They were so high in the air she couldn¡¯t see the ground. Just dark sky and a cluster of stars surrounding them. The Viin stirred behind her, and Evie prayed he¡¯d awaken soon. There was no way she could protect them both on her own, and though she considered herself much stronger than she once was, she was also a realist. The unfair smallness of her stature would likely be nothing against this man¡¯s obvious strength; he was bigger than her and therefore a threat. And right there was the injustice of the worldid out in the inest terms. She had to y this the right way. The only way she knew how. With distracting sweetness. Dipping into a light, off-center curtsy due to the rocking basket, Evie smiled demurely at the gentleman. ¡°Evie Sage, my lord. What an honor to be presented to nobility under such¡­¡± Dire, desperate, disastrous? Good grief, that was too much alliteration. She finished wincing. ¡°Such unique circumstances.¡± Lord Fowler took her hand and bowed over it. ¡°A pleasure to finally be introduced to The Wicked Woman. I apologize if the sedative left you feeling groggy. I asked my men to ensure they got you all to my home as gently as possible.¡± Evie nodded solemnly. ¡°I¡¯ve always found sedation to be so.¡± Lord Fowler pulled the lever below the me again, and they sailed higher, sending Evie falling into the wall of the basket, gripping one of the ropes so she didn¡¯t spill over the side. What a time to have a terrible center of gravity. ¡°The Viin is a hard man to pin down,¡± Lord Fowler said with a good-naturedugh. ¡°I¡¯ve never had trouble doing it,¡± she blurted. Were the effects of the drug still wearing off? Or was it just the damn altitude making her thoughts fall out of her head like her mind was being used as a saltshaker? Lord Fowler seemed amused by the innuendo, however, as he scanned her¡ªnot in a leering manner but a curious one. ¡°That, my dear, is evident. I had my men ce you side by side one moment, and the next The Viin was clutching the back of your head to his chest, muttering something about taking you on a pic.¡± Even amid her panic and worry, Evie grinned. ¡°Outside dinner, my arse.¡± Fowler continued. ¡°At first I thought he¡¯d awoken too soon, but it appears it was something subconscious on his part.¡± ¡°Were you watching us this whole time?¡± she used, her lip curling in disgust now. ¡°You creep!¡± He held up a quelling hand. ¡°I¡¯m no creep, Ms. Sage. I only observed for thest half hour and only for the sake of curiosity.¡± ¡°If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck¡­¡± She folded her arms, and he chuckled. It pissed her off. She began walking around him to the other side of the basket, hands still sped behind her back as she stared at the night sky, noticing that the brightest one she used to watch and wish on with such reverence was no longer there. That star was now human, sitting back at the manor, and the only thing Evie had wished upon her before leaving was to be left alone. ¡°Ms. Sage, I can sense your distress, but as The Viin¡¯s assistant, surely you¡¯ve heard of his business dealings with me?¡± Lord Fowler asked, backing Evie up until she hit the edge. So distracted by her was he, the lord didn¡¯t notice Evie was slowly forcing him to turn in the other direction, away from her boss¡¯s supine form. Until a strong arm banded around Fowler¡¯s neck from behind and squeezed, a cool voice breaking the silence and raising gooseflesh on her arms. ¡°Apprentice.¡± Formerly supine form. ¡°Ah! Viin, you¡¯re awake. Excellent!¡± Lord Fowler did not seem distressed in the slightest that the kingdom¡¯s greatest foe had his arm wrapped around his neck and, judging by the bulging vein in her boss¡¯s forehead, he was mere seconds from squeezing until Fowler turned blue. ¡°Apprentice.¡± Trystan repeated the word, somehow managing to make it sound more scathing than he had the first time. ¡°Address her properly or I throw you over the edge and watch as you hit the earth.¡± Swoon. Oh, wait, that¡¯s bad. Too high up. No swooning. Not right now, at least. Lord Fowler smiled his deference at Evie. ¡°Apprentice, of course.¡± He nodded in a gesture of respect. ¡°Congrattions on the promotion, my dear.¡± She waved back awkwardly, unsure of what else to do. ¡°Sage. I¡¯m threatening him. Stop waving.¡± ¡°Sorry.¡± She halted abruptly. ¡°Stop apologizing,¡± he ground out. Lord Fowler¡¯s eyes were moving between them when he said, ¡°Fascinating. It appears you two have something of a specialnguage.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Trystan said dryly. ¡°It¡¯s called irritation.¡± Evie¡¯s hackles were raised at the slight, and she narrowed her eyes, addressing Lord Fowler but looking right at Trystan. ¡°Exactly. He¡¯s like a rash that won¡¯t go away.¡± Fowlerughed heartily and angled his head back toward Trystan, as much as the grip still around the lord¡¯s neck allowed. ¡°Oh, Viin, she is a delight.¡± ¡°As delightful as dragon pox,¡± he said tly. ¡°Sexually transmitted?¡± Evie tapped her lip coyly. The Viin choked. She¡¯d won. Fowler¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Gods, I have half a mind to hire her out from under you, Viin.¡± Trystan didn¡¯t say anything, just paused a moment. But only a moment¡ªbefore casually hurling Lord Fowler over the edge. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 40 The Viin ¡°Trystan!¡± Sage screamed, running to the edge. ¡°Oh dear. He fell,¡± Trystan replied with zero emotion behind it. She pped his arm and searched the dark for the body hurtling toward the earth. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± ¡°I have a policy against the poaching of my employees.¡± He straightened his shirt and brushed out the wrinkles. ¡°And the punishment is death?¡± she said, exasperated. For attempting to steal Sage? The punishment was being skinned alive, but he didn¡¯t have a butter knife on him. ¡°No, it¡¯s shoving. It was merely unlucky for him that he brought us up to such great heights.¡± He¡¯d started fiddling with the pulley, and the balloon and basket began to dip in gradual degrees. Still shaking off the shock, Sage stood on her tiptoes to peer over his shoulder, her breath against his neck making him tremble. ¡°Do you know how to work this thing?¡± He muttered, ¡°You pull this lever to release the cool air into the balloon slowly, so it moves toward the ground gradually. More heat to have it move up.¡± Evie nted a hand on her hip, the other pulling her loose curls to the side so the wind would stop pushing the strands in her face. ¡°Where did you learn that?¡± ¡°I read science textbooks when I have spare moments in the day.¡± Evie sighed. ¡°Ah, of course. Nothing takes your mind off murder and viiny like physics.¡± ¡°I often find myself saying the same!¡± A shout over the wind made Sage scream in surprise before hurling herself into Trystan¡¯s chest. His hand fell protectively around her on instinct. Physical affection had always seemed such a pointless disy to him. Holding hands, hugging, touches offort, or anything that required two people making contact other than the violent kind. But the way Sage felt in his arms made him want to do all those things. She¡¯d made him want to hold hands. And he¡¯d never forgive her for it. ¡°What. The. Deands!¡± Evie screeched. Trystan was irritatingly amused by her outrage, her blue eyes round as saucers as Fowler floated into the basket andnded with hardly a thud. ¡°You¡ª He flew! You flew!¡± Fowler grinned, his stupid pompous mustache making him look like an insolent king who was ying with them like pawns on a chessboard. ¡°He¡¯s seen me do it before, Ms. Sage.¡± Sage shoved out of Trystan¡¯s arms, and his hands twitched at his sides from the loss of sensation. ¡°You knew he¡¯d do that?¡± Yes, he had, and he was seconds from throwing Fowler over a second time. ¡°I¡¯d hoped Lord Fowler would have the courtesy to fall to his death.¡± Trystan red at his associate. Fowler winked, and it was so irksome Trystan¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Perhaps next time, Viin. For now, I am so pleased to introduce you to my new and improved flying balloon!¡± Sage followed the motion of his hand up and scrunched her eyes suspiciously. ¡°Why in the deands would you need a flying balloon when your magic seems to do that for you?¡± Fowler put a palm to his chest before looking dramatically off into the distance. ¡°There is nothing like flying. Soaring through the air without a care in the world. The first time I did it as a boy, when my magic awoke, I couldn¡¯t believe that others would never feel such a sensation.¡± He tugged on the handle, abruptly pulling them up at a rate that knocked Sage back into Trystan¡¯s arms. Fowler was safe¡ªfor now. ¡°I¡¯ve dedicated my life to inventing things that could give others the exhration I have been blessed with by the gods.¡± What a load of¡ª ¡°Oh, that¡¯s beautiful,¡± Sage said, breathless, folding her hands underneath her chin. Never mind, the fucker is dead. ¡°No. It¡¯s not. It¡¯s a ploy and a waste of resources from this privileged fool.¡± Sage turned and red at him. ¡°Not everyone has such deep levels of cynicism.¡± Trystan waved an arm toward the madman. ¡°He drugged us, if you recall! And then brought us up here for gods know what reason. Where is my sister? And Tatianna? Kingsley?¡± Fowler shrugged. ¡°I figured if we were at a great height, you were less likely to use your frightening invisible magic on me while I ask for a favor. Although, from what my guards tell me, it¡¯s not so invisible anymore.¡± ¡°The answer is no.¡± The lord¡¯s mustache twitched. ¡°I haven¡¯t even asked the favor yet.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. The answer is still no.¡± Fowler frowned. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I cannot gift you the wand in my collection without a little something for myself in return.¡± ¡°What favor, Lord Fowler?¡± Sage inquired, ignoring Trystanpletely. He¡¯d asked for this, had promoted her, given her agency, and in truth he was damn proud of her for using it. He had no right to be angry with her for going against him. He¡¯d practically handed her a dagger and asked her to stab him in the back with it. Lord Fowler turned his attention on Sage. ¡°I have been doing business with The Viin for a considerable number of years, and in all that time, I¡¯ve never managed to get him to one of my dinner parties.¡± Sage patted the lord¡¯s arm sympathetically, and Trystan felt gleeful at the image of bending Fowler¡¯s elbow back until the bone snapped. ¡°How disappointing, and what terrible business practice. On behalf of The Viin¡¯s offices, how can I make amends?¡± Trystan groaned. ¡°Sage, do not¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m so d you asked, Ms. Sage! When my guards spotted you all in the area, they were kind enough to bring you in just in time for my dinner party that begins in¡­¡± Fowler checked his timepiece. ¡°Gods, only an hour! I must dress and prepare!¡± A few tugs of the ropes, and the balloon was making a quick descent back toward arge house sitting against an evenrger tree. Theynded on a balcony, and Sage leaped out, running toward a woman emerging from the doors. ¡°Tatianna!¡± Sage threw her arms around the healer, and Tatianna returned the gesture. ¡°Thank the gods you¡¯re both okay,¡± Tatianna said, cing a hand on Evie¡¯s cheek. re came out after, walking tentatively toward Trystan, vying for a friendly greeting, something the siblings were unustomed to. ¡°Are you all right?¡± re asked, reaching out to lightly pat his hand. It was stiff and awkward, but it was the most contact his sister had initiated in years. Gods, no wonder Trystan saw no sense in physical touches to disy affection. He and his whole family were abysmal at it. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He nodded at her and reached over, patting her hand back just as stiffly and just as awkwardly. ¡°Okay, enough. This is painful to watch.¡± Tatianna stepped between them and examined Trystan for injury. ¡°Good?¡± she asked him. ¡°Good,¡± he answered. His magic was quieter; though he could still feel the stirrings of it underneath his skin, it felt like a kite whose strings had slipped away from his fingers. He could feel it floating within, but it was just out of reach. Fowler¡¯s treehouse was messing with it, or the proximity to Sage, or the godsforsaken curse it had apparently been under for thest decade. Take your pick. They all make me want to yell until my lungs stop working. That feeling wasn¡¯t improved when Lord Fowler called to them like they were all dear friends who¡¯d arrived there of their own free will. ¡°Now, everyone! We have only an hour until the dinner party, and I¡¯ve taken the liberty of having outfits prepared for all of you!¡± Fowler smiled, pping Trystan on the shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s themed, you see.¡± ¡°Lovely,¡± he seethed, taking a step toward the rogue, but Sage moved between them, wrapping her arm through Fowler¡¯s. Trystan¡¯s jaw mped closed so tightly it may have cracked a tooth. ¡°Lead the way, Lord Fowler. I do so love a theme. Perhaps on the way, you might give me a tour? I¡¯d be very interested to see the wand up close.¡± Her eyes met Trystan¡¯s for the briefest of moments before she looked away. Fowler led her through the open library doors, and Trystan stared after them, gobsmacked and feeling out of his depth. An elderly man who Trystan knew to be Fowler¡¯s tried-and-true butler stepped through the open balcony doors. ¡°Follow me, youngdies and¡ª¡± The butler paused. Having met Trystan only once, the old man clearly didn¡¯t have a very good impression of him. Entirely possible, as the only time Trystan was here, he threw a chair out the window. In his defense, it had tried talking to him. The magic in Fowler¡¯s residence was an ambiguity that Trystan did not and could not tolerate. ¡°Lead the way, Jester. I¡¯m hungry and desire afy chair in which to rest,¡± Trystan gritted out. The butler winced, and Trystan took morbid satisfaction in it. They all entered the house. To attend a fucking dinner party, with conversation and¡ªTrystan shuddered¡ªsocializing. It would surely end in murder. The question was¡­whose? Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 41 Gideon Gideon was suspicious. Of people, of longsting friendships, of how others often thought women more emotional than men when Gideon had watched Keeley calmly look death in the eye while the king he¡¯d served for ten years sprinted from it like his ass was on fire. Keeley would never run like her ass was on fire. Good going, Gideon. Now you¡¯re thinking about her ass. It didn¡¯t help that he had a perfect view of it as he snuck quietly after the Malevolent Guard on the north road to the abandoned tunnels into the Gleaming Pce, trying to keep a healthy distance as he followed the fearless women and men down the path to their possible demise. How many times had he made this march for King Benedict? How many times had he hated himself for it, for unquestioningly following a man he knew was a monster because he was too afraid of what he¡¯d return to if he went back to his family? But this band of soldiers was nothing like the Valiant Guard. They were acting not out of fear but out of loyalty. Without even realizing it, The Viin had created a cause that all his workers were willing to fight for, just because they believed in it, in him. It was exactly what Benedict had preached his men were to the public. It reminded Gideon that the world should always be wary of a king who boasts and instead pay attention to the misfits and outcasts. They usually had far more important things to say yet far less opportunity to say them. ¡°Sir knight!¡± a voice hissed before a force hit the back of his legs and knocked him t on his stomach. Hands wrapped around his ankles and dragged him into the bushes, a canopy of trees above them. ¡°What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?¡± Keeley spoke in whispers, but he was close enough to hear the venom in them. Amazing. Gideon didn¡¯t know how she managed such a thing when speaking at such a quiet volume. ¡°Not yet, but the night is young!¡± Gideon grinned, then groaned when Keeley punched her steel fist into his shoulder. Rubbing it, he sat up and brought himself onto his knees. ¡°I take it you¡¯re not happy to see me.¡± She flicked him on the shoulder and hissed, ¡°I told you that you weren¡¯t toe. I said to stay put, and instead you follow us on our recon mission? If one of the others had seen you, they would¡¯ve shot you on instinct.¡± Gideon put a hand to his heart, mock-touched. ¡°Are you saying that your first instinct isn¡¯t to shoot me?¡± It was too dark to see for sure, but he hoped he had made her cheeks take on that lovely rosy flush that made him stare at the wall for a little while afterward. But there were no walls about, so he was left to stare right at her. ¡°I really hate you,¡± she said, sounding more irritated than actually angry. ¡°I think you wish you did,¡± Gideon supplied helpfully and threw up his hands when her fist swung back again. ¡°All right, I surrender! I was upset at being left behind when this is the one way I can help my sisters.¡± Keeley bent to stand, reaching a hand down for Gideon and surprising the deands out of him. He took it cautiously, checking under her wrist and over it. ¡°What are you doing, sir knight?¡± ¡°Waiting for the hidden de to stab me.¡± He made a show of squinting at the gap in her red sleeve, but she tugged him up so hard he lost his footing and, to catch himself, raised his arms up, both palms nted on the tree behind Keeley. He hadn¡¯t meant to, but it brought him much closer to her; she smelled like lemons again, which made his mouth go dry. ¡°No hidden de¡­¡± he whispered, watching the illusion of her dislike of him begin to waver, revealing glimpses of a woman he¡¯d fight wild elephants to impress, to make her smile at him. It was difficult to discern if she was feeling the same rush of emotion, but her eyes were wide, and she was more silent than she¡¯d ever been in the short time he¡¯d known her. ¡°No hidden de,¡± she admitted finally, tugging at the end of her thick braid. Feeling bold at the admission, he reached up and ran his fingers along a strand. It was softer than he¡¯d thought it would be, which was odd, since Gideon tended to make things better in his head than they were in reality. This, unfortunately, was one of those moments where his expectations had been far too low. This woman wasn¡¯t just extraordinary. She was extraordinarily dangerous. ¡°You don¡¯t cut it.¡± They both knew what he was talking about. Keeley stiffened, something shutting down in her eyes, elbowing him hard as she shoved him away. ¡°No, I don¡¯t, and that is none of your business.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Fair enough, dimples.¡± Keeley rolled her eyes, but her lips moved up just slightly. ¡°I do not have dimples.¡± Gideon gestured in the air, unimpressed. ¡°Prove it.¡± She was fighting the smile now¡ªhe could tell. ¡°No.¡± Gideon leaned in, looking deadly serious. ¡°My socks have little goats on them.¡± Almost there. ¡°So?¡± He looked side to side and then whispered, ¡°One of the maids got them for me from The Viin¡¯s sock drawer.¡± There it was. Keeley¡¯s smile. Fully beaming, beautiful, and absolutely devastating. The worst thing that had ever happened to him, really. ¡°Liar,¡± Gideon said, pointing at two indents on her cheeks. She beamed wider, and the dimples went deeper. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m a liar.¡± She brushed past him and spun around. ¡°You maye with us, but do not interfere in any way or I will not hesitate to run you through.¡± Gideon saluted. ¡°Understood.¡± It was a damn shame that he found he enjoyed her far more than he should, considering the real reason he had followed them. Liar, he¡¯d used her. But not because of her dimples. No, he¡¯d known she had those. Gideon liked Keeley a great deal. And it was a damn shame, since he was fairly certain she was the traitor. He followed behind her, watching her braid sway, the singed bit tucked away and out of view. And as that beautiful braid caught stray beams of moonlight in a glimmer that cut his breath short, he grappled with what he¡¯d have to do if his suspicion proved true. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 43 The Viin ¡°I feel like a jackass,¡± Trystan muttered. re contemted her brother in the entry hall of Lord Fowler¡¯s home. Her dress was spun in green and a pattern of twisted vines, small pink flowers popping up in all directions: the perfect depiction of a forest nymph. ¡°I thought you were supposed to be a demon?¡± The two creatures may as well have been synonymous for how ridiculous he felt in the getup Fowler had saddled him with. He swore on everything he hated that when Fowler released them, Trystan would return for a visit in the very near future, with Fluffy in tow. This ce would be vastly improved if it were lit on fire. ¡°I am a demon,¡± he said with the conviction of a fruit fly. ¡°Don¡¯t you see my scary horns?¡± ¡°Scary¡± was not the word¡ª¡°absurd¡± fit better. There were two sharp horns clipped so tightly to his head they may now be a permanent fixture. The red cloak they¡¯d put him in was hardly serviceable, considering it was made of thin silk. It wouldn¡¯t keep him warm during a heat wave. His shirt was another red, the dip in the neck lower than the shirts he wore to bed and also silk. And also ugly. A whistle sounded, and Trystan whirled at the noise, hoping to see Sage, but that hope deted when his eyes locked on Tatianna, though she was lovely as always. He peered at his sister out of curiosity and watched with begrudged amusement as re slowly wilted into a besotted, lovestruck fool. ¡°All right there, little sister?¡± Trystan asked casually. ¡°Would you like a handkerchief for the drool?¡± He handed her the leaf-green cloth from his pocket. ¡°Ha. Ha.¡± She ripped it from his hand and squinted down at it. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen this color before. Is it new?¡± Trystan felt a blush creeping up on his cheeks. Or blood¡ªnot blush¡ªit was blood in his face. That sounded better. No, it didn¡¯t. ¡°No.¡± He swiped it from her, shoving it back in his pocket. ¡°It¡¯s not new.¡± It was. He¡¯d had to special order it yesterday. The color was difficult to pinpoint. Tatianna reached the bottom of the staircase and preened, turning left to right. ¡°What do you think? Do I resemble one of the office pixies?¡± re¡¯s entire mien read tortured. ¡°I have seen the office pixies, and they do not look like that at all,¡± re said. ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Trystan uttered. ¡°Tatianna is much taller.¡± Tatianna stared at him, and Trystan felt a twinge of self-consciousness. ¡°Tryst.¡± There was a patronizing air as she patted his shoulder. ¡°That was actually funny.¡± ¡°Compliments are usually negated when you add the word ¡®actually,¡¯¡± he grumbled, shouldering off her hand and turning away with a huff and roll of his eyes. Internally, he was quietly growling in frustration that his sense of humor had cropped up when Sage wasn¡¯t there. Would it have made herugh? Would she have teased him? Would he ever pick himself off the floor and muster what was left of his godsforsaken pride? Severed heads. Murder. Rage. Revenge¡ª ¡°There you are, Evie!¡± re called, and Trystan stubbornly nted his feet on the polished wood floor, determined not to turn, determined not to care what creature Fowler had bestowed upon Sage. A unicorn, Trystan tentatively hoped. There was nothing remotely sexual about a unicorn. Surely his depravity didn¡¯t extend to being attracted to someone with a horn stuck in the middle of her forehead. Hardly as alluring as Trystan, who had two rising from the sides of his head. ¡°Sage, hurry up and let¡¯s get this over with.¡± Trystan checked his wrist, and Kingsley leaped to his shoulder, wearing a tiny court jester hat atop his crown. The bells jingling in Trystan¡¯s ears were akin to nails scratching against concrete. The traitorous frog held up two signs. No Timepiece ? Never mind, the question mark made three. ¡°You¡¯re not helpful,¡± he growled, keeping his head pointed toward the room where guests were amassed, the buzz of social enjoyment making his brows draw together in contempt. There was a light clicking sound against the stairs as Sage descended, and Trystan had an internal war within a matter of seconds. If you look at her now, it will be quick, like ripping off a bandage¡­or a fingernail. But the longer he waited, the longer he was disying that he was in control of himself and the miniscule amount of emotion he carried. Oh, this is ludicrous. She¡¯s one person! He was a living legend of evil. A living legend of evil who locked eyes on her and felt a brick thrown into his skull. Metaphorically speaking, of course, but the pain level seemed an aptparison. He had the authority to say so¡ªhe had been hit by a brick before, and it did fucking hurt. But this, incredibly enough, hurt more. Her hair was loose, cascading down until it brushed the tops of her hips, her warm, dark tresses catching the candlelight. The pearls and shells pinned throughout the mass of raven-colored locks gleamed. They sparkled. But her hair wasn¡¯t even the whole of it; the gown she wore clung to every curve, a clear mesh revealingrge patches of soft skin. The skirt looked like it had been sewn together with bits of fishing¡ªhardly enough to cover the fronts of her thighs and certainly not enough to cover the sides of them. Theting climbed, ending at the wide part of her hips. His hand itched at his side, and he pped it against his leg as if it had fallen asleep. But nothing in his body was asleep at this moment. She pulled her thick locks behind her shoulders, revealing that the skirt was attached to a small scrap of fabric in the middle of her stomach. He followed the line of fabric up and up until it stopped, covering her breasts. Trystan was suddenly grateful that he was having such a violent reaction to her; if he didn¡¯t, it would surely mean he had fallen over dead. Years of practice at hiding his emotions was the only thing keeping his lips from falling open farther than a brief parting before he pressed them back together. But he had a strange feeling Sage saw it, that she watched his mouth and found something telling. ¡°Are you a mermaid?¡± re guessed, adjusting the ivy leaves around her skirt. ¡°A siren.¡± The voice that cut in sounded so foreign to his ear, lower and hoarser than his usual unemotional deliveries. It took Trystan three heartbeats before he realized that the voice was his. Sage stared at him. Her eyelids were painted a glittering gold color. Though he supposed the gold could be considered more of a bronze? What in the deands was the difference? Trystan only knew that he was morbidly appreciating glitter and that he had to stop immediately. Sage quirked a brow, stepping forward, flicking one of his horns in a yful gesture. Not knowing how close Trystan was to dragging her into the nearest closet and tearing theting away from her body. It didn¡¯t look very sturdy. One hard tug and it would probably fall clean off. Dear gods, man. Stop it. A distant, raucousugh reminded him that the lot of them were about to be in a room with all of Fowler¡¯s closest acquaintances, and if the lord rubbed elbows with Trystan so readily, he could only imagine the other people Fowler keptpany with. He was no longer eager to enter the room and ce Sage, Tatianna, and re in a space so wrought with dishonorable presences. His met their quota. If even one person made a wrong move toward any one of these three women, Trystan would¡­ No. They likely frowned upon violent murder before dinner was served. Could Trystan hold out for dessert? No. He was asking the wrong questions. Could he hold out until appetizers? Sage flicked the horn again, snapping him back to the present, where she was looking him up and down with a mock pout. ¡°Aw. They didn¡¯t give you a costume?¡± She admired the horns like they were of her own doing¡ª Oh, that little¡ª ¡°You did this, didn¡¯t you?¡± Anger cast a dark enough shadow over his attraction to her for him to be sufficiently incensed. She bestowed her usual wide-eyed innocence upon him. ¡°I merely reminded Lord Fowler not to forget your horns.¡± You drew me? he¡¯d asked when they searched her father¡¯s house a few weeks prior. When they were in her old bedroom and he¡¯d found the sketch she¡¯d attempted of him. Yes. She¡¯d been irritated that he¡¯d found it. But I forgot to add the horns. Dear gods, she must have been stewing on this for weeks. Waiting for the right moment to exact her revenge for teasing her. Trystan was impressed¡­and minutely terrified. But only minutely. He wondered if it would make it better or worse if he told her he¡¯d stolen the sketch and had been carrying it in his pocket every day since. Including right now. Worse. Folding his arms, he red down at her. ¡°You¡¯re evil.¡± She smirked, her eyes shining with vindication. Her words were smooth like the silk of his shirt brushing against his skin when she said, ¡°Now you¡¯re getting it.¡± Tatianna hummed to herself. ¡°Let¡¯s take this spat into the party. I¡¯m sure Lord Fowler would hate missing you two at each other¡¯s throats, and the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we get the wand.¡± Kingsley held up a sign. Pocket. Trystan swept him up, jaw clenched as he tossed the ingrate into his cloak pocket. ¡°He wants to reside in someone¡¯s pocket for the duration of the party,¡± he exined, feigning a cough so Sage wouldn¡¯t notice the wild movement as Kingsley fumbled with the paper drawing, trying to pull it out. Sage folded her hands in front of her, the way she did during their morning debriefs. A ridiculous stance to see her in when she was dressed like a sea descendant, eager to drown him. ¡°Oh.¡± She frowned, turning to reveal a wide expanse of her back, searching. ¡°I don¡¯t think I have any pockets for him.¡± Kingsley seemed to almost be smirking at him. ¡°Do you see any, sir?¡± Sage twisted and stumbled, trying to see for herself. ¡°Maybe on the back?¡± ¡°No. There aren¡¯t,¡± he said, quick and firm, uncaring. A thousand pockets could¡¯veid on the back of that dress and Trystan would have no clue. He saw the curves and his vital organs began to shut down. ¡°My friends, my friends! Come!¡± Lord Fowler stood just outside the room where the guests were gathered, dressed as a king of the realm. Arge, ostentatious crown sat atop his head, his fur robeing untied as he opened his arms to wee them. Tatianna entered first, gliding through the room and smoothly slipping a ss of sparkling liquid from a serving tray. re tracked in after her, warning daggers aimed at Fowler. Fowler took a gant, sweeping bow, gesturing for them both to enter. ¡°Come now, Viin! A dinner party for the ages. I think you¡¯re due for some fun.¡± Trystan crossed his arms, replying coolly, ¡°I tortured a man a few days ago. That was fun.¡± Sage¡¯s hand flew over her mouth, and her eyes were wide. They glistened, as if filling with tears. She shook her head and pushed past both men into the throng of costumed guests. He realized his error toote. Trystan had just made a jest of the man who had broken into the manor and hurt her. A man who¡¯d been the son of another man who had hurt her, forcing all of her pain back to the forefront. It was perfect, actually, Trystan tried to tell himself; he hadn¡¯t even needed to try to push her away. He was skilled at it all on his own. But keeping away from her in turn¡ªTrystan found that considerably more difficult. Which was hisst scathing thought before he tore after her. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 44 Evie Evie could feel Trystan following her, but she couldn¡¯t stop. She kept her hand mped over her mouth as she cut past staring people, moving to the back of the room covertly before a hand came around her arm. ¡°Come, apprentice,¡± Trystan said ndly. ¡°I have business to discuss.¡± He tugged her into an alcove in the corner of the room. She didn¡¯t protest, just yelped a bit and allowed him to lead her away. Once they were away from prying eyes, he continued. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have brought up Warsen¡¯s son. I didn¡¯t mean to remind you of it. I apologize and¡ª For gods¡¯ sake, Sage, are youughing under there?¡± Evie¡¯s hand fell from her mouth, and she gasped out a loud belt ofughter that she¡¯d tried to hold back for thest several moments. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She gasped, wiping a tear falling down her cheek. ¡°Sage.¡± He paused, brows lifted. ¡°Are youughing because I mentioned torture?¡± Her hands gripped her cheeks, and she winced. ¡°That¡¯s bad, isn¡¯t it?¡± He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°It¡¯s certainly not good.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯tughing at the torture itself, per se. It was just such a quick rejoinder, and then I thought to myself, Don¡¯tugh at torture, Evie! That¡¯s not funny! But then when I told myself it wasn¡¯t funny, well, then it did be a little funny and¡ª Stop looking at me like that. I¡¯ve seen you crack a sick little grin while having your heads hung up.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because I have a hankering for home decor.¡± She let out another strangledugh and pped him on the chest. ¡°Stop making meugh and making it impossible not to enjoy your ridiculous costume! If you want to push me away, you¡¯re not allowed to be funny!¡± His dark eyes went cold. ¡°Want to push you away?¡± A thrill went through her at the break in hisposure, but it wasn¡¯t a constion. Her n to topple his defenses until he cracked and told her the truth was starting to seem a little less viinous and a lot more¡­pathetic. Despite that one bit of headway, it was time to give it a rest, at least for the night. She bolstered her confidence and straightened her spine. ¡°Let¡¯s let it go. All right? I shouldn¡¯t have said anything.¡± She pressed a finger to his lips when he began to speak. ¡°There¡¯s no getting out of here until Fowler¡¯s gotten his kicks, so let¡¯s y the game, keep our eyes peeled for the wand, and maybe even enjoy ourselves a little.¡± Trystan grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s a dinner party, Sage. Nothing to enjoy about it.¡± She shrugged off the sting, straightening her outfit and pulling out the coin-sized pot of rouge she¡¯d slipped in between her breasts. Opening the lid carefully, she dabbed a finger in it and rubbed more color to her bottom lip, pressing them together to disperse the rouge evenly. ¡°Well then, you find a potted nt to re at, and I will go and enjoy myself.¡± She tapped the lid back onto the cannister and jumped when she saw the look on his face. It appeared as if his entire body had gone into some sort of stasis, angled away from her. ¡°What happened?¡± He was so still it was¡­ She gasped. ¡°Did you get hit with another tranquilizer dart thing? Can you feel anything?¡± she asked, gripping his arm with wide eyes. His voice was strangled. ¡°Unfortunately.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± He growled, ¡°Go back to the party and stay out of trouble. And while you¡¯re at it, take Kingsley with you.¡± His hand went into the pocket where he¡¯d ced Kingsley, then stilled, horror dawning on his face. ¡°He¡¯s not here.¡± Evie scanned the floor, trying not to panic. ¡°Oh, dear. Where do you think he¡¯s gone off to?¡± Trystan tore through the alcove, scanning the floors, looking up at the rafters with a feral sort of energy that she found intriguing. Disturbing. You should find it disturbing. Ah, she thought. But sadly, I don¡¯t. ¡°The fool¡¯s wandered off in a house he doesn¡¯t recognize filled with low-rate criminals.¡± ¡°Oh, sir, that¡¯s unkind. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re low-rate,¡± she soothed. He narrowed his eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean me.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She sped her hands behind her back, shaking her head quickly. ¡°Me either.¡± Her worry was best hidden beneath a veil of ill-disguised humor, but even that was beginning to fade as every bad thing that could happen to the frog poked and prodded at her mind. ¡°Is that a frog print?¡± Trystan asked, bending at the knee to look. They followed the trail of spilled nt soil in the corner, finding that the dirtied webbed feet marks led back into the gathering room. ¡°Come, Sage,¡± he said, and she struggled to keep up. They stopped in the near center of the space, subtly looking to either side of them for a sh of green. ¡°He easily could¡¯ve been scooped up by one of these reprobates looking to sell a magic frog on the ck market.¡± Evie frowned, looking around. Everyone wasughing¡ªno darting eyes or nervous smiles. She couldn¡¯t see a tell among them, and despite her efforts, she was inclined to lean into the good side of human nature. ¡°Are you certain it was that and not him having another¡­nk episode?¡± Trystan¡¯s gaze was shrewd on her, eyes sharp and angry. ¡°If he did, that only means the danger to him is greater. He¡¯ll have no cognizance to find us if he needs help.¡± Trystan continued through the crowd, pushing people out of the way as he moved, Evie trailing after. Arge man mmed into her from behind, and she felt a sharp tug on her left pinkie. ¡°Ow!¡± She shoved the man off, and he nearly dislocated her finger with how hard he¡¯d tugged. ¡°Hey!¡± She ripped her hand away and looked down at her red and throbbing digit. Therge man looked confused, his shiny spiked hair standing on end. Tattoos covered his face and neck, and there were spikes all over his clothing. They even decorated the tips of his boots. Trystan had heard her cry out, and he spun in a flurry, his red cape flying behind him as he worked his way back to her. Really, bulldozed his way back to her would be more urate. Evie held up her red pinkie. ¡°Were you trying to steal my ring?¡± she asked bluntly. Therge man scratched his head, looking at Evie a little like one would look at a bug that had begun speaking in full sentences. ¡°Uh, I¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s attached to my finger, you ninny.¡± She waved it back and forth. ¡°It¡¯s a tattoo!¡± Though when Evie looked down at the gold-leafed design circling her finger, she realized that it did in fact shine a bit brighter in the candlelight. ¡°Huh. It does kind of seem like a ring.¡± When she looked up, therge man had snapped from his frozen state and was nodding sinctly. ¡°Indeed, mydy.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Well, it¡¯s attached to me, I¡¯m afraid. If you want it, you must cut off my finger.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Trystan boomed, his presence as dark as his magic, hovering at the edge of the interaction, not interfering until Evie identally offered up one of her extremities for amputation. Now he stepped between her and the spike-covered man. ¡°Touch a single finger on her hand, and I¡¯ll remove yours one by one and shove them up your nose,¡± he said roughly. Evie frowned, peeking around Trystan¡¯s shoulder to peer up at his face. ¡°Ew.¡± Sheid a hand on his arm for leverage so she could lean fully around his body to speak to the would-be thief. ¡°Sorry. He gets grumpy in most social interactions. It¡¯s not personal.¡± Therge man stared nkly at her, and Trystan angled his head down to give her an incredulous look. ¡°The deands it isn¡¯t.¡± She ignored him, smiling and pointing at the man¡¯s head. ¡°I like your spikes. They look, uh¡­sharp.¡± She winced at thepliment that came out far too close to a pun. But the man turned pink and brought a hand up to his head almost self-consciously, pausing for a moment. ¡°I like it when I can get them to look like weapons.¡± Evie stepped fully in front of Trystan now, ignoring his bite of protest. ¡°Effort well spent, sir. You could kill a man with that hair!¡± She pped and sank into a deep curtsy like she was meeting royalty. ¡°I¡¯m honored you¡¯d tried to steal from me.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t be, little tornado,¡± Trystan hissed behind her, ¡°when I gut him.¡± She subtly elbowed him, satisfied when she heard him let out an oof. The man was deeply bowing now, in a disy of rather polite manners for a thief. ¡°The honor was mine, mydy.¡± ¡°Evie Sage.¡± She twirled a lock of hair, batting her eyshes at the man. ¡°The Wicked Woman!¡± He let out a boomingugh and put a hand to his chest. ¡°Dax Devourox! A true honor! I¡¯m a huge fan!¡± Dax pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and held it up to reveal Evie¡¯s wanted flyer, this one even more exaggerated than thest. Her curls wererger, and her eyes were lined and at an angle of malevolent glee, though it cut off right at a generous line of cleavage that the artist had certainly taken creative liberties with. On reflex, she nced down at her chest. ¡°Huh.¡± Dax was looking, too, tantly and with an appreciation Evie wasn¡¯t used to when aimed at her small chest. Trystan¡¯s magic, on the other hand, didn¡¯t seem to appreciate that appreciation in the slightest. The dark mist swept out in a wave, knocking Dax so far that he mmed into the wall on the other side of the room. Violence must have been amon urrence at Lord Fowler¡¯s parties, however, as hardly two people looked up from their conversations at the noise. The wanted flyer had flown out of Dax¡¯s hand and was now drifting slowly toward the ground. Trystan caught it and handed it to her without so much as a nce. ¡°Here.¡± Dax climbed to his feet, seemingly unfazed as he gave her another bow, grabbed a ss of wine, and motioned a cheers in her direction before chugging it and jumping into a game of cards beginning at the tables by therge windows. Evie looked down at the portrayal of her with a self-deprecatingugh. ¡°I look beautiful, but I fear my breasts are not so ample.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with your breasts.¡± Hm. Interesting. ¡°They¡¯re too small,¡± she argued airily. ¡°No, they¡¯re the perfect size.¡± His response was quick and without thought. Which became increasingly obvious when he froze, his magic bouncing around him, looking a little like it wasughing at its master. She tapped her chin, feeling less pathetic than moments earlier and far more viinous. ¡°Shall we get a second opinion? Oh, Dax!¡± Trystan¡¯s hand closed over her mouth, and his other arm tugged her front to his, his eyes smoldering into hers. She didn¡¯t feel likeughing anymore. ¡°It¡¯s not an opinion,¡± was all he said before releasing her so quickly she stumbled a little. Tatianna caught her by the elbow with an arch expression that left Evie¡¯s cheeks pink and her wits scattered in the wind. ¡°Were you two just discussing your breasts?¡± re coughed out little drops of liquid from the drink she¡¯d been sipping as she approached. ¡°Whose breasts?¡± ¡°No more talk of breasts!¡± Trystan yelled. This seemed to be a lessmon urrence among the eclectic guests, as everyone in the room spun toward Trystan, breaking out in hushed whispers as they realized who the guest dressed as a demon was. In Fowler¡¯s home and among his friends, there was likely no worry of anyone batting an eye at the fact that ¡°The Viin¡± was in attendance¡ªbut still. Evie refused to take that chance. And she was his apprentice, after all. This was part and parcel of the job. Without a second thought, she leaped on the table in the center of the room. ¡°Attention, everyone! Attention!¡± All the eyes on Trystan turned to her, and the rest of her friends watched in horror as Evie made a proposal. ¡°Before dinner, Lord Fowler has been so kind as to allow me to organize a game for you all!¡± A rumble of agreement sounded about the room. ¡°Sage,¡± Trystan whispered angrily. ¡°What the fuck are you doing? Get down from there!¡± He reached for her ankle, and she stepped on his fingers with the heel of her iridescent shoe. ¡°Fowler!¡± Trystan called. ¡°I thought you said dinner was tomence in ten minutes. Hardly enough time for a proper game.¡± Lord Fowler was to be no ally to The Viin in this case. The lord folded his arms and leaned back against the door in a careless, aristocratic way that made Evie smile a little. ¡°Oh, I think dinner will wait on us!¡± Fowler grinned and waved a hand for Evie to continue. ¡°Do go on, my dear.¡± She couldn¡¯t hear what Trystan was mumbling under his breath, but it sounded a little like ¡°this ce¡± and the word ¡°kindling.¡± ¡°I have set loose our pet frog in Lord Fowler¡¯s treehouse! He wears a court jester hat atop a tiny gold crown. The first to find and return him to me will win a very grand prize!¡± She racked her brain for something good, but nothing came to mind. ¡°What¡¯s the prize?¡± Dax asked inconveniently. A few of his buddies were already peeking around the floor for a spot of green. ¡°Uh. Lord Fowler?¡± Evie asked, searching for help, but Fowler, damn him, was against her, too, it seemed. ¡°Now, my dear, I will not steal your thunder! Proim the prize loudly!¡± Fowler waved his hands with a dancer¡¯s flourish. Evie looked about the room, then at Trystan¡¯s face as he stared at her with fury¡ªand perhaps a small twinge of respect at her resourcefulness? Or it could¡¯ve been a trick of candlelight or her wildly inappropriate imagination. She tightened her fist and looked down at the wanted flyer crumpled in her hand. It was either that, the roaring in her ears, or perhaps some sort of spiritual possession that had her holding up the flyer and calling for every reprobate in the room to hear. ¡°First to return the frog happy and unharmed to me and mypanions will get a night¡ª¡± She paused, swallowing around her tongue, which suddenly felt too big for her mouth, the silence so loud and piercing it nearly made her sick. ¡°A night with The Wicked Woman!¡± she finished. And everyone in the room scattered. All except one. All except The Viin. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 45 de Meanwhile, back at the manor¡­ Something was wrong with the male guvre¡ªaside from the obvious. The thing had looked ready to y de alive when he¡¯d arrived with a peace offering: a giant b of meat. He could hardly me the animal. de wasn¡¯t certain how he would respond if the woman he loved¡ªand his unborn child¡ªwere ripped away by someone who sought to misuse them. He¡¯d tried calming the guvre with soothing words, with more meat, and had even resorted to dancing in ce as a distraction. It only seemed to anger the animal. But then again, de¡¯s dancing usually had that effect. Now, the dragon trainer dragged his dirty, tattered body past the front gate of the manor out to the thorny grove where Rnd was working diligently alongside Rebecka on fortifying the thorns against outsiders. He wasn¡¯t certain how one went about fortifying thorns, but it looked impressive as they dumped glistening dust over patches of sharp branches in all directions. ¡°Lovely Rebecka.¡± de nodded. ¡°Rnd.¡± Rebecka¡¯s brother looked up from his task with a dash of disdain. The two were most definitely rted. Rebecka didn¡¯t greet him that way in tandem, though; instead, she avoided eye contact and muttered a distracted, ¡°Hello, Mr. Gushiken.¡± She was focused, that was all, but she¡¯d never addressed him so unfeelingly. He usually had her anger if nothing else. Was he not even worth that anymore? His father¡¯s words echoed in his head, as they always did in moments of doubt. Begone, you little nuisance! And get that filthy bug out of my face. Cease distracting me, den. I have important work to do. de¡¯s smile faltered¡ªhe could feel it slipping, and Rnd saw, even seemed to take pity on him. de reviled pity. ¡°How is the guvre, de?¡± Rnd asked, eyes flickering up to Marv at his post. The guard¡¯s wild hair was clearly visible from the ground. ¡°Crabby.¡± de paused, side-eyeing Ms. Erring. ¡°Any tips on that, Rebecka? I know you have much experience with that emotion.¡± She dropped the bup sack filled with glitter and whirled around with a pointed look and a narrowed gaze, about to skewer him with one sentence. de held his breath, an abnormal amount of excitement coursing through him at the prospect. But she didn¡¯t say anything, just closed her mouth and turned away. ¡°Tell him to try organizing by color¡ªthat always lifts my spirits,¡± she said without any of her usual bite. Had she tired of him? Or¡­ de turned an usatory re on Rnd. ¡°How are you getting on out here? Sibling bonding going well?¡± If he¡¯s upset her, I¡¯ll hit him with a rock. Rnd adjusted his sses, smiling. ¡°That is something Bex and I have never struggled with.¡± Becky smiled, too, and de felt like his stomach was bottoming out to his toes. It was pleasant and unpleasant all at once, making his chest so tight that he coughed into his hand. He¡¯d been doing that a lottely. ¡°Well, good.¡± de leaned back on his heels. ¡°What is it that you¡¯re sprinkling the thorns with?¡± Becky walked toward him, holding up the bag and looking him in the eye for the first time in days. de felt sick. Which was his usual response to eye contact, but this was different. It felt different. ¡°Take a look. See if you can tell. But do not inhale!¡± de quirked a grin and leaned down to view the powder. It looked familiar, but he couldn¡¯t ce it. ¡°I take it inhaling it is bad?¡± Becky pulled the bag away and brought it back toward the grove. ¡°It¡¯s derived from Forina flowers. They can be toxic if consumed, but they¡¯re mostly used as a dye.¡± ¡°And dumping them on the thorns helps¡­how?¡± de asked, feeling out of his depth and more than a little behind. Becky dumped a bit into her hand, then put the bag down. He watched as her smooth light-brown skin deepened to a red tinge. ¡°If the powder touches your skin, it turns your hands red.¡± She held up her palm to show him. ¡°Rnd has arranged the magic in the grove to shift the open paths to get through every day. Only the boss will know how to get in and out without touching them. And he¡¯s added it to the hidden opening we found earlier. Where the traitors have likely been meeting.¡± de¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So, if anyone in the office attempts to get in without the boss¡¯s instruction¡­¡± Becky smiled, and the sight of it was so dazzling, he nearly asked her to freeze in ce so he could hire a portrait artist. It wouldn¡¯t be inappropriate, he hoped, to ask her to remain still for several hours with that expression stuck on her face. ¡°They¡¯ll be caught red-handed.¡± de coughed again, the feeling constricting his chest and making his eyes water as he doubled over. Rebecka leaned above him, her hand on his back. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡± de clutched his abdomen. ¡°You have a sense of humor. My nervous system nearly gave out in shock,¡± he wheezed. He straightened in time for Becky to shove him and roll her eyes. ¡°You are the worst.¡± But when she made to remove her hand, de decided the risk to his life was worth it when he reached out to grab it. She froze but didn¡¯t pull away. de took a cloth from his pocket and attempted to wipe away the red. It had already stained her skin, but he could at least dab at the excess. And have a usible excuse to hold her hand. Rnd had discreetly moved to a far corner of the grove with the rest of the dust, leaving them alone. I take it all back. I¡¯ll hit him with a feather. ¡°It¡¯s not going toe off, at least n-not until I use spider root. It¡¯s the only thing that will remove it, and it only grows on Fortisnd,¡± she said. de might have imagined the breathless stutter in Rebecka¡¯s voice, but he wasn¡¯t imagining the breathless sound of his own. ¡°You¡¯re very wise.¡± He stopped dabbing and just held still for a moment, looking at her with a well of feeling he never allowed himself to dive into. It was best if de felt his emotions at surface level¡ªany deeper, and he grew too intense, too much. If he acknowledged his passion and desire and how deeply they ran, he¡¯d have to acknowledge his anger, too. It wasn¡¯t the time for that. ¡°You¡¯re still holding my hand, Mr. Gushiken.¡± Rebecka¡¯s lips tilted up, and it was almost better than her full-fledged smile. It was like a secret she was keeping, one she was allowing him to know. What a lucky bastard he was. ¡°Would you like me to let go?¡± de asked with a quirk of his brow. She could¡¯ve made a coy, flirtatious reply¡ªhe even thought she might have been attempting to think of one, with the way her entire face twisted up in contemtion¡ªbut instead, she seemed to settle a quiet argument with herself in the span of a few seconds. ¡°No. I don¡¯t want you to let go.¡± It was a simple, honest, direct reply, and de was so in love with the woman he was surprised he could still see straight. He entwined his fingers with hers and felt electricity travel up his arm at the contact, and he knew she felt it, too. They both gasped, and he was a taut thread seconds from snapping, shoving her against the wall, and pressing his lips to hers. But her brother was less than ten feet away, so that was likely not advisable. Matching her honesty felt appropriate, however, if he did it quietly. He leaned in and whispered, ¡°Have dinner with me.¡± Her brown eyes had little flecks of gold in them, and he was distracted by them as she squeezed his hand. ¡°Ask me. Don¡¯t order me.¡± de grinned, going down to his knees, and Rebecka looked so horrified heughed. ¡°Rebecka Eriania Erring Fortis, would you do me the great honor of having dinner with me? I promise I¡¯ll bathe the dragon smell off first.¡± Herugh could cure anything. de was convinced of it as soon as it left her lips. Rnd called from a distance, ¡°Rebecka, say yes or our grandmother will never forgive you.¡± de looked at her pointedly. ¡°We don¡¯t want to disappoint your grandmother.¡± Becky nodded, tugging him to his feet and shocking him by leaning up on her toes and cing a gentle kiss on his cheek. ¡°No, we can¡¯t have that, can we.¡± ¡°You have to put weights in my shoes,¡± de said absently. ¡°What?¡± Rebecka looked down, then back up at him. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to float away,¡± he said, touching the spot on his cheek her lips had brushed. She shoved him with anotherugh, which made the shove more than worth it. The moment was one of the most¡ªif not the most¡ªperfect moments of de¡¯s life. Until a familiar piercing scream shattered the spell. That cast a slight pall over it. The two separated to bring their hands up to their ears. de recognized it almost immediately. ¡°Gods, is that¡ª¡± Rnd ran to them, his face pinched and angry. ¡°Rebecka, let me exin before anything else is said.¡± Several Malevolent Guards stormed from the manor, Marv among them, holding a strange-looking nt: long-stemmed and¡­screaming. Rebecka gaped at it. ¡°Is that¡ª¡± She brought a hand to her lips. ¡°Is that the memory nt?¡± The memory nt that had absorbed Nura Sage¡¯s screams as she transformed into a star. The same nt that Rebecka¡¯s mother had intended to use to suck Becky¡¯s magic out from under her skin to give over to Benedict in exchange for a cure for the Mystic Illness. ¡°We found it in your brother¡¯s bedchamber, Ms. Erring,¡± Marv said, sounding apologetic as he delivered the news, and the other guards grabbed Rnd by both arms to restrain him. ¡°Bex, I swear it isn¡¯t what it appears!¡± Rnd yelled, thrashing so hard his sses fell from his face. de¡¯s heart clenched unpleasantly in his chest when Becky knelt to pick them up and put them back atop her older brother¡¯s nose. ¡°You told me I could trust you.¡± A tear ran down her cheek, and that alone was grounds for him to y the skin from her brother¡¯s bones. ¡°You came to take my magic from me?¡± Rnd shook his head. ¡°No, Rebecka, you don¡¯t understand¡ªlet me exin. Please.¡± The guards began to drag him away, leaving the screaming nt behind, Becky just staring at it. ¡°Wait!¡± she called. The guards halted, and Rnd exhaled, relieved. She continued without looking at her brother. ¡°Make sure the cell is clean.¡± ¡°No, Rebecka!¡± Rnd yelled as the Malevolent Guards dragged her brother away. de had his arms around her before her knees could hit the ground. Her body shook with heaving sobs. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have trusted him,¡± she said, gripping de¡¯s shoulders like a lifeline. That feeling in his chest returned, and this time, it didn¡¯t go away. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 46 Evie Evie wasn¡¯t certain if she should be ttered or mortified at the speed with which the party guests filtered out of the room. At the prospect of a night alone with The Wicked Woman. A night alone with her. Her boss, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t moved an inch. Just stared at her so expressionlessly that a bystander could¡¯ve mistaken him for a statue. In her peripherals, she could see Tatianna dragging re from the room, muttering something about finding Kingsley before Trystan lost what was left of his sanity. ¡°Sir?¡± Evie asked, feeling ridiculous, still standing atop the table. He said nothing, just walked toward her, cing his hands on either side of her hips, making her exhale as he slowly lowered her to the floor. He kept his hands there even after her feet touched the ground, but he wasn¡¯t looking at her. It was unsettling, and not in the enjoyable way. ¡°Sir? Won¡¯t you say something?¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking,¡± he rumbled, still not looking at her. ¡°Oh. That¡¯s good. Thinking is good.¡± She nodded, and the movement shifted her body enough for her boss to realize his hands were still on her. He released her with a rather offensive repulsed sound as he nted a hand on his hip and another to lean against the table away from her. ¡°No, it¡¯s not. I¡¯m having difficulty doing it,¡± he sighed. She scrunched her nose and mustered every ounce of sympathy she could scrounge up. ¡°Is it because of the horns?¡± He turned so fast she stumbled backward. His eyes were wild and unmoored, and Evie realized her error far toote. The man was far past humor¡ªhe¡¯d ventured into double-forehead-vein territory. She¡¯d only seen that one other time, and it was on intern orientation day. She thought it was funny then. It did not seem funny now. ¡°No, you harbinger of chaos, it¡¯s you!¡± He ripped both horns from his head and dropped them to the ground. Evie was tempted to tell him that his hair was now sticking up in two very specific spots, but she didn¡¯t think this was a pretty-enough room to die in. ¡°What are you going to do if one of the guests finds Kingsley? What are you going to do when theye to collect on their prize?¡± Thest word came out sarcastically. She felt insulted. And Evie never made good choices when she felt insulted. She poked a finger into his chest and red. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know a night with me would be a prize. I am an absolute delight in the bedchamber, thank you! I¡¯m attentive and fun, damn it!¡± Don¡¯t brag about your sexual prowess to your boss, Evie! Even if that look on his face is the funniest thing you¡¯ve ever seen in your life! There was no way he would ever be able to replicate the expression. It was the kind you only made under one specific circumstance and then never again. His eyes were wide, his mouth open, but in a half-curved way that was most definitely not a smile but was too crooked to be a frown. He ran a hand through his hair, making the rest of it stand on end along with the two sides left sticking up from the horns. He looked a little like he¡¯d just been shocked by some form of electricity. A horrific shock that went by the name of Evie Sage. ¡°Is this how it¡¯s to be done?¡± he said to no one in particr. He wasn¡¯t looking at her. ¡°Is this my downfall?¡± His face was no longer in that funny expression, but it was incredulous. That much, Evie could identify. ¡°Death by sexual frustration?¡± ¡°I make you sexually¡­frustrated?¡± ¡°No,¡± he said resolutely, and she felt her heart drop. Oh, it was just the normal physical reactions all human beings had when speaking of intimate rtions. She only wanted to crawl in a deep, dark hole in the ground a very little bit. Okay, she wanted to be buried in one, but there was only so much embarrassment the human body could manage before it internallybusted. ¡°Oh. Well¡­if someone finds Kingsley, let¡¯s hope it¡¯s my new friend Dax. I¡¯m sure we¡¯d share a pleasurable evening together.¡± She was joking, trying to lighten the mood, but ironically she felt like a storm cloud had descended over Trystan¡¯s head. She tried again. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, you know?¡± She gently punched his arm in camaraderie. She only made it worse. He breathed out slowly, closing his eyes for a moment, before opening them to an rmingly nk expression as he stormed to the door, flipping random chairs as he moved, mumbling expletives under his breath with each step. Ones Evie had never even heard before. ¡°Sir? Where are you going?¡± ¡°To find the fucking frog before one of those louts does.¡± ¡°O-Oh,¡± Evie sputtered after him, following him into the hall and then grabbing his arm as the gray mist spilled out of him inrge waves of darkness, rolling through every corner of the mansion. ¡°Sir? Are you losing control again?¡± she asked, watching it travel up the stairs, peeking into every room it could. He turned and smiled, looking for the first time, to her, truly like a viin. And it was¡­well, it was quite honestly very attractive, but she didn¡¯t want to say that aloud while waves of death magic were swirling around so menacingly. A wild light in his eyes had him turning on his heel and stalking down the halls. ¡°This way. I can sense the little bugger this way.¡± The corridor was barely lit as Evie followed him, about to ask if he wanted her to light a candle. Knowing how fearful he was of the dark. But he didn¡¯t pause, didn¡¯t falter, just continued as if they were walking through Hickory Forest on the sunniest of days. She didn¡¯t feel inclined to remind him of the darkness if he seemed determined to forget it was even there. ¡°When he¡¯s found, you¡¯re not going to hurt anyone¡­are you?¡± she asked, more curious than concerned. ¡°That depends,¡± he said, turning down another corridor with long strides that Evie struggled to keep up with. ¡°On what?¡± she asked, huffing and puffing with each step. ¡°On who finds him.¡± Trystan rounded another corner, and Evie was nearly running now to keep up. She bent at the hips and ced her hands on her knees, rasping out, ¡°Can you please have mercy on the parties with much shorter legs than yours?¡± She took a fortifying breath and then yelped in outrage as she was thrown over Trystan¡¯s shoulder and dragged down the hall, his magic dancing along behind them. ¡°Oh, you think this is funny?¡± she grumbled, flicking the dark mist as it came closer to her, and Trystan gripped her legs tighter. ¡°Stop squirming.¡± ¡°You¡¯re carrying me like I¡¯m a sack of potatoes.¡± ¡°Everyone likes potatoes,¡± he responded tly as he turned down another hall and they entered a very dark library lit only by moonlight pouring through the balcony doors and open windows. ¡°To eat! Not to be transported as!¡± She beat against his back, resenting the red cape he still wore for obstructing her view of his perfect backside. Unlucky me. ¡°Put me down!¡± she yelled, continuing to il, and finally he did drop her on her toes, a light glinting in his eyes. A cool breeze from the open windows tickled her bare arms. A decision passed over him as he snapped to action, untying the red cloak from around his chest and draping it over her shoulders. Not looking at her as he tied the knot, he nodded in satisfaction when the goose bumps forming from the bite of wind were covered. And then he was back on his tear, like the moment had never urred. ¡°Here!¡± He stormed toward the balcony doors, mming them open and edging to the side where one of the tree¡¯s branches jutted so far over the edge, it waspletely out of reach. ¡°Prophecy be damned, I¡¯m making frog soup tonight,¡± he growled. And that¡¯s when Evie finally spied Kingsley. Sitting atop the branch, inches from falling. To his death. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 47 Evie ¡°No!¡± Trystan yelled, nearly scrambling over the side. ¡°If you get on the branch, it will snap!¡± she yelled back. ¡°It¡¯s far too thin, and you¡¯re far too tall. I¡¯ll do it!¡± She looked at his legs and lingered a bit longer than necessary, but in her defense, there weren¡¯t many excuses to stare at his legs and the pleasant way they filled out his trousers. There had been far too much talk of sexual exploits tonight for her to not imagine those legs¡ªand the rest of him¡ªhovering over her in a dark room with a soft bed. Stop imagining the boss naked, Evie! And rescue Kingsley! Thergest trees she¡¯d ever seen had always existed in Hickory Forest, but the ones holding up the house were far taller than what she¡¯d thought possible, the distance to the ground too high for her to measure. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous. I won¡¯t allow it,¡± Trystan insisted. Well, if that hadn¡¯t already settled her decision, hisck of ¡°permission¡± would certainly have done the trick. ¡°What¡¯s that!¡± she yelped, pointing to the other side of the balcony. It likely shouldn¡¯t have worked on the evilest man in the kingdom, but it did. She tried not tough at his confused mien as he whirled in the direction she¡¯d angled her finger¡ªaway from the branch. The very same one she was about to leap onto. In a dress. Don¡¯t look down, she ordered herself. ¡°Sage, NO¡ª¡± She jumped, soaring through the air, free-falling for a second before both arms took furious hold of the branch. Her screaming would likely not speak well to her decision, but she¡¯d already made the jump. It seemed far toote for regrets. ¡°I¡¯m going to wring your neck, you reckless little fool!¡± Evie rolled her eyes, using a leg to swing herself up and atop the branch, bidding herself again to not look down. She¡¯d pretend she was mere inches from the ground, that this was the smallest tree in history and one little slip would simply have hernding on a soft patch of grass. ¡°Sir, speaking to Kingsley that way isn¡¯t going to get him toe down.¡± ¡°I was referring to the other reckless fool.¡± She wasn¡¯t facing him, but she could practically hear his teeth grinding together. Oh, that ass. She nced behind her, jeering. ¡°You¡¯re not on the branch.¡± Hisrge hand shot out to grab her, and she yelped, scooting farther up the bark toward Kingsley, sweat beading at her brow when she felt it begin to dip under her weight. The wind kicked up, the branch swaying at the force of the gust, and Evie held tight, swallowing a scream as the edges dug sharp splinters into her fingertips. ¡°Sage! Hold on!¡± ¡°You are an endless well of useful advice,¡± she yelled over the sounds of the wind, hoping her sarcasm came through properly over the noise. Suddenly, the branch stilled and the wind stopped mming through her, as if a wall had been thrown up to block it. Dark mist floated over her vision, and she realized Trystan¡¯s magic had formed a sort of barrier around her to keep her steady. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have done that from the beginning?¡± She marveled at the barrier, carefully running her finger down the mist, and her boss let out a strangled, animalistic sound. ¡°What happened?¡± she called in rm. ¡°Don¡¯t do that again,¡± he said roughly. But when she started to angle her head back to check on him, he yelled, ¡°And don¡¯t turn around. You¡¯ll¡­you¡¯ll lose your bnce.¡± Evie had an incredibly strong suspicion that was not the reason he didn¡¯t want her to turn, but she adhered, scooching forward more until Kingsley was within arm¡¯s reach. ¡°Come on, Kingsley. It¡¯s me. It¡¯s Evie. You remember me, don¡¯t you?¡± There was something not present in the gold of the frog¡¯s eyes, and her heart responded by pounding in fast, irregr beats. ¡°Can your magic get him?¡± Evie called, touching the mist to nudge it toward the amphibian. The boss made another strangled sound, and this time she did turn to look¡­and found him doubled over, rubbing a hand down his face. ¡°Is it hard?¡± Her heart clenched with sympathy, wincing at the pain he seemed to be in. His eyes widened, and the strangled sound came out again, although this time some harsh breathing seemed to be added. ¡°Is it¡ª¡± He shook his head, as if there was no way he had heard her correctly. She furrowed her brow and felt the need to rify. ¡°Is the output of magic making things hard?¡± He shook his head gravely, absently looking off into the distance. ¡°Not the magic, no.¡± He locked his jaw, refocusing his gaze on her. ¡°I¡¯m not controlling it at all. The magic is not obeying me.¡± She tilted her chin to the side, peering at the mist with a click of her tongue. ¡°Huh. Then why is it helping me?¡± ¡°I have no idea.¡± The wind came again, and the mist swirled around her waist, keeping her in ce, before it billowed up and patted her on the head like she was a child being sent to bed with a ss of warm milk. She giggled and waved at it. ¡°You are just adorable, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°That magic has killed people, Sage.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s hardly a measure of adorableness. I once saw you swing a cinder block into a Valiant Guard¡¯s skull, and I think the look on your face right now is sufficiently adorable.¡± She waved her fingers at him, and his lip curled in disgust. ¡°There is nothing adorable about me, you urchin. I am death.¡± The words wereced with anger, but Evie saw him subtly lean his head back, and she caught his expression in the reflection in the window. He didn¡¯t look angry in the slightest. She snorted, and he shook his head, running a hand through his now-windswept locks. ¡°Just grab the sted frog, Sage, and let¡¯s get out of here.¡± She straightened, the mist slowly lurching back and thinning as she scooted closer to Kingsley. ¡°I could use you for this next part!¡± she called. But it was like the mist could be felt only by her; when it slipped closer to Kingsley, it went right through him, unable to touch or move him at all. Strange. But there wasn¡¯t sufficient time to question it, because in seconds, everything shifted. The magic swept back to her boss with such force that it knocked him off his feet. ¡°Trystan!¡± Evie screamed as his head smacked hard into the stone, just as Kingsley leaped off the branch and back onto the balcony. She red at the frog, feeling more fury toward the little animal than she thought herself capable of. ¡°You motherfu¡ª¡± Snap. Crack. The branch was giving way below her, and Evie could do nothing but scream as she swung her leg around and climbed to her feet atop the branch. Then she was jumping¡­and the branch was falling. For a girl who was more than a little afraid of heights, Evie had found herself falling from things a disconcerting number of times. Once a day, more often than not, since she¡¯d been in The Viin¡¯s employ. And she¡¯d once had the gall toin about falling off her desk chair. But no matter the distance, most cases of falling all happened rather simrly. Her body would take a few milliseconds to realize that her feet were not immediately meeting solid ground, and then her heart would catch up and fall faster than she was, mming against her toes, knocking the breath from her lungs. It was only ever a few seconds before she was back on solid ground. She¡¯d yet to fall to her death, but she supposed statistics were going to catch up to her eventually with the rate with which she¡¯d experimented. Her fingers reached for the railing of the balcony as she fell, the tips stretching, stretching, stretching. And she just. Missed. It. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 48 Gideon The fire from the makeshift camp of Malevolent Guards was roaring to life with every toss of firewood. Keeley pushed another twig in with the tip of her boot and then tilted her head toward the knot of trees just on the outskirts of the small clearing, away from the rest of the guards who¡¯d joined Keeley on this mission¡ªthe best of the best, it appeared, only leaving newer recruits and a few stragglers behind after the raven from The Viin had arrived letting them know their mission was finally a go. Gideon flexed his hand on the hilt of the de he had strapped to his side, a grim feeling following him with every step, pressing into the dirt. He¡¯d been enjoying herpany so much he¡¯d nearly forgotten that his intention had been to disarm her and pry the truth from her lips. But that was proving to be far more difficult as the night passed by. The air was fresh and cooling, the dew already coating over the grass a pleasant reprieve from the heat of the daytime. He smelled lemons again and was beginning to believe that Keeley had shoved the rinds in her pockets just to drive him mad. When she spun toward him, his hand stayed on the hilt, pulling the sword out of its sheath inch by inch, but before he could pull it any farther, Keeley decided that she was going to strike him at the knees. By slowly, deliberately, and agonizingly taking down her hair as she spoke to him. The act itself was casual andfortable, gobsmacking him so thoroughly he nearly abandoned the mission he¡¯d set out to aplish. Prove Keeley guilty or innocent. Find what she was hiding. He couldn¡¯t reasonably do that with a rapidly closing windpipe. ¡°There¡¯s a Valiant Guard shift change at first light,¡± Keeley said, unwinding thest strand of her braid and letting a cascade of honey-blond locks fall well past her back. Gods, it must take a fortnight to wash all of that. Gideon had half a mind to offer to assist the next time she had to attempt such a feat, but then he recalled that she was likely a traitor to every person he was meant to be loyal to. It really put a damper on the fantasy. ¡°I¡¯m aware. I used to be one, remember?¡± Gideon said, releasing the hilt of the weapon and folding his arms over his chest. ¡°So what?¡± Keeley huffed, pulling a thickb from the bag at her waist, then dropped to the ground and began tugging roughly through the strands. Gideon¡¯s scalp ached just from watching. ¡°So that means we¡¯ll have an opening to take out the next group and rece them with one of ours for guarding the female guvre.¡± Gideon raised a skeptical brow. ¡°You don¡¯t think they¡¯ll be anticipating something like that?¡± Or maybe she knew that they would be. Maybe she was leading this group of The Viin¡¯s guards right into a trap. It was the only exnation for why she¡¯d been so willing to include him. He was at best a prisoner in The Viin¡¯s office and at worst a traitor to the women in his family. Both made him the scum of the earth, and the captain, from the moment she¡¯did eyes on him, had seen it. He could see the echo of disgust in her eyes. ¡°Maybe.¡± She sighed, shoulders dropping as sheid her arms across her knees. ¡°But I don¡¯t know what else to do.¡± She looked up at him with such sincerity, he didn¡¯t feel right standing above her. Lowering slowly until he was seated next to her, mimicking her position, he let out a whistle. ¡°Are you trying to ask me for help?¡± Gideon nudged his shoulder against hers and watched with twisted glee as she rolled her eyes, even as the dimples on her cheeks peeked through. ¡°No.¡± She paused and then sighed, pulling theb harder through her tangled strands. ¡°Fine. Yes. I don¡¯t want to fail at this. The boss has never entrusted us with a task this important. In all the years I¡¯ve worked for him, he¡¯s always left the most dangerous missions to him and him alone. Ensuring that he¡¯s in harm¡¯s way before we are.¡± There was such an honest vulnerability to the confession, he was enraptured. ¡°I don¡¯t want to let him down the one time he allows us to truly help him.¡± Keeley wasn¡¯t just loyal. She was full of such honor and devotion to The Viin that Gideon began to feel a stab of guilt that he¡¯d doubted her so quickly without investigating further. ¡°You rescued him when he was taken by the king. You and the rest of the women. You didn¡¯t let him down then.¡± She blinked like something was justing into focus for her. ¡°That¡¯s a good point.¡± ¡°As a rule, I have them only once in a blue moon. You¡¯re wee.¡± He grinned, folding both arms behind his head as heid against the ground to look up at the stars. ¡°I was hoping you¡¯d go in with me.¡± His neck muscles strained at the speed in which he twisted toward her. ¡°What do you mean? You mean into the pce tunnels?¡± Keeley nodded. ¡°There are only two guards on the dawn shift, because they don¡¯t expect anyone to attack at first light. We all studied the hideous map you made¡ª¡± ¡°¡®Hideous¡¯ is strong.¡± ¡°¡®Hideous¡¯ is kind,¡± she rebuked him with another roll of her eyes. ¡°The point, Captain? Before my ego never recovers.¡± He feigned pain to the gut. ¡°Like I was saying¡­we all studied the map, but I know it would be far wiser to take someone who knows those tunnels inside and out. I won¡¯t risk the others just for the sake of my pride.¡± She held out a hand, and he took it without thought. ¡°I want you toe with me, Gideon, because I trust you. Will you be my second in this?¡± The little witch knows. Gideon sputtered, releasing her hand, and sprang to his feet so fast he nearly knocked her over. ¡°Oh, enough! This is so obvious! Do you think me a fool? You know that I know!¡± She held a hand over her heart, her lip wobbling under the scrutiny, and Gideon seethed at the action. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, sir knight.¡± Gideon pulled her to her feet and dragged her farther into the forest. She was strong enough to break free, and despite his frustrations, he wasn¡¯t pulling very hard, but she followed willingly, confusing the deands out of him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± She yanked her arm away when they made it a few feet deeper into the wood, the firelight reced by the silvery moon reflecting off a nearby pond. ¡°You¡¯re going to look me in the eye and tell me honestly that you have no idea I suspect you as the traitor?¡± Gideon pulled out the proof he¡¯d been keeping in his pocket and threw it against the dirt. Keeley stared at it, a glisten shining at the rims of her eyes, before looking up at him. And then her entire facade crumbled. ¡°Oh, fine. I knew.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Gideon pointed and then immediately lost all steam. ¡°Oh. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d admit to it.¡± She picked up the letters, clutching them protectively to her chest in a manner that made Gideon feel like a unicorn¡¯s ass. Dirt crunched under her feet as she stared at him, gaze not wavering under his scrutiny. ¡°I¡¯m admitting that I knew you suspected me. Not that I¡¯m the traitor. Gods, you Valiant Guards get all your wits knocked out of your head when you go through your ridiculous training, I swear.¡± She huffed and showed him the letters. ¡°Read them.¡± He pulled at his cor with a sheepish wince. ¡°I, um¡­already did.¡± Her eyes shed as she pulled herb out once more and started attacking her tangles again. ¡°And what, pray tell, did you find that was so incriminating when you were snooping among my personal belongings, sir knight?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t snoop,¡± he argued. She speared him with a look that made his insides twist into ufortable foreign shapes. ¡°Well! You knew about Edwin being tied up! You weren¡¯t on the list of people privy. I couldn¡¯t leave it up to chance! And I didn¡¯t want to take it to The Viin until I had tangible proof.¡± He couldn¡¯t stand the attack she was waging against her hair any longer, even if she was the enemy. Her hair had been nothing but kind to him. He ripped herb away and tossed it into the nearby pond. ¡°Hey!¡± she yelled, shoving past him to get to the water, and he caught her by the wrist. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? I need that!¡± ¡°Let the poor object drown. It¡¯s tired of doing your dirty work.¡± He waited until she stopped iling before gently releasing her. ¡°Exin.¡± She whirled and huffed a humorlessugh before shoving past him to dig through the shallow water, attempting to recover the sted thing. ¡°What¡¯s there to exin? I knew about Edwin being tied up because he told me himself. I had the nerve to bring him an extra bandage for his head. And anyway, I shouldn¡¯t have to exin myself to you of all people. You found my correspondence from a king and drew your own conclusions.¡± ¡°I beg your pardon¡ªwhat other conclusions should I draw when you¡¯re working for The Viin and writing to the enemy?¡± Keeley stopped sshing through the water to look at him like he¡¯d grown a second set of ears. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Gideon tugged a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her, along with her packet of letters. ¡°Then exin this.¡± The letter read: One day I wille see you, my princess¡ªwhen it¡¯s safe, when the world is safe again, we will be together always. When Gideon found the letters taped under Keeley¡¯s desk, and when he saw who the correspondence was from¡­ ¡°Your boss had already departed with my sister when I put two and two together. I thought it would be kinder to all if I confronted you myself.¡± Gideon felt ages older than twenty and five years. His back ached, his knees hurt, and he felt nothing would hit the spot more than a prolonged nap. ¡°These letters are not from Benedict,¡± Keeley said absently, peering at the note as she held it up to the letters in her other hand. ¡°They¡¯re all signed The King,¡± Gideon argued, pointing to the pile of letters. Did she think him so naive that he wouldn¡¯t see what was right in front of him? Or perhaps she¡¯d guessed at his unwanted infatuation and sought to use it to her advantage? ¡°They¡¯re not from Benedict!¡± she snapped. ¡°Did you take even a moment to notice how none of these letters hold Benedict¡¯s actual signature? Or his wax seal? No? Of course not. But they don¡¯t, because they¡¯re not from Benedict at all.¡± Gideon scoffed. ¡°Then who of your acquaintance has the audacity to call himself ¡®Leader of All¡¯?¡± There was something haunted in Keeley¡¯s expression as she opened her mouth and replied: ¡°My father.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 49 The Viin The stars in the night sky were beaming down at him when he opened his eyes, as was one Alexander Kingsley, who seemed to havee back to himself far toote to save either Trystan or Sage from injury. Sage! He bent his torso up, ignoring the ck spots over his vision as he stood on the balcony, stumbling toward the branch she¡¯d been trapped atop. Gone. It was gone. ¡°No!¡± Trystan yelled. ¡°Sage!¡± ¡°Down here!¡± The panicked voiceing from just below the balcony¡¯s edge felt like a sharp syringe that injected immediate relief straight into his pounding heart. ¡°Gods!¡± He ran for the railing and marveled at how quickly that relief fled for the hills. There she was, holding tight to a vine hanging out of a crack in the stone, her arms and legs wrapped tightly as it swayed back and forth in the breeze. ¡°What happened?¡± She hesitated before speaking, the furrow in her brow absurdly making him want to smile. ¡°Getting over my fear of heights as intensely as possible, apparently.¡± He propped his chin up on his palm, resting against the railing in a show of casualness. ¡°How is it going?¡± ¡°Oh, well, you know my theory. Can¡¯t be scared if you¡¯re dead.¡± She shrugged, pretending to let go for a moment. ¡°Stop it!¡± He dropped to his stomach, leaning through the balcony¡¯s railing, grabbing at the top of the vine. ¡°All right, you proved your point, little tornado. I¡¯m pulling you up.¡± He started tugging, his biceps straining with each pull, but knowing Sage was on the end of it, he pulled harder. ¡°Oh, this is like a little full-circle moment, isn¡¯t it?¡± she said as he huffed and tugged and strained. ¡°How¡±¡ªhe panted¡ª¡°do you figure¡±¡ªalmost there¡ª¡°that.¡± ¡°You¡¯re usually pushing people off edges, and now you¡¯re pulling someone up one.¡± Not someone, he thought. You. His power stirred beneath his skin as she came closer, and through the meshting at her back, he could see a spark of rainbow color from her scar. Her grip loosened for a second, one hand letting gopletely. ¡°Agh!¡± she cried out, and Trystan felt a sliver of his soul leave his body, likely to never return. He wondered if, on his deathbed, whatever dark figure came to escort him into the afterlife would be kind enough to ry precisely how many years Evie Sage had knocked from his lifespan. By his mark, he was pushing five. ¡°I¡¯m okay! My dagger burned my thigh,¡± she said. Good. This was the one time he¡¯d allow himself a clear mental image of her thighs, the thought of her shapely, smooth skin beneath his hands calming his every nerve ending until pulling her up became second nature. Her hand reached for his, and then he had her over the railing and in his arms, the force of it causing both of them to topple to the ground. His hands on her cheeks, he scanned every inch of her for injury. ¡°Is anything hurt? Broken?¡± ¡°Besides my sense of safety and security?¡± She leaned one of her cheeks against his chest, breathing heavily. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just let me catch my breath.¡± It was no longer eptable for his thoughts to be on his apprentice¡¯s thighs, but considering they were draped over either side of his waist, the task was significantly more difficult now. The warmth of her made everything in him go rigid. And he did mean everything. Mortifyingly. ¡°I hate this stupid tree house,¡± she moaned into his silk shirt, the warmth of her cheek permeating the thin fabric and sinking deep until it hit somewhere in the vicinity of his heart. ¡°Good. I n to turn it to ash before the next sunrise.¡± ¡°Just be sure Lord Fowler is inside,¡± she grumbled, and the vibration against his skin sent an unpleasant sensation from the top of his head to the tips of his fingers. Her honest cruelty was startlingly arousing, proving once and for all that Trystan was truly a sinister son of a bitch. ¡°What happened to ying his game and enjoying ourselves?¡± he asked with arched condescension. She raised her head, and his chest felt chilled from the absence of warmth. It was merely a matter of body temperature; it had little to do with emotion. Save for the annoying one telling him to pull her back against him. ¡°I¡¯d enjoy myself quite thoroughly if Lord Fowler was on fire,¡± she said quietly, a subtle smirk on her lips. ¡°Terrible thing to be on your bad side, Sage,¡± he said tly, sucking all feeling from his voice as she scooted off him. Out of necessity. She had been inches away from brushing against an appendage that would give a great deal of him away. She leaned back in,ying a hand on his shoulder to help her stay steady, and he flinched away instinctively. She masked the hurt with a smile, and he hated himself for being yet another person in her life who gave her cause to do so. ¡°You would know, wouldn¡¯t you, sir?¡± ¡°Ha! I got ¡¯im! I got the frog!¡± A booming voice had them both knocking into each other as they scrambled to stand. A crowd had formed in the balcony doorway, light spilling out from the library beyond. And standing before them was a man Trystan hated so intensely, his vision burned in bright, angry color. Granted, he¡¯d never met the man before that moment, but he didn¡¯t need to know much beyond Kingsley gripped in his fist and the hungry, disgusting eyes roving over Sage like she was a morsel up for grabbing. ¡°I won a night with The Wicked Woman!¡± he called, licking his lips as his buddies mmed hands against his back, and Sage stiffened beside him, reaching out to grab Trystan¡¯s arm. ¡°Oh gods.¡± Sage¡¯s face took on a grayish hue, like all the blood in her body had escaped to parts unknown. ¡°Lord Fowler?¡± Sage didn¡¯t go to Trystan for aid, and that fucking stung. He¡¯d been a right bastard to her for the past few weeks, but surely she considered him a safer option for assistance than a rtive stranger who had drugged them before forcing them into a hostage dinner party. He had just saved her from falling to her death, hadn¡¯t he? Just as Trystan had suspected, Fowler acted in the sameckadaisical manner he always did, taking the fake crown off his head and cing it atop the man holding Kingsley in hisrge fists. Trystan imagined those hands pawing at Sage in the dark, and his magic pooled at his feet. He made no attempt to call it back. He wasn¡¯t in the habit of fighting losing battles. ¡°I¡¯m afraid our friend The Destroyer here won your game fair and square, Ms. Sage.¡± Fowler clicked his tongue sympathetically, shoving ¡°The Destroyer¡± toward them. ¡°Your name is¡­The Destroyer?¡± Sage pursed her lips, looking up at Trystan with a bewildered expression. ¡°That doesn¡¯t bode well for me, does it?¡± Trystan resisted the urge to retch. The Destroyer walked toward them, hisrge boots nging against the ground until he was a mere foot away from Sage. Close enough. Trystan mmed his fist into The Destroyer¡¯s stomach before grabbing the hand that held Kingsley and twisting it behind the reprobate¡¯s back until he cried out and released Kingsley right into Trystan¡¯s waiting palm. ¡°You rutting bastard!¡± The man iled in his arms, but Trystan managed to restrain him with one hand with surprising ease for a man of his size. ¡°I won that bitch fair and square.¡± Trystan sighed, cing Kingsley into Sage¡¯s palm. ¡°Hold him.¡± And before another word was spoken, Trystan had gripped The Destroyer by the cor and flung him over the balcony¡¯s edge. Brushing his hands against his pants, he listened closely as the man screamed the whole way down. Sage stared at Trystan with a ckened jaw, as did Kingsley, who pulled up a sign that read: Destroyed. Fowler pped,ughing jovially as he patted Trystan on the back. ¡°Well done, old friend. He¡¯s broken three of my favorite chairs, and I couldn¡¯t think of a proper punishment.¡± Trystan red, and Fowler had the sense to take his hand away, but not before pushing Trystan toward Sage until they were toe to toe. ¡°And now you im your prize!¡± What? ¡°Kindly escort The Viin and his lovely apprentice to the lovers¡¯ suite.¡± FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. No. This isn¡¯t happening. ¡°The Viin has won a night with The Wicked Woman!¡± Yes. It is. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 50 Evie Evie supposed there were worse things in life than spending a night alone with her boss. The Mystic Illness, for one, bedbugs for another, and surely a night with The Destroyer would have qualified for the list¡ªsomewhere near the top. Double underlined. Kingsley¡¯s Destroyed sign was the cherry atop a perfectly ridiculous evening. She giggled at the memory as the lovers¡¯ suite door shut behind them. ¡°Is something about this funny to you?¡± Trystan asked. Clearly, the night had given its best effort to undo him. His silk pants had a tear at the knee, and his once well-groomed hair was an irreparable mess. The shadows under his eyes that had been mere smudges of purple at the beginning of the evening seemed to have darkened his entire face in the span of a few hours. ¡°Do you think his parents named him that?¡± Evie asked, fiddling with the ties at the back of her dress. The Viin watched her hands with trepidation, but he responded with pinched confusion. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The Destroyer!¡± she rified. ¡°Do you think his parents named him that? Or perhaps it¡¯s a family name?¡± ¡°Sage, there is no way on the gods¡¯ earth that ridiculous moniker was his given name.¡± ¡°Are you truly one to judge ridiculous monikers?¡± she questioned, ducking when a pillow from the bed flew across the room, nearly smacking her upside the cheek. ¡°I¡¯m only teasing!¡± She raised her hands in surrender. ¡°Lighten up. It could be worse!¡± She was tempted to mention the possibility of bedbugs but decided against it when she saw the look of agonizing pain etched into his features. ¡°There¡¯s no cause for rm,¡± she assured him. ¡°We¡¯ll get through one night, and Lord Fowler promised to release us in the morning. He¡¯ll hand over the wand, and we¡¯ll continue our merry little journey. Huh.¡± She noted, ¡°There¡¯s a mirror on the ceiling.¡± When she looked back down, her mouth formed a little O. ¡°Sir, are you well?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°You look like you¡¯re going to be sick.¡± He banged his head against the wall, rming her further. ¡°It¡¯s just a mirror, for goodness¡¯ sake. You don¡¯t need to look at it. But I wonder: Why would they put it on the ceiling?¡± ¡°Because, Sage,¡± he gritted out, ¡°some people enjoy watching.¡± ¡°Watching what?¡± Her gaze lifted back to the mirror when she realized. ¡°Oh¡­¡± ¡°Are you sufficiently shocked?¡± he deadpanned, waving a hand toward it in disgust. ¡°I¡¯m sufficiently intrigued,¡± she admitted, tilting her head to the side now. There would need to be an investigation at some point to find how The Viin managed to make such strange sounds. This one was a cross between a roar and the echo of a wounded goose. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that.¡± Really, the man had seen people¡¯s guts spilled out onto the floor, but this was what turned him into a blushing adolescent? ¡°I¡¯m going to remove my sandals,¡± she warned, carefully moving to the ties going all the way up her calves. ¡°Why are you telling me that?¡± ¡°Because my ankles are about to be fully exposed, and I don¡¯t want to give you a stroke.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t confuse my manners for ack of depravity, Sage. It¡¯s a courtesy to you and self-preservation for me that I remain restrained.¡± Oh. He was implying that¡­ ¡°Are you insinuating that your tepidposure is for my sake?¡± The room was dimly lit, the low ambient lighting casting a glow on his face that emphasized the darkness of his irises, swallowing his pupils. He didn¡¯t need to touch her. Didn¡¯t need toy a finger upon her skin for her to feel his voice like a caress. ¡°I am,¡± he stated so simply, so seemingly harmlessly, and yet it was so terrifying. Suddenly she was desperate, desperate to repair the barrier she¡¯d been slowly tearing down, desperate to fortify it for both their restraints because it was feeling far too much like they were on the precipice of great change. The problem with change was in its novelty. The desire for it was often in, but every inch closer to things altering made it all the more real. She had been teasing him, pushing him, probing him, and he didn¡¯t like it, didn¡¯t want it. She had to fix it. ¡°I don¡¯t actually know that I¡¯m good in bed!¡± she blurted. The darkness of his eyes receded and was reced with a wild sort of shine. ¡°Why the fuck would you say that?¡± He gaped. ¡°I don¡¯t know! I felt like it would sort of cut the tension in the room if I admitted it. I never heard any activeints from Rick, but he¡¯s really the only person I¡¯ve ever been with, and that was years ago. I could be terrible at it. I have no clue!¡± His hands closed over his ears, and it made such aic portrait that Evieughed, nervously wringing her hands. ¡°This must be divine punishment,¡± he said incredulously to no one in particr. ¡°It¡¯s the only exnation.¡± ¡°I take it that did not help.¡± She kicked off both shoes, feeling instant relief for her sore toes. The boss watched her as if she were a hardened criminal about tomit some heinous act against him. Very well. She¡¯d been attempting to disarm him to help; she¡¯d have to try again. Grabbing one of the candbras, she found the plushest chair in the corner, sitting daintily and folding her feet underneath her. ¡°At least the bed is huge,¡± shemented. When he looked on the verge of something bursting in his skull, she frantically finished the sentence. ¡°Because we can both sleep in it without risk of anyone touching anyone else.¡± ¡°We are not both sleeping in that bed.¡± He pointed to it. ¡°No way in the deands is that happening.¡± Her chin tipped back. ¡°If we both sleep on either side, you won¡¯t even notice I¡¯m there!¡± ¡°I promise you I¡¯ll notice. No, I will not feed into the clich¨¦ where we both start off on each side of the bed and then we end up tangled together in the morning. I refuse!¡± She began picking shells and bits of glitter out of her hair. ¡°I hadn¡¯t nned on being tangled with anything in the morning except that nket.¡± A knock at the door caused them both to jolt, as if they¡¯d been doing something scandalous instead of having a debate on the clich¨¦s of there being but one bed in the room. A scantily dressed footman carried in arge bathing tub, facing it toward the corner and dumping steaming pails of water into it. ¡°His lordship sent for a bath before you continue on with the evening¡¯s festivities. After this, he will send up dinner for two.¡± With a jaunty bow, he moved to skip from the room, but Trystan had the man by the cor before he could make it halfway over the threshold. ¡°Naturally, if she is seeking to bathe, I will wait out here.¡± The Viin moved to leave but stopped when the footman steepled his fingers together, giving Evie a little smile over Trystan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t look at her. Look at me. The hallway,¡± Trystan stated. ¡°I will wait there.¡± ¡°You¡¯re certainly wee to do so, Viin, but I believe Lord Fowler has stipted that should either of you leave the room before the night is out, he¡¯ll open the pooling to a recement for The Wicked Woman¡¯s prize.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not a bag of goods to be tossed around from one person to the next!¡± Aw, that¡¯s sweet. And the expectations of chivalry were sinking lower by the minute. ¡°Of course not, sir, but I must respect his lordship¡¯s wishes. I am under hismand.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± The Viin released the footman so quickly and so hard he fell into the door. ¡°A change of clothes for thedy. Now.¡± Her tender heart tried not to clench too tight at the protective care he was putting into safeguarding her, but it failed. He was too honorable by half, and that was unjust, considering he was meant to be a dishonorable ckguard. Who was she fooling? She¡¯d take him that way, too. ¡°Of course. Right away. I¡¯ll be back with something for her promptly!¡± ¡°Somethingfortable,¡± Trystan rified with the authority of a man who was used to getting what he wanted. Evie would like to be something he wanted. He has you already anyway. ¡°Of course, sir! Oh! Before I forget, Lord Fowler wanted me to give you this.¡± The footmanid a long strip of silk across The Viin¡¯s palm, then whispered conspiratorially behind his hand. ¡°In case things get a little rough in here.¡± He winked, and The Viin boomed so loudly the walls shook, ¡°Get out!¡± The footman lost hisposure, scrambling out the door and mming it shut. ¡°Sage. You didn¡¯t hear that.¡± ¡°Sir, I¡¯m twenty-three years old, and I read naughty novels like they¡¯re about to go out of fashion.¡± She slipped the silk from his hand, quickly twining it tight and doubling it into an expert knot. ¡°I know what ying rough is.¡± There was no way to tell for certain if the words had been absorbed into his consciousness. There was not even a twitch of movement on his face as he threw himself into the chair by the fire. ¡°You take the bath first. I¡¯ll take the fire.¡± He angled the chair as far away from the tub as it would move, the long headrest blocking even the back of his head from view. ¡°Okay,¡± she said carefully. ¡°I¡¯m going to get naked now.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t narrate.¡± She thought she heard the wood of the armrest splinter. It was going to be a very long night. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 51 re re Maverine had always enjoyed libraries. In the small seaside vige of her childhood, there had been one¡ªnot nearly as grand as Lord Fowler¡¯s but far more dear. After the night¡¯s festivities concluded and the rest of the guests proceeded to therge dinner table, re made her escape back to the library where she¡¯d first awoken. She found herself among the stacks of books with an aching heart. But any ailment of the heart could be ignored, or at the very least forgotten for a little while, when an open book sat before you, pages lined with nothing but new possibilities. This book was less imaginative and more illuminating. Pots of ink lined the inside of the pouch clipped around her waist, and re slipped the one she rarely used out of the far-right side. Yellow. When she¡¯d first begun ingraining her magic into objects, she¡¯d taken to ink almost immediately. There was already something magical about a liquid that could make something from nothing. To her magic, ink was another avenue for creation, and with each color she interacted with, a different reaction urred. Yellow was one of the greatest enigmas, but when she got it just right, it helped her uncover secrets hidden among ambiguous pages. With a flick of her hand, re pulled the yellow liquid from the small pot, moving it slowly with her fingers before sshing it against the crumpled paper in front of her. One of the many missives to Evie¡¯s little sister was syed out on the mahogany table. She¡¯d been hesitant to bring them along, but she couldn¡¯t seem to leave them behind, something in the writing familiar in a jarring sort of way, all the letters curling strangely, each of the Ts with a crooked dash. She¡¯d tried to find an answer within the ink several times ande up empty, but something about them¡­ She couldn¡¯t seem to let it go. The candles all around dripped wax slowly against the little trays they sat upon. The paper glowed along with the yellow ink, and re noticed several things all at once. For one, whatever ink was used to write the letter was not magical in the slightest¡ªthe letters etched onto the page were unchanging beneath the weight of re¡¯s power. For another, the yellow ink had clung in ces torge, strange marks over every corner of the parchment. Not fingerprints¡­ What are these? re pulled a magnifying ss off the desk and leaned over the paper, attempting to decipher what she was looking at. ¡°You look like a detective. Attempting to find a heart?¡± Tatianna¡¯sment was so startling in the quiet, not even a light footstep in warning, re cried out, stumbling into the wooden chair before righting herself on the edge of the table. ¡°Have anything on hand to restart it?¡± re grumbled, sitting back in the seat with a huff before returning to her task. ¡°What do you want?¡± Tatianna frowned, as did Kingsley, who sat with a tiny steel cuff clipped to his foot. A small, weighted ball was chained to the end of it. They¡¯d found it in an armor disy, and after Alexander knocked it over, it felt like a natural next step. It had been Kingsley¡¯s own idea. Now that his awareness was bing sparser and far more dangerous, judging by how the evening had disintegrated, they¡¯d agreed that keeping Kingsley in ce was safest for all involved. Including re¡¯s brother, who was very likely suffering an acute torture at being trapped for a night with a woman he seemed determined not to have. Tighter. Kingsley¡¯s sign was followed by the pointing of a webbed foot to the chain around his other foot. ¡°Alexander.¡± Tatianna straightened his crown. ¡°It¡¯s tight enough to be effective. I won¡¯t abide cutting off the cirction to your poor little foot.¡± Tatianna did a double take. The dressing robe she¡¯d scrounged up was miraculously pink. Or perhaps not so miraculous; re used to think that Tati could sniff out the color with her eyes closed. ¡°re? What is that?¡± Tatianna asked, pointing to Lyssa¡¯s discarded letter. This one read, Pleasee to your father, little Lyssa. Allow him to apologize. Allow him to make amends. The handwriting was deliberate, with strange diagonal dashes over the Ts. But it wasn¡¯t the words that Tatianna was rmed by¡ªit was the glowing blobs that had begun to take form underneath the yellow ink she¡¯d sttered on the page. ¡°Yellow ink reveals secrets.¡± re watched with bated breath as the blobs began to clear, revealing¡ª Crash. Kingsley¡¯s episodes decided to make a great return as the frog blinked out of awareness as quickly as he had blinked into it. And in his animal state, all Kingsley seemed to know was that he was trapped to something that held a great deal of weight. Weight that he used to his advantage. ¡°Alexander, don¡¯t!¡± re yelled as the frog attempted to jump, the weight on his foot knocking into candles, books, and then finally (and tragically) arge pot of ck ink. ck ink had no ability to hold on to re¡¯s magic, except in acting as an extinguisher. The letter was bathed in a pool of midnight liquid, and the words were lost to her. Forever. Sorrow wed its way deep within the closed chambers of her heart as she came to terms with the fact that once more, she¡¯d failed her brother. Once more, she¡¯d failed herself. ¡°Alexander!¡± re raged and was immediately racked by guilt when she noticed how ashamed the prince looked. Apologetic. ¡°Another episode,¡± Tatianna said, sounding far more empathetic than re could manage, even though everything that had gone wrong in thest few moments could be traced back to her own foolish choices. ¡°What were those marks?¡± Tatianna asked as she ran a dainty finger down the edge of the page. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± re replied, using a nearby throw nket to dab up the ck ink, but it was hopeless; whatever clue had started to appear on the page was there no longer. Kingsley held up a sign, and re thought that if she wasn¡¯t a woman of twenty and six years, she might have thrown herself to the floor and wept. Sorry. Followed by the most pitiful sound any frog had ever made. On second thought, she might throw herself to the ground and weep anyway. If any group of people needed such a thing, it was precisely twenty-six-year-old women. ¡°It¡¯s all right, Alexander. There are more letters back at the manor. We¡¯ll check those when we return.¡± ¡°If we return.¡± ¡°Tatianna!¡± re chastised, taking a step toward her, but halted when her foot sank into a hidden panel. The pressure against it must have triggered a hinging mechanism as soon as she picked her foot up again, because a stack of shelves against the wall opened to reveal a dark corridor beyond. ¡°A hidden tunnel!¡± Tatianna was far too cheery about the discovery. ¡°Finally, something interesting to do. Come! Let¡¯s see where it goes.¡± ¡°Are you out of your gourd? There¡¯s no way I¡¯m going into the creepy dark tunnel leading to gods know where! For all we know, it could lead straight to the deands itself, and I will not be caught¡ª¡± She was cut off by Tatianna. Well¡­Tatianna and her lips. On re¡¯s. Every coherent thought flew out of re¡¯s ears, and then there was only sensation. re responded with fervor, with passion, and with her hands. For a glorious two seconds before Tatianna pushed away, leaving re hot and cold all over. ¡°I¡¯m going exploring. Come if you wish.¡± Tatianna winked, flicking a braid behind her shoulder and lifting a candle holder, the light following her to the hidden door. re was moving on shaky legs as she scurried after her ex-betrothed. ¡°Hold on! I-I¡¯ming, too.¡± Scooping Alexander up into her palm, she entered the torch-lined corridor and tried not to feel ill at ease. Especially when the door behind them mmed shut. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 52 The Viin Trystan Maverine was ustomed to the sounds of torture. Screams of deathly pain, the moans of the hopeless when they realized there was no oneing to their rescue. There were, of course, a few others that were not as pleasant as the first two, but he was used to them nheless. Never in the whole of his life had torture sounded like the sshing of bathwater. ¡°Are you almost finished?¡± he asked irritably. ¡°I¡¯ve only been in here for two minutes,¡± Sage argued. Another ssh. Anothersh of agony. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you,¡± he replied sardonically. He did believe her, but he was beyond reason, his mind¡ªwhich had never been particrly imaginative¡ªchoosing now to conjure up the most distracting, debilitating images. Wet, soft skin glistening in the candlelight, a sh of breast just below the line of water, just out of his view. That rosy flush on her cheeks that usually disyed her anger would travel from her head to her toes, from her cheeks, down her neck, down her chest, down her stomach, and perhaps even to¡ª He halted his imagining, not out of morality but rather to hide the chunk of wood he¡¯d just unconsciously ripped out of the chair¡¯s armrest. ¡°What was that?¡± Sage asked, water sshing over the edge of the tub. He heard it hit the floor as she moved. He chucked the piece of armrest into the fire. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said quickly. ¡°Do you think you could hand me a towel?¡± she asked. Do you think you could gouge out my eyes first? ¡°Of course,¡± he said, hardening his voice to match his other appendages. He moved toward the tub, eyes averted upward, but there was a long-known, deep-rooted problem with good intentions¡ªat least in Trystan¡¯s case. And the problem was that they usually ended badly. Instead of his eyes locking on the intricate wood carvings and patterns in the ceiling, the memory of the mirror came toote. He was looking right into it, and he saw everything he¡¯d been trying to avoid. And just as he¡¯d suspected, his imagination was not worth a godsforsaken thing. For nothing he could conjure could mimic the bare slopes of her shoulders, the damp, dark ringlets of her curls dipping into the surface of the water, the flush of her cheek and the sh of her curved thigh disyed in in view, her foot propped on the edge of the tub like an artistic disy. For a moment, his mind went nk. It had to. ¡°Oh, sir! Make sure you watch for¡ª¡± The warning came toote, and he was too far gone to listen¡ªor to notice the puddle of water just outside the tub. His foot slid out from under him, and his head banged against the brass rim, forcing him tond t on his back. Penance. The gods were giving him penance for moving from viin to peeping lecher. Sage appeared over him, long hair dripping rose-scented water drops against his forehead, her body just barely concealed by the thin towel that was clinging to her damp skin. Penance or a reward. It tormented him just the same. ¡°Gods! Are you all right?¡± Yes, he wanted to answer. I, the evilest, most malevolent figure in thend, caught sight of your bare shoulders, and it sent me into a knobby-kneed tailspin. How are you? ¡°I¡¯m fine. Are you all right?¡± he said instead. She looked at him strangely. Of course she did. He was acting like a buffoon. His assurance had not been convincing enough. She began asking him simple questions. ¡°What¡¯s my full name?¡± ¡°Evangelina Celia Sage.¡± ¡°How old are you?¡± ¡°Twenty-nine.¡± ¡°Oh. Really?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he said cautiously. ¡°I thought you were older,¡± she supplied. ¡°What? Why?¡± ¡°You just seem as if you were born fifty.¡± ¡°Fifty!¡± he yelled, sitting up so fast Sage fell back onto her arse, the towel riding up to reveal shiny, shapely thighs. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Enough with the questions.¡± He put an arm out to steady himself and immediately regretted it when his fingers brushed her soft skin, a white-hot shock making his arm tingle and then his lips. Clearing his throat, he stood and turned his back to her. ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re dressed.¡± It was a mere three secondster that she responded. ¡°You may turn, but I have a problem.¡± When he turned, he discovered that she was, in fact, not dressed, still wrapped in the small towel clinging to her every curve. Drop the towel, a sinister voice whispered in his mind. Every ounce of moral fiber he¡¯d been born with was being used now with this woman. By the time he left this ce, it would all be gone. ¡°They never brought me a nightgown¡ªor anything, really¡ªto change into,¡± she argued. ¡°This is as dressed as I¡¯m going to get. I don¡¯t think that fis dress will hold up to a second wear.¡± ¡°There has to be something.¡± He dug within the drawers. Nothing. He opened the cab in the corner. Not nothing. Most definitely not nothing. ¡°Wow. That¡¯s a lot of rope.¡± Sage whistled. ¡°Lord Fowler¡¯s had a good time in here, I gather.¡± Trystan mmed it shut, pain in his next exhale. ¡°My shirt,¡± he barked. ¡°You¡¯ll have to take my shirt.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t you be cold?¡± No. I¡¯m seconds away from going up in mes. Thank you so much for asking. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± he replied. ¡°Just take it.¡± He lifted the red silk over his head, handing it to her, trying not to notice the way her blue eyes red and remained focused on his chest. He didn¡¯t flex. He was stretching. They were twopletely different things. ¡°Th-Thank you,¡± she stuttered out before throwing the shirt over her head. It fell well past her knees. Thank the gods for small miracles. He¡¯d never thought Sage¡¯s height, orck thereof, would be such a boon. But then she dropped the towel underneath, and he no longer thought of anything involved as a miracle, because if silk did nothing else, it showed everything, and like the reprobate he was, Trystan found his eyes stuck to her chest. Sage noticed, because of course she did. She noticed everything he didn¡¯t want her to. It was her special skill¡ªalong with the nonsense wheels in her mind and making inappropriate shapes with the milk in his cauldron brew. ¡°I apologize,¡± he said. ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything.¡± ¡°Why are you apologizing?¡± Her nose scrunched. ¡°They¡¯re just nipples.¡± ¡°Sage!¡± ¡°What!¡± she answered. ¡°I was just staring at yours, and I didn¡¯t apologize. Do you want me to apologize?¡± If he requested an apology from her for merely staring at his chest, then he would need to be burned in a holy sanctuary for the thoughts he¡¯d been having about hers. ¡°No,¡± he rasped. ¡°I don¡¯t want us to talk about nipples at all.¡± ¡°Very well. What body parts do you want to speak of?¡± ¡°None of them!¡± ¡°Ears?¡± Sage questioned cheekily. ¡°There¡¯s nothing suggestive about ears.¡± At this moment in time, every part of her body was suggestive to him. That was the problem. ¡°I don¡¯t want to discuss your ears or anything else attached to you.¡± His words oozed condescension. It was too harsh. It was too quick. The impish expression she had¡ªwhich, in all honesty, he¡¯d taken morbid delight in¡ªvanished, reced with a meek unsureness that he really fucking hated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she apologized, ¡°for making you ufortable. I¡¯ll stop. You¡¯re trying to be professional, and I am ruining it.¡± You ruin everything, Trystan. ¡°Sage,¡± he started, then stopped when she continued. ¡°I want you. If that wasn¡¯t obvious¡ªalthough I¡¯m sure it is obvious and has been obvious, but I realize that you¡¯ve decided to keep us at a distance, and I should be respecting it, and I haven¡¯t been. I¡¯ve been pushing you on purpose, and it¡¯s unkind and disrespectful, so I¡¯m going to stop.¡± ¡°Stop?¡± he repeated, his feeble heart thudding in his ears, the crackle of the fire sounding miles and miles away. ¡°I¡¯m your apprentice. That is enough. I¡¯m giving up.¡± Don¡¯t, his mind pleaded. Please don¡¯t give up on me. My pathetic, tortured soul is in tatters, and unfortunately, it¡¯s yours. But none of those words came out. In fact, nothing came out. His mouth opened and it closed, and then it opened again, staying there. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything, sir. You¡¯re off the hook.¡± Sheughed at herself, and it was self-deprecating. Gods damn it. ¡°Do you want the couch or the bed?¡± she asked, turning away to consider the room. ¡°You,¡± he whispered. ¡°What?¡± Sage¡¯s head spun around, eyes wide. ¡°You,¡± he repeated, stalking toward her slowly, giving her every chance to back away, even as his hand buried itself in her damp locks, tugging her head back as she gasped. ¡°Me?¡± she asked, the vulnerability in the question cracking what was left of his reserve, his conscience. ¡°You,¡± he said onest time before he crushed his lips to hers. Something in the back of his mind attempted to pull the logic to the forefront once again. Destiny had predicted they¡¯d destroy each other. This was selfish. This was wrong. This was surely the evilest thing he¡¯d ever done. But he didn¡¯t care. Trystan Maverine was The Viin. And it was about time he began acting like it. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 53 Evie Evie¡¯s mind had always needed a moment or two to catch up when something substantial urred. When she met The Viin for the first time, she¡¯d held an unnatural illusion of calm in the face of the kingdom¡¯s greatest foe. But that part of her subconscious, the part that reminded her to panic and scream and cry whenever the situation called for it, had made her il alone in her room for nearly two hours after she¡¯d signed her employment contract. Her boss¡¯s mouth on hers would catch up to her, too, the way his tongue glided against her lower lip causing her to make mortifying sounds as she pushed up onto her toes, desperately trying to get closer to him. Her fingers teased through his already messy hair, but this time she¡¯d know that the wild direction of each strand would be because of her. Heat. She was a breathing blur of startlingly warm light as his hands slid down from her cheeks, caressing gently along each contour of her hips before gripping them and dragging her up against him. She writhed, he groaned, and there was nothing but an intense swarm of emotion as they separated, still inches apart, foreheads together, breathing heavily against each other. He stared at her, his dark eyes softening before intensifying again. ¡°I want you.¡± Evie, for once, did not fill the silence that followed the statement with nonsense. ¡°What does that mean?¡± She moved a hand from his shoulder to cup his cheek, feeling bold and finished with timidness. A sh of panic was all she saw before he started to pull back. Not this time, you coward. She forced him to stay with her, to stay in this moment. Trystan¡¯s warm breath was shaky between them. ¡°I want everything that I shouldn¡¯t, and it¡¯s selfish. Sage, the destiny monster¡ª¡± Her hands closed over his lips. ¡°I know. It told you of some horrific future in which you do something terrible to me because you always have. Because that¡¯s the life you believe you¡¯re meant to lead, and if you continue to live in that doubt, that¡¯s the only life you¡¯re ever going to lead.¡± Without warning, she grabbed his neck and tugged his mouth back down to hers, and his response was instant. And soft no longer. A frantic urgency took over his actions, like he was on the verge of saying goodbye to something and he intended to take whatever he could before that urred. His hands were everywhere, leaving fire in their wake and a strange sensation that prickled at her skin in something akin to pain. He was gripping her hips so tight it was near bruising, but Evie was keeping the upper hand. It belonged to her from this moment on. She put her palms on his chest and began pushing him back, step by step by step, continuing across the floor until the backs of Trystan¡¯s legs bumped against the small couch tucked into the corner of the room and he fell¡­but not alone. Evie straddled his waist as theynded on the cushion, and she hummed into Trystan¡¯s mouth as he sat up and undid her with each brush of his lips. On her corbones, on her neck, but no farther. Evie tugged his mouth back to hers and tried not to sumb to the ragged whispersing from him. ¡°Gods, you have driven me to madness, Sage. Ever since I firstid eyes on you, I knew you would be the source of all chaos.¡± Her lips hovered over his, so close. Her body was aching, and her muscles were taut beneath her skin. ¡°Then why did you hire me?¡± He came back to himself for a moment, his gaze serious as he said as simply as possible, ¡°Because the thought of seeing you every day made me feel something other than angry. And I had forgotten what that was like.¡± It was the oddest, most beautifulpliment she¡¯d ever been given, and she smiled before making him regret that admission. ¡°I have a confession.¡± The wariness of his expression was not ttering, but Evie continued anyway. ¡°That dirty dream I told Tatianna about a month ago¡­? When I said I didn¡¯t mean it that way and I meant actual dirt¡­¡± The wariness was gone, and now only intrigue remained. ¡°Yes.¡± His hands were still moving against her hips, making it difficult to keep her wits about her. ¡°I lied. We were kissing¡­in the dirt.¡± He wasughing before thest word was fully out, and then they were kissing again, and this time, his hand went to shove at the cor of his shirt to expose her shoulder. Heid a scorching trail of kisses down and down until he was bringing a hand up to close around her breast. She gasped and clutched at his hair when his mouth glided over the fabric, his tongue moving the silk back and forth over her nipple until she was making the most mortifying sounds. Somewhere in her haze, she noticed Trystan¡¯s gray mist movingzily around her ankles, and she thanked it for cooperating in this moment. His head was against her chest as he breathed heavily. ¡°We are even, then. I¡¯ve had so many inappropriate dreams about you I began to organize them alphabetically depending on whatever act of corruption we weremitting.¡± She took both his cheeks in her hands and held him still, tilting his head up to look at her. ¡°I want you. And you want me. But for tonight? Forever? And what is it that you want? My lips? My body? My heart? My soul?¡± He shuddered, every muscle tensing. ¡°Sage¡ª¡± ¡°They¡¯re yours. All of them. Whether you want all of them or none. I gave them to you that first day along with that old wool scarf.¡± She felt strong and powerful in this moment, so it was a wonder that tears were burning and then sliding slowly down her cheeks. But then again, she supposed that¡¯s where her true strength lived¡ªin her ability to be vulnerable, in the depth of her feelings. The greatest power was bestowed to those who were brave enough to feel emotion and to do so thoroughly. Trystan merely looked at her, so much pain etched on his face, but he said nothing. Evie shook her head in disbelief over what was undoubtedly going to be the most mature and sound decision she¡¯d ever made. Horrid. But she pushed away,ying one gentle kiss to his lips, teasing him with light passes of her tongue before shoving him back with one hand. ¡°Enjoy them¡ªyour dreams. Because until you decide to forge your own path no matter what destiny says, until you decide to embrace a future with me, wholly andpletely, those dreams will be all you ever have.¡± She painfully separated her limbs from his, standing and leaving him shocked and sprawled out like a shirtless dark god. She wanted a trophy for what she was doing. A mark of valor, a godsforsaken invitation into the Valiant Guard¡ªor rather, the Malevolent Guard. ¡°Until then, you take the couch. I¡¯ll take the bed, and you cane find me when you choose all of me.¡± She slid the covers back, and the cool sheets felt so good against her bare legs she began to kick them about. Okay, so she wasn¡¯t having sex tonight, but at the very least she had this. ¡°Good night, sir!¡± Evie called with a smile as she nestled her head against the pillow. He sounded a little too steady when he responded. ¡°Good night, Sage.¡± Which was likely the reason she sat up and snapped her fingers. ¡°Oh yes. I forgot to mention¡ªI usually sleep in the nude. In case you were wondering. Night!¡± She shoved the covers up to her shoulders, and it all became worth it. Resisting him. Laying everything out in the open. Well, that and the loud, aggravated groaning from the other side of the room. Her eyelids drooped, and though her body hadn¡¯t fully calmed, she suddenly felt exhausted. One more night and they would be back on their way. One more night. But as Evie drifted off to sleep, she didn¡¯t have any dirty dreams. Only nightmares. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 54 Gideon The night passed poorly and without sleep. The cool early-morning air brushed Gideon¡¯s arms as he donned the silver-ted Valiant Guard armor. It was a meticulous process, and it felt strange to be doing it once again. He¡¯d thought The Viin¡¯s Malevolent Guards would¡¯ve thrown it off a cliff or melted it down for weapons. The metal nged as he bent at the waist to adjust his boots. He hated this uniform, hated all it stood for, but he hadn¡¯t always. There had been a time when he was proud to bear the king¡¯s crest, proud to be one of the few men permitted to serve His Majesty and the vision he held for Rennedawn. But now all the armor did was remind him of every terrible thing that had urred thest time he wore it. And chafe. Gods, how had he forgotten how ufortable this thing was? ¡°How did the king expect you to do anything in this getup?¡± Keeley¡¯s voice pulled Gideon¡¯s attention, and he bit his gloved hand to keep from chuckling. ¡°Don¡¯tugh! I already feel ridiculous enough.¡± Gideon coughed into his fist, holding up a finger, thanking his lucky stars The Viin had Valiant Guard armor in storage from the ones he¡¯d dispatched. ¡°I¡¯m notughing, just observing. Amid a pronouncedck of oxygen.¡± While the rest of the Malevolent Guards waited nearby, Gideon and Keeley were meant to take out the two Valianting down for their posts, then sneak in and relieve the two sitting outside the hidden tunnel. That was the easy part. The hard part was releasing the female guvre and somehow getting Fate¡¯s creature out of the enclosure without the rest of the Valiant Guards being tipped off. A casual Friday. Keeley snorted as she stiffly started moving back toward camp. ¡°For the record, you look even more ridiculous in this getup than usual, and yet I¡¯ve had the strength to resist teasing you.¡± ¡°The first day we met, you called me a tin can with arms.¡± Keeley looked genuinely confused by the statement. ¡°That wasn¡¯t teasing. That was a fact I was kind enough to ry to you.¡± Gideon didn¡¯t have the will to argue with herck of sleep was doing him in, and so was the funny way she was walking. ¡°Things riding up in there, Captain?¡± Metal met his shin at the end of her kick, and Gideon gripped his throbbing leg with a curse. ¡°Gods. Sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have referred to your undergarments. Please don¡¯t report me to Becky.¡± ¡°The fact that you could even think of such things when I look like a metal toolbox is absurd.¡± ¡°Keeley, you could be wearing an oversize paper bag, and I would still have no trouble thinking of such things.¡± Toote now, you ignoramus. Keeley stared straight ahead, not reacting. Not even a twitch. This was a new low, being ignored. If anything, Gideon had always managed to be irritating, but perhaps even that finely honed skill was leaving him. As the camp where most of the Malevolent Guards remained came into view, Gideon stood still and let Keeley move ahead of him. He watched from atop the grassy hill, not hearing a word of what Keeley was saying to the rest of her staff but enraptured nheless as the captain dropped her satchel into Min¡¯s waiting palm. The deference the others showed to her was clear in the way they all bowed their heads gently. Min and Andrea¡ªtwo of Keeley¡¯s shadows, it seemed¡ªthrew their arms around her, and the three of them remained together for a moment before Keeley pulled away. With a quick nod at Gideon, she began heading in the direction of the pce. Gideon stumbled after her onto the hidden path they¡¯did out as the best ce to catch the next set of guards before they made it to the secret tunnel. He was supposed to be silent¡ªif anyone heard theming, they were done for, and this whole borate n would have all been for naught. But Gideon was a Sage. So after approximately thirty minutes of holding out, his mouth opened and words spilled forth. ¡°With the way youmand an audience, I could almost believe that your father was a king.¡± Keeley shot a hand to her lips as they walked and snapped at him, ¡°My father, if that was even the man writing those letters to me, was a fraud. The letters were my keeper¡¯s way of tricking me so I wouldn¡¯t escape her house. For all I know, she paid someone else to write them, or even wrote them herself.¡± She¡¯d told him of this an hour before, by the pond. That her dad was a chatan who had fathered Keeley with a mother who had never wanted children, then left her alone with the woman. But she¡¯d received letters from her supposed father frequently, and hemitted to the lie they¡¯d told Keeley from the time she was a little girl. That her father was the king and she was being hidden away for her own protection. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why she did such a thing,¡± he said now. Keeley seemed focused on the bushes in front of them, where they¡¯d set up a lookout for the king¡¯s guards, but paused her assessment to give him a sardonic lift of her brow. ¡°I should think you of all people would understand a person of authority using your ignorance against you. The king knew whose son you were for the entirety of your employ. My guardian wanted me to be a good little girl, so she told me every possible lie, and when I misbehaved¡ª¡± She stopped talking, and Gideon¡¯s blood ran cold as they both got into position hidden among the bushes. ¡°When you misbehaved what?¡± he whispered. She touched the burned-off piece of hair at the end of her braid. ¡°She¡¯d hold me down, sometimes even using rope, and she¡¯d cut my hair.¡± Don¡¯t let them cut my hair. Please. The thought of a young girl with golden locks being held to the floor made his stomach twist hard in anger. Would she have screamed? Did she wait and hope someone woulde for her, or did she fight back? Before he could ask more, one of the Valiant Guards crested the hill, followed closely by the second. In the next moment, Keeley gasped as an arrow whooshed through the air and buried itself in the first one¡¯s eye, a second spearing through the remaining one¡¯s forehead. Keeley straightened and slowly turned to look at Gideon, who was holding the crossbow against his shoulder. At her raised eyebrow, he lowered it and winced sheepishly. ¡°I apologize. Did you want to do that part?¡± Keeley fiddled with the end of her braid¡ªa nervous tic that made Gideon¡¯s chest burn. Indigestion. Hopefully. ¡°No, that¡¯s all right, sir knight. Happy to have you pull your weight.¡± She patted his shoulder, moving around him and tucking her thick locks into the back of her armor and the rest into her helmet, which she then donned, obscuring her face. ¡°Ready?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go free a mother-to-be.¡± Gideon pped his hands together, securing his own helmet, now unable to see anything but Keeley¡¯s honey-colored eyes. It was afort to know that even if her mouth wasn¡¯t, her eyes were bright and smiling. The ease between them didn¡¯tst, though, as Gideon straightened into the same stance he¡¯d done every day for as long as his recent memory allowed. Keeley followed suit, the instruction he¡¯d given her the night before working to near perfection with little practice. It had taken Gideon months to get the march right and to stopughing at how ridiculous it felt to raise one¡¯s knees up with every step like a deranged swan. Keeley didn¡¯t look ridiculous, though. She looked regal and poised. An incredible aplishment in Gideon¡¯s eyes. When they reached the hidden tunnel, Gideon did the customary knock, hoping to all the gods that this side of the tunnels¡¯ secret knocking pattern was known by so few that they wouldn¡¯t have thought to alter it. The stone wall slid open, pulling branches of hidden ivy leaves with it. Behind it stood a dark hall and two guards who were¡ªas Gideon had predicted¡ªpiss drunk. ¡°Rordon. Luther.¡± Gideon nodded, attempting to alter his voice, though he wasn¡¯t certain they had the presence of mind to recognize it anyway. ¡°We¡¯vee to relieve you.¡± An empty bottle of brandy was still rolling back and forth on the ground as both guards exchanged a nce before scrambling out of the tunnels and presumably back to the barracks to sleep off the worst of it. ¡°Drunk? They were drunk on the job? Did you know this was going to happen?¡± Keeley grabbed his arm and tugged him along. The tunnel door swung shut behind them when Gideon pulled on the torch lever against the far wall. ¡°Those two are always drinking on the job. I¡¯ve yet to see them take anything seriously. It¡¯s why they were given a post at this tunnel,¡± Gideon exined, pulling two torches free, holding one and handing the other to Keeley. She took it with a sputter of disbelief that he found charming. ¡°Why were they given a post at all if they¡¯re so irresponsible?¡± ¡°They¡¯re the king¡¯s cousins.¡± Keeley held the torch with both hands and rolled her eyes, a marker for her displeasure. ¡°Oh, of course. Mediocre men receiving positions of power they haven¡¯t earned because of their birthrights. How against the grain.¡± ¡°That sounded sarcastic.¡± He was surprised she didn¡¯t set him on fire. ¡°It was!¡± As they walked, Gideon guided her carefully down corridors well out of use, yelping when a cobweb caught on his arm. Keeley sighed. ¡°It is a wonder that the kingdom agrees only men should be allowed among the Valiant Guard when they can barely defend against the threat of a spider.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was a spider,¡± Gideon argued. ¡°I thought it was a centipede.¡± ¡°What is the difference? In either case, you¡¯re afraid of bugs.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid of anything with more than twenty legs.¡± Gideon shuddered and narrowly avoided another spiderweb. ¡°And I don¡¯t think the kingdom agrees; I think it¡¯s just how it¡¯s always been. You¡¯d be surprised how easy it is for some to ignore the problems of the world if they aren¡¯t impacted by them.¡± Keeley frowned, and her armor clinked an unpleasant sound off one of the stone walls. ¡°That¡¯s wrong.¡± ¡°You think there are no ignorant people in the world?¡± Gideon asked skeptically. ¡°For the first twelve years of my life, all I knew was ignorance, but I mean it¡¯s wrong to be defeated by it. The only way for things to change is to not settle for what is and instead find a way to care.¡± Gideon rubbed at his chin and frowned. ¡°How does one manage that?¡± Keeley pulled off her helmet for a moment and shed him a small smile that gave him a simr feeling to when she¡¯d kicked him in the shin. ¡°You give them a very good reason to and hope they think it¡¯s a good reason, too.¡± She pulled the helmet back on and continued without him, and he struggled to keep up as they turned into the next corridor. She¡¯d studied his map well. Gideon was beginning to wonder if he was slowing her down. ¡°I feel redundant,¡± he grumbled. ¡°I was going to say ¡®superfluous,¡¯ but all the same, I suppose.¡± She grinned, and that just-kicked feeling now felt like a cannonball to the gut. ¡°So, you have no idea who was writing those letters to you when you were locked away? They never came to visit you?¡± Gideon asked, attempting to make sense of her story before they reached the guvre. Keeley shook her head, shoving a cobweb out of the way with her free hand. ¡°No. It was only ever me and my, uh, ¡®mother.¡¯ The letters were all I ever had of him.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t give her any credit, but you turned out rather well despite it.¡± ¡°Was that apliment?¡± she asked, eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it was.¡± ¡°See that it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± The words were snide, but there was clearughter in her voice. Gideon did a little jog until he was next to her again. ¡°So, it¡¯s truly just coincidence that whoever was writing those letters to you ims to be a king? No ties to the office traitor?¡± She was steady and sincere when she answered him. ¡°No. Whoever the traitor is has nothing whatsoever to do with me. Although¡­¡± ¡°Although?¡± Gideon supplied. ¡°Although I suppose whoever my mother was working with to fool me could be seeking their revenge at losing their post. When I escaped to Massacre Manor as a girl, The Viin took pity on me and gave me a job. No need for more letters. Haven¡¯t spoken to my mother since.¡± ¡°He hired a twelve-year-old to be a Malevolent Guard?¡± Gideon was outraged. Sheughed, and it was a joyous, husky sound. ¡°No, of course not. He had me sorting files until I turned seventeen. I joined the ranks not long after that.¡± Impressive. She was impressive, and that was a dratted problem. ¡°Right, well. This is a lead, at least. When we¡¯re done here, we¡¯ll take this to The Viin and see if we can do some backward tracing.¡± There was an uneasy set to Keeley¡¯s shoulders, but before Gideon could ask her what had put it there, a loud screech echoed through the longest corridor on their left. A screech of distress. A screech of agony. ¡°The guvre,¡± Keeley said, lifting her mouthpiece to reveal a grimace. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Gideon yelled, taking off down the hall. ¡°She¡¯s in pain,¡± Keeley said, running right alongside him. He noticed her clutching a hand to her chest, as if there was a thread from one woman to another that tugged them all when one was in pain. Gideon pushed his legs harder and grimaced. ¡°Let¡¯s hope to the gods it¡¯s notbor pains, or this rescue just became far riskier than when we began.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 55 Becky Meanwhile, back at the manor¡­ Becky glowered at the memory flower, pinching the red petals between her fingers, tempted to pick it apart until it withered into nothing. Let it die and be absorbed back into the earth. She was seconds away from doing it, she swore she was¡ªuntil Nura Sage appeared over her shoulder to run her fingers across it. ¡°You look menacing, sitting here all by yourself,¡± Nura said with a sympathetic smile, lowering next to Becky until they were both sitting on the floor of the hallway, across from the doors leading down to the dungeons. ¡°I heard little Rnd was here.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not so little anymore.¡± The delivery had more bite than she¡¯d intended, but Nura didn¡¯t seem to mind. She merely hummed, folding her hands over her knees. ¡°No, I suppose he¡¯s old enough to make some poor choices, isn¡¯t he?¡± Becky had spent much of her early life trying to cram herself into boxes she never fit into, only to find that being boundless brought her the freedom to be happy with herself. Her mother¡¯s betrayal had tried to trap her back into one of those boxes, so for the past few weeks she had to actively fight against it. Never again would she return to the version of herself so molded by the opinions of others. So, she¡¯d pushed herself to do all the things the old her would never have done. Like seeking advice from two women she considered her friends, or flirting with a man she was bing fairly certain she was in love with, or having the courage to turn her back on her family to avoid getting hurt. The old Becky would never have confided in Nura Sage. But she was not the old Becky anymore, or even a brand-new one. She was just who she was¡ªunashamed and proud¡ªbut now also trying her hand at living a life, not hiding away from her past. ¡°Rnd probably did what he did because he loves my mother and he wants to be a good son. It probably had nothing to do with me, and I don¡¯t believe he even questioned if my mother had good intentions before carrying out the task.¡± Nura¡¯s dark brows nted down. ¡°You know all that, and yet¡­¡± she probed carefully. Becky released a ragged sigh, and the memory flower responded to her touch, awakening to wrap a single petal around her finger. ¡°I know all that, and yet it still really hurts that my brother chose to continue on so happily in a life that hurt me so badly.¡± She ced the potted flower back on the ground, and it drooped at the distance from her. She red at it. ¡°And I hate that I can¡¯t destroy this stupid nt because I¡¯m biologically wired to care about all living things that grow, so I cannot rip it apart without hurting myself, and I am tired of hurting myself!¡± The flower leaned over and wrapped around her finger again, one petal tapping in reassurance. Reassurance. From a nt. ¡°See?¡± Becky squealed. ¡°How can I destroy something that¡¯s holding my finger like that?¡± She exhaled in frustration, and Nuraughed, glowing a little. ¡°Oh, my dear.¡± She chuckled warmly, and it was the sort of sound that Becky remembered from baking cookies with her grandmother. ¡°You can¡¯t because you love, and that is never a bad thing.¡± Becky fumbled with the leaves, trying to untwine her finger from its grasp. ¡°Maybe, but it still hurts.¡± The flower tugged back on her finger. ¡°Ow! So does that! You foul thing.¡± She attempted to pull again, and de chose that exact moment toe around the corner, finding her fighting on all fours with a nt the same way he wrangled beasts. ¡°Lovely Rebecka, I think Rnd isn¡¯t¡ª¡± He stopped and frowned. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Hisplexion was duller than usual, unfamiliar purple smudges under his eyes. She knew he¡¯d stayed up with the guvre the night before, because of its waning health, being separated from its mate. ¡°Here, I can help.¡± He picked up the nt and gave a light tug, but instead of the petals releasing their grips, one tore clean off, floating to the floor. The ground shook. de dropped the pot and backed away, leaving it to rattle violently. Nura leaped up beside her. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± she asked. ¡°den, what did you do?¡± Becky scolded. de paused in his panic to give her a crooked grin. ¡°Did you just call me den?¡± ¡°Mr. Gushiken!¡± Becky pped his arm, and de moved into action once again. ¡°Mistress Sage, I think you should get out of here.¡± de said it breezily, so Nura seemed unable to panic properly, merely nodding as she strode toward the west wing. ¡°My goodness, you¡¯re so calm. How?¡± Becky questioned. His easy smile slipped into a frown of serious authority. ¡°It¡¯s fake!¡± Suddenly, a bright light shot out of the nt, slicing through the air above them and shattering a window at the end of the hall; in a sh, de pressed Becky to the ground and angled his body over hers in a protective stance. ¡°Gods,¡± he whispered, his breath warm on her neck. ¡°Why did the nt do that?¡± Becky rolled from her side, fully onto her back, facing him. de was on his elbows to keep from crushing her, both forearms around the sides of her head in protection. A strand of hair had escaped his short ponytail, and she couldn¡¯t resist. She slid the strand behind his ear, his whiskey-colored eyes widening at the brush of her fingers against his cheek. Clearing his throat, he started to rise onto his palms, leaving her reeling. ¡°I guess you can¡¯t do the ¡®does he love me, does he not¡¯ petal pulling with that one unless you want to lose your head.¡± Heughed, attempting to relieve the seriousness of the moment, and she wanted to let him. But Becky was good at serious moments. Hisugh cut offpletely when she leaned up fast and, without warning, kissed him. Her eyes were closed, but she could feel him jolt against her mouth, a low sound in the back of his throat vibrating for a second before she pulled away, almost shouting her next words, saying them so fast and sudden that they came out in a jumble. ¡°I think I love you.¡± de¡¯s whole face was taken over by an awe bordering on horror. And Becky knew she mirrored it as she squeaked, ¡°Okay, bye!¡± She shoved him off her, grabbing the memory nt and bolting down the hall until she was out of his view. Leaning against the wall, she marveled at her gumption with a small bit of pride and a heaping dose of soul-imprinting shame. Because she had run away before she could hear what his response might be. She stared at the nt, at the ce where its petals had once been. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you lost a bit of yourself back there, but if it helps, I just tore off one of my petals, too.¡± But unlike the memory nt, Becky hadn¡¯t lost a bit of her magic. The memory nt had Nura¡¯s starlight magic inside it¡ªa piece of it, anyway¡ªand losing the petal had released some of it, but it was a mystery to Becky why the starlight had shot for the window, instead of trying to find its way back to Nura. Perhaps it had to do with Rennedawn¡¯s waning magic. Perhaps the state of the kingdom was worsening. Usually, magical abilities would lie dormant inside a person from when they were first born until the moment that person experienced a traumatic or highly emotional event. Then the magic they¡¯d had all their life came alive. Becky¡¯s, on the other hand, had been inherited¡ªwhich was rare, but even her nt magic varied from Fortis to Fortis. Regardless, though, magic remained inside a person¡¯s body forever. But that starlight magic had not wanted Nura, and because of its meddling, Rebecka had revealed the clumsiest of love confessions and followed it with, Okay, bye. This was most certainly the most embarrassing moment of her life, not to mention an HR vition. Rebecka Erring was terrible at flirting. It was true. ¡°Rebecka?¡± de called, clearly not taking her goodbye seriously as he angled a head around the corner. She jumped, dropping the nt to the ground once more, causing another petal to fall. Again, the flower shook, and Becky cried out, ¡°de, go!¡± But de wasn¡¯t fast enough. The piercing starlight shot out and struck him right in the head. de fell to the ground as Becky ran for him, gripping the back of his neck for support, leaning an ear down to listen to his heart, which was beating¡ªslow and erratic, but still beating. ¡°de! de! Open your eyes,¡± Becky cried out. ¡°Open them!¡± de cracked his lids and smiled at her the way he always did, like he was looking at something precious. ¡°I think I love you.¡± He was still smiling as he reclosed his eyes, whispering softly, ¡°Okay, bye.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 56 re ¡°What does this remind you of?¡± Tatianna¡¯s voice echoed down the dark corridor. The hidden tunnels under Lord Fowler¡¯s mansion seemed endless, as if they were going in circles, with no light save for the glow of Tatianna¡¯s hands. ¡°I don¡¯t know. When we were fourteen and got locked in my mother¡¯s attic?¡± re heard the squeak of a rodent and nearly stumbled into the wall, almost squishing a very encumbered Alexander in her pocket. Tatiannaughed, seeming unfazed, as usual, by re¡¯sck of enthusiasm. She¡¯d dealt with it long enough that re suspected Tatianna actually enjoyed her prickliness. ¡°Do you remember what I said when the attic door mmed shut?¡± re couldn¡¯t help the smile tugging at her lips, or the euphoric feeling of a happy memory. ¡°You used me of doing it on purpose because I wanted to steal a kiss.¡± ¡°You turned so red in the candlelight I thought your face was going to catch fire.¡± Tatianna snorted, rounding another corner. The walls seemed to be more narrow the farther into the dark they traveled. ¡°Because I couldn¡¯t tell if you were being serious or not!¡± re used. ¡°I was so afraid if we took that leap, you would tell me you didn¡¯t feel the same and I would have lost my best friend.¡± Tatianna stopped walking, hershes sweeping downward, a sad smile pulling at her fuchsia-painted lips. ¡°Ironic, isn¡¯t it?¡± re frowned, adjusting Alexander in the tiny satchel at her waist. ¡°What?¡± ¡°That I did feel the same, but we lost each other anyway.¡± Ironic? Or gut-wrenching? Both were applicable. re rolled back her shoulders and walked ahead, which she knew was foolish, since the only way to see her feet in front of her was by Tatianna¡¯s healing light. So when the toe of her shoe caught against something solid and unmovable, the sudden obstruction causing her to fall headlong into the wall, her only thought was, I deserved that. Until the wall started shifting with a groaning, rumbling sound, and it pushed re back into Tatianna¡¯s arms. ¡°What happened? What did I do?¡± re breathed, gripping one of Tatianna¡¯s soft, glowing hands. Tatianna looked more curious than rmed as the wall slid fully open, revealing a hidden room. ¡°Well, well. Lord Fowler¡¯s private study.¡± Kingsley tumbled from re¡¯s pouch and immediately was tugged to the ground by the weight on his ankle. The frog red up at the two women as if they¡¯d betrayed him. ¡°It was your idea, Alexander!¡± re reminded him. The frog made a huffing sound and rolled the ball slowly to the corner, doing his best version of an amphibious pout. re took a look around the room, watching Tatianna run her fingers along a dusty bookshelf in the corner, beside arge oak desk with a million odds and ends atop it. The space was like re imagined most studies would be, with a touch of off-kilter whimsy. The id pattern on the cushioned chair in the corner contrasted starkly with the stars painted on the hearth. ¡°Tati, don¡¯t touch the bookshelf!¡± Tatianna didn¡¯t listen, continuing to scan the wide shelf. ¡°His magical collection. What do you think all this stuff does?¡± The healer picked up a little candle flickering a warm violet glow from the wick. re gaped at Tatianna¡¯s feet. ¡°Um. Tati?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Tatianna didn¡¯t look away from the me. ¡°You¡¯re¡­floating.¡± Tatianna squinted at her and then down to see her glittering shoes drifting a few inches from the ground. ¡°Oh. That¡¯s interesting.¡± re sighed, tugging at the ends of her hair. ¡°Put it down. Please.¡± The healer dropped the candle only to pick up another object. ¡°Where do you think he gets all this stuff?¡± she asked, tilting the gilded lightning bolt to the side. A sh of electric light shot out, cracking the oak desk down the middle. Tatianna¡¯s mouth dropped open, her head slowly turning to re as the dust settled. ¡°Oops.¡± re grabbed both of Tatianna¡¯s hands, tugging her away from the bookshelf and the ruined desk. ¡°Stop touching things. Good grief.¡± That intense rush of emotion that came anytime she was touching Tatianna sent shock waves up her arms, worsening when the healer twined her fingers with re¡¯s. ¡°Sometimes I wonder what would¡¯ve happened if Trystan had never gone with King Benedict that summer,¡± re whispered, keeping her eyes on their joined hands. Tatianna released them, but there was a phantom tingling left behind, a sh of hurt on the healer¡¯s face. ¡°re¡­are you under the impression that all our problems are because of King Benedict?¡± No. re had also thought they were because of Trystan, for far longer than was forgivable. ¡°I know that wasn¡¯t all of it. I do. I just¡­¡± ¡°Can¡¯t help but think things would¡¯ve turned out differently?¡± Tatianna asked, propping Alexander up on the table. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t have. You know as well as I do that the problem wasn¡¯t King Benedict, or The Viin, or even that I wanted to work for him.¡± re licked her lips, sitting slowly on the id chair in a corner of the room. A smallntern just above her illuminated what was likely a defeated sheen in her eyes. ¡°What else could it have been? I loved you.¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°I love you. I have since before I was even old enough to know what that meant, but you were the one thing I¡¯ve always wanted, the one person I want to be with every second of every day. Those years without you were¡±¡ªshe swallowed¡ª¡°the worst of my life.¡± Tatianna¡¯s lip wobbled uncharacteristically, the confident set of her shoulders drooping as she came closer, taking the seat opposite re. ¡°I thought that after I left, you¡¯de to the manor¡ªthat you¡¯de to me¡ªbut instead, you gave up.¡± re¡¯s eyes watered, and a hot streak of tears spilled down her cheek. ¡°I didn¡¯t give up. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was saving you from being stuck with me and my guilt.¡± ¡°Your guilt about what?¡± Tatianna questioned, reaching for her, but re pulled her hands away, not trusting herself to be touched, knowing she didn¡¯t deserve it. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± re shook her head, hands trembling as she pushed them into herp. Tatianna¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°It¡¯s about your mother, isn¡¯t it?¡± re stood so quickly she knocked a ss from the side table, leaping back as it shattered hard against the stone floor, just missing a woven rug. ¡°Why¡ªwhy would you ask that?¡± ¡°Because she was the problem, re.¡± Tatianna stood, using her healer magic to sweep the ss pieces to the side the same way she used it to extract objects from beneath the skin. ¡°For you, for Trystan, even for Malcolm. She was cold and cruel and forced you all to earn an affection she never had. Arthur was the only one who showed true devotion to any of you, but that didn¡¯t undo what Amara had already wrought.¡± re shook her head, her feelings so fragile she didn¡¯t want to risk revealing them any further. But she couldn¡¯t stop. ¡°What is it you think she did?¡± Tatianna¡¯s hands came up to re¡¯s cheeks, holding her face still, forcing re¡¯s ck eyes to her brown ones. ¡°She made you and your brothers think the world is full of only right and wrong, good and evil. And because of it, Trystan¡¯s decided that he can only be one thing, and you believe that, too.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying the world is gray and that she was wrong?¡± re sniffled. Tatianna brought her lips to re¡¯s forehead, gently pressing there until a sob leaked out of re¡¯s lips. ¡°Love, I¡¯m saying that the world is full of color and your mother tried to take that from all of you.¡± re leaned back as soon as Tatianna¡¯s hands fell from her cheeks, trying to catch her breath, rubbing at her eyes. Not wanting to dwell in sadness any longer as she looked at her ex-betrothed, the woman who had been meant to be her wife, with steely resolve. ¡°How do I get it back?¡± Tatianna¡¯s smile was no longer sad¡ªit was hopeful and yful and everything they¡¯d had before rolled into one. ¡°Well¡­ Wand!¡± re blinked. ¡°Is that a metaphor, or¡ª?¡± ¡°No! Look!¡± re followed Tatianna¡¯s finger and the webbed toe Kingsley had pointed toward the other end of the room, and there, sticking out of a unicorn head mounted on the wall¡ªfake, thank goodness¡ªwas a magic wand where the horn should be. ¡°Oh my gods!¡± re rushed for it, reaching to pull it out, but Tatianna stopped her. ¡°Don¡¯t! Didn¡¯t you just tell me to stop touching things? There could be enchantments on it. We can¡¯t just pull it out!¡± Tatianna warned and then shuddered. ¡°Oh, you forced me to be the responsible one. I¡¯ll never forgive you.¡± There was a moment of calm amusement as they both contemted the wand, and then Kingsley wiggled free of the weight around his ankle. The frog leaped upward,nding atop the wand and leaning his weight on it until the long piece of pure iridescent white fell to the floor with a tter. Both women froze, their hands up like they were trying to cover themselves if the ceiling came tumbling down. re exhaled. ¡°Okay. I think we¡¯re safe.¡± But then the walls started shaking, knickknacks on the shelves rattling with them. ¡°From growing old?¡± Tatianna quipped as a horrible creaking sound came from the corner. ¡°That seems likely, yes.¡± And then re realized that no, the ceiling was not tumbling down upon them. But the walls¡­ The walls were closing in. ¡°re. Run. Now.¡± Tatianna shoved at re, and they sprinted at full speed down the hall, leaving the study behind them. The ground shook beneath them as they pushed faster and faster until they hit a dead end. ¡°Tati, move!¡± re cried, rushing past her, pulling a vial of orange ink from her pouch as the walls continued moving closer. The ink floated freely as she wielded it out of the vial, and then in one sweep of her hand, re seared the stone wall with the orange ink¡¯s melting properties. The brick started to dissolve before them, slowly, as the walls closed in. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 57 The Viin Someone was attempting to break in. Trystan¡ªwho had barely found an hour of restful sleep¡ªawoke to rattling. He didn¡¯t wait to investigate. In a true act of finesse, heunched himself off the crooked, ufortable excuse for a sofa and threw himself at the bed until he was blocking Sage with his back, frantically scanning his surroundings. Safeguarding her. In red silk pants. If this ever got out to the public, he¡¯d have to kick a litter of kittens one by one to recover his reputation. He wondered if kicking Valiant Guards would have the same effect. His mist surrounded them, eclipsing the quickly rising sunlight beginning to stream into the room, but it was useless. Expletives fell from his lips as a piece of the wall nearest Sage¡¯s bed gave and two figures stumbled in. Sage jumped out from behind him, dagger slicing through the air like a butcher drunk on mead. ¡°Back up, knaves!¡± She dove for the shadowed figures, but as Trystan¡¯s eyes adjusted, they widened, and he grabbed a iling Sage from behind. ¡°I take it back,¡± he said incredulously. ¡°You¡¯re not a little tornado; you¡¯re a godsdamned hurricane. Stop stabbing!¡± he yelled, tugging her back before she could pierce skin. ¡°It¡¯s Tatianna and re!¡± And Kingsley, who leaped up and held a sign with no words on it, just a poorly depicted skull and crossbones. ¡°Oh!¡± Sage said, sounding too joyful for a woman who was on a spearing spree. Her dagger nged to the ground, and she broke away from Trystan to throw her arms around them both. ¡°I¡¯m so d to see you!¡± re gave him a look¡ªone he was sure all little sisters gave their big brothers when they¡¯d caught them in a situation they would be teasing them aboutter. And possibly until the day they died. ¡°Are you wearing Trystan¡¯s shirt, Evie, dear?¡± Tatianna said, scanning the fabric with obvious distaste. ¡°Are you wearing Tatianna¡¯s lipstick again, re?¡± Trystan asked, his voice hardened and cold. re¡¯s pale cheeks went bright red as she found the nearest mirror and rubbed at her mouth with the back of her hand¡ªthe nearest mirror being the one on the ceiling. re halted in her ministrations with a feline smile as she realized what she was looking at. ¡°Did you enjoy your night with The Wicked Woman, Trystan?¡± re asked airily, and Trystan had the childish urge to shove her under his arm and dig his knuckles into her hair. He was prepared to give sputtered excuses, to fumble and il to spare himself, but mostly Sage, the embarrassment. Except it seemed his apprentice had skated well past shame, because Sage retrieved her dagger once again, then bumped him out of the way with her shoulder, walking toward the passageway his sister and Tatianna had just stumbled in from. ¡°He could have.¡± The look she gave over her shoulder was so chilling, it was like a de of ice had sliced down his spine. Her attention was off him, but he still felt it. Sage had perfected a phantom re. As if he didn¡¯t have enough problems already. ¡°Well. We did not enjoy the walls in those tunnels nearly closing in on us,¡± Tatianna said, removing her pink nightrobe and cing it over Sage¡¯s shoulders, tying the sash tight in an act of sisterly affection. ¡°But I suppose it was worth it.¡± ¡°To catch us looking guilty?¡± Sage asked, tugging at the hem of the robe so she wouldn¡¯t step on it. ¡°Well, that, too.¡± Tatianna shrugged, pulling something free from the back of her nightdress¡¯s sash. ¡°Ta-da!¡± Trystan gaped, staring baldly. ¡°Is that the magic wand?¡± re nodded, her expression suddenly shuttered, like she¡¯d remembered something terrible. Maybe the fact that Trystan was her brother. ¡°We heard a few guards earlier talking about a set of stairs at the base of the tree. It¡¯s attached to the tree manor. I think it¡¯s best if we make our departure before Fowler gets any more unhinged ideas.¡± Trystan tugged on his shoes and took the wand from Tatianna¡¯s outstretched hand, tucking it away into his boot and cing Kingsley atop his shoulder. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Together, they moved out of the lovers¡¯ suite, but they halted when they spotted the guard posted just down the hall. Tatianna quickly threw some sort of powder to where the guard stood. They all poked their heads out to watch the man fall until his head cracked against the floor. Everyone winced, even Trystan. ¡°Where did you get that?¡± he asked Tatianna, impressed. ¡°Lord Fowler¡¯s study had many intriguing items in it,¡± Tatianna answered cryptically. ¡°This way,¡± re dered. ¡°It¡¯s off the library.¡± They made it down the suspiciously quiet corridor before finding a loose panel. Trystan kicked it in to discover a small circr door with rounds and rounds of stairs going down countless floors. Trystan gaped. ¡°That¡¯s too many stairs.¡± Sage pped a palm against her forehead. ¡°You have just as many in the manor!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Trystan agreed. ¡°But I had the sense to have a magical lift installed.¡± An indignant huff escaped Sage¡¯s lips as she began her descent. ¡°You do not have a magical lift.¡± ¡°Of course I do. I can¡¯t expect everyone in the office to climb that many flights each day. Stuart in ounting has a bad knee, and Marv has asthma. I¡¯m not nearly that unreasonable¡ªthough it¡¯s certainly a goal to aspire to.¡± Tatianna pinched his arm, running a finger across her neck, apparently signaling for him to stop, though it was farter than was helpful. ¡°There¡¯s been a lift this whole time and I didn¡¯t know?¡± Sage pped his arm with both hands. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you! Why didn¡¯t you tell me? Are the stairs some kind of psychological torture?¡± Her reaction was odd. He was almost positive he¡¯d told her about the lift on the day of her orientation. He¡¯d showed her the heads first, to get her limated, to which she¡¯d just giggled nervously and said somethingplimentary about his decorating, and then he¡¯d gotten distracted by the way she smiled at him and noticed a beauty mark on her corbone and¡ª And that¡¯s it. He hadn¡¯t ever gotten to the lift part. He¡¯d been too distracted by her sted corbone freckle. ¡°I¡ª¡± He halted, realizing her ire was safer than the truth. ¡°Yes. I thought it would be humorous to not share the information with you. Mwa-ha-ha-ha.¡± He attempted his most sinisterugh, but that was one facet of viiny he¡¯d never gotten quite right. It came out as stiff as a marite puppet. ¡°Oh, Trystan.¡± Tatianna rubbed a hand against her temple, putting herself between Sage and him before his apprentice could grow violent with her dagger once more. Step by winding step, they made their way down, and after about an hour, they finally reached the bottom. Shoving aside arge branch, Trystan busted through the opening out into the early dawn air and froze. For standing on the other side with an insidious smile¡­ Was Lord Fowler. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 58 Evie Evie was still far too frustrated about the lift to care about Lord Fowler. She was tired, she was not wearing any underwear, and worst of all¡ª She was hungry. There may be a murder yet. She sent the thought to her dagger. It leaped at her thigh in what Evie interpreted to be excitement, and she cooed at it. ¡°Be calm. You can¡¯t get violent yet,¡± she whispered and looked up to find everyone watching her with a confounded air. ¡°Are you speaking to your undergarments, Ms. Sage?¡± ¡°Shut it, Fowler,¡± Trystan seethed. ¡°No. I¡¯m not wearing any undergarments,¡± she stated. ¡°Sage!¡± Trystan pressed, his dark eyes wild when she caught them. She held up her hands, genuinely confused. ¡°What? You already knew that!¡± ¡°Did he now?¡± Fowler smirked and looked at Evie a little like he could see right through her thin shirt. She folded her arms over herself just in case, and her boss clocked the motion. The dark mist shot out and pinned Fowler to the tree, pushing his cheek into the bark. ¡°Release me, Viin! It was all in good fun!¡± His voice no longer held that careless edge, dipping into the beginnings of what sounded like panic. ¡°I think this is fun,¡± Trystan said dryly, shoving Fowler¡¯s face harder into the tree until Evie thought she heard it scraping skin. She remembered his penchant for beheading and feared where this act of retaliation was descending to. Oh, the mess. She grabbed Trystan¡¯s arm without thinking, and he didn¡¯t move. His body was so still, her touch not even enough to cause a jerk. She squeezed as a test, and he froze further, tightening muscles she hadn¡¯t realized existed. ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill him, and we¡¯ll all be happily on our way.¡± Trystan pressed the mist against Fowler¡¯s throat, and he began to choke. ¡°If you¡¯ve objections, do not waste them. I do not care.¡± Rude. She scoffed. ¡°All right, Dramatic One, except I wasn¡¯t going to object. I was just going to urge you not to dawdle. We lost a night¡¯s travel because of this fool, and I would like to find some pants soon.¡± His shoulders loosened like an untied knot, his head swinging down until his gaze stopped on her. ¡°Let me get this right. Your only objection to Lord Fowler¡¯s death is that I might loiter?¡± Evie released a sigh. ¡°And yet you¡¯re already doing it.¡± She made her way to a nearby stump and sat atop it,bing her fingers through her tangled curls. ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re done.¡± Fowler was half gagging, halfughing, eyes sparkling with intrigue. ¡°Oh, she¡¯s brutal, isn¡¯t she?¡± he managed to choke out. ¡°You kidnapped us!¡± Evie argued. ¡°And I¡¯m brutal?¡± ¡°Now, Sage, it was for a party. Fowler was trying to show us a happy evening,¡± Trystan said solemnly in rebuke. But the subtle shift of his mouth, the tiniest movement upward, nearly undetectable, told Evie that he was getting back at her. How exciting! ¡°Then I suppose you should spare him after all.¡± She folded her arms and smirked. Got you. ¡°As thedy wishes,¡± he whispered roughly. Oops. He got me. But The Viin didn¡¯t hesitate as he dropped Lord Fowler to the hard earth. His magic¡ªfor once cooperating¡ªreturned to him, leaving Fowler a coughing mess. Kingsley and his re-chained foot dragged over as he held up a sign that read: Choke. ¡°Charming, little frog,¡± Fowler said, climbing to his feet and brushing his hands down his trousers, which were now caked in dirt. As Evie suspected, the entirety of his right cheek was scratched from the bark, blood dripping from deeper cuts. ¡°I merely came to ensure that you were given your horses back.¡± Fowler gestured to their four horses waiting at the tree line. ¡°And, of course, to refresh your food and water stores. And to tell you the magic wand¡¯s caveat.¡± Trystan red. ¡°What. Caveat.¡± Fowler, despite his entricities, looked a tad meek. ¡°Unfortunately, a few years back, I broke the wand in two. I was told it could work half as well with one part, and I always preferred it as decoration. So I thought it kind to give it as a gift. I melted the ss down and had it made into a lovely pair of slippers!¡± Tatianna sighed. ¡°Oh no.¡± Fowler chuckled nervously. ¡°I¡¯m afraid for the wand to work¡­you¡¯ll need to retrieve the ss slippers. It must be whole to work at its full magic.¡± Evie cut in gently, hesitant to ask, ¡°And who has them, Lord Fowler?¡± Fowler brightened. ¡°This is the good part! Fortunately, it was given to someone you know well! The Viin¡¯s mother, Amara Maverine.¡± re froze, as did Trystan. Fowler dimmed. ¡°Or perhaps¡­not so fortunate?¡± Amara Maverine. Splendid. As if they didn¡¯t have enough sinister characters to deal with, now they had the demons of her boss¡¯s past cropping up like weeds. Trystan barked to a guard, ¡°I need a raven to send a message. Now.¡± The guard scrambled toply. Fowler toed the dirt, looking the smallest smidge guilty. ¡°I¡¯ll help make any arrangements to aid your journey.¡± ¡°That was very kind, Lord Fowler,¡± Evie said. ¡°He kidnapped us,¡± Trystan repeated back to her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that part.¡± She huffed, rolling her eyes so hard her whole body turned away. ¡°And for you, my dear girl.¡± Lord Fowler came forward, with all the charm and charisma of a man who didn¡¯t seem as if he¡¯d been seconds away from taking hisst breath. Evie felt a soft fabric slide into her hands. ¡°I have something fit for a viiness of your caliber.¡± Viiness. There were lock mechanisms inside her in constant rotation, and at that word, it was as if every single one found their perfect fit at the same moment, steadying her in a way she¡¯d never experienced before. The fabric crushed between her fingers, soft and the color of the deepest, darkest parts of Trystan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Oooh, Viiness Evie?¡± Tatianna sidled up next to her, unfolding the fabric and holding the short traveling dress against Evie¡¯s chest, whistling. ¡°Another promotion, you lucky duck! I¡¯ve been with the boss for six years, and I¡¯ve never been promoted!¡± ¡°Tati, you¡¯re the one and only healer in the office. You started at the highest possible position for your field and have remained so since,¡± Trystan said, eyeing the garment Fowler had given her like it was a ticking time bomb. Tatianna slumped against Evie, pretending to swoon with a hand to her forehead. ¡°Oh, my stars, how exciting!¡± Tati batted her eyshes at Trystan, causing Evie to giggle. ¡°Can I retire, then?¡± He just stared at the healer. ¡°I hate you.¡± Evie snorted before slipping behind one of therger trees to change into her new attire. The fabric was clearly of the highest quality as it slid smoothly over her skin, the short pants beneath a delightful surprise for traveling. ¡°Look!¡± she yelled as she ran back to the group, the shoes Fowler had given her like little clouds against her soles. All eyes fell to her, including Fowler¡¯s, who¡¯d remained to witness the spectacle that was The Viin¡¯s office staff. She pulled up the skirt, and Trystan gripped her wrist to stop her. ¡°What are you doing?¡± She pulled free and showed them. ¡°Little pants!¡± Her smile faded when she looked back up to see the boss with his hands pped over his eyes. He peeked through when her words registered and cleared his throat, gesturing to them like he was prepared to say something particrly profound. ¡°Nice¡­uh, pantaloons.¡± Smooth, man. Fowler¡¯sugh was halted by Trystan¡¯s magic cutting across his cheek as a fist would. re moved to help Evie do up the buttons of the sewed-in bodice at her back. The morning breeze chilled her skin as re buttoned up the open fabric. ¡°So that¡¯s it, Lord Fowler? We¡¯re permitted to go on our way?¡± Fowler gestured to the horses, then to the clearing beyond. ¡°Free to go! You can even cut through Phoenix Vige, since you¡¯re heading south.¡± Tatianna frowned. ¡°Evie¡¯s and The Viin¡¯s faces are well-known now to Rennedawn. We can¡¯t risk being recognized.¡± Fowler waved a hand. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m certain the vigers won¡¯t notice. You¡¯ll be perfectly safe.¡± ¡°And how can you be certain of that?¡± re asked. Fowler shrugged. ¡°Could be because it¡¯s cloudy. People notice things less when the sun isn¡¯t shining.¡± A horrid sound vibrated the ground beneath them, and Evie¡¯s hands went to her ears. ¡°What was that?¡± A puppy? Another loud roar. A teething puppy? ¡°Oh, the purple phoenix; the vigers worship it, and it protects them in turn, but I¡¯m afraid with the waning magic it¡¯s be a teensy bit violent.¡± Fowler said this with a careless shrug that infuriated Evie. ¡°And you¡¯re not doing anything to help them?¡± Evie gestured toward the sound and the vige path. ¡°This is yournd! Those people are your responsibility.¡± Fowler merely folded his arms and leaned against therge trunk that held his home. ¡°I¡¯m nobility, my dear. My only responsibility is to be as indulgent as possible, aplish one singr good deed a month, and receive years¡¯ worth of praise for it.¡± He winked. ¡°I already did my good deed for the month by letting you depart with that magic wand. Perhaps in another twenty-nine days.¡± Evie¡¯s dagger vibrated against her thigh. She willed it to fly into her hand, then angled the de at Fowler. ¡°So you¡¯re going to let innocent people suffer? People who are counting on you?¡± It shouldn¡¯t have been surprising to her that when given the choice of whether to help others, many instead willfully chose to hurt them. As a child, she had been taught that it was the viins who made that choice, but now she realized it was actually the boastful kings and lords¡ªthe ones who epted love but not responsibility. The day she ceased fully being surprised by it was the day she¡¯d never recover herself. And with every new shred of ugliness, she felt that day growing closer and closer. But not this day. ¡°People should know not to expect that.¡± Fowler tsked. ¡°I hardly have the reputation for it.¡± She was no longer listening, however; with newfound expertise, she kicked her leg into the stirrup and swung her body atop her horse. She squeezed her thighs against the horse¡¯s sides, taking off into a trot and then a gallop. ¡°Sage! Where are you going?¡± Trystan yelled from behind her, the rattle of buckles signaling he and the others were about to follow. ¡°Don¡¯t be a hero, Ms. Sage!¡± Lord Fowler yelled, but his tone was bored. Her dagger glowed in her hand, her rainbow scar tingling at her shoulder in answer. She smiled, feeling cool anger sweep through every vein in her body. ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 59 Evie It was incredible what a little adrenaline could do for one¡¯s confidence. And Evie certainly felt confident as she rode through Hickory Forest at a relentless pace, her curls streaming behind her with each gallop. The ck boning of her bodice was keeping her back straight, the tip of her de pointed outward in one hand. She wondered what sort of portrait she painted from a distance. A wild woman with wild hair, dressed in ck, riding straight for a monster at a warrior¡¯s pace. The Wicked Woman, they¡¯d whisper. She¡¯s as evil as they say. Or¡­she would be. ¡°Go on.¡± She urged the animal faster with just a few words, knowing words were far more powerful than any riding crop, that words of encouragement, in particr, meant far more than the threat of pain. ¡°Hurry!¡± The path widened, and before Evie could say anything more, she was riding down cobblestone streets, straight for the quaint vige¡¯s main square. People were screaming and running in all directions, but mostly away from the being she was riding toward. A rumble in the air was her only warning before arge ball of purple fire sailed over her head and right for a small house just off the square. Another, and the horse was on her hind legs. ¡°Whoa. Whoa!¡± she soothed. ¡°It¡¯s okay!¡± When her hooves met the concrete, Evie leaped off and grabbed the reins, shushing the animal and quickly guiding her as far from the square as she could manage. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll lead the animal away.¡± Evie swore the mare chuffed in response. Sprinting back to the square, she held her dagger tightly in her hand, ducking as arge purple feather-covered animal dipped low, but she¡¯d ducked toote¡ªits long, sharp ws sank into her leg as it dragged her up. Its beak was curved and as ck as onyx, its eyes empty. She screamed, jamming her de into the top of its foot, and it released her. Her heart fell to her feet as shended with a hard thud against a straw roof. ¡°Ah.¡± Evie held tight to her bleeding wound, a violent sting searing along her skin as she pushed. Blood soaked through the pants beneath her skirts, ck opalescent fabric staining red. ¡°Wonderful.¡± The phoenix continued to screech above, sending purple mes over three houses in a row. More running and more screaming from people hidden among those homes, including a child who could¡¯ve been no more than a few months over three. Toddling, crying, and utterly alone. ¡°Oh no,¡± Evie whispered. ¡°Someone help her!¡± she yelled at the people below, but no one seemed to hear. Desperately searching for a safe ce to jump down without breaking something, Evie started to panic when she realized there was none. She was used to breaking things, so really, what did that matter? The little girl fell and cried out. ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± Evie yelled, scooching painfully down to the roof¡¯s edge, in a fury by the time she got there as she watched countless adults run past the little girl. ¡°Help her!¡± she screamed onest time. She knew she wouldn¡¯t be much use to the girl with a broken leg, but if she fell just right, perhaps it would only be an arm. The girl looked thin; surely she would need only the one to carry her to safety. But before Evie could jump, the child was wrapped in someone¡¯s arms. No, not someone¡ªsomething. Something¡­dark and gray. ¡°Sir?¡± Evie called, recognizing The Viin¡¯s magic. The man appeared shortly after, his dark steed making him look every bit the terror the kingdom thought he was. But Evie knew who he was. He leaped off his horse and picked up the crying girl, murmuring words Evie couldn¡¯t hear from where she sat but ones she knew wereforting, for the child quieted down in a moment, smiling shyly in his arms, and Evie¡¯s heart began to make ufortablements to the rest of her. He rode in the other direction, toward the gathered crowd, handing the child to a crying mother who grabbed Trystan by both shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Good. He needs one. The rest of the vigers watched the interaction, exchanging shocked looks. ¡°Uh. There, there.¡± Trystan patted the woman¡¯s shoulders before nudging out of her hold to get back atop his horse. ¡°Thank you, Mr. The Viin!¡± the little girl yelled, and the sound carried up to Evie, who watched the boss¡¯s shoulders straighten at the gratitude. ¡°I¡¯m evil, little girl. I did that for¡­evil purposes you don¡¯t know yet,¡± he deadpanned. ¡°Like what?¡± one of the older men yelled, clearly skeptical. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be a very good viin if I told you my ns,¡± Trystan replied in a sinister tone, turning his steed back toward where the dangerous phoenix hadnded. ¡°That¡¯s what gents say when they don¡¯t know what they¡¯re doing,¡± a matron whispered to one of the younger girls. ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± Trystan called back, but his shoulders slumped some as he rode toward the house Evie sat atop. Evie chuckled, even though it made her woozy from the blood loss. ¡°How does it feel to bepletely sorted by a group of strangers you only met two and a half minutes ago?¡± ¡°How does it feel to be unemployed?¡± he grumbled. ¡°How does it feel to be hit in the head with a rock?¡± ¡°What?¡± Trystan asked, looking up, and Evie tossed a small, weightless pebble at his skull. ¡°Ow!¡± ¡°Not good, then?¡± Evie nodded, acting like she was writing down data for a scientific discovery. Her hand was caked in her blood, and she quickly returned it to her leg, noting that at least the bleeding had finally slowed to a less life-threatening degree. ¡°Deands, Sage! Are you bleeding?¡± Trystan yelled. ¡°Obviously not¡ªI¡¯m finger painting,¡± she said sarcastically. ¡°Get down here!¡± She looked over the side of the roof and nodded. ¡°You¡¯re the boss.¡± She rolled over the side and was airborne for a second before arge body appeared below hers, breaking her fall. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean you should jump off!¡± he said, wheezing below her. ¡°You didn¡¯t specify, sir.¡± She flicked his nose. He red. ¡°Are you trying to kill me?¡± ¡°Not till next week.¡± He lifted them both to their feet, hauling her up like one would a knapsack. She enjoyed it more than was appropriate for someone with a smidgen of self-respect. And then she remembered how he¡¯d cradled that little girl to his chest, imagining for the smallest of moments him holding a different little girl¡ªone with dark, dangerous eyes and ck curls¡­ Okay, less than a smidgen. ¡°Holy gods,¡± he said, trying to stanch her blood flow even as he frantically searched the crowd. ¡°Tatianna!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± She batted his hands away. ¡°There¡¯s a hole in you!¡± he fumed. Another screech from the bird, and Evie had to bite her lip to keep fromughing. It took Trystan approximately three seconds to catch up to where her brain had traveled. ¡°How is it that even now, you manage to find something crude in the conversation?¡± She winced. ¡°A special talent?¡± He picked her up by the waist and swung her away when another ball of fire shot right for where she was standing. ¡°Sage, there¡¯s nothing we can do for these people. The bird¡¯s magic is running out of control. Unless you¡¯refortable killing it? In which case you should know it will only reanimate a few minutester. Angrier, I¡¯d guess.¡± She held on to his shoulder to steady herself and stood firm. ¡°I won¡¯t leave these people.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Trystan yelled. ¡°You don¡¯t know them, and they wouldn¡¯t do this for you.¡± Evie held his gaze, trapping him with her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not doing this because of what they¡¯d do. I¡¯m doing it because it¡¯s what I do.¡± An impassible barrier erected behind his eyes as he processed her decision. As the words sank in, he gave her one stiff nod before gingerly helping her up onto his horse. Her mare had long since bolted in the other direction. ¡°All right, Sage,¡± The Viin said as he swung into the saddle behind her. ¡°If we¡¯re to do a good deed, I suppose we have an edge that the Valiant Guards don¡¯t.¡± She gave him a curious smile. ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± He smiled back, dimple out in full force. Or was the blood loss merely giving her some pleasant hallucinations? But she knew it was real, as only Trystan Maverine would take this much pleasure in what he said next. ¡°We don¡¯t y fair.¡± The ck mist followed them as they galloped toward the creature. ¡°Sir. Your magic. Should I get some distance?¡± ¡°No,¡± he said resolutely, ¡°it¡¯s unpredictable with you, but it¡¯s powerful. That¡¯s the only thing that will help us in this situation.¡± Evie¡¯s dagger glowed, and so did her scar as they neared the phoenix. Evie hardly noticed the pain in her leg anymore, which meant either the wound wasn¡¯t as bad as she¡¯d predicted or it was significantly worse. As an optimist, she pretended it was the former. ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± Evie asked uneasily as their horse came to a sudden stop, therge bird having suddenlynded right in front of them. Menacing anger emanated from it in waves of fire. But to Evie, it mostly looked¡­sad. ¡°To not die,¡± Trystan said dryly. ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯ve got at the moment, as this was an unexpected addition to our journey.¡± ¡°Hasn¡¯t the entirety of the journey been unexpected?¡± she grumbled, gripping his arm as he helped her dismount. She held up her dagger but didn¡¯t release it. Phoenixes were peaceful animals; they weren¡¯t known for destruction or wild temperaments. And though the purple kind was even rarer than most, they were also said to be the kindest. ¡°They¡¯re gentle animals. This is heartbreaking,¡± she whispered, watching it thrash in a possessed sort of anger. It screeched and flung another ball of me at her. She jolted into Trystan, and he huffed, ¡°They¡¯re as gentle as I am.¡± ¡°Oh, sir! You¡¯re a genius!¡± She jumped excitedly, grabbing his arm. He rubbed the back of his neck, flustered. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say genius. I am a stickler for strategy and logic, but nothing more¡ª¡± Evie didn¡¯t have the time to hear the end of his sentence. She had to act fast before she lost her nerve. Or her life. She sprinted to the animal, arms open wide. She was going to give the fire-breathing bird¡­a godsforsaken hug. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 60 The Viin Trystan had lived long enough, truly. Sage certainly seemed to think so, as she didn¡¯t mind making blood vessels burst behind his eyes from the amount of yelling he did when she wrapped her arms around an out-of-control, murderous, immortal bird and squeezed. The animal iled, thrashing and trying to shove itsrge beak into Sage¡¯s neck. Fortunately, as was her tendency, Sage gripped its neck in an unbreakable lock. It couldn¡¯t reach her. ¡°Everything is okay,¡± she soothed, running her hands up and down its purple feathers. Trystan approached slowly, knowing one wrong move could set the animal off again. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I know it hurts and that it¡¯s confusing. I won¡¯t leave you alone,¡± she said into its feathers, and he was overwhelmed by how deeply the words affected him. How deeply every move she made affected him. It was even worse now that he knew what it was to hold her, to have her pliant and sweet and open to him. He¡¯d thought a taste of what it would be like to have her would curb the wanting. And it had curbed it, only to make way for the burning. ¡°Evie¡­¡± he whispered. The animal stilled in her arms and¡­godsdamned chirped. ¡°This cannot actually be working.¡± But it was. Therge bird drooped, its neck craning down to wrap around her back. She pulled away and looked upon the destructive animal with a fierce affection. ¡°It¡¯s all right if you¡¯re scared. I¡¯m scared all the time, butshing out when we¡¯re hurting isn¡¯t how to fix it.¡± She pulled away, and the animal allowed it, allowed her to stick out her leg and motion to the wound. ¡°A second of reprieve is not worth a lifetime of regret. Don¡¯t you agree?¡± The animal made a trilling sound¡ª Then shot a re of purple fire at Sage¡¯s leg. ¡°Fuck!¡± Trystan roared, running toward her until the animal screeched in his face, swatting him to the ground like a stray piece of lint. When he stood, he fully expected to see Sage up in mes, her body scorched, and he knew his own would hollow out as his soul passed over to the deands from the sight. But that¡¯s not what he saw. Sage wasn¡¯t burned. She glowed. Her leg was fully healed, all signs of blood or torn fabric gone, and she was spinning in a circle, her skirts billowing around her, the strapless fitted bodice glittering as she moved. And because that wasn¡¯t enough absurdity for him, right then the clouds parted and the sun made its first formal appearance of the day, shining right onto Evie. And he realized Fowler¡¯s gifted dress wasn¡¯t ck at all. When the sunlight hit the fabric, it shined a different color with every twirl, each ray of light on her catching a new shade until she was lit up everywhere. Colorful. All the color in his world existed just before him. Evie Sage is meant to be your downfall, and you her undoing. Until you decide to forge your own path no matter what destiny says¡­those dreams will be all you ever have. He¡¯d aspired to things before Sage, career goals that still mattered. Years of nning he could not let go of and a dear little green friend who desperately needed his help. The Viin was all he¡¯d ever been; who was he if he let that go? And could it be someone who deserved her? You¡¯ve always had the habit of ruining everything and everyone, haven¡¯t you? If the only good thing in life he ever did was ensure Sage had a happy future, he¡¯d do it, his own fate be damned. He¡¯d exist without color. He¡¯d done it for his first twenty-nine years of life¡ªhe could do it again. He had to. The phoenix eyed him as he edged closer, hands outstretched in deference. ¡°I¡¯m with her.¡± It was an animal, so he knew there was no logical way that it raised a skeptical brow, but Trystan felt it regardless, and he rolled his eyes. Up close, he could see that the bird¡¯s eyes were red, and¡­he¡¯d never im to be an expert at emotion, but he felt they looked somber, sad. Sage reached out, gently stroking its beak, and whispered, ¡°Go. Fly somewhere grand for now, and when we restore the magic, you may return, and you won¡¯t feel so out of control.¡± The sun made his eyes burn; he had to rub at them. A ring of fire had appeared around Sage when he stopped, purple mes trapping her in ce. Trystan rushed at the mes and felt the heat burn into his arms as he reached for her. Sage gasped, gripping both his hands, drawing him into the circle with her before he burned any further. He held on to her hips to steady himself, and his foreheadnded against hers. Her shoulder glowed, the dagger in her hand, too, and it was the damnedest thing, but Trystan began to feel a little like he was glowing as well. She flicked his nose and scrunched hers. I love you, he thought. The phoenix trilled, a sad sound as it looked upon the vigers screaming in its direction. Vigers who used to worship the animal, now holding pitchforks and weapons, ready to destroy the being who once protected them. It made him feelpassion. He¡¯d retch over a basinter. Looking the animal in the eye, he steadied his voice. ¡°They¡¯ll forgive you. And if they don¡¯t, you¡¯ll have a home at Massacre Manor. We¡¯ve made a habit of taking in strays.¡± The phoenix let out a final screech beforeunching for the skies, and the vige fell quiet as the fires fizzled into nothing more than bits of ash. The smells of burned hay and smoke scratched the inside of his nose and throat¡ªit exined the burning in his eyes. He coughed into his hand. ¡°How did you know that would work?¡± Sage gave him a pointed look. ¡°You said they were as gentle as you are, and I remembered that even viins need a bit of softness every now and again. Forgiveness even more.¡± Trystan pushed a hand through his hair, in desperate need of a trim. ¡°I care nothing for forgiveness.¡± Sage hummed, and he knew she saw right through him. ¡°Fine, then. You¡¯re right, and I¡¯m wrong.¡± It didn¡¯t feel like a victory. He followed her. They searched out his sister and Tatianna, finding them healing two young girls with burns on their hands by the vige¡¯s entrance. Tatianna smiled at the little girl he¡¯d saved, pulling one of the many pink bows from her hair and clipping it into the little girl¡¯s braid. Trystan froze when every pair of eyesnded on him. Realization dawned from one person to the next, a teetering deck of cards, falling one by one until they all connected that the man and women who¡¯d helped them could fetch a very generous reward. Trystan waited for them to call the Valiant Guard, for someone to scream and point, to be what he¡¯d been for more than half his life. Spurned. Instead, one of the elderly gentlemen hobbled to the front of the line and mmed his palms together repeatedly. ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± Trystan said to no one in particr. ¡°That¡¯s called pping, Tryst,¡± re whispered. ¡°I realize that,¡± he hissed. ¡°Why are they doing it right now?¡± The little girl toddled forward, her mother following carefully after her until she was at Trystan¡¯s feet. ¡°Uh¡­hello?¡± Her cherub cheeks were rosy, and her smile was cheery. ¡°Here, Mr. The Viin.¡± In her hand was a singr dandelion. ¡°For a wish.¡± He looked at it and then back to the little girl, her curly brown locks giving him hideous pause as he contemted a future he knew could never exist. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, his throat burning, though the smoke had long gone. ¡°Make a wish now,¡± she whispered around cupped hands, and Trystan stared at the dandelion, incredulous. But then he closed his eyes and blew. Wisps of seeds flew like floating snow. ¡°Thank you, uh, Mr. Maverine? Do you have a preference as to what you¡¯re called?¡± the young mother asked him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Nobody¡¯s ever asked,¡± Trystan said honestly, and a few nervous chuckles made their way through the crowd. ¡°In any case, thank you for saving my Ate, and thank both of you on behalf of the whole vige for saving us from that monster.¡± Sage murmured quietly beside him, ¡°I¡¯d wager the bird wasn¡¯t the only monster present today.¡± Trystan followed her gaze to the men in the back who were still holding tight to their pitchforks. Her ire was so palpable, all of them dropped them at once. ¡°Remember, down the line, when it matters, that forgiveness is canine. Meaning if a dog can do it, then you certainly can.¡± Her encouragements wereing out more and more threatening each time. And he was having immense trouble not letting himself beam with pride. ¡°On our way?¡± Sage asked the three of them and Kingsley, who peeked his head out of re¡¯s satchel, looking half asleep, crown crooked and eyelids drooped. ¡°Have a nice nap?¡± Trystan said sardonically, mounting his steed and cing the frog on his shoulder. The rest followed suit, and they heard a few hearty goodbyes called after them as they trotted down the cobblestone road. ¡°So¡­now we head to the border, right? Or do we have to make a stop at your¡­mother¡¯s house?¡± Sage asked as they passed into the woods. ¡°We can¡¯t enter my home vige the normal way,¡± Trystan admitted, dreading this part of the journey. ¡°My mother has eyes all over town. She¡¯ll know we¡¯reing. I¡¯ll have my contact arrange to make a stop, discreetly. Through Benevolent Vige¡¯s docks. ¡± Sage frowned, and the wind swept her locks away from her face. ¡°We¡¯re entering through the docks? What contact?¡± re gasped in realization, followed closely by Tatianna. ¡°No! Trystan, you did not ask Jellyfish Jones!¡± Tatianna whined. ¡°Even you¡¯re not that sadistic.¡± ¡°In this case, it would be masochistic, considering this hurt me just as much as it¡¯s hurting you,¡± he grumbled, cantering ahead. Sage frowned as she came up alongside his horse. ¡°Uh, hello? Earth to Evil Overlord? Who in the deands is Jellyfish Jones?¡± Say it fast and maybe she won¡¯t catch on. Tatianna sighed, throwing Trystan a death re that well outshined his. ¡°Jellyfish Jones is the best fisherman in the southern part of the continent. His boat is legendary.¡± re patted Tatianna¡¯s arm. ¡°And he also happens to be Tatianna¡¯s father.¡± Evie flinched. ¡°Oh.¡± Tatianna¡¯s defensive re made Evie brighten. ¡°I¡¯m excited to meet him.¡± ¡°You should be, Sage. You have much inmon.¡± Trystan smirked at Tatianna, and she threw her canteen at him, hitting his gut hard. ¡°Thirsty?¡± She gave him a sharine smile. ¡°What do we have inmon?¡± Sage asked, obviously not following a thing they were talking about. ¡°You¡¯ll see. It¡¯s not for me to exin, but do let me know if you spy anything fishy,¡± he whispered. Sageughed, confused, but her eyes sparkled anyway. For him. ¡°Trystan!¡± Tatianna screamed, galloping after him. Heughed all the way to the docks and the Lc Sea. Almost forgetting every reason he had to neverugh again and all the danger thaty ahead. Almost. But not quite. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 61 Gideon ¡°Well. At least we know for certain that they¡¯re holding her in here,¡± Gideon supplied as they crept over the wall to the left of a tunnel¡¯s set of stone stairs. He had no idea how many hours had passed, but he¡¯d guess it was lunchtime, by the yawning emptiness of his stomach. Keeley sighed. ¡°Did the screaming cries of a mother in pain not already assure us of this?¡± Gideon rubbed at his chin. ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m endeavoring to be the positive one of the two of us, since you seem to have trouble managing it.¡± Wrong. Wrong thing to say. He flinched just from the molten burn of her re. ¡°I am the captain of an evil guard. My job is not to be positive. It¡¯s to be realistic, so I can make sure nobody dies.¡± ¡°From your side,¡± Gideon corrected. ¡°What?¡± she snapped, looking over the edge again to see if the Valiant Guards outside the enclosure below were still there. ¡°You make sure nobody dies from your side, and you do a stupendous job. Whoever is working for King Benedict cannot agree.¡± ¡°As in¡­¡± ¡°At least four Valiant Guards die a week with regrity, and the truth is, King Benedict doesn¡¯t care. He doesn¡¯t even bother to remember their names.¡± ¡°But he knew yours,¡± Keeley said quietly. ¡°He knew yours, and he used that against you, and you didn¡¯t deserve that.¡± Gideon¡¯s lips parted, a short breathing out. ¡°I think that¡¯s the nicest thing you¡¯ve ever said to me.¡± Keeley rolled her eyes and shoved him, though not with any force. ¡°Savor it, as it was also thest.¡± She motioned to the stairs. ¡°All right. Shall we go dispatch some of your former brethren? Probably a few new faces with the turnaround you described.¡± ¡°Real nice.¡± ¡°I never said I was nice.¡± ¡°I know. I was thinking positively again,¡± Gideon said gravely. Keeley shuddered. ¡°Well, knock it off.¡± Her helmet hid her face from view once more as she dragged the heavy metal over her head, concealing her golden locks. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Follow my lead,¡± Gideon said, moving in front of her. This endeavor was the greatest risk of the whole journey. If the two guards suspected either of them, they¡¯d alert the rest of the barracks, he and Keeley would be captured, and Gideon would fail Evie¡­again. Keeley followed his uniformed march until they reached the two guards standing sentry outside the guvre¡¯s cage. The animal looked battered behind the bars, with arge gash on her head that sent a surprising spike of ferocity through him. He hardened his voice, all signs of humor gone in favor of coolmand. ¡°Morning, gentlemen. The king is requesting you report to his offices¡ªimmediately. We¡¯re here to relieve you.¡± Sweat was building at his neck despite the chill from being underground. The two Valiant Guards lifted their helmets, brows raised in suspicion they couldn¡¯t afford. ¡°Who says?¡± Keeley deepened her voice. ¡°The king.¡± The two guards looked at each other and then squinted over at Gideon, and he realized he recognized them¡ªthey¡¯d been training captains his first day in the Gleaming Pce. They had been ruthless in their teachings, brutal in every session in a way that imprinted in his memory. Gideon tried not to jerk when one of them narrowed his eyes at Gideon, leaning too close. ¡°Oy! It¡¯s the fucking Sage boy!¡± Therger of the guards grabbed him by the neck, and the other circled Keeley. In one quick movement, the man grabbed the front of her helmet and swung her body into the cage doors. Gideon growled, unsheathing his sword and slicing at the arm banded around him until he was released. He could hear Keeley shing with the other knight, but Gideon couldn¡¯t help her if he was run through. His opponent¡¯s sword mmed against his, sending vibrations up his arm. Shoving at the man, Gideon sliced for his thigh, striking a gash through the gaps in the armor; he went down. Gideon raised his sword high again, ready to end this, but before he could, Keeley was behind the knight, slitting his throat. He dropped beside the second guard, who appeared to already have been dispatched by Keeley seconds prior. Gideon¡¯s eyes found her face, helmet discarded, breathing heavily, knife bloodied in one hand, her chest moving beneath the other. She nodded at Gideon, and he nodded back, unable to speak properly through his shock, but he managed to finally utter a shaky, ¡°Thank you.¡± Keeley stared at him, her gold eyes boring into his with an emotion Gideon couldn¡¯t describe. ¡°You¡¯re wee, sir knight,¡± she said softly. After they dragged the two bodies into an empty cell, out of sight, Keeley dropped to her knees, unfolding the map Gideon had drawn, spreading it out onto the stone floor slowly so as not to tear it. The thoughtfulness she put into caring for something he¡¯d created made him feel funny. Her golden brows pinched, focused, as she spread out a small wrinkle in the corner. He hit his chest. Terrible indigestion. ¡°All right. I¡¯ll distract her from the front while you slip the leash on, and then we¡¯ll lead her out.¡± Gideon shook his head. ¡°That won¡¯t work. We were counting on the female guvre to walk herself out of here, but she¡¯s been sedated. We don¡¯t have enough strength between the two of us to drag her out.¡± ¡°How do you know she¡¯s under sedation?¡± ¡°Look at her.¡± The female guvre stumbled into the rocks, dragging her ws across the ground to get to the meager water bowl, which was filled with bugs and dirt. ¡°Those guards likely just gave her a dose. We¡¯ll have to wait until it wears off.¡± Keeley threw her hands up. ¡°We can¡¯t do that! We¡¯re sitting ducks here.¡± Gideon opened his mouth, but Keeley cut him off. ¡°Don¡¯t make a joke about rubber ones right now or I will kill you.¡± Gideon closed his mouth. Keeley sighed, rubbing at her eyes and wincing when she straightened her back. ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± Gideon came up behind her, hovering a hand over her back but not daring to touch her. ¡°Yes. But I¡¯ve been hurt worse.¡± She shrugged like that sentence didn¡¯t pulverize his insides. ¡°This is like a beesting.¡± She looked up at him through her goldenshes. ¡°If we stay too long, another round of guards wille for a shift change.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll be a while. They likely had just begun their shift. By the time the new guards get here, most of the sedative will have worn off.¡± Gideon watched Keeley, swallowing hard. ¡°And if it doesn¡¯t wear off in time?¡± ¡°Then you take her left leg and I¡¯ll take the right.¡± In other words? They¡¯d be dead. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 62 Evie Evie Sage had only seen the Lc Sea once as a child. It had been on her sixth birthday, the sky had been clear of any clouds, and the funniest little birds had swooped down to steal a piece of her cake. Her father had yelled to shoo them away, kicking up sand as he went, face red with anger, but Evie hadn¡¯t been angry at all. When her father slipped away with Gideon to fish, Evie cut thergest piece and snuck over to the little cove where the gray birds pped and cooed. She¡¯d slid down the rock to dip her toes in the water, thinking she¡¯d never seen anything so purple. ¡°Excuse me?¡± She¡¯d cautiously attempted to get the birds¡¯ attention. All at once, they had turned toward her, ready tounch at the frosting-covered pastry in her hands, and then halted. Perhaps remembering her angry father tearing after them, scaring them. Evie hated to be scared. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± She¡¯d smiled, dropped to her knees. The sand was soft beneath the thin dress she wore. ¡°There¡¯s enough for all of us.¡± Ripping off a piece, she tossed it to the nearest bird. It crept forward and snuck a bite, and Evie saw that arge notch of feathers was missing on its left wing¡ªa wound that had never healed. ¡°Did someone hurt you, little bird?¡± she asked, her soft heart squeezing painfully. The bird hopped forward, pecking lightly at her palm, so she gave it another piece and it nudged its head into her hand. ¡°My mama says scars are signs we¡¯ve lived bravely.¡± She stood and curtsied. ¡°You are a valiant guard to me.¡± She¡¯d spent the rest of her birthday feeding the birds and watching the Lc Sea ebb and flow, so open, so mysterious. It was the best birthday she¡¯d ever had. Although this one was proving to be the most interesting. Evie, Trystan, Tatianna, and re rode down to the docks, hoods over their faces for anyone who looked too closely. They couldn¡¯t afford to be stopped again. Kingsley was growing less and less respondent, and in turn the boss was growing less and less patient. They¡¯d made it to the docks, riding in silence the whole way. Evie entertained herself by watching Tatianna and re exchange longing nces back and forth. The midday sun was hotter this close to the coast, and she felt it burning against her bare arms as she dismounted and handed her reins to Trystan, who didn¡¯t spare her a nce as he flicked a coin to the local stable hand to keep them safe until they returned. ¡°His ship will be toward the end of the docks,¡± Trystan said gruffly, staring forward. ¡°How will we know which is Tati¡¯s father¡¯s?¡± Evie asked, angling her head curiously at a nondescript ship with a group of men hooting and hollering at the five of them as they passed. Trystan grabbed her gently by the shoulders and moved her to the other side of him, away from the boat, and made a strange noise in the men¡¯s direction. The men fell silent and averted their eyes. ¡°Sir¡­did you just hiss?¡± ¡°No. I had something stuck in my throat.¡± His voice was strangled as he nudged her forward. ¡°Keep going. You¡¯ll know the boat when you see it.¡± ¡°What do you¡ª¡± Ah, of course. The boat was pink. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is happening.¡± Tatianna groaned into her fingers, and re tentatively brushed a hand across her shoulders. A boisterous voice called from the crow¡¯s nest above, which was gilded in gold and light-fuchsia hues. A man jumped down, tall and muscr, removing a jacket that was, well¡ªalso pink. ¡°Angel bird!¡± A ramp lowered to the dock, and the man sprinted toward them, then lifted Tatianna from her feet and swung her around¡­and she allowed it. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to finally be able tomit a crime with you!¡± He removed his bright hat, which had a few feathers stuck into it, and held it to his chest. His face was handsome and graced with age lines, his headpletely devoid of hair, brown skin glistening with sweat from the heat. Tatianna groaned. ¡°Daddy, you¡¯re notmitting a crime.¡± Tatianna¡¯s father winked at the rest of them, holding up a hand, mock whispering, ¡°But I¡¯m at least an essory, right?¡± Evie choked on augh and, when Tati turned to re at her, stepped closer to Trystan¡¯s side. ¡°rissa!¡± He kissed both of re¡¯s cheeks, and she beamed at the man she¡¯d known for most of her life. ¡°Are you two back together yet?¡± ¡°Dad! Gods damn it all,¡± Tatianna screeched. ¡°I¡¯m boarding the ship. Tell me when we¡¯re leaving.¡± Tati trudged up the nk and hopped aboard, her attire matching the exterior. re gave Tatianna¡¯s father a big hug and followed quickly after the healer, as if pulled by an invisible string. The older man turned his attention on Evie, his brown gaze warm, his smile inviting. ¡°Evie Sage, I take it?¡± He grabbed her hand, and Evie waited with expectation for a handshake or a bow. What she did not anticipate was the man pulling her into his arms and hugging her with the familiarity of family. ¡°Oh, what a joy it is to finally meet you. Tatianna writes of you so often, I feel as if I know you already! Another daughter to add to the roster, to be sure. I¡¯m Jones, but I let the kids call me Jellyfish Jones. So may you.¡± Heughed at her confused expression. ¡°They found it amusing when they were young, after I got stung.¡± He winked at her, smelling of the sea and something warm she couldn¡¯t ce. Affection, perhaps. Mortifyingly, Evie felt tears prick at her eyes as she returned the gesture, released just in time for her to wipe a drop that slid down her face, but when she looked up, Trystan was watching her sharply. She looked away. ¡°And Trystan!¡± Anotherrge hug was initiated, and Trystan froze under it. ¡°My boy, look at all you¡¯ve aplished! A business owner!¡± The boss sent a warning nce over Jones¡¯s shoulder that said, Bring this up ever again and I will make you regret it. She lifted her brow as if to say, You know I will anyway. His lip twitched¡ªa sh of a dimple, a beat of her heart. ¡°All aboard!¡± Jones said, nudging the two of them up the tform, and when she stepped foot aboard, it felt like entering a new world. Onepletely constructed to Tatianna¡¯s tastes. ¡°It¡¯s so¡­¡± ¡°Pink,¡± Trystan finished with a rare spark of amusement. ¡°It¡¯s Tatianna¡¯s favorite color,¡± Jones exined. ¡°When I have to travel to different ports for work, it helps me think of her, and then I don¡¯t miss her so very much.¡± He threw an arm around Tatianna, and she smiled, leaning into his side with begrudging affection. ¡°You could¡¯ve just painted the steering wheel, Dad. This was over the top,¡± Tatianna pointed out with yful teasing. Captain Jones had painted his entire ship pink to avoid even the slightest twinge of missing his daughter. This is it. This is the love of a father, Evie thought painfully, putting a hand to her stomach to stop the churning. ¡°That¡¯s so sweet.¡± It was. ¡°Lift the anchor!¡± Captain Jones yelled, jumping from doting father to professional seaman in seconds. The ship lurched into movement as it treaded out into open water. The lighter purple hues of the sea turned darker the deeper they moved, and, despite the heat, Evie shivered. ¡°Captain Jones,¡± Trystan said after a few minutes of sailing, ¡°Sage and I would like use of the restroom. It is still in the same ce, I take it?¡± Captain Jones waved a hand, nearly dragging Tatianna to steer. re followed dutifully behind them, and Kingsley hopped onto Captain Jones¡¯s shoulder, holding up a sign. Missed ¡°Oh, I missed you, too, Alexander,¡± Jones said, fondly patting the top of the frog¡¯s head. So much love. Unconditional and unfettered. It was so beautiful and¡ª So far out of reach. ¡°The restroom, Sage? I have to go very badly.¡± Trystan¡¯s words sounded clipped and strange, even by Evie¡¯s standards. ¡°You can¡¯t wait until we¡¯re farther out into the water?¡± she asked. ¡°And why do I need to escort you?¡± Some of the crew, who up until then had been busy with other tasks, watched The Viin now with shrewd curiosity. ¡°No¡­I ate some bad¡­turnips.¡± Evie felt with an intense confidence that The Viin had never touched a turnip. She followed him anyway. Theughter from the crew was clearly at Trystan¡¯s expense. He didn¡¯t seem to care. Just strutted like he hadn¡¯t insinuated that his bowels were on the verge of exploding as he climbed down the narrow stairs, holding his hand out for Evie¡¯s, the skin-to-skin contact sending shock waves up her arm. His fingers tightened on hers as he pulled her down the narrow hallway, walking with the confidence of someone who knew the space well. ¡°Sir, you know I¡¯m a proponent of oversharing, but your restroom habits are taking it a little far even for meee¡ª¡± She squealed as he tugged her into a little room filled with empty hanging bunks in neat rows. He was stern when he faced her, his beautiful face hard and cold. She shivered and held her arms, feeling his dark eyes prate her skin and prick at the edges of her heart. ¡°You seemed to need privacy. I didn¡¯t wish to embarrass you by pointing it out.¡± The exnation wasn¡¯t delivered with depth of feeling or flourish. It was matter-of-fact and logical. The only man, surely, who could make reason sound so heart-wrenchingly romantic. ¡°I¡¯m being selfish,¡± she admitted, knowing he wouldn¡¯t judge her, knowing he was the safest person in the world for her to express even her darkest thoughts. ¡°Tatianna¡¯s father is wonderful, and she deserves a parent like that. I was just overwhelmed by it¡­ By the abysmal affection I¡¯ve settled for all my life. I feel embarrassed.¡± No, she ordered herself, tilting her head up, blinking hard at the ceiling, focusing on the chipped wood and the gentle rocking of the ship. ¡°Sage.¡± She watched in her peripherals as he nced up at the ceiling as well. ¡°Are you looking for something up there? Or are you suffering from sudden neck stiffness?¡± he asked dryly. Sheughed even as the tears burned, and she furiously blinked them back. ¡°I¡¯m so tired of crying. I¡¯m hoping this sucks them back behind my eyes.¡± Warm hands sped her cheeks, and she could only stare in awe as they tilted her chin back down to the floor. His mouth was tight, but his brow was furrowed, his eyes searching. ¡°Cry.¡± Her body followed the order, as if hemanded her faculties and not she. ¡°And if anyone says a word to make you feel ashamed of it, I¡¯ll drown them in the shallow puddle your tears make.¡± He gave her a sly grin. ¡°I hear drowning is the most painful way to die.¡± She giggled through her blurred vision, wiping gently at her cheek with one hand and yfully shoving him with the other. ¡°You remember me saying that in the Heart Vige?¡± ¡°I remember everything you say.¡± The slyness was gone, and only sincerity remained¡ªand the ache of everything she felt for the man before her. She brought a tentative hand up to his face, and he froze. The stubble of his chin sending tingles into her palm, she rubbed a thumb across the top of his cheekbone and said, ¡°This might be the greatest birthday gift I¡¯ve ever been given.¡± The moment shattered into tiny pieces at the look on his face. ¡°What!¡± She stumbled back from the outraged promation. What had she said wrong? Don¡¯t¡­ Don¡¯t¡­not know what you did wrong, Evie! Oh, even for me that¡¯s too much. ¡°What? What did I say?¡± she screeched. ¡°It¡¯s not your birthday.¡± He sliced a hand through the air, as if he could sh the words in half. Evie looked left to right just to be sure there was no one hiding in the wings, waiting to jump out and yell, ¡°Gotcha!¡± But no one was there. This wasn¡¯t a prank, just the normal everyday nonsense that her life had be. ¡°It¡­is,¡± she said carefully. ¡°Do you find birthdays particrly triggering? Is it the cake? The balloons?¡± She gasped, gripping his arm. ¡°Oh, sir, are you afraid of balloons?¡± ¡°No, Sage!¡± he roared. She nodded solemnly. ¡°Birthday jesters, then.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of jesters!¡± Kingsley¡¯s chained cuff nged in seemingly out of nowhere with a sign that read: Liar ¡°Get out, you snoop!¡± Trystan yelled, opening the door, and Kingsley stuck out his long tongue before moving at a snail¡¯s pace to get away. ¡°Fucking frog.¡± He rubbed his temples and turned to her, and the ferocity in his expression made her stumble away until her back hit the wall. ¡°Stay here,¡± he ordered, following Kingsley, mming the door behind him. She snorted. ¡°Yeah, right.¡± She gripped the handle and tugged. The door didn¡¯t budge. The Viin had known her for too long and too deeply to believe that she¡¯d stay put. She jiggled the handle again, burning anger boiling her blood until her face flushed and her neck prickled with heat. She banged the door with a fist. ¡°YOU SON OF A BITCH, TRYSTAN! LET ME OUT!¡± The Viin had locked her in. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 63 Kingsley ¡°Where¡¯s Evie?¡± re Maverine asked warily as Trystan tore across the upper deck with severe purpose, Kingsley leaping just ahead of him. ¡°I locked her in the barracks.¡± Kingsley stopped to p a webbed foot to his head. ¡°Oh.¡± re licked her lips and scratched at her brow. ¡°I¡¯m sure I shouldn¡¯t ask, but, uh¡­why?¡± ¡°Tatianna!¡± Trystan growled, reaching the healer in two long strides, and both women backed up a few steps at his re. Kingsley struggled to pick up a sign to write Don¡¯t¡ªbut by the time he finished holding it up, he was toote. re had already pulled the green ink bottle out on instinct, grabbing the little ball at the end, squeezing and spraying the liquid right into Trystan¡¯s eyes. Green ink, despite the color match, had nothing to do with Alexander¡¯s skin. From what he observed, it tended to burn¡ªvery badly. Trystan grabbed his eyes and howled, ¡°re!¡± Tatianna gaped at her. ¡°rissa, have you lost hold of your senses? Why did you do that?¡± re sheepishly put the bottle back into her pouch and held up her hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I panicked! It was my first thought when I saw himing toward you!¡± Trystan growled in her direction, eyes red and swollen. ¡°To blind me?¡± Captain Jones sighed, ¡°Oh, Tati, every day I regret not giving you a sibling.¡± ¡°Based on this?¡± Tatianna waved a hand at them sardonically. ¡°How could you not?¡± she deadpanned, flicking a pink nail at her father¡¯s shoulder, then setting her hands aglow with yellow light, hovering them over Trystan¡¯s face until the swelling was reduced. Trystan blinked his dark eyes until they focused on re. ¡°What? Hating me is not enough any longer? We¡¯ve resorted to brazen violence?¡± re didn¡¯t hate Trystan. Alexander knew this to be true, but there wasn¡¯t much he could do. The way these people threw words at each other, it was hardly fair to expect a frog to keep up. No matter how much he wished to. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you. Please don¡¯t say that,¡± re whispered, and Alexander hopped atop her shoulder and patted it, hoping to give at least somefort to his sisterlike friend. Trystan¡¯s entire face fell. ¡°I was being hyperbolic, re. I am The Viin. You were only doing what your instincts told you when approached by someone dangerous.¡± His shoulders pushed back, all the emotion hidden away once again. Trystan addressed Tatianna¡¯s father. ¡°May I speak with you alone for a few moments, Captain Jones?¡± Jellyfish Jones¡¯s head knocked back in surprise, but he nodded, motioning for Trystan to follow him to the front of the ship. And Alexander watched re¡ªwho watched Trystan with no small amount of regret. ¡°That hurt him.¡± Kingsley managed a sign this time. Yes Tatianna tilted her head at re¡¯s words. ¡°And that hurt you in turn, it seems. Interesting.¡± The dock had be a speck in the distance as the ship pushed onward to the horizon. The breeze was minimal, and the sun on Kingsley¡¯s neck made him want to flop to his stomach and take another nap. He¡¯d been taking many napstely, his curse beginning to take a physical toll beyond just the animal transformation. re didn¡¯t seem to feel the same about the heat as she pushed her short locks back, attempting to pin them up, huffing in frustration when they kept slipping. Tatianna¡¯s eyes sparkled with amusement, reaching a hand out for the pins. ¡°Let me.¡± re blinked but spun slowly, allowing Tatianna to do the task for her, and Alexander felt his mind wander to when he had been human. When he could make his friendsugh with a singlement, when he could make a woman swoon with a flowerypliment and a friendly tip of his chin. How devoid he was now of who he used to be. How tired he was. He would nap again, he thought. He would close his eyes and¡ª Alexander¡¯s thoughts were cut off¡ªby a cannonball. A literal cannonball. The ng of the shot caused a ringing in his tiny ears as the weapon crashed through the surface of the ship, cracking wood in half as it fell to the rooms in the middle of the vessel. ¡°Sage!¡± Trystan yelled from a distance, scrambling forward, dropping to his knees right where the hole was. re and Tatianna followed amid frantic yells from the men around them, Jones calling quick orders. Before re and Tatianna reached Trystan, his shoulders sagged and he blew out a breath. ¡°Thank the gods,¡± Trystan muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°Evie, are you all right?¡± Tatianna called as they all looked down into therge cannonball-made hole, where Evie stood, arms folded and tapping her foot as she stared at it, then looked up at Trystan in stern rebuke. Gesturing to therge ck cannonball next to her, Evie called up with irritation, ¡°This is a terrible birthday present.¡± Trystan ignored thement, yelling down frantically, ¡°Are you hurt?¡± ¡°A little. You could¡¯ve at least put a bow on it,¡± Evie deadpanned. Alexander let out a ribbit. Trystan sat back on his heels, rubbing at his eyes, muttering under his breath. ¡°In a twisted turn of fate, herck of fear is scaring me.¡± Kingsley held up a sign. Funny. ¡°It¡¯s not!¡± Trystan growled. But all humor faded when the seaman in the crow¡¯s nest screamed to the rest of the crew. ¡°PIRATES!¡± Trystan looked irritated, like a fly hadnded on his shoulder, while Tatianna flinched, re¡¯s face paled, and Evie Sage¡­ Evie Sage¡¯s response was, ¡°Do you think they have a bow?¡± Alexander ribbited. Just as another cannonball flew. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 64 Becky Meanwhile, back at the manor¡­ de was alive. But he was hurt. And unconscious. Hey in the healer¡¯s quarters. Nura Sage had offered to keep watch over him while Becky mustered the courage to do what needed to be done. The starlight magic hadn¡¯t killed him, but no matter what they attempted, he would not awaken. Tatianna was gone, as was re, and the only other person Becky was certain could help her in treating him was someone she was not eager to see. But Becky was not a coward, and she would do anything for those she cared for. Even this. It was why she found herself in the dungeons, staring down her brother, who was looking at her with hurt and confusion. ¡°Bex!¡± Rnd scrambled to his feet, running for the bars. ¡°Thank gods. I need to exin the memory nt. Please.¡± ¡°de is hurt. By the nt you brought.¡± Becky sneered. ¡°I would exin quickly.¡± Rnd looked mortified, and Becky tookfort in it, knowing her brother was a terrible actor and therefore his difort was genuine. ¡°Mother thought Evie should have it. Since it was the final piece of Nura¡­ She still thinks Nura is dead, if you recall?¡± Becky said nothing, and Rnd fiddled with his sses¡ªa nervous gesture he¡¯d always done. One that sucked the air from her lungs. ¡°And it wouldn¡¯t stop screaming. Every hour on the hour, like a clock, the screaming would begin again. She thought if I brought it to Evie, whatever unsettled part of Nura was living within the flower would settle in her children¡¯s presence. That is the only reason I have it¡ªI swear to you. When I found out Nura was alive, I held on to it, hoping not to cause an upset. I was going to give it to you. I was.¡± Becky sighed, pulled the keys from her pocket, and unlocked the door, motioning with her head for Rnd to escape. ¡°I know. The guards found the correspondence with Mother in your rooms.¡± Rnd shook out his neck as he exited the cell, frowning. ¡°Of course, you wouldn¡¯t trust me on the merit of my word.¡± Becky responded coolly, ¡°I proceed with you cautiously or not at all.¡± Rnd looked properly chastised. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s fair. I apologize. How is de?¡± Becky continued. ¡°He¡¯s been burned by starlight magic. I know that, when used correctly, starlight magic is meant to heal people, isn¡¯t it?¡± Rnd nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what legend says.¡± ¡°Then I need you to figure out how we can use the nt to heal his head and wake him up.¡± Rnd¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I¡ªI will try.¡± Becky shoved a finger into his chest. ¡°You will seed.¡± Rnd nodded, head snapping toward footsteps now echoing down the stairs. The dim torchlight revealed a winded Marv, hands on his knees, wild hair going in every direction. ¡°Ms. Erring! Ms. Erring, I must tell¡ª Are you freeing the prisoner?¡± Marv halted, fiddling with his fingers. Rnd took one of Marv¡¯s hands and bowed over it, causing the entry guard¡¯s cheeks to pinken under the force of Rnd¡¯s half smile. ¡°Rnd Fortis, prisoner, at your service.¡± Marv chuckled nervously, stumbling back until he knocked into an empty water pail atop a rickety table, causing it to crash to the floor. ¡°Marvin Handsome, front door guard.¡± Becky corrected him, exasperated. ¡°Handson, Marv. Your surname is Handson.¡± Rnd, ever the charmer, leaned his elbow against the stone wall, standing just a few inches taller than Marv. ¡°¡®Handsome¡¯ would apply as well, surely.¡± He grinned wide, and Marv looked on the verge of melting into a puddle. ¡°Rnd! Cease flirting with office personnel on the job.¡± Rnd saluted. ¡°Apologies, Bex. When do you get off work, Marv?¡± ¡°For the love of¡ª Go to the healer¡¯s quarters before I make you sleep down here.¡± Her brother leaned down and whispered in her ear, ¡°Is he single?¡± ¡°Office rtionships are strictly forbidden,¡± she hissed back. Rnd looked side to side. ¡°But I don¡¯t work here.¡± ¡°You¡¯re in the office. No romantic rtionships.¡± Blowing a gasket is unprofessional. Blowing a gasket is unprofessional. Blowing a gasket is unprofessional. ¡°Go, Rnd, or get back in the cell.¡± Rnd mouthedter at Marv, and the guard turned crimson as Rnd put his hands in his pockets and strutted up the stairs. Brothers are a punishment from the gods to test one¡¯s patience. ¡°Marv,¡± Becky snapped. ¡°When you¡¯re done inspecting my brother¡¯s hindquarters, might you tell me what was so urgent?¡± Marv jumped, sputtering as he addressed her. ¡°It¡¯s F-Fluffy, Ms. Erring.¡± He shook his head. Her stomach sank to the vicinity of her toes. ¡°What do you mean? What about Fluffy?¡± ¡°The dragon is restless like we¡¯ve never seen. He ate Morey!¡± Becky¡¯s lip curled in disgust. ¡°Uck. The new raven mail clerk?¡± He¡¯d been horrid, handsy, and rude, looking about the office as if everyone was below him. ¡°No ounting for taste. The poor animal will have an unsettled stomach.¡± He shook his head quickly. ¡°No, Ms. Erring, you don¡¯t understand. The animal¡¯s acting out and¡ª¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Becky yelled. ¡°I do not have time for these petty problems. Tell the Malevolent Guards to sort it. Or for once, instead of screaming problems about the office, you might try solving one for yourself!¡± His eyes went ssy, and Becky felt a bit like she¡¯d just kicked a puppy. ¡°Marv, I¡¯m¡ª¡± The guard wrung his hands, not looking away from his boots. ¡°You¡¯re right, Ms. Erring. I will solve this problem myself. I promise.¡± ¡°Marv!¡± Becky called after him, but he was gone by the time she had followed him up the stairs. Her shoulders wouldn¡¯t stop shaking despite the immediate heat she felt when she closed the cer door. She stumbled toward the kitchen half in a daze, vision blurred by the tears forming in her eyes. She flopped down at the kitchen table and did something she vowed to never do at work. Sheid her head on the table and began to cry. So distraught was she, she didn¡¯t notice Lyssa slipping in and cing something in herp, and when Becky looked down, she choked on a sob. Her knit dragon from childhood that de had pilfered from her desk, albeit unintentionally, and given to Lyssa, sat there, tattered and alone. Just like her. She rubbed her eyes, pressing her palms into them, trying to stop it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t seem to keep myself together today.¡± Lyssa whispered, as if imparting some great secret Becky was unaware of, ¡°You don¡¯t have to, Ms. Erring. Crying means you¡¯re brave.¡± Becky removed her hands and angled her watery gaze down at the little girl who seemed youthful and wise all at once. ¡°Who told you that?¡± Lyssa shrugged, taking one of Becky¡¯s hands and squeezing gently. ¡°No one. It just seems to me that someone who feels their feelings out in the open is braver than someone who hides them.¡± Becky squeezed her hand back, smiling through her tears. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t argue with you there.¡± ¡°Good. Now you may be alone if you wish, or I¡¯ll just sit right here in case you change your mind.¡± They sat there silently while Becky worried over de while doing the bravest thing any person could do. She cried. And cried. And cried. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 65 The Viin Trystan was no longer surprised when things got worse; he was more surprised when they didn¡¯t. ¡°Fire!¡± Captain Jones screamed, and a cannonball flew at the pirate ship, hitting starboard. They were close enough that Trystan could see the pirates scrambling from the impact and hear them yelling. ¡°Fire!¡± Another of their cannonballs flew, hitting the pirate ship harder as it drifted closer. The pirates began to swing from ropes onto their deck, leaping right into the fray, the crews shing with steel and fists. Trystan had had enough. If there was any time for you to obey me, this would be it, he reasoned with his magic. His magic. Magic that was meant to be under hismand was now something he needed to approach politely with patient requests. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind.¡± He gritted his teeth, and his magic¡ªor the curse, or the gue on Rennedawn, something¡ªhad a sick sense of humor, because it listened. Dark mist flooded over the first man in Trystan¡¯s path, a pirate with a red bandanna over his head and a beard so long it touched the middle of his chest. The man¡¯s foot was alight in vibrant red, the pulse in his jugr glowing ck. With one flick of Trystan¡¯s wrist, he could kill him, but another injury lit up in a new ce Trystan had never seen. A vibrant rainbow color, iridescent in appearance, over the man¡¯s heart. To kill the man would be to snuff that color outpletely, and Trystan found the idea of destroying anything that resembled Sage¡­unfathomable. ¡°I¡¯m sick of being nice,¡± Trystan grumbled, flicking his magic at the man¡¯s foot instead of his neck and rolling his eyes as the man dropped to the ground, crying out in agony. ¡°Yeah, yeah, you¡¯re wee.¡± Trystan waved at the man, moving past him to re and Tatianna, fighting with careless ease. re tossed out more green ink, sshing it into three men¡¯s eyes at once. Joyously, it seemed. Her cheering being the first clue. Arge pirate approached Trystan with a yellowed grin. ¡°I¡¯m gonna bring your head to Benedict on a pike.¡± Benedict? ¡°You¡¯re working for the king?¡± ¡°We¡¯re mercenaries.¡± The man towered over him by half, even with Trystan¡¯s considerable height. ¡°We work for whoever pays the most.¡± A hand came up to stroke his long gray beard. ¡°Care to counter?¡± ¡°Certainly,¡± Trystan replied tly, the mist dancing at the man¡¯s feet before paralyzing him in ce. ¡°I can kill you slowly or quickly.¡± Unsheathing his sword, Trystan held the tip of the de to the man¡¯s chest. He sneered. ¡°Your choice.¡± The magic flooded over him, sweeping the ship and freezing all the pirates in ce, lighting their fresh wounds, their old ones, and their kill spots. But again, there was that rainbow glow over their hearts. There was something poetic in it, and Trystan would analyze it more¡­if he gave a shit. But for now, he really wanted to wipe the floor with these nipoops for getting in the way of his ns. ¡°You all have two options. Shall I present them? Or dispatch you now?¡± No answer, just frozen bodies and perplexed faces. ¡°Get back!¡± re screamed in the distance, and when Trystan heard it, his magic faltered, flickering its hold enough for several pirates to break free. They immediately sprinted for him, and Trystan knew he¡¯d never be able to fight them all at once. He raised his de, knowing that he¡¯d rather die fighting than be in already defeated. A battle cry rang from his lips as he ran for the first one, but another de whipped through the air,nding right through the man¡¯s skull. The pirate dropped, as did Trystan¡¯s jaw. The dagger sailed back in the direction from which it hade, and every head turned to see where itnded. Evie stood there, frowning, tilting the handle back and forth. ¡°My aim was a little off.¡± Warmth diffused through every one of Trystan¡¯s limbs, a phantom ache filling his chest. ¡°You weren¡¯t aiming for his skull?¡± he asked softly. Her eyes flickered below his belt, his body tightening in response as she grinned. ¡°Farther south.¡± All the pirates winced and took three steps backward. Captain Jones interceded before any more limbs¡ªor other appendages¡ªcould be severed. ¡°Those who remain, surrender your weapons and line up!¡± Tatianna¡¯s jovial father was gone, a hard-nosedmander in his ce, and the few remaining pirates tossed their swords onto the pile. The sweet smell of vani masked the scent of death. ¡°Will he kill all of them?¡± Sage asked at his side. The prisoners fell into line as the captain read them their rights. Trystan shook his head. ¡°No. Captain Jones is no pirate¡ªhe¡¯ll follow thews of a seaman. Offer them a ce on the crew or a stay in the brig until the next port.¡± Sageughed lightly, and the sound caused a twinge in his chest. ¡°You¡¯ll probably say this is sad¡­but I think this is the best birthday ever.¡± Trystan didn¡¯t find it sad. He found it fucking awful. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything to anyone?¡± he asked, harsher than he meant to. Her cheeks turned pink as she averted her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s just another day.¡± Trystan folded his arms, raising a skeptical brow. ¡°You filled one of our office cannons with confetti when it was Tatianna¡¯s birthday, and we¡¯re still finding scraps of pink monthster. You¡¯re saying I suffered all that when you don¡¯t think much of birthdays? An impressive feat of viiny, even I must admit.¡± A stray curly out of ce across her forehead, and Trystan¡¯s hand itched to push it back. The wind did the work for him, and he found himself irrationally resenting weather. Like a headcase. Tatianna appeared at Evie¡¯s side, throwing an arm about her shoulders. ¡°I loved that confetti. It was very well done of you.¡± Tatianna¡¯s pink-painted lips stretched wide, and she winked, then started healing the wounded members of her father¡¯s crew. ¡°You don¡¯t like celebrating your birthday?¡± Trystan asked after a beat of silence, noticing how Sage¡¯s eyes took on a faraway look that wasn¡¯t dreamy but disheartened. He should move on; he shouldn¡¯t care. This was a perfect opportunity to put more distance between them, to show Sage there was absolutely no future in which they were anything but work colleagues. But then she let out a low hum. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s ever really tried.¡± Sheughed. ¡°On myst birthday, Lyssa drew me a card that had the two of us on a sailboat, but I begged for no cake or singing. My mother struggled for most of my childhood, and I didn¡¯t want to give my parents anything else to worry over. So, every year when my birthday passed, I found that if I didn¡¯t mention it, nobody would remember, and after my mother left and Gideon¡­temporarily died¡­there was hardly anyone left to not mention it to.¡± She shrugged. ¡°I suppose I pretended for too long and now I¡¯m not sure what I actually want.¡± He stared at her hard, hating himself for asking, ¡°Don¡¯t consider anyone else¡¯s opinion. If you could be celebrated on your birthday¡ªwould you want it?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Her wide-eyed gaze indicated that even she was shocked by her answer. ¡°That is to say¡­I¡¯d like to be celebrated. Even if it¡¯s only once a year.¡± He didn¡¯t move, his every muscle rigid, his face nk as he stared at her. Unnerving her, if the way she chuckled, wiping her hands against her skirts, was any signal. The silence broke when he growled, ¡°Well, fuck!¡± Sage jumped and sped a hand to her chest. ¡°Sir?¡± She reached for him, but he was already storming to the group of men gathered in the middle of the ship. Crewmen and pirate prisoners alike stared at him. Don¡¯t do this, his conscience begged. Shut it, he ordered it. It¡¯s her godsdamned birthday, and she wants to fucking celebrate. DAMN IT. ¡°It¡¯s my aplice¡¯s birthday,¡± he called to the group, sounding as ridiculous as he felt, not daring to look back to see Sage¡¯s response. ¡°Wish her a happy birthday. Now.¡± ¡°Trystan!¡± Sage squeaked behind him and paused. ¡°Wait¡­aplice? Did you just promote me?¡± But he would not look. If he saw her eyes, he¡¯d do more than wish her a happy birthday. He¡¯d sweep her below deck and kiss her until she was senseless, kiss her until they both were. The crew was silent, the pirates staring at him like he¡¯d lost his marbles. He was on the verge of losing more than that. ¡°I said NOW!¡± A discordant chorus of ¡°happy birthday¡±s sounded from every man on the ship, and Kingsley hopped up with one sign that read: Happy And another that said: Birthday Tatianna sprang into action. ¡°Oh, yes! We should have a party! We¡¯re stuck on the ship until tomorrow morning anyway. Dad?¡± Captain Jones was beaming, pping his crew to attention. ¡°Take the prisoners to the brig! The rest of you, begin preparations!¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not¡ª¡± Sage started. ¡°Evie,¡± Trystan warned, waving a finger at her still form. ¡°Do not say it¡¯s unnecessary.¡± Her mouth closed, her eyes shining with an emotion that Trystan didn¡¯t dare name. It was far too close to something he knew he¡¯d never have. One by one, the chained pirates passed him, thergest stopping to sneer at him. ¡°The Viin my arse. You¡¯re a soft little whelp with no backbone and a weakness for your whore.¡± Trystan didn¡¯t respond at first, allowing the wretch to finish. ¡°I got a birthday present for you right here, Wicked Woman.¡± The pirate took a chained hand and grabbed his crotch. The thread snapped. ¡°Sage,¡± Trystan said low, not looking away from the pirate. ¡°Does the fate of this man¡¯s life impact the incidence board in any capacity?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t think¡ª¡± Sage replied, befuddled. But Trystan moved before she finished, burying a fist into the man¡¯s gut, dragging him to the side of the ship. ¡°Aplice,¡± he yelled, not caring who heard, clutching the pirate¡¯spels. ¡°She¡¯s my aplice.¡± He shoved the pirate half off the ship, holding him by only one hand as he said in a hushed voice, ¡°She is mine.¡± He let go, watching the body hit the water. She is mine. Even if it was only in his heart. That is, if he had one. He called to the rest of the pirates, who were all gazing out to where theirrade had fallen. ¡°We are going to sing happy birthday in the near future, and if I hear anything out of your mouths aside from those words, you¡¯re swimming after him.¡± Furious nodding and murmurs of agreement followed the chained men as they disappeared below deck. A buzzing began in Trystan¡¯s pocket, and he immediately moved to pull out the caller¡¯s crystal. The gems had their uses, mostlymunicating with the Malevolent Guard. He¡¯d told Keeley to update him with any necessary developments, but throughout their journey thus far, the caller¡¯s ruby had remained silent. The amethyst that he¡¯d left behind formunication with the office, however¡ªthat was going off incessantly. He held the gem to his mouth, Sage frowning at his side. Tatianna approached to listen in, and then re. Just in time for Rebecka Erring¡¯s voice to echo through in rm. ¡°Where are you? Everything¡¯s gone wrong!¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 66 Evie ¡°And de is still not awake?¡± Evie had been reeling from what was surely the grandest, sweetest gesture she¡¯d ever seen. He¡¯d thrown a man overboard. For her. Swoon. Don¡¯t allow the boss to get away with murder, Evie! Unless it¡¯s your birthday. Then it¡¯s fine. ¡°No. Rnd thinks he just needs a day or two to sleep it off, since his pulse is steady and everything else appears normal, but we¡¯ve got a demon flower and the dragon is losing it!¡± Becky screeched into the gem, and Evie had the urge to smile despite her building worry. ¡°Oh, Becky, I miss you,¡± Evie said with the utmost sincerity. ¡°Are you even listening?¡± ¡°Rebecka, take a breath,¡± Trystan said. ¡°Is there any way to speed along de¡¯s recovery? A nt Rnd can use aside from the memory flower?¡± Trystan was level, calm¡ªor at least he appeared so, standing there so solid, unmoved by the conflict. If he wasn¡¯t worried, perhaps she didn¡¯t need to be, either. Waves rocked the ship, the sun lower in the sky as the afternoon drifted slowly into evening. Birds sailed overhead, nose-diving into the waters for fish. The world appeared serene, which was typically when everything seemed to go to shit. ¡°Rnd¡¯s going to try a few ideas, but nothing that will work immediately, and I need him to awaken. Now.¡± Without thinking, Evie reached out to grab The Viin¡¯s hand, bringing the amethyst closer to her face. ¡°He¡¯ll wake up, Rebecka. I have some notes in my journal about starlight magic¡ªthere might be something useful. It¡¯s in the top drawer of my desk.¡± ¡°No it isn¡¯t,¡± Becky responded, unfazed. Evie blinked. ¡°Then where would it be?¡± ¡°Lyssa¡¯s been reading it.¡± Evie cried, outraged, ¡°And you didn¡¯t stop her?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the one who got it for her,¡± Becky said, not sounding even a little sorry. Trystan cut in, looking bored. ¡°Rebecka, what exactly is wrong with Fluffy?¡± ¡°I¡ª He¡¯s restless¡­ He ate a mail clerk.¡± Trystan yanked his hand back to his face so hard, Evie stumbled headfirst into his chest. He didn¡¯t seem to notice. ¡°Was it Morey?¡± Becky paused, ¡°Yes¡­¡± Trystan looked a little too near to joyous when he responded. ¡°Excellent.¡± Evie pulled both their hands back down to her, and Trystan lost his footing this time, his chest bumping hard into her shoulder. ¡°Ignore him. Get my journal, and there¡¯s also a stack of notes in my desk with memos if you want to try to go through those.¡± ¡°That sounds like giving myself a headache. On purpose,¡± Becky responded. ¡°I¡¯m already suffering from the kiss¡ª¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Evie asked, and there was a pause for so long Evie thought the connection between the gems had been severed. ¡°Becky?¡± ¡°Thest time I saw him, I kissed him.¡± ¡°WHAT!¡± Evie screeched, squeezing Trystan¡¯s hand around the gem so hard he grimaced. ¡°Sage, believe it or not, blood does need to circte to my fingers.¡± Evie skewered him with a feral re, and he immediately fell silent. Tatianna nearly bounced at Evie¡¯s shoulder. ¡°What do you mean, you kissed him?¡± she asked. Becky let out a long-suffering sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t believe I need to exin the concept, since I know for a fact that both of you havemitted the act with one of the Maverine siblings.¡± All the crewmen stopped to exchange looks, and Trystan responded to the attention with a chilling coldness. ¡°Something to add?¡± They scrambled back to their tasks. Tatianna leaned over the amethyst, dark brows nted downward. ¡°I understand the act well enough. What I do not understand is what prompted you to do it. Not that I am disapproving; you know I¡¯ve told you a dozen times that you could do with a good, long¡ª¡± ¡°Ms. Erring. Breaking your own rules aside, is this all that happened? Anything else to report?¡± Trystan was desperately trying to steer them back to the topic at hand; Evie could tell by how he was white-knuckling the gem and avoiding her eyes as if they revealed her naked body. ¡°I also told him I loved him.¡± ¡°Oh my gods!¡± Tatianna and Evie screeched. Trystan tossed the amethyst so he could ce his hands over his ears, and Tati snatched it out of the air. ¡°What did he say?¡± Evie was near vibrating with excitement. Why did all the most interesting things ur in the office when she wasn¡¯t present? It¡¯s like everyone waited to genuinely enjoy themselves until she was out of sight. ¡°I ran away as soon as I said it! And then he got sted and told me he loved me.¡± Both Evie and Tati gasped. Becky finished on a breath. ¡°And then he went unconscious.¡± Tatianna smacked a hand against her forehead. ¡°Oh, Rebecka.¡± ¡°You both told me to follow my instincts! Now look at the mess I¡¯m in!¡± Trystan was rubbing his temples. ¡°Perhaps he merely passed out from the emotional whish.¡± Evie gasped, smacking him on the shoulder with the back of her hand. ¡°You¡¯re not helping!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my desire to be helpful in matters of love,¡± he said ndly. She looked him up and down with distaste. ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡± There was a feeling of satisfaction that went through her when his cheeks turned red. He cleared his throat and addressed the amethyst again. ¡°Ms. Erring, how did the memory nt explode?¡± Becky then ryed a long-winded exnation that involved her brother, a misunderstanding, and the nt that Renna Fortis had attempted to use to siphon Becky¡¯s magic. The story ended with petals being pulled and the nt reacting poorly. ¡°Your brother?¡± Trystan asked warily. ¡°He was locked away and guarded when de got hurt, so as much as I¡¯d like to put the me on him, it wouldn¡¯t get us anywhere productive.¡± That was so like Becky, to be logistical instead of emotional. A skill Evie had never mastered and never would. But Evie was a master of masking her feelings beneath a cheery veneer, and she knew what it was to hide. ¡°Are you all right, Becky?¡± Evie asked gently. Becky¡¯s voice shook but steadied almost at once. ¡°Not particrly, but I¡¯ll survive. How are you all?¡± They recounted their journey thus far as quickly as could be managed. Evie left out the more scious points but promised herself she¡¯d gift the HR woman with the gory details upon their return. If only to see her sses pop off from how wide her eyes would fly. ¡°Every resource in the office is at your disposal, Ms. Erring,¡± the boss said. ¡°Let us know when he wakes up or if you find anything suspicious.¡± The statement was so solidly delivered that there seemed to be a collective exhale among their group. The untrained observer would assume the way hemanded his employees was without thought, but Evie knew Trystan Maverine better than most¡ªbetter than herself, at times. His words offort were given without fuss and without ir. They were in and easy and therefore believable. Evie¡¯s heart beat faster, in time to his name. ¡°Thank you, sir. I do wish you hadn¡¯t ordered the rest of the Malevolent Guard on that mission, but I also understand. At least once they return, I¡¯ll have more hands to restrain Fluffy.¡± Evie¡¯s blood froze. Trystan¡¯s every muscle tightened, his dark eyes locking with hers. ¡°Rebecka¡­¡± The Viin said, uncharacteristically using the HR woman¡¯s first name. ¡°Yes, sir?¡± Trystan paused and confirmed the white-hot, icy feeling prickling at Evie¡¯s neck. ¡°I didn¡¯t send the Malevolent Guard on any missions.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 67 Evie Night fell, and so did Evie¡¯s hopes. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a misunderstanding,¡± she suggested as the boss stared out into the distant night sky. ¡°Maybe the lines ofmunication got blurred.¡± The rest of the crew had returned to their duties, the ship settling into afortable lull as it traveled along the Lc Sea. The sun¡¯s descent had prompted the crew to light smallnterns around the ship, casting a warm glow over an otherwise dismal situation. Trystan said nothing, which normally wouldn¡¯t have deterred her. In fact, under the guise of their everyday interactions, Evie would have continued into a babbling session that spilled one or two inappropriate thoughts aloud, but her mind was unusually quiet. And unusually filled with dread. After a deep inhale, he addressed her, keeping his eyes on the horizon. ¡°The ship¡¯s cook is baking you a cake.¡± She blinked. ¡°A cake?¡± He looked at her quizzically. ¡°A birthday cake.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She paused, rocking back and forth on her heels. ¡°What vor?¡± ¡°Vani.¡± Her vani drop candies. It was one of the most popr vors when it came to sweets, so there was no reason to suspect that was why he¡¯d chosen it. But the way he gave her a sidelong, searching nce¡­she knew. Evie reached out and gently squeezed his arm. She swore he flexed. Or tensed. Either way, there were muscles moving in delightful ways beneath her touch, and she was not one toin about such things. ¡°That was very kind of you, sir.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t remind me.¡± He shuddered like kindness brought a level of disgust his body could not abide. ¡°In any case, as far as birthdays go, this is a dismal one. The least I could do was mask it with something sweet.¡± She leaned up to kiss his cheek, and he went so rigid she thought he¡¯d crack right down the middle. ¡°The cake wasn¡¯t necessary¡ªyou¡¯re sweet enough.¡± ¡°So, you thank me by being offensive?¡± he responded dryly. One of the crew members began ying a jaunty tune on his harmonica, and two more followed with strange instruments Evie did not recognize. It was a yful and light melody that made her want to twirl in circles. Folding her hands behind her back, she gave the boss a sly nce. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re so determined to celebrate my birthday, where is my present?¡± He leaned away from her, sensing the danger in her question. But somehow it didn¡¯t stop him from settling into a resigned, amused twinkle in his dark eyes. ¡°Anything within my power.¡± ¡°Dance with me,¡± she whispered, like they were conspiring, like they were in one of their morning meetings nning a way for him to mess with Benedict, something specifically malicious. The night air was pleasant, the breezebing through her hair, and she smiled fondly at how content she suddenly felt. A few of the crew members were skipping along to the music, whistling, some already lost in their cups. Evie held up a hand expectantly, pouting ever so slightly. Her boss hated pouting, she knew. She had once seen him nearly rip the lips right off a Valiant Guard during a torture session. Something about the vulnerability of it, Evie wagered to guess. Or perhaps it was just outward disys of emotion in general that difited him. No exceptions. Except for Evie, of course, considering she had been in the middle of a mental breakdown when they met. He hadn¡¯t hated her hysterics then. In fact, he had hired her. She pouted harder and with a blinking upward nce. He held his ground for approximately¡ªEvie had begun to count¡ª1, 2, 3, 4¡­ ¡°Little tornado,¡± he grumbled, taking her hand and tugging her toward the makeshift dance floor. ¡°Chaos demon. Siren.¡± ¡°Add aplice to that,¡± she said cheekily, smiling wide at his eye twitch. ¡°Two promotions within the month. Happy birthday to me.¡± Sheughed, her hand settling on his shoulder, and then his came to rest lightly on her hip. The touch was a perfectly gentlemanly one, but it made her whole body shiver. His fingers tightened against her waist, holding her like she was a lifeline, and her body heated in response, wanting more, wanting him. Everything in her was softening. ¡°I¡¯m just teasing. I know it was a slip of the tongue.¡± He spun her then, and when she returned to his arms, their faces were much closer, her lips hovering just below his, his lids growing heavy as he stared. ¡°Evie, I¡ª¡± She felt her cheeks burn bright. ¡°Yes?¡± His dark gaze was burning her from the inside out. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a slip¡­ Happy birthday.¡± She smiled, squeezing his hand. The one around her waist moved to her lower back, tugging subtly closer as she whispered back, ¡°Thank you, Trystan.¡± They spun in another circle and another. A warm glow stayed around him like a beacon of safety¡­or a clear arrow pointing to her doom. Destiny had seemed to decide he was thetter. But Evie was so tired of people making decisions for her, about her. You want to ruin my life, Destiny? Get in line. I¡¯ll call your number when the rest of my family has finished. Sheughed at her own joke and stepped on Trystan¡¯s toes as a result. He hissed, pulling her tighter against him, and took a stronger lead as he swept her around the boat in smooth turns. ¡°There. You are publicly humiliating me in front of a crew I¡¯ve known since I was six, and you got to stomp on my toes. I¡¯d say my present ranks at the very top.¡± He didn¡¯t stop dancing. Neither did she. ¡°I do not know. Lyssa¡¯s cardst year was hard to beat, plus Tatianna figured it out yesterday and snuck a bottle of wine into my pack.¡± She ticked each item off on her fingers. ¡°Oh, and Marv packed me a ton of Edwin¡¯s cookies for the road.¡± ¡°I do not want to be put up against Marv,¡± he replied with the smallest hint of offense. Evie nodded sympathetically. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t, either, if I were you. He¡¯s kicking your ass.¡± In a whirlwind, she was spun, the ck iridescent glitter skirt blurring in her vision, and then she gasped as she was dipped low. Trystan caught her, his face hovering over hers. Trapped in her sphere as she was trapped in his, an invisible force tugging the two of them closer and closer until¡ª A whistle broke them apart. Sheughed, and he blushed. For a split second, they were not Viin nor Assistant nor Apprentice nor Aplice. They were Trystan and Evie, exactly as they could¡¯ve been in a different life, with rules that were fair and lives that were without pain, without struggles for power. For another split second, Evie wanted that life. And in the next, she did not. Who they were now was what she wanted; who they were now made her breaths easier, her steps lighter, her heart inting until it felt too big. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± he asked, searching for something in her expression that Evie was not sure of. ¡°You,¡± she said boldly¡ªnot blurted, not word-vomited in haste to answer a question. This was Evie unabashed, and she liked herself like this. His eyes red, his searching gaze turning deep, burning, wanting. It was too intense; the moment was bing too real, making her heart pound and her skin prick and her breath quicken. ¡°I was thinking about how during my first week of work, I started sneaking in little figurines of cats and hiding them in different ces to see how perceptive you actually were.¡± Trystan¡¯s voice was outraged. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen any cat figurines in the office.¡± She giggled, and the snort following was so strong she nearly let go of his hands, and likely would have, if he had not tightened his hold to steady her. ¡°No, you didn¡¯t see any, did you?¡± He fumed. She smirked. He fumed harder. ¡°What a wonderful birthday.¡± Evie swung her arms wide, turning in a spin, raising her hands into the air as she moved in circle after circle, the way she did when she was young, and it was fun to see the world tilting beneath her vision, not scary or dangerous. She kept spinning until she was subtly moving away from the dance floor and into a secluded spot away from the noise. Stopping to catch her breath and to quiet the rush in her head. Trystan appeared at her elbow, scaring the living dragons out of her. ¡°Sage.¡± He ignored her yelp, grabbing her arm and tugging her farther into the shadows. ¡°I was not finished with you yet. I have something else I want to give you for your birthday.¡± ¡°A raise? Along with my new promotion? Since I¡¯m now your aplice?¡± she said with a teasing smirk. ¡°Very well. But that wasn¡¯t what I was going to¡ª¡± He was irritated at first, then paused for a moment, his features softening. ¡°Never mind that. I wanted to show you this.¡± He reached into his pocket and grabbed a crumpled piece of paper. Evie half expected steam toe out of his ears when he finally caught on to the fact that she really wasn¡¯t jesting. He raked a hand through his hair, a bit of it standing almost straight up as he handed her the piece of paper. Evie ran a finger lightly over it, unable to make out any words in the dim glow of thenterns. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the letter Arthur wrote me after you rescued me from the Gleaming Pce,¡± he said, shoulders moving up and down in steadying breaths as he proceeded. ¡°I read it.¡± Her first instinct was joy¡ªpride, even. When he had crumpled the letter in his fist, she¡¯d thought he¡¯d never open it again, and here he was telling her he had. On his own. Her offer to be there for him while he read it dangled uselessly between them, and she had to box away the hurt so it wouldn¡¯t touch him right now. He deservedfort, support, not her silly disappointed feelings over being excluded. The difficulty with feelings was you could manage them, keep them at bay, but eventually they would return, and they would demand penance. Evie feared the day they came to collect on all the times she had shuttered them away. She forced her features to soften, her lips curving. ¡°That is wonderful, Trystan. I¡¯m so proud of you.¡± Reaching up her arms, she wrapped them gently around him, curling her fingers in his hair. He grew rigid, and she prepared for him to pull away from her, for him to reject the affection she offered, but the hesitationsted but a moment, and in the next, his arms were closing around her. She was the first to break the embrace, and when he realized this, he jolted back so fast he knocked his head against one of thenterns. ¡°Ow!¡± He rubbed at the back of his head, grumbling, prickly as the thorny hedge in front of the manor. ¡°All I did was read a letter, Sage. It wasn¡¯t so very difficult.¡± Her lips folded inward. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It was merely drivel about how he was proud and how no matter what, I¡¯d always be his son.¡± Scoffing, he nted his hands on his hips as he made for the railing overlooking the water. ¡°Hardly anything groundbreaking.¡± She could feel his defenses rising, the hackles going up, every barrier he had built to protect himself from othersing to the warfront. ¡°No,¡± she said quietly. ¡°There is nothing groundbreaking about someone loving you. It doesn¡¯t surprise me a bit.¡± His head turned to her so fast she thought it was about to roll off onto the deck like a wayward cricket ball. ¡°Sage¡ª¡± She held up a finger. ¡°No! No, you are not allowed to ruin this moment with something dismissive or naysayer-y.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a word.¡± She ignored him. ¡°One day in the future, when I am telling this story, I want to say that on my twenty-fourth birthday, I spent the evening on a ship that was pinker than a tulip, I danced with The Viin, and then I told him that he was easy to love, despite how much he wanted it to be difficult.¡± Trystan held up a hand, not angry, just dumbstruck. ¡°I do not want¡ª¡± Her hand closed over his mouth. The stubble prickled her palm, and the warmth of his lips sent goose bumps up her arm. His facial hair owned some magical quality¡ªthat could be the only exnation. He tried to mumble her name underneath her fingers, but it came out something like ¡°Sigggg.¡± Her arm fell to her side, and she waited for the fallout. Without even a helmet for protection. He shocked her when he brushed one of her curls behind her ear, fingers grazing her cheek as they went, soft eyes looking at her like he had never seen anything as fascinating as what was in front of him. ¡°When you tell this story, you can also say that the moment The Viin read that letter, the first person he wanted to tell was you. The first person¡ª¡± He swallowed, struggling with the words. ¡°The first person he wants to tell anything has always been you.¡± Her smile was big and bright and honest. Real. Trystan must have known, because he answered it with one of his own. So big and beautiful, his whole face changed into someone gentle, someone tenderhearted and open. And Evie made a simple vow to herself. I will kill Benedict for trying to take this from him. If it¡¯s my final act in this life. ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to check on the cake.¡± Evie smiled, folding her hands behind her back, and slowly moved away, ignoring her instincts to get as close to him as possible. ¡°Very well.¡± Trystan¡¯s grin faded. ¡°Sage. I meant to ask¡ªwho exactly are you nning to share this story with?¡± Evie flung her arms wide in a dramatic curtsy, faking exasperation. ¡°Our children, obviously. Girls, I think. Two of them.¡± She was joking, of course, but that did not mean she didn¡¯t enjoy the way he paled, looking seconds away from fainting. ¡°Girls. Two of them,¡± he repeated slowly, like it was happening, like she¡¯d currently summoned the children just by mentioning it, like she was conjuring gremlins. ¡°Not to worry, sir!¡± Evie spun around, calling behind her as she strode away, head high. ¡°They¡¯ll probably be just like me!¡± Yes, this was the best birthday she had ever had. She just hoped it was not thest. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 68 The Viin They sailed into port in the early hours of the morning, the fog rolling in as steady as the morning tide. It clouded Trystan¡¯s view of Benevolence Vige, but that did not stop him from taking it all in with a grim expression. He had not slept a wink the night prior. Instead, he¡¯d remained in the background as the crew sang their birthday song to Sage, then happily tripped one of the crewmen into the wall when he nted arge kiss on her cheek. After that, he¡¯d disappeared, saying he had a headache, but that wasn¡¯t why he had made his escape. Not truly. He inhaled the scent of salty sea water mixing with the smells of the bakery just opening on the docks. The thin cloth of his shirt did nothing to protect him from the morning chill, but it did not matter. He needed the cold. Girls. Two of them. She had been trying to rattle him. As far gone as Trystan was for her, he wasn¡¯t so foolish as to ignore her insistent attempts to shake him, to be his downfall in this battle of wills. The problem was not even that she was winning. It is that I¡¯m bloody enjoying it. All night, he was gued by images of those two little girls with Sage, of a family with Sage. Every time he tried to shove the thoughts away, they kept popping up like a deands-possessed jack-in-the-box. Kingsley dragged his chained foot over to perch on the ship¡¯s edge, holding up a single sign. Father? ¡°No!¡± he boomed before slowly looking up to find a dozen set of eyes locked on him, all clearly having witnessed the outburst. Kingsley put the sign down and pointed his toes toward the edge of the dock, and Trystan followed, his irritation shing to embarrassment when he saw what Kingsley was pointing at: his father, Arthur, waiting on the docks. Trystan¡¯s ears grew hot. Kingsley held up another sign. L.O.L. ¡°What in the deands is L.O.L.?¡± He picked up the sign and shook it usatorily. The morning fog at Benevolence Vige was always too thick for any unseasoned sailor to take port in. The docks would be nearly empty. Trystan lifted the hood of his cloak over his head. The nk was lowered from the deck to the dock, and Trystan was mortified to find Sage watching him at a distance, her dress a vibrant green, gold thread woven like vines throughout. One of Tatianna¡¯s, surely. But the dress was nothingpared to the mischievous grin on her lips. Red. He shook his head at her, drawing a threatening finger across his throat. She smiled wider, and his heart fluttered. Hearts should not do such things. Raising a brow, he walked toward her in long strides, the intensity in his gaze making her breath hitch, her eyes widen, her throat bob¡ªand Trystan understood that this was what it felt like to be wanted. He reached out, fingers stroking her neck on either side as he moved to the hood of her cloak, adjusting it over her shoulders as she gazed up at him. ¡°Ready?¡± she asked softly, perhaps noticing how his hand clenched the fabric before letting go. ¡°To face my mother? Never. But I suppose, since we came all this way,¡± he said dryly. He was turning on his heel when Sage¡¯s soft hand found his, stopping him as he twisted his torso back. ¡°Yes?¡± Sage smiled at him with more warmth than he would ever know what to do with and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m with you. No matter what, I¡¯m on your side. Okay?¡± Something burned in the corner of his eye and didn¡¯t stop, even as he nodded stiffly and watched his sister run down the boat¡¯s ramp to the docks. ¡°Father!¡± re cried, running right into Arthur¡¯s arms. His features were a harder, more masculine version of re¡¯s, but her nose sloped at the same curve and her jaw was cut in simrly sharp lines. She had always been their father¡¯s daughter. In every sense. Malcolm had been their mother¡¯s son, and Trystan had been¡­ No one¡¯s. He sneered inwardly at the mncholy. It was as ufortable as joy, but this made his stomach hurt instead of the usual overwhelming nausea. Trystan followed Evie, taking her hand in his, his ungloved skin touching hers as she stepped up onto the ramp and carefully made her way down. ¡°Don¡¯t fall in,¡± Trystan warned. ¡°There are crocodiles that would love you for a sweet.¡± Sage turned. ¡°Are you calling me dessert?¡± Damn it. ¡°No, Sage. I was trying to scare you.¡± ¡°Byparing me to cake?¡± ¡°About the crocodiles!¡± He waved a hand. ¡°Just go. I aming.¡± He came up behind her, cing a hand at the small of her back, then pulled up the hood of her cloak, shielding her face. A mistake. She wasn¡¯t ready for the sudden obstruction of her vision and nearly stumbled headfirst into the dock before Trystan had his arms up and around her, pulling her close as he leaped,nding safely off the ship and right in front of Arthur. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have waited two more steps before nearly knocking me into the water?¡± She jammed her elbow into his stomach, not exceptionally hard but enough for him to loosen his grip. ¡°I¡¯m the only reason you didn¡¯t fall in the water, actually.¡± Sage sighed, the wrinkle in her nose distracting him momentarily as he inanely began counting her freckles. The chirping of birds signaled the start of the workday, and Trystan adjusted his hood, too, nodding for Tatianna and re to do the same. ¡°Arthur!¡± Captain Jones jumped from the ship and wrapped his arms around the core healer, the two friendsughing as they pped each other on the back. Arthur had spent the entirety of Trystan¡¯s early years traveling the continent with the captain, looking for people¡¯s souls to heal, blessing everyone with his ever-pure magic¡ªeveryone but his children. Trystan didn¡¯t think there was much merit to wanting the approval of others; repelling them was easier, simpler. Making people feel unwanted was assurance that they would leave him when he chose. But wanting the approval of his father¡­that was a desperate aspiration that lived in the marrow of Trystan¡¯s bones, so intertwined with his existence there would be no exorcising it. ¡°You told him we wereing,¡± Trystan used Jones, feeling like he was dangling on puppet strings when all the while, he¡¯d thought he was the master. Jones pped his hands together in warning. ¡°Now, Trystan, I have done you a favor. You said you needed to stop at your mother¡¯s for something, and Arthur is the only person you can trust to get you to her without the king¡¯s men being called upon.¡± Arthur¡¯s long red beard was neatly trimmed, his hair tied away from his face, and his arms slowly spread, as if to¡­ Oh dear gods, was his father trying to embrace him? Trystan swerved so hard into Sage that he nearly took them both to the ground. His arm identally brushed the side of her breast, and he wasn¡¯t sure what about this situation was worse¡ªthat his estranged father had gone in for a hug when Trystan barely tolerated handshakes, or that the mere brush of Sage¡¯s corset-covered breast made his arm feel as if he¡¯d been struck by a stray lightning bolt. A tie. It had to be a tie. Arthur¡¯s hurt showed in the furrow of his brow, the downturn of his mouth. ¡°I deserve that. I should not have assumed¡­ I apologize. Jones was being a friend by writing to me. Your mother is not easy to get around¡ªit took me years of trial and error to sort it myself.¡± The gruffugh was a sound Trystan had heard often in the life before this one. Arthur continued. ¡°I wanted to help you, and I thought if you had me on your side, Amara may be more cooperative in giving you the ss slipper.¡± The reasons made sense. But Trystan did not care. ¡°And how do you intend to help with that?¡± Trystan folded his arms, turning his body to block Sage when a few fishermen passed them, not moving until they were well out of sight. Arthur gestured to the end of the docks, where a covered carriage sat. ¡°This will get you through the vige; I will drive it home. People will assume I¡¯ve brought wares back with Jones. It¡¯s the best course.¡± It was. Fucking annoying. Another fisherman passed and looked at Sage a little too closely before sping a hand over his mouth and jumping. ¡°The Wicked Woman! Call the Valiant Guard. It¡¯s The Wicked¡ª¡± Trystan shoved him over the side of the dock, whistling as he heard the ssh. Sage looked into the water uneasily. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say there were crocodiles in there?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he said ndly. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°One of you fish that man out and keep him quiet!¡± Jones called, unfazed by Trystan¡¯s sudden act of violence. Maybe he was losing his touch. Jones pped him on the back. ¡°I will be waiting here to return you home. Good luck to you all, and good luck to little Alexander, too.¡± The name made warning bells go off in Trystan¡¯s head, a paranoid shock shuddering through him, and he did not know why. Not until he looked around and found an unchained cuff attached to a small, weighted ball near his feet. Kingsley. He caught a sh of green in the corner of his eye, and the next moments drew gasps from the entire group as they found the frog atop a post, seconds from leaping into the water. ¡°Kingsley?¡± Trystan called cautiously. ¡°Jump down from there.¡± The frog¡¯s gold eyes were nearly swallowed by the ck of his pupil, the awareness gone, causing his heart to plummet. ¡°Alexander. Alexander, it¡¯s me. It¡¯s Trystan.¡± Nothing. And then the frog leaped. Trystan and the others watched, the world moving in slow motion as Kingsley jumped from the post, toward the water, hopping right atop a lily pad and then back to the dock, disappearing into the vige fray. ¡°No! Shit. We must go now.¡± Arthur ushered them all along, piling them into the carriage, grabbing Trystan¡¯s hand before he shut the door. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, son¡ªnone of it. You need to remember that.¡± Arthur closed the door in Trystan¡¯s face, trapping him inside the carriage and trapping the words that were making tiny dart-size holes beneath his skin. The carriage rattled along, and Trystan took brief peeks at the sand-lined roads, the street vendors with fish and beautifully colorful nes, the stone houses getting bigger and bigger as they rode. ¡°Don¡¯t lose that frog!¡± Trystan banged on the roof, and Sage shushed him. Sage. Shushed. Him. The world had turned inside out. ¡°Be quiet, you little urchin!¡± she said smugly. Be quiet, you little urchin, or you¡¯ll get us both killed. The first words he¡¯d ever spoken to her. Thrown back in his face. Lesson learned¡ªnext time you find the most infuriating, beautiful, and life-altering woman you¡¯ve ever encountered¡­ Leave her behind to die. ¡°I see him!¡± Arthur called down to them. ¡°I see where he¡¯s heading! Up the stone path! He¡¯s chasing a¡ªa fly!¡± ¡°Where?¡± Trystan hissed, nearly lunging for Sage when she gave him a thumbs-up. But all the anger disappeared when his body finally caught up to what his mind had been screaming at him to realize. Where the stone path led. ¡°Your mother¡¯s house!¡± Trystan¡¯s mother¡¯s house. That was where Kingsley was going. The same mother who had tried to kill him thest time they met. Very well. At least she wouldn¡¯t hug him. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 69 Kingsley Blurry colors,rge people, and a single stone path up to a sizable home. Fly. There was a fly. He wanted to eat the fly. Something else. He wanted something else, too, but he couldn¡¯t remember what it was. Or who he was beyond what his animal instincts were driving him to do. Chase fly. Eat fly. His tongue shot out, and he missed it, leaping after it through a small window into a kitchen, where he found himself eye to eye with another being. A human. As he¡¯d been. It was like waking up from a bad dream where he¡¯d forgotten everything that made Alexander a man, but he remembered now. Just in time for the young woman blinking at him withrge green eyes to stumble backward, mouth open. The end of a broom came down, swatting where he sat, and he quickly leaped to one of the higher cabs, just missing it. ¡°No, no! Shoo, you pest!¡± The young woman¡¯s voice was soft, the sort that all staff took on in a grand home, so as not to be seen, so as not to be heard. Even now, this young woman adhered to those instructions. ¡°Get down from there! Right now!¡± Alexander was never one to ignore the request of ady. It was apulsion to obey. Compulsion and annoying built-in manners. He jumped down to the table, blinking at her, the wooden table creaking under the force with which hended. She blinked back at him, tilting her head to the side. She was unsure how to react, if the wrinkle between her eyebrows was anything to go by. ¡°Oh. I didn¡¯t expect you to¡­listen.¡± He had no signs with him tomunicate what he wanted to say, so he shrugged. She gasped, pping a hand over her mouth, drawing his attention back to her green eyes. Like moss, or like a lily pad. He was not as adept at descriptions as he¡¯d once been, but even he noticed that they were deep, and fathomless, and impossibly big, rounding further when he held up a webbed foot, waving. ¡°Don¡¯t do that!¡± She pped a hand down at her side, and twinkling light spilled from her fingertips. The rays hit a nearby flowerpot, turning the once-red roses a bright gold. ¡°Oh, no, no, no,¡± she said, panicked. Magic. The girl with the big eyes had just turned the flowers a different color. ¡°Winnifred? What on earth is all that noise?¡± The girl named Winnifred paled. ¡°Nothing, mistress! I slipped on some spilled water.¡± Alexander didn¡¯t know how this timid thing expected anyone to hear her at such a low volume. Loud footsteps pounded down the hall. The familiarity of the voice. The kitchen with yellow sshes of paint on the walls. Kingsley had been here before. Without ceremony, he was scooped up by Winnifred, feeling air rush his ears as she threw him in a cookie jar. ¡°Be silent.¡± She put the lid on top with a tter, and then it was dark. Rude. If he had his signs, he¡¯d tell her so, but for now he¡¯d send the thought her way and hope it stuck. ¡°Mistress Maverine,¡± Winnifred said, and Kingsley went still as stone. He¡¯d hopped himself right into the same ce he¡¯d turned into a bloody frog in the first ce. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to disturb you.¡± ¡°You never mean to, Winnifred,¡± Amara Maverine said sharply. ¡°I don¡¯t appreciate your insubordination when I¡¯ve extended every courtesy to you. I expect you to do your job without fuss or excess noise. I consider crashing sounds fuss.¡± ¡°Of course, Mistress Maverine. Again, I am so sorry.¡± There was a smallness to her response, a smallness that Kingsley recalled Amara Maverine often seemed to evoke. ¡°My husband¡¯s pulling up the drive. Do you have lunch prepared?¡± ¡°Yes, mistress. It is on the sitting room table.¡± There was a pause, and even Alexander, stuck in his tight quarters, could feel tension permeating the room. ¡°What happened to the roses?¡± Alexander leaned his head up, peeking just out of the cookie jar. The top sat on his crowned head like a hat. Amara Maverine was ten years older and just as beautiful as always, with jet-ck hair and even darker eyes. Silver strands shone in the light, even pulled back in the neat bun at the base of her neck. Her lips were tight, her gaze eviscerating. Winnifred stared at the roses, appearing calm as she swept a brown lock off her forehead, but Alexander could see the telltale sign of a bead of sweat at her brow. ¡°They came from the gardener this color, mistress.¡± Amara¡¯s stern mouth twisted as she looked Winnifred up and down with distaste. ¡°I¡¯m sure. See that they remain red from now on, would you?¡± Winnifred dipped into a quick curtsy, her cheeks flushing as she averted her gaze to her shoes. ¡°Of course, mistress.¡± The servant girl was quiet by nature, Alexander guessed by the softness of her voice, which was melodic and unused. ¡°If there¡¯s anything else I can do for you, please let me know.¡± Amara sniffed, slowly looking in his direction, and Kingsley ducked back into the jar so fast, the lid made a clicking sound. ¡°What was that?¡± A step toward him. Another. Alexander would be sweating if he had the nds for it. ¡°Nothing, mistress! Don¡¯t you want to¡ª¡± ¡°Amara! I¡¯m home!¡± Arthur Maverine¡¯s voice boomed through the house, causing relief to settle over Kingsley. The others were here. He was saved. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Coming!¡± Amara called. Alexander heard more footsteps slowly fading and then lighter ones. The lid opened, and it was¡ª Oh. Still the girl who¡¯d swatted him with the broom. Wonderful. Winnifred looked at him mournfully. ¡°All right, Your Highness. Time to go.¡± Your Highness? Did she know him? Had she recognized him? She picked him up, holding him as far from her face as humanly possible. ¡°Whoever put a crown on you is a fan of cruel and unusual punishments.¡± Oh¡­well, she was right on that score, anyhow. She reached to remove it¡ªand then he bit her. ¡°Ouch!¡± she yelped, dropping him. ¡°What was that for?¡± He saluted her sarcastically. ¡°I don¡¯t care for frogs,¡± she said, crossing her arms. ¡°You have a terribly hard bite for such a tiny thing, don¡¯t you?¡± Kingsley searched himself for a sign out of habit, only to recall he was missing them all. Drat. The back door mmed open, and then there was nothing but shouts, screams, and absolute mayhem. Trystan pushed into the kitchen, disheveled and breathing heavily. Winnifred lurched back, grabbing a fork as she went, and started swinging¡­with her eyes closed. Which, forbat purposes, was certainly a choice. ¡°I told you to knock first,¡± Evie yelled. ¡°You scared the poor girl,¡± she finished, walking toward the fork wielder with an improperck of fear. ¡°Sage, she¡¯s got a weapon. Don¡¯t,¡± Trystan said, holding a hand out to stop her, just as the silver prongs stuck into the middle of his palm. The whole room froze, and Evie winced, lips pulled back from her teeth as they all stared at the silver end of the utensil jutting from the boss¡¯s skin. ¡°There¡¯s a fork,¡± he said, more curiously than angrily. ¡°In my hand.¡± Evie said carefully, ¡°Well, of course it¡¯s a fork. I sincerely doubt a spoon could do that.¡± Trystan sighed. ¡°Oh no,¡± Winnifred whispered. ¡°Should I pull it out?¡± Evie asked as Tatianna entered the room. Tatianna lifted Trystan¡¯s hand, looking it up and down. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s shallow. It¡¯lle right out if you tug.¡± Trystan pulled his hand away. ¡°No one is pulling anything out!¡± Alexander chose that moment to leap for Trystan¡¯s shoulder, using the neck of the fork as a boost. It ttered to the floor, and Trystan cursed as he shook out the appendage. ¡°Damn it, Kingsley.¡± ¡°Excuse me.¡± Winnifred was even quieter, like she had a setting for volume and someone had cranked it as low as possible. Alexander disliked it. Neither Trystan nor Evie heard her, though¡ªnot over their bickering, anyway. ¡°It is your own fault. I told you it would be better if you give a warning before you enter like your hair is on fire,¡± Evie argued. The veins in Trystan¡¯s forehead were looking to make their great escape. ¡°It is called breaking and entering, Sage. I broke. I entered. And was stabbed with a fork. All in all, a sessful entrance.¡± Evie smiled fondly, warmly. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Trystan eyed her warily. ¡°This is a trap.¡± She shoved him, rolling her eyes, and once more, Winnifred repeated herself. ¡°Excuse me?¡± A little louder, still far too quiet. Alexander didn¡¯t care to watch her do it again. He noticed a chalkboard hanging in the corner of the kitchen for ingredients and wrote one word. Listen. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Winnifred whispered to him in astonished confusion. ¡°Don¡¯t do that.¡± She waved her hands as if willing his sentience away. The woman had magic of some sort. Was amunicative frog all that much more to grapple with? He double-checked his spelling. Nope. Not that. ¡°Apologies.¡± Trystan cleared his throat, bowing stiffly. ¡°We¡¯re here to see my mother. Arthur, I believe, went through the front.¡± Winnifred gasped, eyes glued to Evie. ¡°But you¡¯re The¡ª I mean, from the flyer, you look like, um¡ª Are you certain Mistress Maverine would invite you here?¡± Evie assured her, ¡°Oh, we weren¡¯t invited.¡± Winnifred squeaked. Like a mouse. ¡°Trystan!¡± Amara¡¯s voice pierced the calm that had settled over the kitchen. ¡°Get in here. Now!¡± Winnifred sighed. ¡°I¡¯m getting fired.¡± Alexander made an odd sound, his snort whileughinging out as sort of a croak. It wasn¡¯t so different from the others, but making that sound was somehow more tolerable when it was his choice. ¡°Oh, fear not.¡± Evie waved her hands around. ¡°We¡¯ll lie and say we threatened you!¡± ¡°Lie?¡± Winnifred muttered under her breath, turning her head and exposing a small beauty mark just below her cheekbone. Evie gave Winnifred¡¯s arm a familiar squeeze¡ªso familiar Alexander almost believed they hadn¡¯t just met two minutes ago. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll take care of it.¡± She waved an arm. ¡°Come along, Trystan.¡± The order was thrown over her shoulder, as she was already halfway through the door. ¡°I¡¯m not a dog,¡± he replied darkly. Evie shrugged, still walking, face forward. ¡°Fine. Stay, boy. I¡¯m going to meet your mom; I am sure we¡¯ll have a lot to talk about.¡± Uh-oh. The ominous warning was not necessary, however. Considering Trystan had already heeded her order to follow as soon as her back had turned. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 70 Becky Meanwhile, back at the manor¡­ ¡°Ms. Erring?¡± Lyssa asked from outside the vent near the manor¡¯s front entrance. The one Becky currently had her head stuck in. ¡°Are you looking for the traitor in the venttion system?¡± Becky winced slowly as she slid out, then waved a stern finger. ¡°Why would I look for them in the air vents? A person wouldn¡¯t even fit in here.¡± As she¡¯d just discovered¡ªthree seconds ago. ¡°I think you¡¯re worried about de, so you¡¯re probably not thinking with a clear head,¡± Lyssa said solemnly,ying the back of her hand against Becky¡¯s forehead as if checking for fever. Becky pushed the girl¡¯s hand away and climbed to her feet, standing inches above the little girl and pushing her sses straight up on her nose. ¡°Who told you that nonsense?¡± ¡°You did.¡± ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t thinking clearly,¡± Becky argued. ¡°Because you¡¯re worried,¡± Lyssa suggested innocently. ¡°About your suitor.¡± This kid was smarter than she let anyone see and more perceptive by half. Becky was proud and irritated all at once. It made her miss her little brother. It made her miss all her brothers. Family had great power over a person; no one else knows better how to mend your heart, and no one else knows all the easiest ways to break it. ¡°I am worried,¡± Becky admitted. ¡°But he¡¯s not my suitor. I just wish he would wake up so I could know for sure he¡¯s okay. As a¡­concerned colleague.¡± ¡°Because you love him.¡± Lyssa¡¯s eyes lit up, and she jumped like she¡¯d just found something valuable. ¡°I knew it! I should have locked you both in the closet.¡± The buzz of the office had just begun, but Becky was having difficulty discerning what time it was exactly. She hadn¡¯t checked a clock in hours, hadn¡¯t worried over schedules or ways to increase office productivity or if there were enough pens in the supply closet. Her entire evening into the wee hours of the morning had been consumed with den Gushiken, if he would wake up, and when he did, what she would say. You do love him. NOOOOOOOO. Becky shut her eyes and held out her hand. ¡°Did you bring Evie¡¯s journal like I asked?¡± Lyssa nodded, tossing Becky the book. She paged through it, searching for the word ¡°starlight¡± but instead stopped when a note fell into herp. ¡°What is that?¡± Lyssa leaned over her shoulder to see. Becky picked it up, holding it higher so Lyssa could see, too. ¡°It¡¯s a note to Evie from the boss. Asking her toe into work early for a morning meeting, dated from months ago. It says toe urgently or she¡¯d be terminated.¡± Lyssa ooohed. ¡°Wow, harsh. Good viiny tip,¡± she stated, making a mark on the list the boss had given her that she¡¯d been carrying around in her pocket. Something wasn¡¯t right. Becky continued staring at the note, wondering why it looked so strange to her¡­and then it struck her. She¡¯d seen the boss¡¯s handwriting dozens of times over from all the paperwork she filed. And this¡­was not it. The letters curled with a flourish The Viin¡¯s decisive handwriting did not have, and the cross on the T was nted. Becky breathed deeply, her shoulders rising and falling. ¡°Lyssa, do you have any of the notes you received? Any you didn¡¯t give to re?¡± It was just a hunch, but a hunch she needed to follow. Lyssa looked guilty, frowning. ¡°I do.¡± Becky nodded in relief. ¡°Let¡¯s go get them.¡± ¡°Hold him down!¡± a male voice screamed from out in the courtyard. ¡°Get the chains! Now!¡± Becky and Lyssa came to a wordless agreement in a single nce, both running for the back doors and entering the courtyard to absolute wreckage. Fluffy mmed his neck into another pir, keening and iling, echoing another screech from the male guvre below the grate. Something was wrong. The grate rattled. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Becky demanded, holding an arm out over her face. She shoved Lyssa behind her to protect the little girl from flying debris. One of the Malevolent Guards who had remained in the manor, Dante, yelled at her over the frantic pping of leathery wings. ¡°We have no clue! The guvre was making these wild sounds, and then Fluffy started to panic.¡± Dark-gray clouds rolled in, dimming the sun and casting a gray shadow over the scene, just as the grate began to shake as if somethingrge was mming into it. One ng. Everyone stopped. Another ng. Becky gripped Lyssa¡¯s shoulder. A third ng, and Becky knew there would not be a fourth as the grate flew off and out came the male guvre, his scales glittering the rainbow sheen of Rennedawn, of Fate. Becky expected the animal to take to the skies at its newfound freedom, but instead he clomped over to them, his serpentlike body slithering with each step. Becky stumbled back, hand extended in front of Lyssa as the guards charged the animal with spears and weapons at the ready. Lyssa spotted them before Becky could block the scene from her view. ¡°No! You can¡¯t do that!¡± the little girl cried, sprinting toward the guvre like her life depended on it. Becky chased after her at the same speed. But she was toote. The guvre opened his mouth, letting loose a breath of purple mist¡ªmist that was heading right for Lyssa. ¡°No!¡± Becky screamed, helpless as the mist enveloped Lyssa, surrounding her as she yelped in fear. It would kill her. And Becky would never forgive herself. The rest of her life would be haunted by all the ways she could¡¯ve prevented this. And just as she felt deep in her soul that her heart was breaking, something incredible happened. The animal stopped and calmed, and the mist parted, revealing an unharmed Lyssa, and¡­she glowed. A silvery white. Like a star. Becky watched, a hand raised to block the brightness from burning her eyes. Her mouth had dried out, and the drops of water that began to fall from the sky did nothing to help it. ¡°Lyssa,¡± Becky whispered, reaching for her carefully. The guvre leaned down, bumping Lyssa¡¯s head with his own and lowering a wing, motioning for her to get on. ¡°NO!¡± Becky called, going to grab her. ¡°No, Lyssa, you can¡¯t go with him! Don¡¯t.¡± Without another thought, Becky mbered over the wing, following Lyssa up the guvre¡¯s back. ¡°We must get down, now!¡± she yelled. Lyssa shook her head, still glowing, gripping a spike on the guvre¡¯s back. ¡°He needs someone.¡± The guvre sighed in contentment, and the guards slowly began to lower their weapons. The guvre¡¯srge, iridescent-scaled head leaned over and looked Becky right in the eye. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Becky begged, recognizing that look. It was a look she¡¯d seen in herself when she ran away from home. The daring gumption of someone about to take flight. ¡°Hold on!¡± Becky screamed as they shot into the air, Lyssa holding tight to the spikes, squealing rather than screaming. The screaming came from Becky. The guvre swooped away from the manor and into the cloudy sky, toward gods knew where. All Becky knew was that wherever the guvre was going¡­Becky and Lyssa were going, too. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 71 Evie It took every ounce of professionalism and willpower she had not to sprint through each room of the house until she found Trystan¡¯s childhood bedroom. There was no guarantee his mother had kept it the same anyhow, especially with the shrewd way she was watching them from her armchair when they entered the room. Like she¡¯d already known Trystan would be a disappointment, like she had been anticipating it. It made Evie hate her. ¡°How fortunate.¡± Amara¡¯s words curled and twisted like a toxic smoke over the room, and Evie had to resist choking. ¡°The Viin and The Wicked Woman,e to visit me. Tell me.¡± She gestured for the lot of them to take seats. Trays of sandwiches and fruits wereid out in a delicious-looking disy. ¡°To what do I owe such an honor?¡± ¡°I should think you¡¯d find no honor in visits from me, Mother,¡± Trystan muttered, inspecting a sandwich, turning it upside down. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Amara snapped. ¡°Wondering what kind of poison you used,¡± Trystan said casually, leaning back in a careless pose. Morphing into a different person. A truly hateful one. ¡°I don¡¯t make it a habit of poisoning guests, believe it or not.¡± ¡°Just your children, then,¡± Tatianna quipped, cing herself between Trystan and Amara. ¡°Hello, Amara. Still have that stick up your butt?¡± ¡°Tatianna. Charming as always.¡± Amara rolled her eyes disdainfully. ¡°A wonder you let such a catch go, rissa.¡± ¡°Amara,¡± Arthur rasped. ¡°You promised.¡± Evie wondered what darknesses festered within a person, that they¡¯d need to promise to be civil to their own children. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Father,¡± re said, morphing into someone new just as Trystan had. Their mother¡¯s presence was turning both of them into versions of themselves that didn¡¯t suit, that were wrong. The dark pall cast over the Maverine siblings didn¡¯t extend to the room itself. Instead, the sitting room was warm, lit by candles. Comfortable-looking furniture and book-lined shelves filled the space, and there were worn spots in the wood floor from all the footsteps in and out. It was a home that was lived in, perhaps even loved in at one point, but it was empty now. The memories just lived as ghosts in the walls, built into the foundation of a now-haunted home. Evie coughed into her arm to disguise her nervousness, drawing Amara¡¯s attention. She eyed Evie with interest. ¡°Wicked Woman? That¡¯s ark, isn¡¯t it. You look like a deer caught in a carriagemp.¡± Evie prepared to argue, but a lethal voice cut in. ¡°Do not speak to her like that.¡± Amara¡¯s eyes fixated on Trystan again. She was poised like a queen as she ced a piece of paper on the table. ¡°And Trystan fighting for vignte justice instead of viiny. How refreshing. I am so proud.¡± Amara mmed a finger into the news pamphlet on the table, and Evie gasped when she saw the in bold letters etched at the top. EXTRA: THE VILLAIN OR THE ANTIHERO? THE NOTORIOUS VILLAIN OF RENNEDAWN SAVES INNOCENT VILLAGERS FROM EVIL PHOENIX ALONGSIDE HIS APPRENTICE, THE WICKED WOMAN. The short article was followed by one harrowing statement. The Viin¡ªnot so viinous after all? ¡°Who wrote this utter garbage?¡± Trystan gripped the paper in his fist, tearing it under his fingers as he scanned the words. ¡°I save one fucking vige, and my whole reputation is tarnished. They are calling me a¡­a hero.¡± Oh dear, was he turning green? He fumed, ring at the piece of paper. Evie hesitated, but her tongue got the better of her. ¡°An antihero, sir. A hero who doesn¡¯t act like a hero is a far cry from sainthood. Calm down.¡± Amara huffed, and then silence permeated the air with a deep, nervous tension, the mood punctuated nicely by the crack of thunder and a sudden downpour outside. ¡°Winnifred. Bring more candles!¡± Amara barked. Her quiet kitchen maid crept into the room, hunched over as if to make herself smaller, and she lit candles carefully, leaping over Kingsley when he appeared by her foot. ¡°What is all the squealing about, Winnifred? I¡¯ve had enough of your misconduct today.¡± Amara stood, moving to rush for the frightened young woman before Trystan interceded. ¡°Oh, Mother. Don¡¯t tell me after all this time you¡¯ve forgotten your greatest achievement?¡± Trystan stood, sauntering for the other side of the room and scooping up the frog with one hand. ¡°You remember Prince Alexander Kingsley of the southern kingdom.¡± Amara gripped her chest, as if she had been shot. ¡°You dare bring that thing into my house? That abomination that you caused!¡± ¡°Amara.¡± Arthur grabbed her elbows, trying to soothe her. ¡°You agreed to be peaceful.¡± ¡°I agreed on the condition that he would be!¡± Amara waved her hand. ¡°Instead, you bring before me my treacherous daughter and my evil, monstrous son.¡± She poked her finger into Trystan¡¯s chest. He kept his eyes forward, not looking down at her but not moving, either. ¡°Do you know what a mess you have made for us since revealing your identity? I have friends of twenty years who avoid me in the streets. The entire life Arthur and I have built for ourselves here¡ªruined because of your selfishness.¡± ¡°Surely they suspected something off about our family long before now.¡± Trystan¡¯s voice was steel, hard, cold. ¡°Where did they think I¡¯ve been all these years?¡± ¡°Dead,¡± Amara spat. ¡°As I wish you had been.¡± ¡°That is enough!¡± Arthur grabbed Amara, but it was toote. Evie¡¯s anger had taken hold; the thoughts of making peace left her in a flood of protective anger, and she was submerged in it. It was all she knew, just the pulse in her ears and the fury in her heart. She stood, stepping in front of Trystan. And pped Amara Maverine across the face. Unfortunately, Evie¡¯s anger seemed as quick to leave her as it had been to take over, and she knew her anger usually left behind its most tried-and-true friends. Guilt and regret. Though only guilt seemed to show up this time. Regret was currently doing a jig and cheering for Evie to do it again. Everyone stared at her, slightly ck-jawed. ¡°A deer growled at me once,¡± she stated. Amara just stared. ¡°My point is to say that if a deer can growl, it likely can find a way to attack. So if I look wide-eyed and confused to you, know that I¡¯m not, but you¡¯re wee to underestimate me anyway.¡± Amara looked seconds away from swinging at Evie herself but stopped, choosing a different course. ¡°Take Alexander and leave this room, re. I¡¯d like to have a conversation alone with my son and his¡­¡± Amara took Evie in and seemed to find hercking as she finished. ¡°Partner.¡± Irritating two generations at once? Evie wondered if that came with a medal¡ªor jail time. re lifted Kingsley onto her shoulder, nting herself in a seat directly across from her mother. ¡°No. He stays. We all stay, for once.¡± Tatianna slowly sat down, watching the scene unfold with undue interest. ¡°Do you know why we¡¯re here?¡± Evie asked, shoving a sandwich into her mouth. Amara frowned as she took her seat once more, picking up her winess. ¡°Yes. You¡¯re going to ask me for the ss slippers.¡± Trystan swallowed. ¡°Arthur told you?¡± ¡°The short version,¡± Arthur exined, standing in the corner like a guard on duty, only moving when a windowpane flew open, spraying cold rainwater across the room. ¡°Damn old wood,¡± he grumbled, grabbing tools from the nearby cupboard to reattach it. Evie continued over the pounding of the rain and now the pounding of a hammer. ¡°Are you going to give them to us?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Shocker.¡± Evie slouched in her chair. ¡°Far be it from me to assist you on a fool¡¯s errand, but I have a vested interest in Alexander bing a prince once more. And I would be willing to give you the ss slippers, if you¡¯d be willing to do something for me.¡± Amara red as she glided to the wall, where she pushed a panel open to reveal a hiddenpartment. She returned with a small scroll, unrolling it to reveal a map of Alexander¡¯s kingdom. ¡°The southern kingdom is against our border, meaning you have very little time to put the wand you¡¯ve acquired to use.¡± ¡°How did you know we have the wand?¡± Evie asked. Amara took a hearty sip from her winess as she sat again, ignoring her question. ¡°Enchantresses are typically the ones wands are most effective for. She¡¯d be the only one who could help you gain ess to the southern kingdom. Wands don¡¯t work for just anyone. I told re as much in the letters I sent her.¡± re paled. ¡°What letters?¡± Tatianna asked. ¡°re?¡± re looked cornered, eyes turning red. ¡°I messed up. I know that I messed up. I was going to tell you.¡± Evie slowly put the sandwich back on the te, chewing so fast she choked a little on herst swallow. ¡°You.¡± She coughed. ¡°You messed up how, re?¡± Trystan hit her lightly on the back. ¡°The letters?¡± Trystan prodded. ¡°re and I have been corresponding for months. She didn¡¯t say?¡± Amara looked far too content at the development. ¡°She¡¯s been kind enough to keep me apprised of your movements.¡± Tatianna stood so fast, she knocked over two sses, looking ill. ¡°Excuse me.¡± ¡°Tatianna, wait!¡± re stood but was tugged down by her mother. ¡°Let her go, rissa. Do not make a spectacle of yourself.¡± re frowned, watching the door with a desperate longing that knocked at Evie¡¯s heart like a lightning strike. ¡°I thought if I exined what we were doing, Mother might be more willing to aid our cause. I was trying to fix things, Trystan, I swear. I thought she might forgive you if I just exined.¡± Trystan sighed. ¡°That would only work, re, if our mother was capable of forgiveness.¡± Amara went rigid. ¡°I hired the enchantress to remove Trystan from this earth when I learned of the darkness that took him. To spare you, Trystan. It was re who went behind my back, hiring the same enchantress to merely pretend to kill you. To fool me. Alexander got in the way, and for it, he is now this¡ªbut that had nothing to do with me. I was kind enough to ry his death to his parents, and if that wasn¡¯t enough, I also spared the enchantress¡¯s young daughter the wrath of the southern kingdom. As an act of charity. I have been generous.¡± Evie was about to be incredibly generous with something heavy against Amara¡¯s head. ¡°And in the spirit of generosity, I will tell you that you will not be able to enter the southern kingdom without an enchantress to wear the ss slippers and use the wand. Without both, the magical objects are essentially useless.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s telling us this in the spirit of generosity,¡± Evie whispered to Trystan, who was already pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Trystan pushed his hand down, a. hard resolve in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re saying that to get to the enchantress, we need the enchantress? We¡¯ve spent all this time on a wild goose chase?¡± ¡°Not exactly,¡± Arthur said, returning to the group and sitting beside Amara. ¡°The barrier isn¡¯t like Alexander¡¯s curse. Curses may only be reversed by the enchantress who cast them in the first ce. But the wand itself can be used by any enchantress¡¯s magical fingerprint.¡± Arthur continued, steepling his fingers. ¡°I was permitted into the southern kingdomst week to heal the enchantress before her execution. The king and queen want her to be in perfect health when they put her to death.¡± Arthur rubbed at the dark-purple bruising under his eyes, everything about him emitting exhaustion. ¡°The easiest way to get to her would be through me. I¡¯d be willing to escort you to the pce, though we can¡¯t have the guards at the kingdom¡¯s entrance notify the king and queen of my presence too soon¡ªthey¡¯ll grow suspicious. You¡¯ll need someone to wield the wand and wear the slippers to get in through the side entrance, to lower the enchantments there without notice.¡± ¡°And how are we supposed to do that?¡± Trystan asked tly. Amara pped, a sinister smile on her face. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s time to propose my deal, then.¡± ¡°Your deal?¡± Evie asked, folding her arms defensively. But Amara was unfazed. ¡°You did not honestly think I would help my reprobate children for nothing? After all they¡¯ve stolen from me?¡± Trystan and re both flinched. Evie¡¯s hand started to rise, and Kingsley leaped atop it, holding it against the seat cushions. Breathe. She did. It helped very little. ¡°What do you want?¡± Evie asked. ¡°Bring the enchantress here. To me.¡± Amara folded her hands. ¡°And to prove my good faith, I¡¯ll send along someone who can use the wand and wear the slippers.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Trystan asked cautiously. Amara rose and sailed into the kitchen, returning momentster with Winnifred dragging behind her. The girl shrank back, shyly slumping her shoulders. ¡°I give you: the enchantress¡¯s next of kin. An amateur enchantress, to be sure, but she¡¯ll do for your purposes.¡± Winnifred looked petrified. ¡°Mistress Maverine. What are you doing?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve already be acquainted with the enchantress Belinda Erodina¡¯s daughter. Winnifred?¡± Amara shoved Winnifred until the young woman fell to her knees, a random burst of magic falling off her fingers and turning the couch pink. ¡°I-I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Winnifred whispered, clutching her hands to her chest. Evie and Trystan both moved to help her stand. ¡°I took her in after her mother was captured.¡± Amaraughed lifelessly. ¡°I¡¯m not a monster.¡± No, Evie thought. Amara Maverine was something much, much worse. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 72 Becky Flying on a guvre went as well as Becky might have predicted. Terrifying and absolutely dangerous. ¡°Are you all right?¡± she yelled to Lyssa over the piercing wind whipping through their hair. Lyssa didn¡¯t speak, just nodded, her bravery burned out. All that remained was the fear that all children had when control was gone and the future was uncertain, the times when they turned to an adult, trusting they¡¯d know what to do. Becky had no idea what to do. ¡°Land!¡± she ordered. The guvre angled his long neck back, and Lyssa cried out in fear, digging her head into Becky¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Please?¡± Becky offered. The creature¡¯s eyes shed, and then he nodded as if he understood. As if he knew he needed to let them go. So he did¡­ With a graceful spin, upside down, until Lyssa and Becky had no choice but to let go. They were airborne, their screams blending as they hurtled toward the earth. There wasn¡¯t time for thought, just shing images of Becky¡¯s life and the intense stab of guilt as she reached for Lyssa¡ª And then relief as they hit the back of anotherrge creature. Something scaly and¡ª ¡°Fluffy!¡± Lyssa cried, turning on her stomach to clutch at therge saddle strapped to the dragon¡¯s back. ¡°de,¡± Becky whispered, only seeing the dragon trainer at the front of the saddle, angling his head back toward them. The wound on his head had nearly healed over. He looked well and healthy, smiling his perfect smile at them through the drizzling rain and looming dark clouds. ¡°Lovely Rebecka!¡± de yelled over the wind. Becky nodded, grabbing Lyssa¡¯s hand, still not trusting that they were safe. ¡°We need tond!¡± de didn¡¯t hesitate, his careless charm gone, reced with seriousness and skill. ¡°On it.¡± Fluffynded with a gentle but firm impact on the ground. Becky breathed a sigh of relief, sliding off first and reaching her hands up for Lyssa. The dragon lifted a wing, covering them from the waning dribbles of rain. de came underneath next, and Becky didn¡¯t hesitate. Sheunched herself into the dragon trainer¡¯s arms, leaning her head into his neck. de¡¯s hands hovered for a second before closing around her and then running gently down her hair, loosened and damp down her back. ¡°I¡¯m all right, Rebecka.¡± ¡°How are you here?¡± she said, not willing to let go. She no longer cared for embarrassment or the risk to her heart. Losing him would have been worse than anything else, and she hadn¡¯t. Suddenly, anything seemed possible; suddenly, everything was worth the risk. ¡°The beam of starlight magic. It flooded the manor, and I woke up stunned by it. By the time I made it outside, the guvre had taken off with you and Lyssa. I nearly had a heart attack.¡± de gently pushed her back, scanning the skies. ¡°I have no idea why he brought you both all this way.¡± ¡°He¡¯s an animal. I don¡¯t know that he had a reason other than escaping to find his mate, even if he nearly killed us in the process,¡± Becky argued, searching the sky for the animal anyway. de shook his head. ¡°No, he saw I was behind you before he tipped. I think he knew I would catch the both of you.¡± Becky shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s hardly an excuse! What if you missed?¡± de shrugged. ¡°Then you¡¯d make a lovely pancake.¡± Heughed when Becky punched him in the arm, whiskey eyes growing concerned when he looked down toward Lyssa. ¡°You okay, Lyssa?¡± But when they turned to assess the little girl, she was ten feet away, pushing aside bushes and trees until she found a veil of weeping willows. Different from the usual kind, they glowed with iridescent, colorful leaves, almost like the guvre¡¯s scales. ¡°Lyssa?¡± Becky called. ¡°Come quick,¡± she replied. ¡°I think¡­ I think this is a nest.¡± When Becky and Lyssa pulled back the curtain of leaves, they all sucked in a breath. ¡°My gods,¡± de whispered. Tucked behind the weeping willows, in a secluded and seemingly unexplored part of Hickory Forest, was a nest made of golden straw, and inside it¡­were two faded rainbow-colored eggs. ¡°Guvre younglings¡­ They aren¡¯t born, are they?¡± Becky whispered. de shook his head. ¡°No. It appears they won¡¯t ever hatch.¡± Lyssa¡¯s normally bright eyes were dull, faraway as she steadied herself, angling her torso toward Becky. ¡°Why haven¡¯t they hatched? They¡¯ve been here for a while, haven¡¯t they?¡± Becky swallowed. ¡°Their mother was imprisoned for nearly a decade, Lyssa. They¡¯re likely not viable any longer.¡± Lyssa blinked back tears as she leaned over the nest, her small hands glowing that silvery white again. ¡°Then why did the guvre bring us here? And why am I glowing?¡± Becky shuddered. This was a job for someone with actual childcare experience. Becky¡¯s extent was flicking her little brother with a stick. She didn¡¯t think that would help here. Honesty was the only course. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Lyssa. Maybe he wanted us to protect the nest. Maybe he wanted to show us what his mate will go through again, imprisoned by the king. And as for the glowing¡­ Maybe your mother¡¯s magic has manifested in you?¡± ¡°Does that mean¡­ Am I like my mother?¡± There was real fear in the little girl¡¯s eyes, and Becky knew that fear, knew what it was to worry if blood would take over, turning you into someone you never wanted to be. ¡°No.¡± Wrapping a gentle arm around the little girl, Becky pulled her into her side. ¡°No, you are like Lyssa Sage and no one else. No matter what happens, that is one thing that will always be true. We¡¯ll sort the restter.¡± de¡¯s warm hand closed over Becky¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll call for a few Malevolent Guards to protect the nest until we know what to do with it.¡± But Becky didn¡¯t look at him, because Lyssa smiled. And Becky did, too. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 73 Gideon Gideon dreamed of a princess with golden hair, long tresses cascading around him. And then he awoke from the gentlest slumber of his life¡­to torture. Or rather Keeley, punching him in the arm. ¡°Gideon, wake up! The sedative is wearing off!¡± A loud, almost screaming roar came from the cage, and Keeley was already working at the lock. The brownish gray color of the female was brighter than it had been when they first arrived. Her serpentine head and eyes dipped to peer at the two of them. Gideon saw the danger in the look much toote. ¡°Keeley, back up¡ª¡± The cage door mmed open, and Keeley went flying into the far wall. The force knocked the helmet from her head, and her blond braid spilled down her back. The guvre¡¯s mist shot for them, but Gideon was ready this time, lifting Keeley underneath her arms and dragging her away before the breath could melt the skin from their bones. Another screeching roar echoed down the corridor, and with that, their time to do this undetected had run out. ¡°We have to make her chase us!¡± Gideon yelled. ¡°Are you fast enough?¡± Keeley sneered at him, bringing her fingers to her lips, whistling as loudly as possible. The guvre homed in on them, and Keeley¡¯s sneer turned to a smirk. ¡°Are you?¡± And then she ran. They both did, sprinting down the corridors of the hidden tunnels, discarding heavy armor as they went, no longer needing the pretense or the extra weight holding them back. The screeching sounds of the guvre grew louder as she gained on them, right behind them, the mist catching the back of Gideon¡¯s boot, eating right through the leather and burning his skin. He bit back a yell of pain as they neared the exit, as they neared freedom, but before they could make it to the light, to the end of their journey, they were stopped. By a wall of Valiant Guards positioned perfectly to stop them. But this shouldn¡¯t be. The guard shift change wouldn¡¯t have happened for another hour. The only exnation was¡­a setup. But there wasn¡¯t time to contemte as Keeley barreled into the wall of men, sword swinging, slicing through necks and arms, taking a hit and giving it back harder. Ten of them versus two. But as Gideon entered the fray, it urred to him that Keeley was worth hundreds. Gideon sliced through a man, following behind the captain. He was fighting without holds to cut through men he once served beside, and he did it without hesitation. And without stopping, until the final guard ran for Gideon, de raised, face bloodied as the knight let out a battle cry. The helmeted knight stopped short when a sword went clean through his neck, his head nging to the ground as the body dropped beside him. Before they could im their victory, another gust of mist came at them, followed by another screech as the guvre¡¯srge body crashed through the tunnels, gaining on them. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Captain!¡± Gideon grabbed Keeley¡¯s arm and thrust her in front of him until they were out into the drizzling rain, stumbling to the side of the tunnel entrance as the female guvre escaped, taking to the skies. ¡°No, she¡¯s getting away!¡± Keeley yelled, running after where the creature disappeared above the clouds. ¡°Let her go, Captain. We did what you were ordered to do. She¡¯s free. We have bigger problems afoot. The Valiant Guards knew we wereing,¡± Gideon guessed, out of breath, lungs burning. ¡°It was a trap.¡± With hopeless frustration, he kicked the dirt. Keeley pulled a bright ruby from her pocket. ¡°I must inform the boss that the female escaped. He won¡¯t be happy knowing his n went awry.¡± ¡°I was under the impression that this was your idea.¡± Gideon searched the sky, hoping to see a pregnant brown creature above them. It was too much to ask for, really. Keeley paused over the ruby. ¡°Why would you think that?¡± ¡°The Viin told you no rigorous activity for at least a week. You hardly waited three days before jumping into this. I thought you had gone rogue.¡± Keeley frowned, her hand and the ruby dropping against her thigh. ¡°No. I would never do something this crucial without explicit orders from the boss.¡± ¡°So, he ordered you to do this? Directly?¡± Gideon stepped closer. Keeley stepped back. Rain was soaking through her leather armor, making it cling to her skin, the curves of her breasts, the dip in her hips. ¡°N-No,¡± she stuttered, staring right into the heat of Gideon¡¯s gaze. ¡°He¡¯d already departed when we received the order. The Viin sent his orders by raven to the most trustworthy second-inmand. The only person in the office we are meant to take orders from if the boss isn¡¯t around to give them himself.¡± Keeley took the note from her pocket and handed it to Gideon. The words were slightly blurred from the rain, but the handwriting, even with the smudges, was clear enough. Gideon walked her in reverse until her back hit a tree. There was still plenty of room for her to move, for her to dart away from him if she chose. But she didn¡¯t¡ªshe stayed. ¡°Who wrote this?¡± he asked. Keeley¡¯s fingertips covered her mouth, her eyes frantic as realization washed over her with the raindrops. ¡°Why do you¡­¡± Keeley looked down again, furrowing her brow. Gideon grabbed her shoulders, shaking her urgently. ¡°Who!¡± Keeley paled. ¡°The first line of defense into the manor. The person who always warns us before things go horribly wrong. His name is signed on the back.¡± Gideon knew without looking. ¡°The person who causes everything to go wrong yet warns you first, so you¡¯d never suspect him.¡± Keeley gasped. And Gideon kissed her. She did not resist, didn¡¯t push him away, just melted into him, and it felt so keenly right that they were doing this. Water clinging to their skin, drops falling, his damp hair gripped in her fists as she grabbed at him, pulling him tighter against her. She spun him and mmed his back against the bark, and he didn¡¯t care about it digging into his skin, didn¡¯t care about anything, just her. Only her. Gideon reached for her, but she stepped back, staring at him like he¡¯d lost his mind. ¡°Why would you do that? What about that moment said, ¡®let¡¯s kiss,¡¯ you loon!¡± ¡°You kissed me back,¡± he pointed out, ducking when she threw a stick at his head. ¡°Sorry! I just thought things were getting so serious and you needed something to calm you.¡± Keeley wiped her lips with the back of her hand. ¡°You did not calm me. You repulsed me.¡± ¡°Is that why I have w marks on the back of my neck?¡± Gideon may have had a death wish, but only a small one. Keeley looked ripe for killing him but folded over instead, clutching at her knees. ¡°Gods, I¡¯m going to be sick.¡± ¡°Hey.¡± Gideon softened, pushing a fallen strand of gold back behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have done it.¡± Keeley looked up at him, heartbreak so clear in the way her solid exterior was cracking before him, revealing hurt, revealing pain. It wrenched something deep inside him free, killing the sardonic humor andying him raw before her. Her pain¡ªit made Gideon want to break something. For it was clear now that the traitor, the one who had sent the office into upheaval, who¡¯d tricked and imprisoned his youngest sister, who¡¯d shown a sinister amount of cruelty without ever revealing their face¡­ Was the first person to greet each of them every day at Massacre Manor. Marv. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 74 The Viin There were few things in this life that shocked Trystan. After years of betrayal¡ªwatching his back for enemies and those who sought to hurt him, to destroy him¡ªhe¡¯d learned to weather disappointment with disillusion and disinterest. Human nature was predictable, a pattern. People turned on others for senseless reasons. People chose themselves. It was a theory that had proven true too many times to count. No, Trystan Maverine didn¡¯t shock easily. Until he saw Evie Sage p his mother. He¡¯d still been trying to rein in his harried thoughts when Winnifred had fled. Likely because every person in the room was watching her. He understood how she felt; he, too, hated the feeling of stares, that vicious cycle of wondering what they thought of you. Oh¡­is this sympathy? I hate it. The servant was apparently the daughter of the enchantress they sought. Over the years, he¡¯d searched every usible avenue. When Kingsley was first turned, he¡¯d exhausted himself for weeks and vowed he would never give up. All the while, Amara had hired on the enchantress¡¯s child and had been housing her as a maid since Trystan left home, promising he¡¯d never return. He hated to break his promises. His word was the only thing he was dependable for. But he had not tried hard enough. If he had simply returned home in thest decade, he would¡¯ve found Winnifred, and Winnifred would¡¯ve helped him find the enchantress. The prince had been put in danger, robbed of many more years as a human because Trystan had been too cowardly to face all he¡¯d run away from. The guilt was back, but instead of a sinking feeling, it was a weighted rod to the skull. Kingsley sat on the table, holding his foot up like a little felon about to be taken into custody. Trystan pulled the ball and chain from his bag and reattached it to the frog¡¯s foot. ¡°How you got out of it in the first ce, I¡¯ll never know.¡± Kingsley wrote on his sign. Sorry ¡°Are we doing facial expressions now? Wonderful,¡± Trystan huffed, ignoring the brush of Sage¡¯s body against his when the front door opened and mmed shut, a dripping Arthur breathing heavily against it. ¡°The roads are flooded,¡± Arthur informed them, stumbling in while harsh winds rattled the house. The candles flickered, and the rush of wind resounded through the chimney. ¡°We can leave as soon as they clear. This isn¡¯t a journey we begin in a storm.¡± Trystan¡¯s throat caught, and it took him several seconds to regain himself before saying, ¡°We are not going anywhere.¡± He gestured to Sage and the rest of them. ¡°We are.¡± Turning his back on Arthur felt better than it should. ¡°And I will decide when we leave.¡± Amara red at Trystan, and he numbed himself to it. He felt nothing. Nothing at all. ¡°You should be happy he¡¯s even still willing to help you,¡± she said with scorn. Trystan shrugged. ¡°Happiness is a fruitless endeavor. I make a point to avoid it at all costs.¡± Arthur ced a hand on his shoulder, and Trystan¡¯s temper frayed. ¡°Son. I understand your anger, but do not let your feelings about us cloud your judgment and risk those you care about for the sake of pride.¡± The room went cold. No one said a word. No denials, no objections, just deadened silence. A dark-gray cast twisted about the room as more rain came down. Tatianna and re watched the storm outside with trepidation. They agreed with Arthur; it was clear in their stricken faces. Everyone was against him. Arthur¡¯s n was the rational choice. Deciding based off emotions when they are so fleeting had always been one of the many reasons Trystan believed humanity was doomed. And here he was, feeding right into it. ¡°Excuse me.¡± Sage raised a finger. Doomed. ¡°Person he cares for here.¡± She waved. Fucking doomed. Arthur motioned for her to continue; Trystan motioned for her to stop. Guess which one she picked. ¡°He does not take the risks for me. I take them for myself, and with all due respect, Mr. Maverine, if The Viin says we leave now, then that is when I am leaving.¡± She was firm, no yelling, no cynicism in the light glide of her voice. There was a gentleness in her ferocity, and Trystan had an ogre of a time keeping the wonder from his eyes. ¡°Please.¡± Amara tucked a ck strand of hair behind her ear before crossing to the decanter in the corner and pouring herself a hearty sip of what Trystan assumed was rum. Downing it in one gulp, Amara grimaced. ¡°You are mistaken. My oldest son is incapable of caring, truly, for anyone but himself,¡± Amara said with a contempt Trystan had never understood. What had turned his mother so hateful? So unforgiving? So cruel to her children even before they¡¯d disappointed her? Another crack of thunder sounded, as if Trystan had summoned it. ¡°Don¡¯t, Mother,¡± Trystan warned. That thread tethering him to Sage¡ªit was strengthening, and the one tying him to his fears was stretching, thinner and thinner and thinner. If she kept going, it would snap. And he wouldn¡¯t be able to stop it. ¡°Why?¡± Amaraughed, and it was entirely without grace. ¡°It¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it? You told me thatst day that you would never feel anything for your family or anyone else ever again. I took you at your word. Or perhaps viins can¡¯t be held to such high standards? I should¡¯ve known the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, you¡¯d turn out exactly like¡ª¡± ¡°I LOVE HER!¡± The room went to a deadened silence at Trystan¡¯s hard promation. He didn¡¯t dare look anywhere but Amara, but he could feel Sage jerking at his side. Amara¡¯s lips parted. ¡°You love¡­who?¡± ¡°Her!¡± He gestured in a frustrated rage to Sage, without looking at her; he couldn¡¯t. The words couldn¡¯t travel back into his mind, though. They were out there in the open now. So he continued. ¡°Everything I vowed when you betrayed me¡ªthat I¡¯d never feel anything again¡ªit was all useless against her. She weakened every defense you built. The moment I met her and every day since has been irritating, confusing, stifling, frustrating, maddening, and absolute chaos. You cannot say I am incapable of caring for others. I¡¯ve broken every promise I¡¯ve made to myself. I didn¡¯t have a choice¡±¡ªhis voice shook with rage and pain and longing¡ª¡°in loving her.¡± Kingsley hopped on the table, holding up a single sign, little ball and chain dragging behind him. Finally. ¡°Trystan?¡± Sage whispered, and when he finally found the courage to look at her face, her blue eyes were so wide, he could see his reflection in them, frozen, awestruck. The man looking back at him was wild as he pointed a single finger at her and stated inly, ¡°I¡­can¡¯t.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for her to say anything else, merely yanked the door open, getting doused with warm summer rain. ¡°I¡¯m going for a walk.¡± The wet grass slid beneath his feet as he stalked down the hill toward the old barn, approaching the open door. But he didn¡¯t make it farther than that before he was shoved against the hard wood of the barn wall, slicked with water from the storm. ¡°What in the deands,¡± he gritted out. A dagger was at his throat. ¡°Did you think you could escape me so easily, Viin?¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 75 Evie ¡°Didn¡¯t you say something about never turning your back on an adversary?¡± Evie asked, straining on her tiptoes to keep her leverage with her dagger at Trystan¡¯s neck. She didn¡¯t keep it long. In a sudden jolt, she was flipped around,nding against the wall. Her dagger was flung inside the open barn door. ¡°Go away,¡± Trystan growled, releasing her and stalking inside the quiet, empty barn. ¡°And you are not my adversary; you are my aplice, remember?¡± She stalked in after him. ¡°You can¡¯t just say you love me and then walk away like you were professing devotion to your favorite soup!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like soup.¡± Evie screamed into her hands. ¡°Sage, I am exhausted and hoped to get a few moments¡¯ rest before my mother makes her next homicide attempt on me.¡± He gestured toward a smaller room off the main barn entrance with a small cot in the corner. Slow realization dawned, and a horrifying thought took over. ¡°Did you say it to spite her?¡± Trystan¡¯s eyes were sharp on her as he whipped around. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Did you say all of that to spite your mother? The love confession, all those things you said about how you feel about me?¡± He was silent, and Evie¡¯s heart shattered, splintering, puncturing ces in her chest she didn¡¯t know existed until that moment. She was cold, clothes soaked, and her hair was drying in wild ringlets that reflected the fric nature of her feelings. She took a step back toward the door, choking on a sob as she sprinted away, but she didn¡¯t make it far. The Viin was at her side, mming the door shut in front of her, grabbing both of her cheeks, cradling them in his hands. ¡°No,¡± he rasped out, eyes searching, fear and agony in his gaze. ¡°Damn you. I couldn¡¯t¡±¡ªhe shook¡ª¡°I couldn¡¯t stand by and allow my mother to say I wasn¡¯t capable of feeling. Not when the truth is so tant it would be an insult to you to im anything else.¡± Her eyes burned, and she sounded like a rusty door hinge when she said, ¡°You love me?¡± His lips drifted closer, his eyes closing as his forehead pressed against hers, a rightness in every ce they touched. ¡°If that¡¯s what this awful feeling in my chest is, if that¡¯s why I can¡¯t imagine my life without you, if that¡¯s what love is¡ªthen yes, Evie. I love you so much it¡¯s terrible.¡± She let out a brokenugh. ¡°What is funny?¡± Sheid her lips to his in answer, and the world turned into something new, something colorful again, something without pain, or worry, or betrayal. Just lips touching, just electric waves through her body, shooting straight for her pounding heart. Just his hands, clutching her face like a lifeline, moving her head so he could kiss her deeper, breathing heavily when their lips parted. Her fingers glided over his jaw, and if looks could physically grip a person, his touched her all over in response. The ze in his eyes spoke to a sense of hopelessness within him. ¡°Sage, what about destiny? The prophecy¡ª¡± She put a finger over his lips to stop him from talking, and the heat from his breath sent a chill down her neck. ¡°All I need to hear is that you love me. That you want this. Forever.¡± There was no hesitation in his voice when he said, ¡°I want you. Forever.¡± Everything inside Evie was white-hot. ¡°Then let¡¯s pretend none of those other things exist right now.¡± He frowned. ¡°I am The Viin. I do not pretend.¡± She kissed him deeply, holding his cheeks gently in her hands, gliding her fingers up and down as she touched her tongue to his lower lip. He jerked back, staring at her, wide-eyed, for several long seconds before saying evenly, ¡°I was pretending when I said that.¡± She was swept off her feet secondster, tossed onto the cot with a squeak and a small bounce as he came down on top of her. The storm thundered on, lightning shing through the small window, gifting Evie with a quick view of Trystan¡¯s stomach muscles as he pulled his damp shirt over his head. His bare chest brushed her damp, corseted one and she said a small prayer of thanks that at least, in this moment, Rennedawn¡¯s curse seemed to be keeping Trystan¡¯s death magic at bay. It was nowhere to be found. She wasn¡¯t cold anymore; she wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d ever be cold again. Her sexual experiences, in practice, were limited, despite how imaginative her books could get¡ªso she really had little to which she mightpare this feeling of her world shifting at every point their skin touched. But there was no possible way anything could feel better. Every missing piece of her felt like it hade home. He went to her corset strings, and his fingers slipped. He frowned at the tightly boundces. ¡°This is difficult when you¡¯re wet.¡± ¡°I thought that was supposed to make it easier,¡± she said cheekily. He looked so scandalized, Evie cackled. ¡°I meant your corset, little tornado.¡± ¡°Why do you call me that?¡± she asked softly, slowly pulling her corset strings free. He watched, enraptured by the movements of her fingers. ¡°Because, much like a cyclone, you sweep everything up, leaving it all in a different ce.¡± Somewhere in the process of pulling the corset strings, he¡¯d taken over. Her breaths came easier as each string was loosened. ¡°In other words, I leave everything in the wrong ce?¡± ¡°No,¡± he whispered, spreading each side of her corset open, nothing but her chemise covering her now. He bent to say the next words right into her ear. ¡°You make everything right.¡± They were kissing then; she didn¡¯t know who moved first, couldn¡¯t tell, as they¡¯d both reached for each other in a frenzy, not knowing how much time they had before one of them stuck their foot in their mouth and got in their own way. It was a finely honed skill that neither wanted anything to do with in this moment. ¡°Until the rain stops.¡± She sighed as he pulled the chemise downward, revealing her breasts. He immediately covered them with small kisses, making a trail of them down her sternum. ¡°We can stay in our bubble until the rain stops,¡± she reasoned. ¡°I¡¯ll pray for a torrential downpour,¡± he replied with a small grin, his mouth finding hers again as he lifted the hem of her chemise with one hand, the fingers of his other grazing her thigh. ¡°I¡¯m going to regret telling you thister, but I¡¯ve spent a humiliating amount of time thinking about your thighs.¡± He squeezed her right one, and she felt warm all over. She blinked down at them, blushing when she saw how high the chemise had moved. ¡°My thighs? You think about my thighs?¡± ¡°Yes, because I¡¯m depraved,¡± he said gruffly, his fingers drifting higher, giving her a jittery feeling with every inch he moved. ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡± She was beginning to have trouble thinking or speaking. ¡°That¡¯s hardly depraved, Evil Overlord.¡± His eyes smoldered down at her as he began to stroke a part of her that made her go beet red, but he looked down upon her like he¡¯d just made a grand discovery. ¡°I knew the blush went lower than your neckline.¡± She couldn¡¯t believe she was about tough at a time like this. ¡°Is that something you¡¯ve been contemting?¡± she asked incredulously. But she was silenced with his mouth and didn¡¯t mind. And there was no more talking after that. Just sighs. Moans. Brief pauses to catch their breath before diving back into each other once more. She stroked the gold band around his biceps, and he folded his hand over the gold band around her pinky. The sensations in her climbed as he continued the motions, kissing her neck, her cheeks. Pulling back as he brushed a gentle hand down the scar on her shoulder, which glowed in colorful pulses. ¡°I will stop. You need only tell me, and I will stop.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to stop. Ever,¡± she said, going for the cket of his pants, undoing the buttons with eager fingers, only stopping when he grabbed her wrists. His dark eyes were molten as he stared at her naked body before looking right into her soul. ¡°I need you to know that I will, though.¡± He was so earnest, so grave. Like he couldn¡¯t have this part of her unless he knew she trusted him fully. She pulled him back down toward her, brushing the sides of his face, pushing the hair away and kissing his cheek. ¡°I¡¯ve known that from the moment we met.¡± It wasn¡¯t cation, it was the truth, and it was clearly what Trystan needed to vanquish thest of his doubts. He pulled her in,ying her down with a ferocity, a passion she¡¯d never known and knew she never would with anyone else. Clothing was thrown about the room, his hands and lips everywhere, and then he gripped her thighs with reverence as he joined his body with hers. There was nothing but sensation then, nothing but heavy breathing and moans of relief as the wall between them finally came crumbling down. When it was over, Evie was boneless, her heart and body wrung free of all feeling and yet simultaneously ovee with nothing but feeling as Trystan dragged her into his arms, her back pressed against his, caging her in protectively. Just as he did the first time they met. And as Evie¡¯s eyes drifted shut, she remembered¡­ It had felt this right, even then. ¡­ A few hours passed as they drifted in and out of sleep, and when they awoke, the rain was slowing to a stop. Evie shoved up her chemise, then refastened her corset over it from the front, righting herself as best she could, feeling suddenly, uncharacteristically shy. She ttened her curls only for them to pop up again in various, opposing directions. ¡°I hope it was¡­¡± Trystan did a double take as he fastened his pants. ¡°It was¡­?¡± She sighed, hating that she was receding back into her blithering. ¡°I hope it was worth it. Waiting, I mean. I know you haven¡¯t done that in a while, and I hope I wasn¡¯t a bad reintroduction or bad in general¡ª¡± She stopped talking when she saw his expression. The kind that was so cut with frustration it defeated any point in arguing. ¡°Evie. In case it wasn¡¯t obvious: You¡¯ve ruined me.¡± Evie didn¡¯t have to guess¡ªshe knew it was apliment with the smolder that apanied it. The sounds outside dissipated, the storm lightening to a slight pitter-patter. They looked at each other a little sadly, but still, there was that small tinge of hope somewhere not so far beyond it. ¡°The rain stopped,¡± she said. Trystan nodded. ¡°The rain stopped.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not giving up on you.¡± She spoke it aloud so they both understood. ¡°Ever.¡± His eyes bored into hers, the fondness in his gaze like a caress. ¡°Gods help the fool who tries to stand against you, Sage.¡± As the boss slid the door open, Kingsley appeared before it, holding a sign up in Trystan¡¯s direction. Finally. He swiped the sign angrily, shoving it in his pocket. ¡°I swear when that enchantress turns you back into a man, I¡¯m burning every sign within a fifty-mile radius.¡± Evie stared at his retreating form, wondering if she should have told him about the rouge smeared all over his mouth or the purple mark forming on his neck, but she decided against it because someone else telling him would be much funnier. Kingsley croaked up at her. Evie smiled. ¡°All right, Kingsley. Let us go make you the prince you once were.¡± Or nothing else would matter any longer. Not love, not loss, not grief, not anger. There would be no point. Because if they couldn¡¯t change Kingsley back and fulfill the prophecy? Rennedawn as they knew it would be gone. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 76 Kingsley The southern kingdom¡ªonce Alexander¡¯s home¡ªwas as he remembered it. Very green, very hot, and very heavily guarded. It was why Trystan and the others had been crouched in a covered wagon for the past hour, watching the guards bejeweled in vibrant green armor with lilies painted over the front, as they neared a side entrance at the kingdom¡¯s border. Normally imprable, unless one had a magic wand and the slippers to match, used by someone who could wield it. ¡°Is there a reason you two keep making eyes at each other?¡± re tapped her chin, looking between Evie and Trystan. ¡°Yes,¡± Trystan said without exnation. ¡°They¡¯re holding hands.¡± The quiet mouse of a voice came from the straggler they¡¯d nearly had to drag into the back of the covered wagon. Winnifred, the wand wielder, the enchantress¡¯s daughter, the hater of frogs. Trystan¡¯s hand was indeed wrapped around Evie¡¯s, his body angled protectively toward hers, brushing his lips against the top of her head, seeming to relish the small smile it brought to her lips. ¡°Yes, we are holding hands. Does anyone take issue with that?¡± he asked, warning in his voice, and everyone in the wagon exchanged a look before raising their hands in surrender. All except Winnifred, who remained distant, inching away anytime Alexander stumbled closer. A new experience for someone as previously charming as he. The carriage halted then, and after Arthur called the all clear, the group of them spilled out. The barrier around the southern kingdom was hardly discernible to the naked eye, but the light of day revealed a natural glow around the gate, spreading to the tops of the trees and over the entirety of the kingdom beyond, glittering a slight green sheen. Like grass or leaves, or a¡ª Evie gestured to the side gate with the southern kingdom¡¯s emblem on it. ¡°Their crest is a lily pad?¡± she asked, letting the wagon p fall back into ce. ¡°They¡¯re called the Lily Pad Knights,¡± re whispered to her conspiratorially. Evie looked horrified. ¡°No, they are not.¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± Trystan shushed them, but Kingsley caught Trystan¡¯s hand tightening around Evie¡¯s. ¡°Winnifred. Do you know how to use this?¡± Trystan dropped the shining wand into Winnifred¡¯s hands, as well as the ss slippers nging together in a pouch. The woman just barely caught them before they hit the ground, her green eyes wide and frightened. Alexander would¡¯ve cared more in another life, as another man, if he wasn¡¯t so close. Home. Alexander was nearly home. This whisper of a woman was thest thing standing between him and what he wanted¡ªironic, since she was a direct rtion to the woman who had fully ruined his life. The girl held the wand away from her face. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡± re stepped forward, cing her hand over Winnifred¡¯s, then removing the slippers from the bag and cing them by her feet. Winnifred pulled off her shoes, sliding a foot into each ss slipper¡ªa perfect fit. ¡°Imagine unlocking a door and glide your magic through it. The wand should make your enchantress magic easier to wield; it¡¯ll give you a way to control it.¡± Winnifred smiled, small and careful, back at re, but she didn¡¯t say a word and didn¡¯t move her hand. ¡°When was thest time you saw your mom, Winnifred?¡± Evie asked gently out of the blue. ¡°Winnie,¡± the brte corrected, and the short nickname seemed to fit her, this quiet ghost of a person. ¡°She used to call me Winnie, that is. I haven¡¯t seen her since the arrest. We had moved to the southern kingdom and then received amission from your household, begging for an alternative to death. My mother thought something reversible would be a fairpromise.¡± re folded her arms across her chest. Tatianna was ring daggers at her. ¡°This was not reversible,¡± re said defensively. Winnie¡¯s green eyes were haunted. ¡°My mother warned you of the consequences. Enchantments are unpredictable and dangerous, even to the most seasoned.¡± Almost to disy her point, light shot from the wand in Winnie¡¯s fingers when she squeezed it, and Alexander got knocked back into the gate. A feather scarf appeared around his neck, and he red down at it, ribbiting outrage. Winnie stared at the wand and furrowed her brow. ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but you look far less creepy with that thing. You should leave it on,¡± she told Kingsley. Alexander shucked it off so fast, feathers flew everywhere, and then he wrote furiously on the sign Trystan had left by his feet. Witch. Winnie furrowed her full brows, genuinely perplexed. ¡°No. Enchantress.¡± Alexander mmed the sign against his head. ¡°It must have been scary, having your mother taken away like that.¡± Evie steered the conversation, driving with sympathy. Winnie shrugged. ¡°No more than your mother leaving you after murdering your brother.¡± Evie gasped. ¡°Sorry.¡± Winnie corrected softly: ¡°You just thought she murdered your brother.¡± ¡°How did you know that?¡± Tatianna asked warily, not looking at re, but the two were standing close enough that their arms were touching. ¡°It¡¯s the enchantress magic,¡± Winnie exined, seeming to grow even smaller when the attention turned on her. ¡°It tells me things about people sometimes. Like an intuition.¡± Evie took two steps toward the barrier, grumbling, ¡°That was rmingly specific for intuition.¡± ¡°It depends on how open the person is, usually.¡± Winnie shrugged. ¡°The more closed off, the less I can gauge. You, for example.¡± She pointed to Tatianna. ¡°You grew up in a home with two loving parents, but you¡¯re constantly petrified you¡¯re disappointing them.¡± Tatianna clutched invisible pearls. ¡°Ew. Don¡¯t do that.¡± Winnie looked at Trystan. ¡°You¡¯re repressed.¡± Evie wheezed into the inside of her elbow. ¡°You both are, actually, in different ways,¡± Winnie whispered. ¡°You are closed off to feeling, and you hide yours behind smiles, Ms. Sage.¡± ¡°Thank you, Winnie!¡± Evie threw her a thumbs-up. Winnie blinked. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Winnie didn¡¯t seem to have a taste for sarcasm, and that was okay. Kingsley rolled his eyes, and somehow the girl caught the motion. ¡°And you.¡± Winnie turned fully on Alexander, suspicion in her gaze. ¡°You are not all that you appear.¡± No. She¡¯ll ruin everything. ¡°Well, clearly he is not all that he appears. He¡¯s a human prince in a frog body. Any one of us could¡¯ve said that.¡± Trystan straightened his shirt, staring upward, body tense. ¡°Repressed¡± was kind. ¡°Yeeeees,¡± Winnie responded, drawing the word out, but she was still giving Alexander suspicious sidelong nces. ¡°That must be it.¡± Alexander snapped his long tongue at her in rebuke, and she stumbled away, tripping over a log, and the wand stretched, light shooting from it. Suddenly, the glowing barrier opened, revealing lush green forest beyond. Winnie¡¯s lips parted. ¡°Oh. I actually did it.¡± Evie began shoving everyone back into the carriage, and Alexander made sure to settle as far from Winnie as possible. There was only one more obstacle between them and the enchantress. And that was getting through the watchmen at Lily Pad Castle. Home was Alexander¡¯s echo the whole bumpy ride, until he heard a familiar voice call down to Arthur. ¡°Good morning, core healer!¡± a male voice yelled from outside the wagon. They all fell silent, listening intently. ¡°Good day to you, Sir Allen! I was hoping to be in to see the king and queen.¡± Arthur was smooth, no hitch in his delivery. ¡°No can do, milord. Between you and me, they are preparing for the¡­execution.¡± ¡°That is precisely why I need to meet with them, Sir Allen. You see¡­when executing one with magical origin, there can sometimes be a smell.¡± ¡°A smell?¡± Winnie looked like an owl as she blinked. ¡°No, there can¡¯t¡ª¡± Four hands¡ªwell, three hands and one webbed foot¡ªcovered her mouth. ¡°Yes,¡± Arthur continued. ¡°A horrid smell, one that lingers, and I¡¯m afraid without my assistance, it might migrate into the walls, the furniture.¡± ¡°Dear gods. Is it truly that bad?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid so,¡± Arthur said gravely. ¡°I¡¯ll let them know you¡¯re here, then. Sounds horrid.¡± The nking of metal could be heard as the gate lifted, and Alexander couldn¡¯t help himself. Peeking out of a small hole in the fabric, he looked at the ce that had once been his home. The vines covering the golden gates, the small ponds sprouting water flowers, the children of the courtughing and ying. It was a utopia. It was a lie. ¡°Mind if we check the wagon, milord?¡± Oh well. There goes the whole thing. Alexander would slowly lose himself, hop away fully frog. Maybe at this point, it was a blessing. At least he got one more look at his home before he lost his mindpletely. ¡°Of course! But while I have you, would one of you be willing to check my back wagon wheel? It got a little wobbly at thest fork in the road.¡± ¡°Anything for you, core healer!¡± Several knights stumbled over themselves to assist. The back of the wagon lifted, and Arthur swung his arm for the entrance to the castle withrge, silent, sweeping motions. No one waited. While the knights busied themselves at the back of the wagon, the stowaways all rushed out of the front, heading for the closest door, opening it, and bolting down a set of stairs, shutting them in the dark. They were in the basement. But they were home. Prince Alexander Kingsley was finally home. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 77 Evie ¡°How are we going to find the enchantress if we can¡¯t see?¡± Tatianna questioned before yelping. ¡°What was that!¡± ¡°My foot,¡± Winnie whispered. ¡°Well, move your foot, you mind-reading imp,¡± Tatianna grumbled, stumbling now into Evie, who did her best not to be amused by the circumstances. ¡°Kids?¡± a voice called down, and a silhouette holding a torch appeared at the top of a long staircase. ¡°There are no kids down here, but there are fully grown bloody adults,¡± Trystan bit out. Evie looked side to side. ¡°Where?¡± He lifted a brow, his gaze turning to a smolder that made her cheeks pink. ¡°The coast is clear. Come,¡± Arthur hissed, and the group hustled for the exit, spilling into the grand hallway. Arthur put a finger over his mouth, motioning for them to follow him down the corridor. Side by side, they moved along the ornate walls. Gilded mirrors reflected worn versions of the group who had started this journey only three short days ago. Evie took the tail end, until Trystan moved behind her, scanning the back to be sure no one followed, his arm in front of her in a protective gesture, as he¡¯d done in the barn, as he¡¯d¡ª No. Don¡¯t think about being naked with the boss, Evie! ¡°What happened to your neck, Trystan?¡± Arthur asked, snapping her from her torrid thoughts and mortifying her with the question so much she almost melted into the floor. Trystan¡¯s fingers brushed against the bluish bruise at the spot on his neck where she¡¯d bitten him. ¡°It rained,¡± was all he said, and that entireck of exnation raised eyebrows down the line. Evie was too busy moaning into her hands to get involved, praying for one of the spears stuck to the wall to have an ill-timed fall. Kingsley hopped off Evie¡¯s shoulder, and his chain dragging on the floor made a horrible screeching sound. ¡°Alexander! The guards will hear!¡± re screeched, scooping him up into her arms. ¡°What now?¡± ¡°Arthur?¡± Trystan asked his father, and the core healer¡¯s red beard swayed a bit with the almost bashful dip of his head. ¡°We hurry, son.¡± The Viin¡¯s father pped a hand onto his shoulder. Arthur went from a slow trot along the wall to a sprint. They made it down the other corridor quickly, passing an empty courtyard covered in ponds and nts. ¡°The main entrance to the dungeons is just down this next hall, but it¡¯s magically warded with an enchantment like the lock on your mother¡¯s cell, Winnifred. We¡¯ll need you to open it with the wand.¡± Winnifred nodded, paling as the sound of knights¡¯ armor nging began echoing down the corridor. They sprinted across a room with an open, roofless green space in the center that boasted an borate fountain. ¡°Alexander, no!¡± re hissed, just as Kingsley broke free of her hold and the chain dropped into re¡¯s hands. Evie dove to catch him, just missing his legs, and took a header into the fountain. Her mouth filled with water when she sucked in a sharp breath of pain. Pushing up on her forearms, she was dragged from the water, hacking. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding. Dammit, Kingsley.¡± Trystan went to grab the frog, who¡¯d already hopped away, eyes darting like he¡¯d bolt any second. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°You just mmed your head into a stone fountain,¡± Trystan protested. Evie shrugged. ¡°At the frequency it happens, you find that surprising?¡± He wiped a hand down his mouth. ¡°No, Sage.¡± ¡°Alexander,¡± Arthur hissed as the frog leaped down another corridor. The group of them skittered after the animal, keeping as quiet as possible. ¡°We can¡¯t let him wander.¡± They all kept to the walls, and Evie was relieved that the halls were quiet now, save for the subdued sounds of their steps moving swiftly after the troublesome frog. Every time Evie looked back to be sure Trystan was there, the tension between them was so thick it was as if she could see it. No, wait¡ªshe could. It was Trystan¡¯s magic swirling about her feet, ying with the bottom of her skirt. It curled around her wrist, tugging her until she stumbled into Trystan¡¯s chest. His stoic stare did not waver, but he gently and reluctantly righted her, pushing her away from him. ¡°I apologize.¡± Her lips hovered close to his. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± His mouth twitched, and he wordlessly lifted her hem as they passed a puddle forming under a leaking part of the pce roof, so her skirt would not get wet. It was a courteous gesture, but she felt him stumble just the tiniest bit as he did so, and she grinned like a lovesick fool. And after Kingsley they went, Arthur leading the group, signaling when it was safe to proceed and when to tten to the walls as a guard rounded the corner. There was a good chance they would get caught, but as Kingsley stopped, turning to them, golden eyes wide again, Evie felt it in her bones. They would be leaving here with a prince. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 78 Gideon ¡°Can¡¯t you go faster?¡± Gideon asked Keeley as they rode at a breakneck pace back to Massacre Manor, the rest of the Malevolent Guard close behind. ¡°If you ask me that one more time, I¡¯m throwing you off!¡± Keeley yelled as her steed hurdled over arge boulder effortlessly. Hickory Forest blurred around them as they moved, faster and faster. The rain hadn¡¯t stopped, it had only lightened, still soaking Gideon¡¯s shirt to his chest and his pants enough to ufortably rub against his legs. ¡°All this time,¡± Gideon breathed, tightening his grip around Keeley¡¯s waist. ¡°You really think Marv could¡¯ve done all this? The notes to Lyssa? Orchestrating my father¡¯s release? Tying up Edwin?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Or the letters to you, for that matter. Why would Marv be writing to you as your father?¡± They flew over a fallen branch, and the jolt gave Gideon a good indication that his arse would be sore tomorrow¡ªif he didn¡¯t fall off first. ¡°It couldn¡¯t have just been¡­Marv.¡± ¡°Why did you say his name like that?¡± Keeley asked, leaning forward to give her steed more momentum. ¡°Because Marv isn¡¯t the name of a bad guy. Marv is the name of the uncle who says something awkward at yule dinner after too much mead and everyone goes home ufortable.¡± The horse slowed, and Gideon did fall off this time, rolling as his shoulder hit the ground and grunting at the impact. ¡°Gods, Keeley! I could have broken my¡ª¡± The manor. The thorny grove had been hacked into in one corner, clear through to the front door, and there was a g atop the tower, gliding back and forth in the storm. A g with the crest of King Benedict. ¡°No,¡± Keeley whispered, running for the door, gold hair the one thing gleaming in the gray that surrounded them. Gideon took off after her, calling to the Malevolent Guards behind them. ¡°Protect your captain! Take back the manor!¡± A chorus of shouts followed as the most lethal warriors in Rennedawn charged for the wooden doors, which were already suspiciously swinging open. ¡°Keeley, don¡¯t! They¡¯re waiting for us!¡± Gideon tried to stop her, but the captain didn¡¯t listen, continuing to sprint headlong into what was clearly a trap. ¡°Or go on ahead, run right into it. Interesting strategy. They¡¯ll never suspect it!¡± He was being sardonic, but Keeley was no longer in earshot to appreciate it. The entryway was filled with Valiant Guards. Keeley was already fighting them, dispatching multiple with swiftness that was impressive, considering her massively long hair pping into her eyes at every turn. He nearly offered to hold it for her but then remembered how well he valued his tongue. Silver armor blurred in his peripherals, mming him to the ground. When Gideon caught his breath, he thrashed, moving side to side until he saw one of the severed heads from the ceiling in clear view. Workers from the office. Several of them. All strung up with a red word painted on their foreheads. Traitors ¡°Gods help us all.¡± Gideon was going to be ill. ¡°Honor, valor, honesty, dignity.¡± He listed the four codes of knighthood like they were a curse. Finally working his knife free of his boot, he buried it in a Valiant Guard¡¯s neck, speaking right into his ear. ¡°You¡¯re all a bunch of fucking hypocrites.¡± Gideon shoved the man off and leaped back into the fray. This was different from thest battle at the manor. The Valiant Guard had made it inside this time. They¡¯d known the viin wasn¡¯t here, and they¡¯d known the female guvre was gone, so the only other thing they would be after was¡­ ¡°My mother!¡± Gideon yelled to Keeley. The captain threw a knight over her shoulder, mming him into the stone floor. ¡°Go! We¡¯ve got this. There¡¯s fewer of them than there are of us!¡± Another swish of a de, another slice of flesh, and Gideon was bounding up the stairs, the muscles in his legs straining with every step. His heart pounded the hardest it ever had, burning his throat, taking hold of each fear and ying it through, using them as warnings if he failed. He pushed faster, until he reached the floor with Nura¡¯s bedchamber. ¡°Nura!¡± Gideon bellowed, throwing open the door to her chamber and calling her name again. ¡°Nura? Mother? Are you here?¡± The door creaked open slowly, revealing a dim, empty room, the bed messy, the window open, drops of rain blowing in to dampen the seat cushion on the ledge. It was an ordinary room. No signs of struggle, of an attack. And then Gideon got knocked over the head. As he fell to the ground, he heard, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gideon. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± He turned, vision blurring, but he could still make out his mother standing over him, a blunt object in hand, tears streaming down her face, glowing silver and white. ¡°For hitting me with an encyclopedia?¡± The words were slurred, and he knew he was passing out. Inconvenient, that. No exnation came from the fuzzy blur standing where his mother had been. Just a quiet sob and a repeated phrase, like a chant. ¡°I did it all for her. It¡¯s going to be okay.¡± It¡¯s going to be okay. It¡¯s going to be okay. Gideon fell into the darkness, unable to fight it any longer, repeating a phrase of his own as his vision turned ck. ¡°No. It¡¯s not.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 79 The Viin One summer in Trystan¡¯s home vige, there had been a rose shortage. Malcolm hadmented for weeks, as had Edwin, who often used them in his pastries. Their father had finally managed to grab a full bouquet of them, and by the time he¡¯d brought them home, Malcolm had taken one look, frowning, and said, They¡¯re not as pretty as I thought they¡¯d be. Trystan had been irritated, having heard Malcolm drone on and on for weeks about how he couldn¡¯t possibly go one more day without smelling a bloody rose. The irritation became too much. Trystan made off with the roses, turned them into a tea, and downed every drop. Amara had banished Trystan to the barn room for a week as punishment. Still, he¡¯d enjoyed them. And he¡¯d favored roses ever since. Sage had no way of knowing this, so whatever product she used on her curls had nothing to do with that story, he was certain. But Destiny knew the story, and that fragrance seemed determined to take him out at the knees. Another brush of her hair against his arm had him debating how many dark corners he could sweep her into. The wanting was worse than before, because now he knew exactly what he¡¯d been missing. And he wanted it again. Kingsley had regained hold of himself and indicated a shortcut just down the hall. They followed reluctantly, keeping a fiercely close eye on the rogue frog. Arthur scanned protectively over the group, smiling at Trystan. He didn¡¯t smile back. ¡°Did youe to the castle when you and Kingsley were friends?¡± Evie asked, sliding a fingertip over each painting on the wall. It was a feat of sorcery, how that fingertip felt like it was brushing against his skin. One dark corner. He only needed one. ¡°Trystan?¡± Trystan. It made him remember the first time Evie had called him by that name. When she¡¯d first found out, it made his heart stutter the way it was doing now, a heated wave sweeping through him. ¡°Once,¡± he said quickly, wordlessly hoisting her over another puddle and releasing her before the touch began to burn. ¡°I visited the castle once for Alexander¡¯s birthday, but he preferred toe to our vige. He could be normal there. Here, he was prince of everything and for everyone. It was a lot of pressure on him. I never knew the castle well.¡± Kingsley stopped hopping up ahead, too far away to hear them, but his small head bowed, the crown tilting. As they continued on, the halls became more secluded, and Trystan saw that the torch-lined walls disyed countless portraits of what he assumed was the royal family line, their gold eyes a dead ringer for Alexander¡¯s. And then there were two different directions to take in front of them. ¡°I don¡¯t know this path. We should turn back,¡± Arthur suggested. ¡°There¡¯s a faster way to the dungeons, I¡¯m sure.¡± Kingsley shook his head, pointing a webbed toe down a darkened hall lined with more portraits. Arthur tried to argue. ¡°Trystan, I really don¡¯t think¡ª¡± ¡°Arthur,¡± Trystan cut in. ¡°This is Alexander¡¯s home.¡± Arthur stiffened, then nodded as he gestured for the group to continue. The amphibian prince hopped on as the leader. ¡°What was he like?¡± Sage asked, leaning toward him as they walked, her curls flowing forward. Roses again. How was she doing this? ¡°When he was human, I mean.¡± ¡°Taller,¡± he responded dryly. ¡°Talked more.¡± Sage scrunched her nose. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say he was your best friend?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he admitted. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell by how affectionately I speak of him?¡± She rolled her eyes, shaking his arm. ¡°Be serious. Give me something real.¡± It was urring to Trystan that when Alexander was human once more, Sage would see everything Trystan was not manifested into one person. Charming wit, gant manners, and an ease of giving affection to those the prince cared about. ¡°He was attractive,¡± he blurted. Sage stared at him, serious, sinct in her delivery. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s happy you thought so.¡± Deands take me. ¡°I¡¯m saying his cheekbones are very symmetrical, and in addition to that, he doesn¡¯t kill people.¡± Two virtues right there. Sage curled her lip and replied in a hushed voice, ¡°How dull.¡± Sir, I hate to belittle your sesses, but there are people who go their entire lives without killing anyone. How dull. When Trystan had first told Sage about the rat in the office. A lifetime ago. He shook his head in wonder, gued with both pride and pain. ¡°Aplice indeed.¡± ¡°Watch your step. These bricks are uneven.¡± Arthur broke the spell, motioning to the uneven ground. The hallway was nearing its end, and Trystan could see light spilling in from small cracks in the panel at the end of the stretch. Kingsley hopped on, not slowing for them, not stopping, and who could me him. Freedom was near. ¡°Kingsley,¡± Trystan hissed. ¡°Halt.¡± The frog kept going until they all skidded into one another. A dead end. And a portrait. A portrait of someone familiar. ¡°Who is that?¡± Evie asked, tilting her head at the man painted there. Warm dark-brown hair, curly and carefully slicked back. Gold threads woven throughout his attire, one hand on a throne, one on a sword. Wearing a crown. A gold crown, tilted just slightly too far to the right. ¡°Alexander Kingsley. Crown prince of the southern kingdom.¡± Winnie¡¯s voice sounded hollowed, as if she were numbed to the whole endeavor, staring at the portrait with something that bordered on indifference. Or was it dislike? ¡°That¡¯s Kingsley?¡± Evie gaped, and Trystan felt like his cor was getting tighter. ¡°He doesn¡¯t look at all like I thought.¡± ¡°What were you picturing, dear?¡± Tatianna asked, amused. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Someone¡­froggier.¡± ¡°His eyes are kind of big.¡± re hummed, straightening the frame. ¡°Frog-like, now that I think of it.¡± Tatianna scoffed. ¡°His eyes aren¡¯t big, re; that¡¯s just how his head is.¡± But Kingsley didn¡¯t enter the argument, just mmed his small body into the portrait, pushing it open like a door, and then he disappeared in a sh on the other side. re yelled, ¡°Alexander! No!¡± Sage hesitated, trying to find something within the portrait. ¡°Is this another dungeon entrance? Why would they use a portrait of Kingsley as the door?¡± Oh gods. No. ¡°re, don¡¯t!¡± Trystan called. But it was toote. Kingsley hadn¡¯t led them to the dungeons. He¡¯d led them to the throne room, and waiting on the other side were King Gavin and Queen Brina. Along with the Lily Pad Knights. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 80 Gideon Gideon Sage awoke tied to a chair in the middle of the office space, staring at the face of a man he never thought he¡¯d see again. His father. ¡°Hello, Gideon.¡± Griffin Sage smiled. ¡°I am happy to see you.¡± ¡°Where is Mother?¡± Gideon pulled at his restraints. ¡°Where is Lyssa?¡± Griffin frowned. ¡°I¡¯d hoped for a warmer greeting from my only son.¡± ¡°Untie me and hand me that fire poker. I¡¯ll give you one.¡± Gideon spat at Griffin¡¯s feet and expected his father to retaliate with a fist. And he might have if Nura Sage, tied up across the room, didn¡¯t call, ¡°Griffin! Don¡¯t! Do not touch him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the one who knocked him out, Nura.¡± Griffinughed, rubbing the medallion at his neck¡ªit had been a gift to him from their mother. ¡°You said if I went with you and helped you escape the Malevolent Guard, you would leave our children in peace,¡± Nura exined weakly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gideon. I was a fool.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be sorry for, Mother.¡± Gideon¡¯s heart sank at seeing Nura¡¯s shaking form, but it was much more difficult to tamp down his anger at Griffin for making her that way. Nura was unconvinced, eyes downcast to the floor. ¡°The dragon escaped, as did the guvre with Rebecka and Lyssa. She¡¯s safe.¡± Gideon¡¯s brows shot to his forehead. ¡°Safe?¡± ¡°No matter.¡± Griffin waved a hand. ¡°I need your mother¡¯s aid. Come, Nura.¡± Griffin reached down for his wife, and she clenched her teeth, a sign of the fight his mother had left. ¡°I hope my starlight envelops me again, and this time, I hope it takes you with me.¡± She spat at Griffin¡¯s twisted face. ¡°I hope you turn to ash, Griffin. For all you¡¯ve done to me, to our daughter.¡± ¡°What I did to our daughter?¡± Griffinughed. ¡°That¡¯s a joke. What about what you did to Evie?¡± Nura thrashed in her restraints, dark curlsing loose from their pins. ¡°I never wanted what you did. You tricked me into it. You knew it was the only way I would agree to something so dangerous!¡± Gideon interrupted, uncaring if it would get him killed. ¡°What are we talking about? Because it¡¯s rude to knock someone out and then also exclude them from the conversation.¡± With careless violence, Griffin threw Gideon¡¯s mother to the ground. ¡°I am through with you all. Unfortunately, your mother carries the magic I need to fulfill my duties to the king, but don¡¯t worry, Gideon.¡± Reaching one hand down, Gideon¡¯s father ced a strange-looking flower before them. The stem was long, the petals white, and it appeared¡­two were missing. The nt beamed, the light growing and expanding until it swallowed his mother. ¡°No!¡± Angry tears burned at the corners of Gideon¡¯s vision. Griffin smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you with what¡¯s left of her.¡± The nt screamed. And then so did Nura. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 81 Evie ¡°You have a lovely home,¡± Evie said, because honestly, everyone looked so somber, it was either give an out-of-cepliment or start dancing as strangely as possible. The king and queen had aged intote adulthood with elegance and grace. Gray streaks were bound with jewels at Queen Brina¡¯s hair, and there were soft lines in her cheeks and at the corners of her eyes. ces where the best and worst parts of your life left their mark. ¡°Yes,¡± Trystan added ndly. ¡°My favorite room so far has been the one filled with people who want to kill us.¡± Evie winced, shrugging at the soldiers with their weapons raised. ¡°I know he sounds sarcastic, but he probably means that.¡± A Lily Pad Knight ran right for Evie, causing her shoulder to tingle and her dagger to pulse underneath her skirt. She frowned. The dagger didn¡¯te right to her as it normally did. ¡°Stop, if you please!¡± Evie held out her hand, and by some miracle¡ªor perfectly executed delusion¡ªthe knight halted. ¡°Just hold on,¡± Evie ordered, hopping on one foot, trying to reach the harness at her thigh without pulling her skirt up too far. She¡¯d ditched the pants that went below the skirt back at the barn because they¡¯d been torn off and¡­ruined. The entire room didn¡¯t know what to do with the disy. The dagger finally came free, and The Viin¡¯s magic slithered away from it, like shadows receding in the light. ¡°Got it!¡± Evie smiled brightly at the knight, who had lifted his helmet halfway up to stare at her, ck-jawed. Evie winced. ¡°Sorry. You may run at me again. I¡¯ll act surprised this time.¡± The knight in question blew air out through his lips. ¡°Uh, no. That¡¯s all right.¡± ¡°Sage?¡± ¡°Yes, sir¡ª Ahhh!¡± Evie yelped as the boss whipped out an arm, dragging her two inches closer as an arrow zipped past where she had just stood. ¡°Enough.¡± The king knocked his staff against the floor, and the ground rattled with it. ¡°Bring in the enchantress.¡± The enchantress? ¡°They¡¯re helping us?¡± Evie asked, holding her dagger high when one of the knights came too close. ¡°No,¡± Winnie said hollowly. ¡°No. They are not.¡± Evie¡¯s mother had told her many stories of enchantresses. Women who could cast spells and twine enchantments about thend, leaving joy and goodness in their wake. As she got older, the world¡¯s opinion of them had not been as kind, but Evie never lost that vision in her mind. Of a vibrant, beautiful woman bending the kingdom to her will. This woman was beautiful but vibrant no longer. Her skin was an unnatural pale, cracked lips in a grimace, light eyes squinting into the small amount of sunseting in through therge windows. ¡°Let me die now; if that is yourmand, I care no longer,¡± the enchantress Belinda rasped. ¡°You aren¡¯t dying,¡± Queen Brina said with firm fairness. ¡°Not yet.¡± The queen stood, and everyone straightened as she descended the small steps from her throne to the raised tform. ¡°What was meant to be a day of justice for myte son has turned into a game of politics. I have missives squawking about a tip that The Viin and his aplice are trying to save my son¡¯s murderer from execution, and now I have you all spilling into my throne room from an entry point only the royal family has ess to.¡± Three knights surged forward, all holding Trystan in their clutches. ¡°Your Majesty, you don¡¯t understand,¡± Evie reasoned. ¡°The enchantress did not kill your son! He¡¯s the one who brought us here!¡± The king¡¯s face turned red. ¡°You¡ª You dare to insinuate such a thing?¡± The queen stopped just before Evie. Her crown was strange. It looked a little like a basket, wicker woven artfully throughout, adorned with lilies. ¡°Allow me to take them away, Your Majesty,¡± the leader of the Lily Pad Knights offered. ¡°These traitors are fugitives of Rennedawn, and their crimes weremitted there. It will be our responsibility to bring them before thew.¡± ¡°Imitted crimes here, too,¡± Evie said under her breath, ring when The Viin pinched her arm. ¡°You will not take anyone away until I have my answers.¡± Queen Brina seemed to possess this rare ability to make everyone feel warm around her¡ªand scared. Evie loved it, actually. ¡°My son was killed by this woman in an assassination plot against the crown, and it appears she had help. By those my son called his friends.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wrong, Queen Brina.¡± re shut her eyes tight, like she was preparing herself for impact. She opened them once more, resolve recing trepidation. ¡°It was me. I wanted my brother to be anything but The Viin, so I enlisted Belinda¡¯s help to save him from my mother. But there was an ident. Alexander arrived before my brother, and¡ª¡± ¡°I find that interesting,¡± Queen Brina said, ¡°considering your mother was the one who told us you wereing.¡± Amara walked out of the shadows, and Arthur flinched, whispering painced words. ¡°No. Amara.¡± Amara folded her arms. There was a small crack in herposure as she looked down upon the people she had so easily betrayed. ¡°I had an obligation, Arthur. To save the king and queen from what my children had be.¡± The king nodded at Amara with admiration. ¡°You will be rewarded for your service to our kingdom, Mistress Maverine.¡± Amara smiled like that was exactly what she was hoping for, and the group watched as Arthur¡¯s heart broke at the betrayal. Trystan moved, cing a hand on his father¡¯s shoulder. Arthur¡¯s eyes gleamed into his as he nodded an acknowledgment of the gesture. There was a way to fix all this. ¡°He¡¯s a frog,¡± Evie blurted. Finding Kingsley in the corner, she hurried over to him, but she was stopped by a very tall Lily Pad Knight. ¡°Can you scooch a little to the left, please?¡± The knight did, causing a wave of murmurs among them at the sign of deference. ¡°Gotcha!¡± Evie put both hands around Kingsley and held him up for the entire room to see. ¡°Behold! Prince Alexander Kingsley.¡± ¡°That is a frog,¡± one of the Lily Pad Knights whispered, before getting elbowed in the gut by the bigger one. ¡°How foolish do you think we are, Ms. Sage?¡± The king descended to stand next to the queen. His eyes were tired, his posture that of a man who¡¯d been beaten down more than once over the years. ¡°That we would believe such a farce?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Evie pleaded. ¡°Look into his eyes. Can¡¯t you tell? The enchantment Belinda conjured was an entrapment. He¡¯s been stuck like this for ten years, and only she can undo it. Belinda?¡± Evie asked the enchantress. ¡°Show them. Undo his curse. Give her the wand, Winnifred.¡± Belinda was frightened, flinching, but stared up at her daughter with wide, searching eyes. ¡°Winnie?¡± She took three steps away, and one of the knights pressed an electric rod against her back. She cried out, sinking to the floor. ¡°Mother!¡± Winnie rushed to her, handing her the wand. ¡°Do it. Change him.¡± Her mother shook her head. ¡°I cannot, Winnie. You don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°You must,¡± Trystan gritted out. ¡°There is no alternative.¡± ¡°Trystan Maverine,¡± Queen Brina called, then folded her lips inward. ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe that such a sweet, quiet boy would grow up to be one of the most feared men in Rennedawn. In all the continent.¡± ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be. I won Most Likely to Do Bad Things at the vige school¡¯s graduation,¡± Trystan said frankly. Evie couldn¡¯t tell if he was joking. Queen Brina contemted them all, then the frog in Evie¡¯s grasp. ¡°Prove that this is my son trapped in the body of a frog. Prove it, and I¡¯ll allow the enchantress to go free¡ªafter she reverts him into a man.¡± Evie smiled, feeling hope. ¡°I have just the way. Sir, a sign?¡± One was already in her hand before she finished her request. She removed a vase from a pir, then ced Kingsley atop the marble pedestal so he could be eye level with his parents. ¡°Go on, Kingsley. Show them¡ªshow your parents that it¡¯s you.¡± There was a surge of sweeping anticipation, the entire room quieting, everyone waiting with bated breath. But Kingsley did nothing. ¡°Alexander,¡± Trystan called, but there was no answer. Just a wide-eyed frog staring back at them, through them. He was nk, no gold left in his eyes¡ªonly ck. ¡°No,¡± Trystan bellowed. ¡°No. Alexander,e back. Come back now.¡± But there was no answer. No blinking to awareness, no sudden startled awakening from the magic that had faded in him. There was no Kingsley; there was no prince. There was only a frog. ¡°Is he gone?¡± re¡¯s eyes welled with tears. ¡°Is that it? He¡¯s not going toe back this time?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of this farce!¡± the king cried. ¡°This was a brutality. Dangling the possibility of our son before us and then taking it away. Let it be over.¡± ¡°Gavin,¡± Queen Brina said hesitantly. ¡°Please calm.¡± The king looked to the Valiant Guards and the Lily Pad Knights, ignoring the queen¡¯s request. ¡°Kill the enchantress. It is done.¡± It was only a second after the order was given, with no time for protests. No time to react. No time to beg or scream or ask kindly that they don¡¯t. Because in one moment, the enchantress was thrown to the ground, and in the next, she was turned¡­to stone. Winnie screamed, and Tatianna wrapped her arms around her, dragging her away. ¡°Don¡¯t look.¡± This was worse than death. Her mother frozen forever on her knees, with the fear of her final moments disyed for the entire room. The queen shook her head, like the whole scene was distasteful to her. ¡°Take them away to the dungeons and send missives to King Benedict that we have his Viin in custody.¡± One of the Lily Pad Knights ran for therge open doors, but he only made it three feet¡ª Before the windows above the throne room shattered and arge creature came hurtling through. ss flew everywhere. Trystan¡¯s arms fell over Evie¡¯s head, guarding her with his body. A familiar creaturended right in the middle of the room as the Lily Pad Knights scattered, several of them ushering the king and queen to safety. ¡°I said to go through the front door, Fluffy!¡± de scolded, and Evie was so relieved to hear his voice, she clutched at Trystan¡¯s shirt and cried. ¡°Evie!¡± Lyssa was on Fluffy¡¯s back, too, along with Becky, who was looking at the damages like she was going to lose it. Lyssa slid down Fluffy¡¯s wing and ran for Evie, and Evie ran for Lyssa. When they finally had their arms around each other, Evie squeezed her sister tight. ¡°You saved us, Lyssa.¡± There was so much loss in the room, so much they would never get back, but there¡¯d always be this. Her sister, her family¡ªand if Evie had her, there was still a reason to continue. Lyssa pulled away and tugged a crinkled piece of paper from her pocket. ¡°Second Rule of Viiny. Protect what you love most. No matter the cost.¡± Evie spied the list and gave Trystan a shrewd look. ¡°Interesting teatime discussions?¡± Trystan crossed his arms, unamused. ¡°Little viin. What is the sixth rule?¡± Lyssa scanned the paper, eyes widening when she found it. ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone about the Rules of Viiny¡­ Oh. Oops.¡± She sped her small hands behind her back, her braid moving over her shoulder. ¡°Wicked Woman!¡± Evie turned her head just in time for a Lily Pad Knight to throw a de right for her chest. She gasped. And then Arthur was in front of her, eyes wide as the sword struck. No. Evie¡¯s eyes burned as shock settled into her bones. Arthur¡¯s brows furrowed as he looked down and saw that the sword had gone right through his stomach. Blood trickled out of his mouth. And then he fell. ¡°Arthur,¡± Amara rasped, showing her first signs of humanity, outside of her self-serving actions. She lurched toward her husband, fingers closing around her lips. ¡°Get away!¡± re screamed at Amara. ¡°Stay away from all of us. You awful bitch,¡± re said with more disdain toward her mother then Evie had ever seen. Amara stumbled back, stunned. re yelled, ¡°Oh, gods. The blood. Tatianna.¡± ¡°Get him on Fluffy. Quick!¡± Tatianna¡¯s hand was over her mouth when she saw the sword, how deep it was. ¡°I can¡¯t. Ugh.¡± Arthur fell into Evie as they helped him atop the dragon. ¡°I can¡¯t feel my legs.¡± All sounds became muffled, like they were underwater. ¡°Time to go!¡± Trystan said hollowly, picking up Evie in one arm and Lyssa in the other, tossing them toward the dragon in a siege of flying arrows. ¡°de!¡± ¡°Ready, boss!¡± de saluted as they climbed atop Fluffy¡¯s back. The throne room was in chaos as they shot for the skylight. They were getting away. And Evie didn¡¯t understand, didn¡¯t know why it felt like the blood was seeping from her. She looked down at Arthur as Tatianna worked, lit hands moving over the wound. But, for the first time since Evie met her, Tatianna did not look confident. She looked like she was already in mourning. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Evie asked Arthur. ¡°Why would you¡ª I don¡¯t understand.¡± Arthur smiled, coughing, blood coating his lips. Then he looked at Trystan, who gripped his hand, face hard. ¡°I was a bad father to you.¡± Trystan shook his head. ¡°Arthur¡ª¡± ¡°No, I was. I married your mother because I thought it was the right thing, and I spent the most vital years of your life absent. I should¡¯ve been there for you.¡± Arthur groaned in pain when Tatianna removed the sword. He squeezed Trystan¡¯s hand tighter. ¡°I should never have done that. I think I was afraid of what would happen if you found out the truth, but that was my burden. I never should¡¯ve made it yours.¡± ¡°What? What truth?¡± Trystan asked. Arthur coughed, blood vessels bursting in his eyes. ¡°When I married your mother. She was already pregnant¡­with you.¡± Trystan paled, releasing Arthur¡¯s hand. ¡°What are you saying?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t your sire. But I was your father, Trystan. I was.¡± Arthur reached for him, and Trystan stared into the distance, looking queasy. Evie felt her face flush, and she was terribly unsure of what to do, all the words she could say catching in her throat as Arthur found his. ¡°I should have been better, should¡¯ve protected you from your mother¡¯s resentment. But despite all our failings, nothing could stop you from bing what you were always meant to be.¡± Trystan blinked back into awareness, staring down at Arthur as his father finished with a smile. ¡°Remarkable.¡± A slow tear spilled down Trystan¡¯s cheek, and he swiped at it, nostrils ring. ¡°Thank you for saving her,¡± he whispered. ¡°A life without love is an empty one, Trystan. You can live your years without me, but not without her. Don¡¯t leave behind regrets. I have three children who grew into fine adults. I can go happy.¡± ¡°No,¡± re argued, pushing damp strands back from Arthur¡¯s forehead. ¡°No. Tatianna¡¯s going to heal you, and you¡¯re going to be fine. Right, Tati?¡± Tatianna sniffed, rubbing a hand at the tears spilling down her cheeks. ¡°The de was tipped with poison. There¡¯s too much damage, love. He¡¯s going now¡ªI can¡¯t do anything to stop it.¡± ¡°No! You can! You¡¯re a healer!¡± re screamed. ¡°Please, Tati, I know I¡¯m a terrible person and a terrible sister, but Arthur is good. Arthur is good, and he deserves to live. Please!¡± ¡°rissa.¡± Tatianna reached for her, and re fought her, mming her hands against Tatianna¡¯s chest until she fell headfirst into it, sobbing. When Evie looked back at Arthur, his eyes were closed, his chest not moving. The core healer was gone. And it was all Evie¡¯s fault. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 82 Gideon Gideon¡¯s mother was still, chest barely moving. Lifting her gently, he ced her in the bed. Her golden skin was dull, like the life had been pulled from her soul, leaving a living husk. Griffin was long gone, the strange nt in his possession, along with his mother¡¯s magic, the essence of who she was. ¡°Sir knight!¡± Keeley yelled, mming a hip against the door until she fell through, de raised. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Griffin Sage,¡± Gideon said hollowly, pulling the covers over his mother before storming for the doors. ¡°Where is Marv?¡± ¡°The Malevolent Guards have him in a hold down in the courtyard.¡± Keeley rushed after him. ¡°Gideon. Gideon!¡± ¡°What!¡± he yelled. ¡°I fucking failed, Keeley. I failed. I failed my sister, I failed my mother¡ªthe guvres! You name it, and I will have screwed it up. It¡¯s what I do. I try to make things better, and I only know how to make them worse!¡± Keeley hugged him. Gideon clutched at her like she was the only thing he had left to hold on to. ¡°You did not fail. The fight¡¯s not over yet,¡± she said into his neck. She smelled like lemons still, which was ridiculous when she¡¯d been fighting tooth and nail for gods knew how many minutes. ¡°Are you going to give up so easily?¡± Her fingers yed at the nape of his neck, and he was horrified to find his knees buckling at the sensations spreading all the way from the top of his head to the tips of his fingers. With reluctance and regret, he pulled away from her. ¡°Marv?¡± Keeley¡¯s light-gold eyes filled with hate. ¡°Come.¡± Together, they went to the courtyard. Gideon surveyed the bodies strewn about, noting that most of them were Valiant Guards, with a few Malevolent Guards. And Marv. On his knees, spiky hair in every direction, and he was pleading. ¡°I didn¡¯t do this¡ªI swear it!¡± Marv pleaded, his wide brown eyes glistening with unshed tears. ¡°I would never do anything to hurt The Viin. You don¡¯t understand¡ªI didn¡¯t have a choice.¡± Min, one of the kinder guards, looked hesitant. ¡°Keeley. The ink tattoo we get when we¡¯re inducted. If we betray the boss, it kills us. Yet here he stands.¡± Keeley arched a golden brow. ¡°Where is your tattoo?¡± Marv shakily lifted his sleeve and showed the swooping pattern of vines around his wrist. Keeley tugged the sleeve higher, then dragged Marv bodily to the nearest puddle, rubbing his wrist in it. The tattoo remained in ce. Impossible. Marv stared at it in disbelief for a second before ducking his head, and when he lifted it, his eyes were wild, afraid. ¡°I¡¯m telling you I didn¡¯t have a choice! I had to do it¡ªfor her! You need to let me go. This isn¡¯t what you think! You¡¯re all in danger!¡± Marv yelled every possible excuse, and it hurt Gideon to see someone he¡¯d thought was so kind prove to be the very opposite. Gideon shook his head, just as the rain finally stopped. He looked about the wreckage, wondering to himself if he would ever live a peaceful life when chaos came so readily. ¡°What do you mean, we¡¯re the ones in danger? Exin,¡± Keeley said as she yanked him to stand up. His throat bobbed before he frantically disclosed the n that even made a few Malevolent Guards¡¯ jaws drop. And ording to Marv¡­the true danger had yet toe. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 83 The Viin They returned to the manor. It took several hours, and by the time they saw their home on the horizon, the sun wasing up. Nobody had slept. Arthur¡¯s body had been covered with Tatianna¡¯s cape. re had wept into Tatianna¡¯s arms, and Tati had held her so tight, her fingers were twined in the short locks of re¡¯s hair. At some point, Trystan¡¯s hand had drifted toward Sage¡¯s, and she¡¯d wordlessly woven her fingers in his, using her other hand to fully cover his. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she kept repeating. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± He was too numb to be angry with her for apologizing. He¡¯d find that emotion againter, when he fully realized the world would continue turning without the man he thought his father in it. When they got inside to discover the disarray at the manor, he wasn¡¯t even surprised. They walked through the wreckage, and Evie froze in ce, staring at the heads of innocent office workers with her mouth in a t line, and he knew she was fighting back a sob. She disappeared to check on her mother, and Trystan didn¡¯t see her again untilter. He found her standing on the parapet, reaching for Benedict¡¯s g, which was swinging in the breeze. Some of his kindest workers had been in. His home had been vited while he was off dancing with Evie, holding her body, enjoying her, selfishly giving in to all he truly wanted¡ªand all the while, everything around him was destroyed. He must be a bastard, because while the guilt trickled in, hot and powerful, he wouldn¡¯t exchange those moments with her. Benedict could pry them from his cold, dead fingers. Evie stared at the g for a second, such hatred in her kind eyes. Then she tore it right down the middle and crushed it beneath her heel. ¡°Trystan,¡± she breathed. ¡°He still hasn¡¯t¡­returned to being¡­him.¡± Trystan held up Alexander, who¡¯d shaken the crown easily from his head. It had remained in ce for so long that Trystan had begun to believe he¡¯d actually glued it there. It hadn¡¯t urred to him that the crown stayed because Alexander had made efforts to ensure it never came off. That him removing it was a symbol that his friend was gone. Forever. Kingsley blinked, croaking, as Trystan kept hold of him. ¡°I could try.¡± A small voice echoed from the doorway that led back into the office. Winnifred. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying. Trystan wasn¡¯t the only one who¡¯d lost someone today. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t ask it of you. You¡¯re free to stay or leave at your leisure.¡± He said it with no urgency or flourish. It was a straightforward offer. Winnie didn¡¯t say anything, just reached for Alexander and squinted. Then she took a stray handkerchief from her pocket, dampened it with her lips, and rubbed off the dirt on his head, stopping when she saw them staring at her. ¡°He had a bit of dirt on his head,¡± she said. The handkerchief remained around his head as Winnie pulled the wand from the sash of her dress and waved it. It glowed, brighter, brighter, that brightness beaming out around Kingsley, the frog illuminated by magic, and then¡­ Nothing. It didn¡¯t work. Alexander was still a frog. And he would remain so. Forever. Trystan cursed under his breath. His soul was battered now; even as unused as he¡¯d thought it, it twisted in agony as he lost the battle to Benedict, as he lost his friend forever. Another ribbit signaled the frog¡¯s difort. He was squirming in Winnie¡¯s hands, and when she didn¡¯t let him go, he opened his mouth¡ªand bit her. ¡°Ow!¡± Winnie cried, shaking out her hand. ¡°Oh no!¡± And the creature was off, hopping along the parapet, into the empty office space. Trystan and Sage chased the infernal animal over desks and piles of paper, past spilled mugs of cauldron brew, finally cornering him near the water cooler¡ªexcept it wasn¡¯t the water cooler. It was a shadowed figure standing in the corner where the water cooler used to be. The figure hunched over and picked up Kingsley. Then he walked into the harsh overhead light of the office. King Benedict. Trystan spat at Benedict¡¯s feet, summoning his magic¡ªbut he found that it wouldn¡¯t answer, that he could barely even feel it. The magic in Kingsley had vanished, the catalyst, and now all of Rennedawn was changing. They¡¯d run out of time. Trystan¡¯s magic was gone, and soon, Rennedawn would be, too. All was lost. Forever. They were fighting a losing battle, but he¡¯d fight it. For her. ¡°Benedict,¡± Trystan greeted, blocking Sage with his body. ¡°An invitation into one¡¯s home is usually customary, but since we brought so many uninvited guests to yourst party, I suppose we can excuse the poor manners under the circumstances.¡± ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t overstay my wee. I know my dear associate Marvin didn¡¯t receive such a kind reception. Then again, I suppose that¡¯s fair, considering he tied up your chef and has been working as my spy. A useful young man, unsuspecting, which seems to be the ticket into The Viin¡¯s office.¡± Benedict steepled his fingers, eyes on Evie. ¡°But I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m missing onest piece of the prophecy, and as I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve discerned, time is wearing thin. I won¡¯t go without it. My men will have the guvre returned to my custody imminently. I never thought that your foolish captain would be sessful on a fool¡¯s errand. But I suppose she is as easily influenced as she was as a child. Waiting for letters from a family she didn¡¯t have, poor girl.¡± Evie sneered, lunging forward, but Trystan stopped her with his arm. ¡°Keep that fire, Ms. Sage. I¡¯ll need it. In the meantime, I thought I¡¯d work on the ¡®true prince¡¯ portion of Rennedawn¡¯s story.¡± And then Benedict dropped Kingsley and allowed the frog to leap away. ¡°No!¡± Trystan cried out, but he froze when Benedict pulled a memory flower from his pocket¡ªa new one, glowing opalescent petals open. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± A bright light shone, and Trystan fell to the floor, clutching at his abdomen. Sharp pain spread through every limb, overwhelming every sense. It felt like his very blood was burning. ¡°Stop it! What are you doing?¡± Sage screamed. ¡°It¡¯s the frog you want!¡± Trystan fought through the pain, crawling on hands and knees toward the sound of her voice. ¡°Worry not, Ms. Sage! It¡¯s all in the name of saving Rennedawn. A mistake was made twenty-four years ago on this day, and it¡¯s time I righted it.¡± The light faded, and Trystan drooped, groaning, into the ground. The voices around him were dull, his body depleted of magic and any sense of control. The office door slid open, and Nura Sage ran in, throwing herself in front of her daughter. ¡°Don¡¯t touch her, Benedict!¡± ¡°Nura.¡± Benedict tsked. ¡°Isn¡¯t it time we stop these charades and allow your daughter to live in the future you and Griffin took from her?¡± Nura shook her head, curls so like Evie¡¯s moving with her. ¡°No. No. You made a vow when she was born. You promised me!¡± Benedict pointed the flower toward Nura, and out spilled Trystan¡¯s magic, his mist, wielded by his worst enemy. ¡°You will regret this, Benedict. You will not win this,¡± Trystan rasped. Benedict tsked again. ¡°Let it be with her, Nura. It¡¯s been cursed to the wrong man for too long.¡± The darkness brushed over Sage¡¯s ankles, and she screamed. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Trystan stumbled, climbing to his feet, falling again, but he didn¡¯t stop. He wouldn¡¯t stop until he got to her. ¡°Evie!¡± Benedict pped his hands together. ¡°All in the name of the prophecy, Trystan.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re wrong. You just let the heart of a true prince hop away!¡± he gritted out. Alexander was gone, Sage was being swarmed by his power, and his enemy was winning. Never had he felt this miserable, this low. Benedict¡¯s eyes were wild. ¡°I don¡¯t need him.¡± Trystan blinked, rubbing his chest. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°The heart of a true prince is right here in this room.¡± And he pointed. To Trystan. Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 84 Evie Evie heard a ringing in her ears, her body jolting from the shock of the truth, from the warmth swallowing the lower half of her body, unable to move her feet from the spot she was trapped in. She turned to Trystan, who was still doubled over but standing next to her. ¡°How¡ª Why? Why is your magic doing this?¡± Benedict set the nt down, and the power came out faster, in sharper waves. ¡°Your father was my friend, Ms. Sage. I never wanted his offspring to be my enemy, but we can¡¯t trick Fate. The prophecy can see through lies. Unfortunately. ¡°Nearly thirty years ago, I met Amara. She was ambitious and beautiful, but I never had the desire to marry or sire children. My ns to rule extend beyond that of a mortal life, and Amara knew this when she fell pregnant. I bade her to get rid of the child, but instead we came to an agreement.¡± Benedict smirked, and Evie noticed something for the first time on Benedict¡¯s face. Something she had missed. A subtle dimple. In just one cheek. ¡°She could keep the child if I had free use of him as needed. When Evie was born six yearster, Griffin came pleading about what the magical specialist had found, and I promised to undo it for him.¡± Benedict gave her a sympathetic tilt of his head. ¡°All he ever wanted was to save you from viiny.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to be saved,¡± Evie spat. ¡°And I certainly have no need to be.¡± Benedict wasn¡¯t fazed. ¡°That much is clear. Which is why I¡¯m happy to bestow upon you the destiny your parents tried to save you from¡ªI mean rob you of.¡± A low moan came from Trystan, and he slowly dropped to his knees. Evie moved past her mother, fury coursing through her at the sight of Trystan so depleted on the ground. She dropped to her knees beside him, guarding his body with hers. ¡°What. Destiny?¡± Benedict smiled, and when he spoke next, her entire world shifted beneath her feet. ¡°The heart of the true prince is Trystan and always has been. The Viin¡¯s role was something I¡¯d hoped was interchangeable, but despite our advancements, magic is still a part of nature, and nature is not to be trifled with.¡± The darkness climbed; the mist felt like it was seeping into her skin. Trystan didn¡¯t let go of her hand. ¡°Your parents hoped I could siphon your magic at birth and give it to Trystan, and I was all too happy to finally have use for a son.¡± Evie felt the mist settle into her, and her scar screamed out in pain as the magic flowed through every vein, every pore. Every part of her that had been missing it¡ªsang. ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­¡± Her voice didn¡¯t sound like hers. It was deeper, husky. Trystan gripped her hand tighter, and the darkness attempted to push him back, away¡ªbut he would not be moved. Evie released a choked sob, fighting back the darkness, too, not allowing it to separate them as they looked up at Benedict while he destroyed all they knew. ¡°Yes, Trystan was always supposed to be the true prince of the prophecy. And you, my dear¡ª¡± The darkness swallowed her whole as she heard his final decree. ¡°Were always supposed to be The Viin.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Chapter 85 Evie Evie stared out the window¡ªthe one in the kitchen that featured the book of Rennedawn¡ªand then looked down at her palms. They appeared the same, they felt the same, but beneath them, she felt the stirring. The stirring of a power that was always meant to be hers. And she had no idea what to do about it. ¡°Evangelina?¡± Trystan¡¯s voice came from behind her, more tentative than she¡¯d ever heard it. A candle in his hand, he walked toward the kitchen table, watching as the clock on the wall struck midnight. ¡°Sit with me.¡± Evie looked at him. The mist pulled at her feet, tugging her forward, and she was afraid¡ªafraid of how much she enjoyed it. ¡°You were right,¡± she said, sitting beside him, keeping a healthy distance. Benedict had used the distraction of Trystan¡¯s¡ªor rather Evie¡¯s¡ªmagic to escape. It hadn¡¯t been difficult, Evie assumed. Not when she was in such a state of shock that she hadn¡¯t spoken since. Trystan looked worn. They both were. The identities they¡¯d had their entire lives had been ripped out from under them. Now they existed in a new, unknown world where Evie was The Viin and Trystan was the prince. The hero. And he¡¯d been forced into this life because of her, because her parents had been willing to sacrifice an innocent six-year-old boy for the sake of themselves. They wouldn¡¯t have epted her. The family she¡¯d fought for, the family she¡¯d done everything for, had rejected her as she was. Something inside her hurt. ¡°What was I right about?¡± he murmured, staring intensely at her. ¡°We are meant to destroy each other. I did ruin you. I ruined your life. Every bad thing that¡¯s ever happened to you can be traced directly back to my birth. I never should¡¯ve pushed you; I never should have been¡ª¡± Her wrist was manacled in a death grip as he forced her to stand. ¡°If you finish that with the word ¡®born,¡¯ I will show you what a real viin is.¡± She shoved at him, nearly in tears. ¡°This isn¡¯t amusing, Trystan.¡± His jaw clenched. ¡°I¡¯m notughing.¡± Evie looked down at her hands. ¡°We should keep our distance,¡± she said, taking a step backward, then another, until she turned to face her window again. ¡°That¡¯s my line.¡± ¡°I mean it, Trystan. If the prophecy is to be believed, you have a true love to save, and it won¡¯t be the viin of the tale.¡± She said thest word on a sob, gazing at the window until he forced her chin back toward him, his fingers gentle as he held her face. ¡°The reason my magic¡±¡ªhe swallowed¡ª¡°your magic was going wild wasn¡¯t because of Rennedawn¡¯s curse. It was because we kissed.¡± Evie shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this. Please.¡± But he showed no mercy. ¡°I broke your sleeping-death curse, and you broke mine¡ªbeing trapped with magic that belonged to another. That¡¯s why the mist kept looking for you. And that¡¯s why I always will, too.¡± ¡°Trystan,¡± she pleaded, too overwhelmed by a fate he¡¯d so easily epted, overwhelmed by the role reversal of him being the sure one. He let go of her, stepping backward. ¡°This isn¡¯t over, Sage. I am going to find Kingsley, and after that, we will track down the guvre. We have guards posted around her nest. I¡¯m hoping she¡¯ll return, and then you and I will fulfill the prophecy and save the kingdom. Together.¡± She hated how much she wanted that, hated that there was too much hurt festering in her to let her reach out and grab it. But she didn¡¯t need to reach. Trystan Maverine gave it to her. ¡°You can resist this all you want, Sage. I had my turn, and now it¡¯s yours, but as you said, I won¡¯t be giving up on you. Ever.¡± He turned on his heel, then paused, spinning back without warning and kissing Evie with a fierceness that made her reach out to grab his shoulders. For the most fleeting of moments, they were locked together, and her treacherous heart knew nothing had ever felt or would ever feel so right. And then it was over and he let go, dimple peeking through as he nodded, backing away. There was a dark promise on his face. ¡°You have been my downfall, Evie Sage, and now I¡­I will be your undoing.¡± As he left her alone, the dark mist pooling around her feet, Evie stared at her window and took a breath. Speaking to it as she always had, she tilted her head, pulling her lips into a malevolent grin. ¡°Well. This should be fun.¡± Accomplice to the Villain: Epilogue re The following morning¡­ re had lost everything. Hours after her father¡¯s death, she was still numb. Nothing was real to her. The breeze brushing against her cheek was an illusion, the sun shining down on her a grant lie. Her father¡¯s body was being prepared to travel back to their vige. He¡¯d be buried by the sea. They¡¯d all failed. Alexander had disappeared hours ago, leaping into Hickory Forest before anyone could stop him. Tatianna had told re this, but she had not registered it, her brain not processing the words. The only thing she found she wanted to do was wander aimlessly around the manor, its grounds, even into the forest. Dead. All she knew was that her father was dead. And it was her fault. Alexander never would have had to be transformed back if re hadn¡¯t gotten involved. He¡¯d never have lost ten years of his life or his ability to speak; he¡¯d never have lost himselfpletely because the magic had run out. Standing now on the edge of Hickory Forest, she somehow managed to clock that it had begun raining again. Drops of water slid down her cheeks, dripping from her chin. But the sun still shone. It took her several moments to realize it was not rain after all, but her tears. She wiped at her eyes, but that only seemed to make the tearse faster until she was sobbing, hunched over on her knees. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. All my fault.¡± She cried until her voice was hoarse and her throat burned. Not picking her head up¡ª Until bare feet appeared in front of her, a hand reaching down with a handkerchief, and when she looked up, she gasped so sharply, it caused her to fall back on her elbows. A man stood there. Tall. Dark, curly, long hair brushing just past his shoulders, skin a light brown, eyes the color of deep gold. And he was stark naked. He was struggling to speak, his full lips attempting to form words. re watched, struck. Finally, he gave up, dropping a slip of paper into herp. One that said the words: It¡¯s me. Something in the note gave her pause. It was the letter T¡ªwritten with a crooked dash. re responded with one word, eyes as wide as saucers, unable to believe what she was saying as a golden crown was dropped at her feet. ¡°Kingsley?¡± the end¡­until we meet again, one final time. hopefully¡ª you never know with these nipoops. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!