“Rather time-consuming,” Tohon said. Before Sepp could protest, he continued. “Kerrick’s already here.”

Pain crushed my chest.

“Here? In the castle?” Sepp seemed surprised.

“No. But he’s around. Probably sulking in the woods nearby.”

“But—”

“He probably watched you climb the wall. When you don’t return and there’s no sign of Ryne or Avry, he’ll come.”

“How can you be so sure?” Sepp asked.

“My people are loyal. There is no way Avry could have sent you a note. And I know Kerrick. He would never let her out of his sight. He talked to you in the garden the night of the party, didn’t he?”

No sense lying now. “Yes.”

“He’s predictable, Sepp. Don’t worry. We’ll have him by this time tomorrow.” Tohon turned to me. “You’re a smart girl, Avry. How can you believe this one man can make a difference?” He swept a hand toward Ryne. “I’ve won. You would have sacrificed your life for nothing. I can see you still don’t believe me. Kerrick has you brainwashed. Sepp, wake Prince Ryne.”

“What?”

“Wake him so we can all watch him die. Once he’s gone, he can join my special forces and I need not bother with him again. Avry can move past this nonsense and try to win back my favor.”

Sepp stared at Tohon for a full minute. I suspected he wasn’t accustomed to being ordered by Tohon. Then he moved to Ryne’s coffin.

“The top pane slides back,” Tohon said.

The death magician pushed on the sheet of glass, uncovering Ryne.

Tohon grabbed my wrist. “Don’t get any ideas, my dear. If you heal him, I’ll just take his life and then bury you.”

Sepp touched Ryne’s face. In less than a heartbeat, Ryne opened his eyes. He smiled at Sepp, but the mage kept his gaze on Tohon. The prince caught on quick. Sitting up in alarm, he scanned the room.

“Welcome to my castle, Ryne.” Tohon switched his grip to my upper arm, yanking me close. “Kerrick found you a healer. Too bad—like you, she’s mine.”

I tried to jerk away, but he sent a wave of pain that turned my muscles to jelly. I sagged to my knees.

“Where’s Kerrick?” Ryne asked. His voice was rough, but steady.

“He’ll be along shortly. Then we’ll have a nice little reunion before you die.” Tohon called for his guards.

Six soldiers appeared from the dark corner. There must be a hidden passageway like the one that connected my room and Tohon’s.

“Escort the prince to an underground suite,” Tohon ordered four of them.

The soldiers surrounded Ryne. The prince climbed from the coffin with dignity and grace. Impressive. He met my gaze and nodded before being led away.

Tohon’s fingers dug into my skin. “What should I do with you, my dear?”

“I—”

“It was a rhetorical question. I know exactly what happens next.”

He pulled me to my feet and leaned close.

“All the comforts and freedoms you’ve enjoyed are gone. You will have to earn your way back into my good graces.” He threw a pair of gloves onto the floor. “Put those on.”

When I didn’t move, his magic blasted through me, sending me back to my knees. Even if I could break away from Tohon, my odds of getting far were slim to none. I slipped on the gloves. He yanked me to my feet, spun me around and held my arms behind my back while one of the guards snapped a pair of manacles on me, cranking them tight around the gloves and my wrists.

“Take her to a cell close to Prince Ryne’s. Make sure her hands remain secured. I don’t trust her.”

The soldiers grabbed my upper arms—one on each side. They led me down so many steps, I lost track of the number. Better to count than to consider the future. Metal doors swung open and clanged shut. Rank odors fouled the air. Metal bars and sickly yellow torches blurred past. I glimpsed Ryne sitting on a big metal shelf that served as a bed in a cell two down from the one they shoved me into. They left, banging the door closed behind them. An empty cell separated us.

My accommodations included the same hard bed as Ryne’s, and a slop pot. I sat on the edge. Wiggling, I tried to slide my body through my arms. It didn’t work. Ryne watched my useless efforts through the bars. And so did the two who took up positions at the end of the hallway. The design of the prison made Ryne and I quite visible to anyone guarding this wing.

“Sorry the rescue failed,” I said.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Avry of Kazan.”

“I remember you. You were one of Tara’s apprentices. How is she doing?”

“Not good. She’s dead.”

He let out a slow breath. “What else have I missed?”

“Make yourself comfortable. This is going to take what’s left of the night.”

I told him about Kerrick’s two-year search and everything that happened since. He didn’t interrupt, but a few of the more alarming incidences caused him to cringe.

“Sepp’s working with Tohon. If it wasn’t for that little surprise, my plan might have worked.” My throat was raw by the time I finished.

“You planned to heal me?” Ryne asked.

“Yes.”

He stared at me as if trying to decide if my answer was genuine or not. “Even knowing you’ll die?”

“Yes.”