Hot tears splashed her cheeks, and she viciously wiped them away.

The crowd thinned this far from the stage, which allowed her to keep her murdered bodyguard in sight. Tight in his grip flashed the glint of a sharp blade.

And then she saw Magnus.

This apparition of the young man shed loved and lost approached Magnus, who stood at the bar, eyeing Theon with as much disbelief as Cleo did. Then, so quickly she almost didnt see it, Theon grabbed Magnus, hard, and pressed the blade to his throat.

She screamed inwardly, her entire body turned to coldest ice in an instant. She looked now to Magnus, his expression resolute, his jaw tight, his dark eyes void of emotion.

Cleo? Someone was blocking her path"a boy with freckles and red hair. Oh, Cleo! Youre here! Youre alive!

Nic? She spared him a moments glance before grabbing his shoulder and digging her fingers in. Behind him, she watched as blood trickled down Magnuss throat from where this ghost from the past dug his dagger into his flesh. Whats going on? Why is this happening?

Suddenly, a third person approached the silent altercation between Magnus and Theon, which had so far gone unnoticed by the rest of the patrons, whose gazes were still directed toward the stage. It was a young, dark-haired man, broad-chested and heavily muscled, wearing a black eye patch.

He held a chunk of wood in his grip, and with it he hit the ghost of Theon, hard, on the back of his head. The dagger clattered to the floor, and the victims body slumped, unconscious, next to it.

Magnus! Cleo called out.

Finally, Magnus tore his gaze from the young man on the floor to meet Cleos.

His eyes narrowed. You shouldnt be here.

She gaped at him. That was what he chose to say to her right now?

The brute nodded down at the body. Hes not going to be happy with me when he wakes up.

Cleo rushed to Magnuss side, quickly assuring herself that the wound on his throat was shallow. She spun to face the young man with the eye patch. Who are you? she demanded.

He bowed. Felix Gaebras, lovely young lady. At your service. And who are you?

This, Magnus said, gingerly touching his neck, is Princess Cleiona.

Felixs eyes widened. Ah, so this is the Golden Princess. It all makes sense now.

And who"she pointed at the floor with a shaky finger"is this?

That, Felix replied, is Taran Ranus, Theons twin brother.

Cleo felt herself go cold. His twin brother?

Magnuss jaw was tense. It was so kind of Nic to introduce us tonight, dont you think?

From next to her, Nic looked down at the unconscious young man, then met her shocked gaze. I think we all need to talk, he said.

Clearly!

I agree, Magnus said stiffly. I know a place that is much more private than this. Find Jonas, and come with me, all of you.

Felix leaned down, picked up his unconscious associate, and threw him over his shoulder. Where are Jonas and the others? Did the dancer tie him up with her snake and drag him away? Ill go find him.

Cleo didnt wait"she needed fresh air. She needed to breathe normally and bring her heart rate down to a regular pace.

Twin brother, she thought, stunned. Theons twin brother.

Yet Theon had never, not once, mentioned to her that he had a twin brother.

Nic was at her side, swaying slightly with each step he took as Enzo escorted her outside. She glanced over her shoulder to ensure herself that Magnus was close behind.

Youre drunk, she said, turning to Nic and finding herself exceptionally angry with him and with everyone present.

Extremely. And also extremely happy that youre here. He gave her a big sloppy kiss on the cheek, reminding her of the slobbering puppy her father brought back to her and Emilia after a long stretch of travels. As her heart rate returned to normal, she allowed herself to give in to her overwhelming sense of relief that Nic had returned from Kraeshia alive and well"and that he was here with her again.

Felix exited the tavern, still bearing the weight of Taran Ranus.

Behind him walked Jonas, who scanned the area before his gaze landed on Cleo.

She watched as a smile spread across his handsome face.

I knew you were alive. Jonas quickened his steps to reach her. He grasped her around her waist, and lifted her off the ground, spinning her around in the air. Its so good to see you.

Any other day, she would be smiling just as wide as the rebel. Explain to me what is going on.

Yes, Magnus said, his dark eyes fixated on Jonas. An explanation for your arrival in this city coinciding with our own would be greatly appreciated.

Im shocked to say, its almost good to see you too, your highness. Jonas gave the prince the edge of a smile.

It wasnt returned.

Our friend heres getting a bit heavy, Felix commented.

Magnus eyed the unconscious body he carried with a sour look. Follow me.

Another girl joined their entourage, and Cleo recognized her instantly"she had accompanied Jonas and Lysandra when they were last at the Limerian palace.

Cleo remembered her name: Olivia. But a proper greeting could wait.

She hooked her arm through Nics as the group followed Magnus back to the inn. Why are you so drunk tonight?

Oh . . . so many reasons. Ive recently come to believe you were dead, for one. Therefore, I was going to drown myself in ale to stifle my grief.

Im very much alive.

And Im very much happy to see that.

She allowed him a smile. And there are other reasons for your thirst?

None that have chosen to join us tonight, but I hesitate to mention that just yet. Youve had quite enough of a shock already. Im sure hell catch up eventually. He does that.

Youre making no sense.

No, Im sure Im not.

Her meager smile fell away when she glanced at Felix and his burden. Did Theon"it hurt to say his name, even after all this time" ever say a single word to you about having a twin brother?

Nic shook his head. Not a word. When I saw Taran at the docks in Kraeshia, I nearly keeled over with shock. Taran doesnt talk about it, but I assume they were estranged. Still, he took the news of his brothers death hard.

Yes, I saw that. She exhaled shakily. How did he learn it was Magnus who killed Theon?

Nic shrugged. I told him, of course.

Her stomach sank at the exact moment her anger began to rise. Of course you did.

I should have stayed by your side. He took her hand in his, his drunken expression growing very serious. Im sorry I left you alone with him all this time.

Nic didnt know about her feelings for Magnus. Of course Nic didnt know"shed spent her every breath denying her growing feelings for the prince for a year. Its all right. Ive . . . managed.

Where should I put him? Felix indicated his burden when they reached the inn.

Im sure we can find a deep hole, Magnus said.

Cleo glared at him, then looked at Felix. There are empty rooms on the second floor, she said.

Felix disappeared, returning quickly without Taran.

They sat down in the meeting hall, and as Cleo looked around at the group, she couldnt tell whether she was thrilled or horrified by how this night had turned out.

Nic sat next to her at a table, and across from them were Jonas and Olivia. Felix and Magnus sat near the fireplace on the other side of the room near the bookcase, while Enzo remained standing near Cleo.

When did you arrive? Magnus asked.

Today, Jonas replied. Were still quite in the dark about whats happening here. The only information we have comes from a single Kraeshian soldier who was willing to talk.

And?

He knew very little. Or, at least, very little that would help us. It appears, though, that you are on the run, your highness. And that your father is rather unhappy with how you handled things while he was away.

That would be an understatement, yes.

Cleo watched Magnus with mild surprise. Despite how drunk he had to be by now, he seemed as sober as a Limerian priest.

The soldier, Jonas said, nodding somberly at Cleo. He told us that you were dead. That it happened after you escaped from Amara. That you froze to death.

I very well could have had I not found shelter at the exact right moment. She averted her eyes, trying to keep from making eye contact with Magnus, but she could still feel his gaze burning into the side of her face.

You were always a survivor, Jonas said. Nic despaired, but I had hope. And here you are.

Nic shrugged. I despair. Its what I do.

Theres so much to tell you, Jonas said. And Im sure theres much you have to tell us.

Far less than you might think, Magnus said. Amara thinks shes ruling this kingdom now. But shes wrong. And she will be defeated.

And how do you think you will defeat her? Jonas asked.

I thought we might start with the earth Kindred you gave the princess, Magnus said, and Jonass shoulders tensed. Do you still have that shiny little chunk of obsidian squirreled away somewhere, princess?

Oh, yes, she thought as she flinched. This was the Magnus shed once despised"the one who would announce to everyone, seemingly out of spite, that she possessed the Kindred. Shed have to thank him for the reminder.

Nic grunted out a sound of disgust. Cleo, how have you maintained your sanity being around him this long? To have sustained this unnatural alliance with him . . . there must be some reason behind it that you havent told me.

Please, Nic, Magnus said. Were all friends here. Feel free to speak your mind.

I just did.

Magnus rolled his eyes. Dont worry your carrot-stained head, Nicolo. The princess continues to tolerate me"just barely"focused solely on reclaiming her throne as soon as Amara is defeated and sent on her merry way. I recently suggested your Golden Princess return to Auranos, but she refused. Dont try to tell me that this was my idea.

Cleo shot him a look as he met her gaze with something like defiance. Then she realized what he was doing.

Nic hated him. Jonas was barely allied with him. And Theons twin had just tried to kill him.

To reveal that she and Magnus were more than begrudging allies could cause unnecessary stress, especially now that they were all together.

Believe me, Nic, she finally said. I look forward to the day when I return to my kingdom. But that day is not today.

Well, now that thats settled, Magnus said, lets discuss how to proceed, shall we?

Felix raised his hand. I enthusiastically volunteer to kill the empress.

Magnus eyed him with interest. How do you plan to do that?

Now, I know some of you are probably going to suggest I use an arrow, aimed from afar, Felix said eagerly. But Id really prefer to do it up close and personal. With my bare hands, if possible. I just want to see the look on her pretty face.

Magnus blinked. I just remembered that youre the one who sent me the flayed patch of your skin to prove your loyalty.

I certainly did, your highness.

Cleo watched this young man warily, shocked by his words. Was he insane?

However, he had saved Magnuss life back at the tavern, and she was deeply indebted to him for that, so she supposed she would have to spend a bit more time around him, watching him, to see what he was truly like.

There had been a time when shed wished for Magnus to die for what hed done to Theon just over a year ago"she had wanted to kill him herself.

And yet, the moment Magnuss life was in danger, she focused nowhere but on the prince. Any need for revenge had fallen away from her months ago, like shedding the skin of her former self.

It wasnt forgiveness that she felt. She still hated the boy Magnus had been that day.

But shed come to understand him over the months since, perhaps even better than she understood herself.