Shadows crept past the carriage as the party neared the Eternal Court. Captain Soren had said nothing to Carolena that morning when she willingly stepped into her cage, just offered her a small smile before shutting the door. Twigs occasionally scraped at the wooden shell as they meandered down the well-marked path, causing Carolena to jump at each scratch.

The sun had already reached its midpoint, hanging directly overhead of the hemlock boughs and splattering the ground with pools of light. If she didn't already hear what had been lurking inside the Wilds, Carolena supposed it would have been a peaceful stroll. Birdsong filled Falfail, blissfully unaware of the threats close by. Or perhaps they knew those beasts wouldn't venture into the light. Either way, their lilting melodies did little to calm her nerves as they approached the royal city.

Wringing her hands, Carolena lifted her chin to the window and peeked outside. The light had become stronger, a good sign that they were nearly out of the forest.

Sure enough, the last tree passed the window, and in the valley below lay the Eternal Court. Bathed in the midday sun, the white walls seemed to have an ethereal sheen to them. Her eyes flew over the thousands of buildings and the labyrinth of streets between them, and Carolena's stomach twisted into knots. Beautiful, sure. But how would she be able to find her way out of the damn city if none of it seemed to make much sense?

The only spot of order in the city lay in its westernmost sector. Towers of brick and wood surrounded the crowning jewel that was the palace; gold-tipped roofs flew the royal banner—the raven slain with an arrow. Carolena's lip curled at the sight of the royal seal.

A shout from ahead lurched the carriage toward the royal court, leaving Carolena's stomach pinned to the edge of the Wilds while she traveled on.

***

Marigolds swayed in the air, lifting their golden crowns to the sky. They seemed oddly placed at the entrance to the palace, staining the white walls with an amber glow. Only one person was sent to fetch her, waiting at the top of the stairs with a stony appearance.

Soren helped Carolena out of the carriage, his calloused hand offering a reassuring squeeze as they approached. "Carolena Amoris, may I introduce you to His Royal Highness' political advisor: Sir Nicodemus Ryker."

A smile cracked the marble sculpture as he dipped toward Carolena. "Miss Amoris, it is a pleasure to meet you. His Royal Highness informed me of your stay, and I have already made arrangements for your room during your stay with us." Mahogany eyes flashed back to her. "It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Eternal Court."

"Thank you, Sir Ryker," Carolena bowed her head. "I am thankful for any accommodations in my stay."

Sir Ryker's lip twitched as Soren helped her to the front door, likely as displeased as she was to be in the palace. As she passed by the advisor, the medallion warmed her chest. Carolena had the forethought to tuck Pa's medallion under her tunic—something as precious as her life would not become part of the royal possessions—away from prying eyes. Her fingers fought against her better judgment to fly up, but the chiding Carolena gave herself kept them gripping her trousers.

White marble pillars stood guard down the hallway to the throne room, paintings lining the walls between each post. A magnificent landscape, a portrait after a conquest. Dynasties of Redwinter families and their accomplishments faced Carolena as Soren and Ryker led her toward the chamber. The two paintings on either side of the double oak doors lay gilded in gold.

The one on the left was the most recent portrait of the royal family. Prince Bastian stood on the King's right side, shrouded in violet with emerald eyes that watched every step Carolena took toward the throne. Her feet stumbled as she looked at the painting on the right.

Captured in oil were those familiar stars, white and red. Below them lay a beautiful woman shrouded in foliage and the burning embers of a man trapped under the earth. Silver threads of paint trailed down the woman's face, watering the blossoms that sprang from the ground.

It was the separation of Veya and Mael.

Ma cried every time she told the story to Carolena. Those nights, she always pulled her red shawl closer over her shoulders and pulled Pa's trunk out from under the bed. Carolena never told her mother, but the thin walls of the cottage barely muffled her sobbing. Both of their eyes would be puffy the next morning, and neither would say a word about it as they ate their breakfast.

Carolena swallowed the lump in her throat as the oak doors swung open, right into the throne room, where her heart stopped beating at the sight of the throne.

Her eyes froze on Prince Bastian lounging on a seat of carved bones and gold.

A lazy grin spread over that cunning face as Ryker tugged Carolena forward. "Your Royal Highness, she has arrived." Ryker slunk behind the prince, his hands carefully guarded in the thick black robes.

"So I see," Prince Bastian picked at the shoulder of his tunic, flicking away some speck of dust.

Shifting her feet, Carolena lowered herself into a curtsey, heat flushing her face at the amusement in the prince's eyes. Captain Soren offered a bow beside her, and they rose as one.

"Apologies for the delay, Bastian," Soren tugged his riding gloves off his fingers. "My men seem to not understand the order to rush home. I am pleased to see you made it here with no issue."

Ryker's lips curled at the captain's tone, but the prince only waved off his words. "Don't worry, you only missed Ryker's lecture on how a monarch is supposed to behave. Nothing too exciting."

"And neither was our depressingly slow travel," Soren countered. Carolena glanced between the two younger men. They couldn't have been more than a few years apart, more like brothers if they were not compliments of each other.

Prince Bastian nodded and waved him away. As the captain turned, Carolena debated grabbing his hand in a silent plea, but the moment passed too soon, and Soren disappeared through the oak doors.

Leaving her alone with the viper and the fox.

The white walls of the room seemed to shrink as the prince stood from the throne. His gaze pierced through her bones, and Carolena had to suppress a shiver that begged to climb down her spine. Prince Bastian towered over her, and he raked over her body in a way that made her pull her cloak closer over her body.

"I don't believe you have told me why I am needed, Your Highness," Carolena fought to keep her voice steady, curling her toes and refusing to back down.

Bastian sneered at her. "A smart girl would have faith and wouldn't be so bold."

Carolena's brows knit together, feeling the warmth from the medallion grow hotter with each moment. Her hands balled up at her sides, and she hid them in her cloak. "I don't believe you chose me based on my boldness."

A low warning from Ryker from behind set her chest on fire. Carolena's eyes flared to Bastian's, ignoring the advisor's growl.

"I suppose," The prince's voice held a spark of amusement, ringing like bells in Carolena's ears. "But I suppose it's one of your better qualities."

It was bait, and she knew it. But it was also hard to contain the burning feeling in her ears at his words. Carolena folded her arms in front of her chest and clamped her mouth shut.

Bastian sighed. "Too bad. Just when I thought I'd finally have some entertainment." He turned and sauntered back to the throne, placing his hand on the armrest that had been capped off with a skull. "You are here on behalf of the king, who at this time is quite ill. Your task is simple: cure him."

A tickle of curiosity brushed against her nose. That was it? The feeling of claws teased at her mind, and Carolena bit her lip.

"What about your healers in your palace?" Her voice was low and careful. "Have they been unable to treat him?"

Rapping his fingers on the dome of the skull, Bastian leaned back to rest on the throne. Those emerald eyes remained on her, pinning Carolena to the floors. "Let's just say that after a year of little to no progress, I got bored of them."

Carolena blanched, and a small smile grew on the prince's face.

"Let's hope, little bunny," That smug smile taunted and toyed with her. "That I do not get bored of you."