Our training session was canceled. As it was for the next two days after. Renit had a matter to deal with in the capital, one pertaining to a suspicious meeting location in the slums, leading back to assassins trying to claim the castle for themselves and take down the two princes in the process.

I watched from my window as the storm over the slums quickened until the clouds burst into lightning and thunder interrupting the smooth peace of rain. Wind tattered at whatever was below and it wasn't until Renit came back on that third night, covered in blood of his own and his enemies, that I knew he should not be bothered.

While he was away, I maintained kitchen duties and spent as much time with Dalis and Mills as possible. The old man can craft a meal in seconds with the perfect ingredients and can give the best advice on one or the other. Dalis keeps to herself most of the time but when she finds the nerve to strike up a conversation, the topic is always about the fear of rebellion and whether that ever took place in Arego. At least she keeps her voice down.

I do what Mills asks of me—usually taking empty trays and stocking new ones, filled with different sides for the breakfast meal. By now, I've grown tired of the complicated breakfast food served at the castle but I have put on weight, a compliment from Renit himself when he walked in on me pulling a shirt over my head. He said I'm strong enough now to be worth something in a fight. The visibility of my ribs was the transition he was waiting for. The man has no shame.

He didn't want to talk about what happened in the slums and I didn't, ask, only because Silas told me not to after he came to visit his brother and receive the latest report. The king arrived, clumping up the stairs to the tower and passing by my open door with nothing more than a glance. Having him that close was like having a monster lingering in the hallway. I tried to listen but with Renit's door shut, I couldn't hear a single word other than the muffled onslaught lasting for hours beyond my focus.

What happened in the slums was enough to force Renit into another raged state. As soon as he left the last one behind, he started up again and as usual, all that irritation was directed at me. Through no fault of my own. Silas keeps saying that but I believe he sees me as the cause for all these glitches.

I dress for another morning in the kitchens, pulling on a pair of fitting black pants stuffed into leather boots and a bejeweled tunic, much of the design bordering the collar. I run my fingers over my mother's necklace, the two black rubies fanning out like wings to take the opal into flight. Renit's eyes have drifted to it many times, but he has never asked why I continue to wear it or the meaning behind the design.

I doubt he has ever cared.

Across the hall, he sleeps soundly after three days of being away. Three days of kitchen duty, per his order, along with small bits of training in the clearing with Celestine—the only person he trusts to force me out there. At least he didn't stick me with one of the careless guards. Or Darius. I shiver at the thought of their relative and his morning pursuits. He begs for me to accept his offer every single day but I will never—not even when I've reached my lowest of lows.

He's so persistent, it's sickening.

And I have that to look forward to, not before I knock on the door to Renit's chambers and peek my head in. He sleeps soundly with a pillow tucked underneath his arm, at his side, with his lips parted slightly. His eyebrows furrow and twitch as he dreams. If I wake him from that blissful slumber, he'll kill me.

I shut the door quietly and tiptoe down the stone stairs. The kitchens, the hub of activity this morning, are bustling with commotion as I stride through, now used to the big crowds. They don't bother me and I've grown used to the stares—not only at the ring on my finger but at the titanium band Renit clamped on before he left that morning and the one Celestine bore the key to once he was away. My own sister wouldn't let me out of the hold, not after the threatening orders from the prince. After everything, he still doesn't trust me and Celestine can't do anything about that.

The people here know I'm contained for a reason. I could kill them all.

Darius spots me from across the room and lifts a hand. All of my efforts go into not turning in the opposite direction but I frown and continue my walk towards the kitchen. Seconds later, he's in front of me, grinning wildly. "Well, if it isn't the snooty princess," he chides, flicking my nose with a finger.

"I have to get to work, Darius. I don't have time for you," I snap. I move to sidestep him but he follows along with me and very carefully places both of his hands on my forearms. A gentle breeze of a touch but it's enough to make me flinch.

"You never have time for me, only for working and training. Come on, talk to me for a minute. I have a proposition for you." His violet eyes brighten and just like that, I'm at his mercy. That damned power. Because of the beauty with it, many women find themselves in his trance whether or not they actually want to be.

I step back out of his touch and cross my arms over my chest. "Fine, what do you want?" Someone pushes past me but I plant my boots so hard onto the marble floor that I don't get shoved forward, directly into Darius. He looks a little too disappointed.

"A date, just one date. Then, you can see if I'm worth anything other than a friend." His eyes gleam and that smile—

No.

I groan and step to the side, quick enough so he can't grab me. He reaches but his arm doesn't extend that far and when I whirl, far enough away but close enough to the kitchens that it's my escape point, he frowns. "Sorry, Darius, but in all the years of my life, I will not think of you as more than a friend. There are many other women who are happy to please you." I gesture out to the bustling kitchens as three people step between us, in line for the display cases in desperate need of restocking. They create the wall I need.

Those once bright eyes flare with arrogance. "What about that sister you told me to avoid? I think she's the next on my list to sway in my direction." My nostrils flare as he steps close, directly between two people, and clicks his tongue in the most intriguing way. Darius knows what he's doing—with women, with life, with his power. He's a danger to Celestine.

"If you touch her, I will end you. I have the advantage; my power will crush yours. I can sway Renit to take off this titanium band and when he does, you will find out that I'm more than the prince's betrothed." I jingle my wrist and the titanium band slips against my skin.

"Those are bold words from someone who has been shackled for the past month," he whispers. His breath smells of mint and spice. "Find it in yourself to consider allies because you will want me, ground girl. In your bed or not, I will be of use." He runs his hand up my arm and chills spread from his touch. I slap his hand away.

He chuckles under his breath and breaks away, giving an oncoming courtier a look of approval, one she blushes at. I scowl and turn into the kitchens—to be met by two people who can stomach to be here so early in the morning. Dalis hovers over the stove, stirring a pot full of breakfast chowder while in the corner, Mills adds the correct amount of spice to a tray of cubed sweet potatoes and carrots.

At the sight of me and my flaming annoyance, he smiles and shakes his head. "The prince is getting to you, isn't he?" Mills asks. Another sprinkle of salt over the vegetables and he slides the tray over the counter to Dalis, who greets me with a nod.

"No, it's not him." I puff out my cheeks and run a hand through my hair. "It's Darius. He's so..."

Dalis laughs. "Icky? I know what you mean." She looks back at me with a mocking grin from where she stirs the pot of chowder. "Every girl knows what you mean."

"I think he's tried with every single girl in the castle. He's sickening." I move over to the cutting board, mainly because Mills pushes me in that direction with a hand on my back. He doesn't use words, not when he has skilled hands to do the trick.

Onions greet me and I begin chopping. By now, the knife in my hand is an easy tool to wield and in a matter of days working in the kitchens, I haven't cut myself yet. Mills was impressed enough when he didn't have to bandage me on my first day after dealing with the Grounding process.

"Darius likes to have fun. Trust me, it's best to avoid him," Dalis offers.

My imagination takes a turn for the worse; the thought of them together flashes into my mind. I raise my eyebrows at her and she gives me a double-take, immediately stumbling over the words. "No, never." She shakes her head wildly and her gold earrings tipped with rubies shake along with her. A princess in her own right, maybe she should be the one marrying Renit or Silas.

"Girls, girls, save this discussion for tea, not in my kitchen," Mills scolds. He takes my chopped onions and scoops them into a bowl with cucumber. Next to me, his wrinkled hands apply the right amount of salt and extra seasoning to pair. Something that makes my nose tickle but does nothing to him. I rub at my burning eyes as he applies some oil, tosses the ingredients, and sets the bowl aside for cooking. Only one stove, so little time. Through the bustle, people complain about the empty selection. "Roux, if you will."

He jerks his head over to the neat stack of full trays and I nod, moving to them immediately. I've learned to carry four at a time, two on my arms and two in my hands—sometimes two more stacked on top of those but Mills scolded me when I returned, saying I smooshed what was in those bottom trays.

I push past the crowds of people waiting like wild dogs and restock the trays, one after the other, and take the empty selections for myself. Some thank me, others ignore me but I don't care. I would rather them not notice my presence so they don't start asking questions. A few of the gossipers have done that before.

Many questions are about Renit while others are about Arego and why I was stupid enough to leave the capital. Those daring enough to speak words like that are received by a glare and a possible, accidental stomp on the foot.

With the empty trays, I move through the fray and back to the kitchens. At the last second, I catch Celestine out of the corner of my eye. She's talking to...Darius as she backs away. He keeps reaching for her arm but she shifts out of reach while the rest of the witches she's grown friends with sit at the table, their heads down. Those witches are little more than servants. If they get themselves involved, they'll lose their heads.

I don't realize I'm moving through the crowd like a viper until I catch Silas out of the corner of my eye. He waves with a smile but I'm too focused on what my eyes are seeing to care. I hear him calling after me, asking what I'm doing, but I'm already past his questions and the warnings I so generously gave.

Celestine's back is met with the wall and she has run out of room. She's too gentle to fight back, even as Darius steps so close to converse they could share a kiss.

With Silas at my back, I rip one of the trays free from the stack. The crown prince is pushed back by an oncoming group of servants that I easily slipped through. Celestine listens politely, nodding to Darius as he whispers his desires. She pats his chest and gently pushes but the man doesn't budge. The sight alone makes me want to scream.

He leans in closer, shoulders shaking with laughter as Celestine puts on her best fake smile. In the crowded room, they are nothing. No one will care what they're doing because their significance is none. There are too many people moving throughout this room, trying to enjoy their meal in this deadly castle before they're forced back to work. It's not every day people fondle each other against the wall but I've seen it more than once.

I set down the stack of trays and leave one in my hand. Silas is one second too late as I rip Darius from my sister and as he stumbles back, I slam the metal tray into the side of his face. Everyone nearby gasps as he twists sideways and falls against the closest table—spilling and ruining the drinks and trays of food.

"Roux!" Celestine scolds.

But Silas is there, tugging her away and folding her into the group with the other witch of gardens arriving from their seats to witness the commotion. Now they can play a part, now they can protect her.

The crown prince steps in front of me. "You'll get yourself killed," he warns.

"I warned him and he crossed the line." I shrug away from his grip, the firm hand on my arm and move towards Darius. He slouches, a crumpled man on the floor, rubbing at his jaw. Already, a red mark in the tray's shape covers the side of his face and a lump is forming on the side of his head. I kneel in front of him, face to face, and scowl. "I told you to stay away from my sister."

Revenge flashes in his eyes, as strong as fire, and in a second, his hand is wrapped around my throat. Silas shouts but with a firm kick, Darius shoves him away—my only form of protection, and stands. I feel my feet leave the floor and I scramble for that security, the safety underneath my toes, but it's not there. Black spots cloud my vision as he squeezes tighter and tighter.

The kitchens have quieted.

"Twisted bitch," he spits.

Darius twists at the same time I reach to claw for his eyes. My fingers scrape into his skin when he grabs onto my leg with his free hand and uses that as his vault to throw me. I sail through the air, landing on a nearby onlooker. The person used as my shield stumbles back and slams into the table, sending even more dishes and cups scattering.

He's already pursuing me, hands clenched into fists, as Silas orders for Renit to be ushered here immediately. There will be trouble for this, I already know. I'll deal with that later.

I crouch, my fingers closing around a nearby knife, and lurch to the side as he attempts to grab for me. Silas is already rushing forward, reaching for his cousin. The distraction is all I need to leap from a low bench and wrap my arms around Darius's shoulders from behind. He leans back from my weight, nearly crashing into the side of a table, if it's not for Silas clawing him forward.

"Roux, if you don't calm yourself—" Silas begins. But Darius does what no one should do to a crown prince. As I'm wrapped around his back, fumbling with the slick knife in my hand, he angles his fist, drawing his arm back, and punches Silas in the jaw. The prince stumbles back and topples over a table where Celestine is there to meet his fall. I catch his dazed look flooded by relief that she's there.

Finally, I get a grip on the knife and move to plunge the blade into Darius's shoulder. I can taste the blood on my lips, the life I so desperately want to spill from his veins. My vision is red with rage. With a strong arm, he reaches back and seizes my tunic—heaving me around to his front. I'm tossed again, this time onto the floor. My back slams against a bench and all the air soars from my lungs as Darius snatches the discarded knife.

"Not so strong, are you?" He purrs. Darius crouches over me and pushes his weight to the hand that once again wraps around my throat. "I don't even have to use my power on you." And a mercy that is for me.

His hand tightens and I dig my nails into his arm, kicking and thrashing. Silas runs forward, attempting to pull us apart, but Darius delivers another blow between the legs. If Darius doesn't kill me here, Renit will later and I have to decide which death will be smoother, this one or the one delivered by my betrothed. It's a tough decision to make, especially as the room begins to spin and Darius's blood drops onto my neck.

Then, water. The blast swallows me whole and where Darius once was, a strong force of water slaps into his ribs and knocks him sideways. As I attempt to stand and regain my ground, the water bashes me back against the stone wall. I can't breathe, the water finds its way into my mouth and nose and as I turn to avoid it, Silas lets out a warning call to stop.

All the commotion stops at once and I turn, heaving. Dalis is standing on top of a table, both of her arms outstretched in our directions. Fury like I've never seen before covers those gentle features and I press myself back against the wall to signal that I'm done. I have made my point with the best of them and Darius will not try again.

My enemy landed only a few feet away, twisted into a table. We're dripping wet and our clothes are twisted around our soaked bodies. Darius looks ready to attack again, his stare whipping over to me against the stone wall, when Dalis blasts more water from her hands. "Move and I'll send you through a window," she threatens. Even her voice sends a shiver up my spine.

My worst fear is realized as Renit appears in the kitchens, to my left. First, his raging stare goes from the water, to Darius, then to me. He looks ready to scream but then his eyes drift down to my neck. And it pools from him, that killing rage. I touch my hand to my neck and am met only by pain; bruises must be forming.

"Calm down, cousin," Darius pants, exposing his palms. "Just a small dispute. We handled it." Water drips from his now limp, dark hair.

Renit points a strong finger back at me as he stalks towards his cousin. Every step he takes is as strong as the one before it, considering he had arrived to his chambers with a limp only last night. An entourage of healers had worked their magic to remove that limp, apparently, as now he's back to that cold calculation of killing calm. "Who gave her those bruises?"

"Tell him, Roux, tell him how you acted out." Darius backs away as Renit advances. But the prince whirls to me and in that second, there is nowhere to avoid his withering stare so I press myself farther into the wall. Celestine is still with Silas, both watching me as I try to find the words thick in my throat with water. Dalis's power tastes just as she smells, like lemon and cinnamon.

"He ignored my order to leave Celestine alone. I took matters into my own hands," I explain quickly. Everyone is watching us, from Mills standing at the entry to the kitchens, watching over the rest of the meal as it cooks, to the lowest courtier across the room. She presses her hand against her chest and watches me like I'm an animal.

Eyes I don't want to see, the king's, are not here to make this worse.

Darius snorts. "She hit me with a tray!"

They're close enough to share breath. "And you choked her?" Renit's words are clear through his clenched teeth.

Darius plants his boots firmly against the ground and grits his hands into fists. With Celestine's hands on his shoulders, Silas can't stop his brother from what he's about to do. Darius looks directly into the prince's eyes and grovels, "A punishment well deserved for a bitch."

That's all it takes. Renit takes his cousin out at the waist. They crash against the floor, landing amongst the discarded trays and cups my body skittered across minutes ago. The kitchens break into chaos. Leather skids against the surface, both from Renit's baldric and Darius's sheaths holding daggers at his belt.

Renit moves like the killer he is and at the same second I take to rush to them and attempt to pry him off, he's already delivering punches. Bone cracks underneath the third connection and his knuckles split a faint shade of red.

There's nothing Darius can do as he tries to pry his cousin off. Silas rushes forward, pushing past me, and pulls at Renit's shirt. "Not the place, brother," he grunts. But there's no stopping his temper.

The four of us do not expect the water blast hitting us seconds later. My back slams against a table and Silas crashes into me, albeit carefully. He is my shield as Dalis again sends her power to the prince, our only and best attempt to stop him.

When the water tears at the fabric of his clothes, Renit is thrown off either by an unforeseen force or because he finally dropped weak enough for Dalis to gain control. With her power, she keeps them separated, and we choke on the water until she finally reins back, leaving the entire kitchens filled with a layer of water.

"Return to your respective chambers, immediately," she demands. Someone of her status does not have that power but Darius obeys as he knows the crown prince I'm wrapped around will deliver the same order. He trips over a tray I left behind as he lumbers out of the kitchens, all eyes trained on his back.

Blood drips from Renit's nose but this isn't the worst I have seen him. Instead of bothering with words, he pries me from Silas and drags me back to his chambers.