Yes, Amara thought. A kingdom of people ready to do her bidding without question, who accepted a female leader without argument, would be incredibly useful.

CHAPTER 16.

MAGNUS.

PAELSIA.

Magnus pondered the twelve people taking up residence at the Hawk and Spear Inn, realizing that nearly half of them wanted him dead.

And youre definitely one of them, he muttered as Nic trudged through the meeting hall, glaring as he passed the prince. Magnus was sitting alone at a table in front of a sketchbook hed found in a drawer in his room. Cassian, look, he called. I drew a picture of you.

Magnus raised the sketchbook. His fingers smeared with charcoal, he held up a page on which hed drawn an image of a skinny boy hanging from a noose, his tongue dangling from his mouth, two morbid Xs where the eyes should have been.

Nic, allegedly a very friendly fellow to everyone else in the world, shot Magnus a look of sheer hatred. You think thats funny?

What? You dont like it? Well, they do say art is subjective.

You think spending your time doodling away in that book is going to make anyone see you as less of a threat? Try again. This innocent, nice-guy act youre putting on is wasted on me.

Magnus rolled his eyes. Noted, he said, tucking the sketchbook under his arm. But I cant say Im not hurt. I thought wed become good friends back in Limeros.

Nic narrowed his eyes, clearly not amused. The only thing that helps me sleep at night is knowing that Cleo sees you for what you really are.

I certainly hope youre right, Magnus said dismissively. Hed never let Nic get to him before, and he wasnt about to do so now, but the subject of Cleo was a thorn in his side. Its so interesting to me, the lot of you choosing to stay here in the lions den.

Perhaps youre wrong about whos the lion and whos the prey.

Magnus made a mock-snoring sound. Conversing with you, Nic, is always so stimulating. Truly. But Im sure you have other places to be, and Id hate to waste the precious time of a brilliant wit such as yours. Im sure Ive already kept you from your next appointment, which is . . . what? Perhaps lurking about in Ashurs shadow, waiting for a moment of his glorious attention now that hes successfully returned from the dead? Having personally witnessed Ashurs death, Magnus was still trying to process the overwhelming information that he was still alive. So sad, truly, that no one sees whats really going on between the resurrected prince and the former stable boy.

And that was all it took for Nics cheeks to burn with an immediate flush. And what is that, Magnus? What do you think is really going on?

Magnus paused, meeting Nics suddenly uncertain gaze. The taste of romantic disappointment is rather bitter, isnt it?

I suppose youd know all about that, wouldnt you? Nic snarled. Never forget that she hates you. You killed everyone she loves. You stole her entire world. Thats a truth that will never change.

With a last glare, Nic left the room, leaving Magnus glowering and heaving with a great desire to punch something. Or someone.

Hes wrong, he assured himself. The past is no measure of the present.

And it was the present he needed to focus on. They needed to find Lucia, now, without further delay.

Why should we wait another day for Grandmother to find this elusive magic stone? he thought. Here they were, cowering like victims, when they should be doing anything they could to cast that Kraeshian from their shores forever.

Magnus shoved the sketchbook toward the center of the table and rose to his feet. He was going to find his grandmother and demand that"with or without her magic fully restored"she try a spell to find his sister.

All alone in this great big hall?

He went still at the sound of Cleos voice. She stood at the base of the stairs, peering into the expansive room at him.

Seems that way, he said. More reason for you not to enter.

She entered anyway. I feel like we havent spoken privately in ages.

Its been two days, princess.

Princess, she said, biting her bottom lip. My, you certainly are keeping this act up quite well. In fact, I cant be sure it is only an act anymore.

Im not sure I know what youre talking about. He moved his gaze over her, taking her in the way a starving man would a feast. Is that a new dress?

She stroked the silky skirts, the color of a ripe summer peach. Olivia and I went to a market by the docks today.

You and Olivia did what? He narrowed his eyes at her, alarmed by his ignorance of the princesss choice to thoughtlessly put herself into danger. That was a terrible idea. Anyone could have recognized you.

Much as I enjoy being scolded, I suppose I should assure you that no one recognized me since I wore my cloak. And we werent alone. Enzo and Milo were with us, for protection. Ashur too. Hes been exploring the city to learn what Paelsians feel about the news of his sisters arrival.

And what do they say?

Ashur said that most seem . . . open to change.

Do they, now.

Anything after Chief Basilius would be an improvement. She hesitated. Well, not including your father, of course.

Of course. Magnus had very little regard for Paelsians"or most Auranians, for that matter. All he cared about was that Cleo had been gone from the inn and he hadnt realized it. No matter whom you were with out there, it was still an exceedingly bad idea.

So is drinking to excess every night at the Purple Vine, she said tightly. And yet that is what you choose to do.

Thats different.

Youre right. What you do is far more idiotic and foolhardy than spending the day exploring a market.

Idiotic and foolhardy, he repeated, frowning. Two words that have never been used to describe me.

Theyre accurate, she said, her tone sharp and her brows drawing together. When I saw you that first night with Taran . . .

The sound of his name cut into the space between them like the sharp edge of an ax driving into a wooden block.

I know his presence here must be difficult for you, Magnus said, his throat tightening. His face . . . all the horrible memories it suggests . . .

The only horrible memory I have of Taran is that of his blade pressed to your throat. Cleo paused, searching Magnuss face as her frown deepened. Do you assume that when I look at him I see only Theon?

How could you not?

I admit that it was jarring to see him. But Theons gone. I know that. Ive made peace with it. Taran is not Theon. He is, however, a threat.

I see.

Do you? Cleo continued to study him intently, as if he were a riddle she needed to decipher. Yet you honestly thought that I would see him and forget everything else thats happened since that day? That the hatred I used to feel for you would return and blind me? That I . . . what? Would instantly fall in love with Taran Ranus?

It does sound quite ludicrous.

Her expression grew thoughtful. Well, Taran is very handsome. Apart from the fact that he wants you dead"which was, admittedly, a former goal of mine"he would make a perfect suitor.

Tormenting me must be very amusing for you.

Very, she teased, allowing him a small but slightly sad smile. She reached for his hands, the sensation of her warm skin against his like a salve to a painful wound. Nothing has changed between us, Magnus. Know that.

Her words comforted his aching soul. Im very glad to hear that. When might you share this sentiment with the others?

Immediately, her expression grew tense. This isnt the time. Theres far too much at stake right now.

Nic is your closest family, your dearest friend, and he despises me.

He still sees you as an enemy. But one day, I know hell change his mind.

And if he doesnt? He searched her gaze. What then?

What do you mean?

Choices, princess. Life seems to be all about them.

Youre asking me to choose between you and Nic?

If he refuses to accept . . . this, whatever this is, princess, then I suppose you would have to choose.

And you? she finally said after several long moments of pensive silence. Whom would you choose, if someone or something forced you? Would it be me? Or Lucia? I know very well she was your first love. Perhaps you still love her like that.

Magnus groaned. I assure you, theres nothing of the sort between Lucia and me. And as far as shes concerned, there never was.

His heart had evolved so dramatically over the last few months that he had to wonder if he was still the same person who had once pined away for his adopted sister. Though it had taken on a new form, that love for her was still there within him. No matter what Lucia might do or say, Magnus loved her unconditionally and was ready to forgive her for any misdoings.

But the desire hed once had for her . . . his heart had utterly and permanently shifted to someone else"someone far more frustrating and dangerous to him than his adopted sister had ever been.

She did choose to run away with her tutor, after all, Cleo reminded him.

His lips thinned. Yes, and now the fate of the world rests on whether or not we find where shes run off to. Cleo looked at him, skepticism plain in her stare. What, princess? he asked. You have doubts?

I . . . Cleo started, then paused to stare down at her feet as if deep in thought. Magnus, Im just not sure shes the singular solution you seem to be counting on.

She has dealings with the fire Kindred. I believe she must know how to draw the magic from the Kindred without also allowing the elemental god to escape.

Seems to me that shes the one who helped Kyan escape if theyre traveling together. She has to be.

Perhaps. But her magic is vast.

Vast enough to kill us all.

Youre wrong, Magnus said without hesitation. She wouldnt do that. She will help us"help everyone. Whenever he spoke glowingly of Lucia, he noticed Cleo would purse her lips and crease her brow as if shed tasted something sour.

Could she really be jealous of how I feel about Lucia? he wondered, with a sliver of amusement.

I see thoughts of your adopted sister bring a rare smile to your face, she said, her words clipped and her tone unpleasant. Im sure thinking of her provides a lovely escape for you during this trying time, while were stuck here in Paelsia, surrounded by rebels who would jump at the chance to burn this inn"and all the royals within it"to the ground.

Is that Agallons nefarious plan? he asked, now pursing his lips and creasing his brow. What else has he whispered to you in the dark of night since arriving here?

Very little, actually.

Magnus took a step closer to her; she took a step backward: the same dance they engaged in from time to time. They kept it up until he backed her into a corner, and she looked up at him defiantly.

Perhaps youd rather share a room with the rebel than with me, he said, twisting a lock of her hair around his finger. Then again, hed probably prefer a house in the trees made of sticks and mud.

Cleo scoffed. This is what you choose to focus on right now?

Yes. Because if I focus on Agallon, I can stop focusing on you and how badly I want to take you to my bed.

All she could do was let out a brief, breathy gasp before his lips were on hers, his hands gripping her waist and pulling her against him. And she kissed him back without reservation.

His hands slid down her sides to her waist, around to the small of her back, and over the curve of her bottom. Frustrated with the necessity to lean over to fully kiss her, he gripped the backs of her thighs and lifted her up into his arms so that her back pressed up against the wall.

Surely, she would stop him now.

And yet she didnt. In fact, shed begun to frantically pull at the ties of his shirt, her mouth not leaving his for an instant.

I want you, he whispered against her lips. I want you so much I may die from it.

Yes . . . Her breath was so sweet, so warm. I want you too.

When he kissed her next, all rational thought about the curse vanished from his mind. There was nothing except the maddening, blinding need to touch her, to taste her . . .

At least, not until he heard the footsteps approaching from behind him.

It was then that Magnus sensed that they were no longer alone.

Slowly lowering the princess back to the ground, Magnus forced himself to pull away from her and, shoulders tense, look upon their intruder.

Despite his intimidating stature and impressive muscle, Felix Gaebras looked positively sheepish.

Um . . . sorry to interrupt? I was . . . uh . . . just moving through. But he remained still where he stood, then raised his chin. Pardon me for saying, your highness, he said, looking at Magnus, but you might want to be more discreet with the princess from now on.

Is that so? Magnus hissed.