Shit. Shit.

Carolena shouldn't have come down to the morning market. One look at Shep told her that he hadn't noticed the figure no more than a couple hundred yards away. She needed to go home. Now.

"I think I need to—" Carolena tried to back out of the doorway, but Eliza's face popped into view after the baker's daughter began dragging her inside. "Wait, I need—"

Eliza's fingernails dug into her skin, dragging Carolena to the table without another word, ignoring the clammy sweat beading on Carolena's palms as she was plopped into the chair. "Lunch."

Before Carolena could argue, a plate of fresh, savory pastries landed on the table in front of her. The steaming rosemary and buttery scent wafted up to her nose, making her mouth water. Now was not the time for food; she needed to—

Shep closed the door behind him with a large thud. Invisible hands dug underneath Carolena's skin at the sound, her blood rushing to her ears. If the front door wasn't an option…

Carolena stood and started for the back of the bakery doors. It would only take her a matter of minutes to reach the back alley, maybe ten minutes back up the hill to the safety of her cottage. Maybe fifteen if she ran into another royal guard. She could pretend to help Mr. Thayer for a moment, and he never refused their help if they offered. Her fingertips brushed the wood of the door, knowing she could slip in and that Shep and Eliza would think nothing of it.

A sharp knock at the door turned her blood cold. Carolena didn't dare to turn as she heard the hinges squeal open, not when she couldn't muster up the ability to breathe.

It had been barely two weeks since the last guard visit, and they hadn't been due back for another six. What were they here for? Had someone spotted her yesterday and alerted the guards? Her stomach churned as possibility after possibility flashed through her eyes.

"Sorry to bother you at this time," a deep voice rumbled at the doorway. "I have a few questions for the household, and I promise I will be on my way."

There was a tittering of footsteps, Eliza rushing to the door. "No bother at all. Please, have lunch as well."

Inviting him in? Carolena nearly swore as she heard the chairs scrape against the floor, bracing herself to face the guardsman behind her. The mask slipped over her face too easily at this point.

Her smile bright, Carolena turned to the guard and used her sweetest tone. "There is plenty to eat. Would you like tea or a hot beverage while you rest for the moment?" Another chance to slip into the kitchen and avoid this exchange.

It was almost a shock to see the scar that marred the young guard's face. Cutting through amber eyes that seemed too old, up to the tip of his temple before it reached the dark curly locks on his head. Conquest, war, or some petty squabble in his ranks had to be the cause. His head shook, and he refused the pastry Eliza had shoved in front of him. "I'm here on a simple request from the royal family."

Carolena blinked, the only shock she would let him see. "And how may we be of service?" Fire licked at her mind, screaming echoing off her memory.

"The royal family asks who the best healer in your village is," he replied, eying the hot pastry on his plate. "For assistance in the Eternal Court."

Wood floorboards swam under Carolena's feet. Everyone in the town knew that Ma provided the best care if someone was injured. She never bothered to charge anyone for their treatment either. A lump formed in Carolena's throat as both Shep and Eliza confirmed it to the guard. His amber eyes still watched Carolena through a hawk's gaze.

Death's silence fell over the room, and she nearly missed the words that came out of his mouth when the guard addressed her. "And what is your opinion?"

Carolena didn't allow the mask to slip. "I am delighted to say that Nyssa Amoris is our best. However, if she's taken away, I'm not sure who our little town would turn to."

She felt the barbed words leave her mouth, elbowing Eliza before she could respond. If Ma were to leave, it would be Carolena they would seek out. Never in the same way they would have asked for Ma, but they would look for her nonetheless.

The guard's eyes narrowed slightly at the edge of her tone but did not probe further. He merely ate the pastry in silence, thanked them for their time, and left without another word.

The storm churning in Carolena's stomach refused to back down.

Carolena didn't bother to apologize to Shep or Eliza as she raced out of the Thayer's bakery and towards the cottage on the hill. The guards had been asking all morning for who knew how long. Ma needed to know they had been looking for her. Looking to take her.

Her feet didn't move swiftly enough as she raced past the purple blossoms. Each step felt more labored as Carolena ran up the hill, the weathered shutters flapping to welcome her home as she grew closer.

It had to have been enough time. The guards couldn't have received enough to tell them Ma was the one to take.

Reaching for the brass doorknob, Carolena hesitated to open it. A cold wind blew over the cliffs as the sea thundered into the rock, warning her. The handle turned, along with her heart, and she opened the door to see her mother still tending over the kitchen, cooking lunch.

Relief washed over Carolena as she hurried to Ma, throwing her arms over her neck. "Thank gods I got here, Ma. In town, there was—"

Her mother's grip flew to Carolena's arm and squeezed it tightly. Another warning. She didn't need to meet Ma's eyes to understand the silent order.

Someone shifted in the living room chair behind her, and Carolena's skin bubbled up in response. The guard couldn't have gotten here before she had. There was no way he could have.

Dropping her arms from her mother, Carolena let her face relax and plastered the sweetest smile on her face as she looked at Ma. Silver lined those aquamarine eyes despite the smile Ma had put on as well. "There was no more of the yarrow you needed for the child who came in a few days ago." They already knew she was a healer; there was no risk in talking about business. "Jade said to come back tomorrow when their supplies arrived on the northern trade."

Ma only nodded and smiled back. "That's okay, my love. We have a guest anyway. Please, let me introduce you to—"

"Allow me," The stranger behind them stood, and the final ray of warmth Carolena held onto vanished as she faced him.

A young man, decked out in the royal colors stood before her, emerald eyes glinting wickedly as they took in every inch of her body. "I am the Crowned Prince of the Eternal Court. Bastian Redwinter, his Royal Highness."