"You don't have to keep hunting down the Loyalists, you know. I can find another assassin to take care of them," Eris said. He rubbed his hand down Evren's arm.

"No, I will keep hunting them," she sighed. "I've killed enough of them to avenge my parents. Now, I kill them to protect innocent people. They are as much my problem as they are yours." Evren rolled over and tucked an arm around Eris. "Until the problem is solved, I'll continue killing whomever needs to be."

"This problem won't be solved until we find out who's leading them."

"Then we'll find out." Evren thought for a moment. "Which Loyalist has been causing the most trouble for the longest period of time?"

"Darius Horne," Eris replied.

"I'll hunt him next and find out what he knows about the leader of the Loyalists. I won't leave until I have an answer. If he doesn't give me one, I'll force it out of him." Evren let go of Eris and slid out of bed. "Where can I find him?"

"In the southwestern farmlands. His home is close to the Spring and Summer borders." Eris sat up. "You don't have to go now."

"The sooner I get started, the sooner we'll have an answer." Evren tugged on her shirt and leggings, then stepped into her Illyrian leathers. She set to work on the numerous buckles. "Besides, haven't you had enough for one night?"

Eris crossed the room and knelt, fastening the buckles that went down her stomach. His hands slid down the back of her legs as his gaze flickered over her. "I can never get enough of you," he chuckled. "Especially when you wear this cursed thing. Just wait until morning. Darius will still be causing trouble by then."

"You Fae males are so needy," Evren laughed. "But I prefer to do my hunting in the dark."

"It will be light out by the time you get there."

"And I'll need to scout out the area around his house so I can form a plan."

Eris tipped his head against her stomach with a sigh. "All right. I get it." She threaded her fingers through his auburn hair. "The High Lords responded to our invitations, by the way. They're all coming. Two weeks until all of Prythian knows you are my High Lady."

"I'm sure they'll all know sooner than that. News travels fast, and I could almost guarantee the ambassadors and generals have spoken of my position at least once in the past two days."

"Most likely." Eris stood and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I love you."

Evren smiled and felt Eris' rush of joy at the sight of it. "I love you too."

She grabbed Mortem, Vita, and her bracelet off a table beside the door. Eris had reset the wards throughout the house once more. She could now carry the items anywhere she liked. He'd done it when they'd moved a few of her things into his room following the mating ceremony.

Evren made her way downstairs and out to the stables. Asper perked up at the sight of her. She stroked his muzzle fondly and saddled him. Evren led the horse out of the stables before mounting. None of the sentries questioned her when she rode out of the courtyard and into the forest.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

Just as Eris had predicted, it was sunrise by the time she reached the southwestern farmlands. It wasn't hard to locate Darius Horne's village from there. Smoke drifted from several burnt fields and plains. Vultures circled over riven corpses and the scent of rotting flesh hung thick in the warm air.

Evren dismounted Asper and walked into the village on foot. She stowed her blades in a saddlebag and pulled her hair over her ears. On the far side of the village's main square, she spotted a large house. Beron Vanserra's seal was emblazoned on a banner that hung across the house's door.

These Loyalists certainly don't try to hide themselves, Evren thought.

She quickly found a public stable. It was small and there were only two other horses within it. "Not many Fae choose to ride horses," the stable hand said, noticing her gaze. "They'd rather winnow or walk."

"I know," Evren replied. "But some of us like the company." She slung the saddlebag over her shoulder.

"How many nights?" The male asked, leading Asper to a stall.

"I don't have a set number. Keep him fed, watered, and sheltered. I'll be back to claim him soon." Evren tossed a few silver marks to the male. He pocketed them with a nod.

Evren returned to the square. She leaned against a building, feigning boredom. From the corner of her eye, she examined Darius' house. It was only two stories tall, but appeared to have a lower level as well. There were small windows around the base of the house. Every few seconds, she saw blurred figures passing by the windows.

He has guards, servants, or company, Evren thought. This will have to be quiet. I'll probably have to move him out of the house if I'm forced to interrogate him.

A horse trotted down the street and Evren twisted out of sight. A familiar figure, clad in dark robes, dismounted before the house. It was the person she'd seen talking to one of her other targets. The person was admitted at once. Evren pursed her lips.

If I go in now, I can find out who that person is, she thought. But going in now would be stupid. I don't know where all of the entrance points are or how many people are inside. She hesitated a moment longer, then slunk around the back of the house.

None of that mattered. This person, whomever they were, was important to the Loyalists. She needed to know what they were doing here and what their role was. Evren crept to one of the lower windows. Her bracelet hummed with energy and she knew wards had been placed around the house.

She cracked the window open and slipped inside, passing through the wards with no harm. Evren hit the ground hard. She had underestimated how far up from the ground the window was. Her legs ached as she pushed herself up and ducked beneath a flight of stairs.

Two sets of feet thumped against the floorboards as unseen figures descended the staircase. "The time for our uprising is almost at hand," that strange voice said, sounding both male and female at once. "I've learned from a reliable source that the little Human bitch is now officially High Lady. She will be presented to the other High Lords and Ladies at a ball in two weeks. That will be the perfect opportunity."

"Don't you think it's a little risky?" A male voice answered. "With the other High Lords and Ladies there, more guards will be in position and the wards will be thoroughly secured."

"We won't have to worry about that. I already have a plan in motion."

A few flames flickered to life within wall sconces. Through the cracks between the stairs, Evren could see the two figures. The robed one moved behind a desk. They unclasped their cloak and tossed it aside.

Evren lifted a hand to her lips as long golden hair fell free. Celosia Lethe faced the male, Darius. "Evren Vanserra has already given me the key to everything."

"My lady?"

Celosia picked at her nails, a cruel smile on her crimson lips. "She's an assassin, Darius. And now, she's the High Lady. What will the people think when the High Lord is dead and the Loyalists are bowing before a Human assassin?"

"You're going to pin the attack on her?"

"Perhaps."

"When do you plan on sharing your entire scheme?"

"I don't. I will tell you what you need to know, when you need to know it. I can't risk information falling into the wrong hands, now, can I?"

"No," Darius replied through gritted teeth. "But I think..."

"Hush." Celosia held up a hand. Darius obediently fell silent. She looked about the basement with narrowed eyes. "Do you feel a draft?" She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Evren didn't like the way her smile grew. "You've become careless when treating your clothing, High Lady," Celosia laughed. "I can smell you. Judging by your scent, you really are a whore now. Come out. There's nowhere for you to go."

She was right. There was no way Evren could reach the window and climb out before Celosia or Darius grabbed her. She would have to play along.

Evren stepped out of her hiding place, squaring her shoulders. "I'm not really a whore if it's my husband I've been sleeping with. Or would you prefer if I call him my mate, because that's what he is."

"Husband, mate, I don't care what you call him. A whore is still a whore."

"So you're the one behind everything?" Evren didn't struggle as Darius claimed her daggers. He didn't touch her bracelet. "How long? How long has it been you?"

"Oh, I've always been a Loyalist. I just became the leader after you began picking off our more influential members. Thank you for that, by the way." Darius grabbed Evren's arms and forced her down to her knees.

"No matter what you do, Eris won't believe your lies. He'll never believe that I'll be the one to kill him," Evren spat.

Celosia hooked a finger beneath her chin. "Yes, he will."

"I won't kill him for you."

"Of course not. He'll just think it's you. I tried to give you a way out before. If you had just died, we wouldn't be in this situation. As it were, you'll be my prisoner for the foreseeable future. I can't kill you because Eris would feel your Mating Bond break."

"You were the one who poisoned me?" She furrowed her brows. "But who was the assassin who attacked us?" Celosia released her with a laugh. "Fine. Don't tell me." Evren struggled in Darias' grip, but couldn't break loose. "So your plan is to disguise yourself as me and kill Eris, framing me for leading the Loyalists? It won't work. They'll kill you, believing you're me."

"Oh will they?" Celosia slammed her palm atop the desk. "Or will they worship me for killing the High Lord's treacherous mate to avenge him? I only have to be you long enough to kill Eris, then swap places with the real you, kill you, and let the court proclaim me their new High Lady."

"It won't work."

"I think it will."

"Why do you crave power so badly?"

"I wouldn't expect you to understand," Celosia huffed. "But if you must know..."

Evren stared in horror as Celosia's glamour faded away. The long golden hair disappeared entirely, revealing a wrinkled, burned scalp. The flawless pale skin was replaced by ugly deformed flesh. Celosia turned, and only her sapphire blue eyes were familiar.

"Do you remember the fire I told you about?" Celosia asked. "The one that killed my mother and sister? Well, it almost killed me too. And it was Beron Vanserra who started it. What better revenge could I claim than ruling over his court? Killing his last surviving son. The son's pathetic mate. Beron called my family useless. He said we had disappointed him. He knew how weak our magic was, so he started a fire that none of us could put out."

"If Beron killed your mother and sister, why would you join the Loyalists?"

"To get what I want," Celosia replied. Her glamour fell back into place. "The Loyalists are willing to help put anyone in power, as long as Eris winds up dead. They're a means to an end. Now, take her away."

Thinking quickly, Evren snapped her head back into Darius' nose. She broke free from his grasp and rolled behind him, swiping Mortem and Vita from his belt. She planted a firm kick in the male's back and he collapsed against a wall. Evren slit his throat without a second thought.

She climbed onto his body as Celosia lunged at her. Evren jumped, snagging the edge of the open window. She hauled herself through it before Celosia could reach her. Evren took off running towards the stable.

She didn't bother with a bridle or saddle. Evren swung onto Asper's back and rode away, ignoring the stable hand who hollered after her. Asper galloped down the street until the village was behind them. She had to get home. She had to warn Eris.

Light flashed before her and Asper skidded to a halt. Celosia gripped a dagger of her own. "You said no one in your family could winnow," Evren snarled.

"Nobody but me. You'll never make it back to the Forest House. Not before I get there. If you try to warn Eris, I'll slit his throat right now."

"So do it. You plan on killing him anyway." Evren lifted her chin proudly. "Besides, you can't get through the wards, remember?"

"Ah, but with one of these..." Celosia held up her wrist. A silver bracelet, similar to Evren's, rested there. "It's your choice, Evren. Return now and Eris dies today, or remain here as my prisoner."

"I will never be your prisoner." Evren dug her heels into Asper's sides. The stallion reared, then bolted towards the Spring Court border. Evren looked back over her shoulder just once. Celosia watched her go, then vanished from sight. Evren faced forward again.

She wouldn't stay gone for long. She'd come up with a plan and return to help her mate. He would be fine without her for now. Evren rode through the Spring Court, headed to the one place she could go. The one place she never wanted to see again.