Magnus needed out of this noisy, smoky tavern. He needed the time and the space to clear his head.

When he stood up, the king grabbed his arm. I beg you, my son, send Cleiona away before she destroys you. She doesnt truly love you, if thats what you think. No matter what she tells you, she speaks only lies.

The King of Blood begging. Now Ive heard everything. He sighed. Ive had enough to drink for tonight. Such a pleasure to have had this chat with you, Father. Try to make it back to the inn without dying. Im sure your mother would be very upset.

He left without another word, hating how conflicted he felt about what to think, what to feel.

In the narrow alley outside the exit hed taken, someone blocked his way to the main road, a large man with wide shoulders and a dark look on his face.

No one else was in sight.

Yeah, I thought I recognized you the other night, the man said. Youre Prince Magnus Damora of Limeros.

And youre horribly mistaken. Sorry to disappoint. Magnus tried to elbow past him, but the mans large mitt of a hand shot out to clutch his throat, drawing him close enough that Magnus could smell the ale on his breath.

Ten years ago, your father burned my wife alive, claiming she was a witch. What say I do the exact same to you as retribution?

I say you let go of me immediately. Magnus glowered at him. Your need for vengeance has nothing to do with me.

Hes right. The king stepped forward and pushed back his hood. It has to do with me.

The man gaped at him as if not believing his own eyes.

Apologies for the loss of your wife, the king said, the single lantern above the exit door lighting his near-skeletal face. I despise witches for reasons far too long to list here and now. But Ive rarely executed one who hadnt dealt in blood and death. If your wife is now in the darklands, thats exactly where she belongs.

The mans face reddened with rage, and he stepped forward with a sharp blade in his hand. Magnus watched his father as he stood there unmoving, his skin sallow, his shoulders hunched. He wouldnt"he couldnt"fight for his life.

Did he want to die?

The mans attention was fully on the king now, burning hatred in his eyes as he surged forward.

Magnus moved before he even realized his own intentions, grasping the mans hands, stopping the blade before it met its mark.

If anyone deserves the right to kill my father, its me, he growled. But it wont be tonight.

He wrenched the sharp blade around so that it sank into its owners chest instead. The man cried out in pain before he slumped to the ground. A pool of blood flowed freely from the fatal wound.

There was a moment of utter stillness in the alleyway before the king spoke again. We must leave before anyone comes by to witness this.

Magnus had to agree with him. He wiped the blood from his hands on his black cloak, and quickly they returned to the Hawk and Spear Inn.

Dont take that act to mean that I dont hate you, Magnus said.

The king nodded grimly. Id think you were a fool if you didnt. Still, despite your hatred for me, I want to give you something.

What?

The air Kindred.

There was no way in the world that the King of Blood would hand over a piece of the Kindred to anyone, not even his own son. And yet, the king led Magnus upstairs to the room hed been in for two straight days.

Magnus scanned the space. Wheres Selia?

In the courtyard. The king nodded toward the window. Your grandmother likes to do her Oldling rituals nightly at this hour under the moonlight, which is why I was able to slip away.

The king went to the straw bed, lifted up the blankets, and felt beneath the mattress. He frowned. Help me lift it, he said.

That weak, are you? So you really would have let that man kill you while you simply stood there waiting?

Just do as I say. The glare his father shot him was much more familiar than any talk of sharing and regrets.

Fine. Magnus went to his side and lifted the mattress so his father could search beneath.

Shock flashed through the kings watery, bloodshot eyes. Its gone.

Magnus regarded him skeptically. How convenient, considering you were about to give it to me. Please, Father, spare me such acts. As if youd hide that kind of a treasure in such an obvious place.

Its not an act. It was here. Ive been too ill to find a better place to hide it. His expression darkened. That little princess of yours stole it.

It had to be a lie. Yet another lie. Magnus couldnt believe otherwise, not over something this important.

Before he could reply, the king stumbled past him to leave the room. Magnus followed him down to the hall, where Cleo still sat with Jonas.

Magnus couldnt believe his eyes. It took every last piece of restraint he had not to make Jonas his second kill of the night.

Cleo shot up to her feet at the swift entry of both the king and Magnus. What is it? Whats wrong?

Did you steal the air Kindred? Magnus asked, not liking the drunken slur to his words.

What? I"I wouldnt even know where it is!

Yes or no, princess?

Her eyes narrowed, and she lifted her chin. No.

She lies, the king said.

The king of lies wishes to accuse the princess, does he? Jonas practically spat out, his hands fisted. How ironic.

Where is your earth Kindred? Magnus demanded.

Cleos brow furrowed into a frown as she slid her hand into her pocket, her eyes growing wide. Its gone. It was here, I swear it! I keep it with me all the time!

A wave of nausea came over Magnus. There was a thief among them. And whoever it was would soon deeply regret their actions.

It wasnt long before the loud voices drew everyone to the room, wondering what was going on. Both Milo and Enzo had their weapons drawn, ready for a fight.

Magnus scanned the group. Everyone was accounted for"Nic, Olivia, even Selia had joined them, her face flushed from whatever ritual tonights moon had earned. Everyone except one.

Where is Prince Ashur? asked Jonas, frowning. He was here earlier with Cleo and me.

I havent seen him today, Olivia replied. Perhaps hes gone out.

Perhaps. Anyone know where he went?

Enzo and Milo both shook their heads.

Selia went to the pale kings side as he made his way to a chair to sit down. Gaius, darling, what are you doing out of bed?

Magnus ignored them, his attention fully on Nic, who had remained silent. While the others argued about the location of the prince, Nic slipped out of the room. Magnus immediately followed him down a hallway toward the front door.

When Nic noticed that Magnus was close, his shoulders tensed.

Looking for someone? Magnus asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

I want to go outside to get some fresh air.

He took both of the crystals, didnt he? And he told you his plans.

Nic shook his head but didnt make eye contact. Magnus had no more patience for lies tonight. He grabbed the front of Nics tunic and shoved him against the wall.

Where is Ashur? he snarled.

Youre drunk.

Extremely, not that it makes any damn difference right now. Answer me! Ashur stole the crystals, didnt he?

Nic gritted his teeth. You think the prince tells me anything?

I have no clue what the prince whispers in your ear, but Im not blind. I know theres something between the two of you, that youre closer than youd like to let on. And I know that you know more about this than youre telling me.

Jonas approached from around a corner, his expression tense. What are you doing to him?

Magnus didnt release his hold on the boy. Nic knows Ashurs secrets, and Im going to find out what they are.

Answer the question, Nic, Jonas said, his arms crossed over his chest. Do you know where Ashur went?

Nic scoffed. What? Are the two of you working together now?

No, Magnus and Jonas both said in unison, then glared at each other.

Nic sighed. Fine. The prince left not long ago to go to his sister. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldnt listen to a word I said. Hes determined to do what he can to talk sense into her and if he cant, hell claim the title of emperor.

Magnuss stomach dropped. And hes taken her the air and earth Kindred. What a lovely gift, considering Amara has the water Kindred.

A glimmer of worry finally moved through Nics gaze. He wouldnt do that.

Wouldnt he? Magnus tried to keep his grip on Nics shirt so that the fool couldnt slip away, but his vision had started to swim. Too much wine, too quickly. It would take till the morning for its effects to wear off. Perhaps Amara magically summoned the crystals out of their hiding places and they flew on the wings of summer butterflies to reach her.

Ill say it one more time. Nics eyes narrowed. Let go of me.

And if I dont? Will you call out for the princess to come and save you?

I hate you. I yearn for the day when I see you dead and buried. He sent a dark look at Jonas. A little help?

Nic, you need to think, Jonas said evenly. If Magnus is right about Ashur"

Magnus sent a withering look at the rebel. Did you just call me by only my given name?

Jonas rolled his eyes. Amara Cortas cannot be allowed more power than she already has. And if her brothers taken her the Kindred, its the worst outcome possible. She could release three elemental gods just like Kyan.

I know, Nic replied. I get it.

Do you?

So its my fault? Are you going to let his majesty break my neck? For what? Being unable to stop Ashur from doing what he wanted to do? He has a mind of his own.

I promise his majesty is not going to break your neck.

Now, lets not be hasty, Magnus said, enjoying the momentary flash of fear that entered the boys eyes.

Hed never kill Nic.

Cleo would never forgive him.

Heres what youre going to do, Magnus said. You will go after Ashur and stop him from doing something unforgivably idiotic out of some bizarre and misplaced sense of Kraeshian familial loyalty. And you will retrieve the crystals he stole by any means necessary.

Nic regarded him with incredulity. I wont leave Cleo again.

Oh, you certainly will. And youre leaving immediately. You will return with the Kindred, or my patience with you is at an end. Magnus wracked his blurry mind to come up with a way to get Nic to do as he commanded. You may hate me, but youve seen for yourself that Ive kept your precious princess breathing all these months when others have wished her dead. I swear to the goddess Ill stop protecting her if you dont do exactly as I say.

Nic flinched, but his glare remained. Cleo would be fine even without your so-called help.

Perhaps. Or perhaps not. In a time of war"and make no mistake, that is exactly what this peaceful Kraeshian occupation really is"no one is safe.

Nic had no reply to this; all he did was glower.

Threats or no threats, Jonas said with impatience, the prince is right. Nic, you need to go after Ashur. We both do. I should have accompanied Felix and Taran when they left. Theres no reason for me to be here.

No reason, rebel? Magnus shot him a look. Thats strange. Here I thought you were enjoying pawing at the princesss skirts, looking for table scraps.

Jonas glared at Magnus. I would receive far more than you ever would.

Magnus smirked at him. Dont be so sure about that.

Jonass expression only darkened further at that. Were done here. Nic, grab what you need for the journey to Basiliuss compound. Hopefully we can catch up to Ashur before he arrives. And Magnus?

Yes, rebel?