"It's lovely. Do you believe it's that powerful?"

He shrugs. "I don't fancy myself an expert on such things."

"Fen here is more a steel and brawn kind of guy," a woman's voice says.

I turn and find a tall, slim, graceful woman link arms with Fen. She is stunning, with long blue hair, striking silver eyes that are shaped almost like a cat's, and... pointed ears. She wipes a dirty hand on her leather apron and holds it out to me. "I'm Kayla, this oaf's sister. You must be Arianna."

His sister? I shake her hand, surprised at the strength in someone so petite. "Yes. It's nice to meet you."

I try not to stare at her ears, but clearly I'm failing, because she laughs and touches the tip of one. "I'm half Fae," she says, by way of explanation. "Our father had a dalliance with one of his slaves. My mother."

I nod, pretending to understand.

Fen puts his arm around his sister and grins. "Kayla here is the best blacksmith in the kingdom, and our official royal blacksmith at Stonehill," Fen explains. "Swords, knives, even jewelry. She's the best in all the realms."

"How fascinating," I say. "I'd love to see what you do sometime, if you don't mind."

"Not at all." Kayla tugs on her long blue braid, her eyes crinkling in genuine happiness. She points to a building not too far from us, where black smoke rises from it. "That's my forge. Stop by anytime."

Kayla turns to Fen, her smile slipping. "I came to let you know we need a larger supply of steel if you want so many swords prepared so quickly. I'm running low."

Fen nods. "I'll see to it you have what you need."

"Good enough." Kayla turns away from us, waving as she does, and heads back to her forge.

"So if you’re a prince, does that make her—"

"A princess? No. She's a bastard. A Shade. Everything she has in this life she's had to work for." His eyes grow dark. "My father... my father did not treat her kindly."

I take his arm, hoping to cheer him. "Show me more of your city."

Fen walks us through the mountain paths. Many of the shop owners and people greet us, but Fen is so lost in his own thoughts, he ignores them. I frown, seeing how they turn away from him, disappointed. Fen needs to work on his people skills.

We arrive at a drawbridge that crosses a stream of water made by the many waterfalls, and we cross over, into the entrance of the castle. Up close it's even more beautiful, in a fierce, defiant kind of way.

"This is Stonehill Castle," Fen says, an edge of pride in his voice. "Your home for the next month."

I nod, staring at the castle, then I turn to him, a question on my mind from his talk with Kayla. "Fen, why do you need so many swords so quickly?"

"Because war is coming, and it's my job to be ready."

Chapter 7

STONEHILL CASTLE

Fenris Vane

"Fen here is more a steel and brawn kind of guy."

—Kayla Windhelm

I walk forward and push open the large doors. A draft of snow and wind follow us in, and I close the gates behind us to preserve some warmth. But these stone walls stay cold, and we will not have heat until we arrive at the inner quarters.

"It's late," I say. "You probably want to sleep. I'll show you to your room. In the morning, I'll give you a proper tour if you'd like."

"Actually, I'd like the tour now," Arianna says. "I'll need to know my way around if I'm to live here."

I grunt.

"Unless of course you're too tired..."

"I'm never tired." I say.

She tosses a dark braid over her shoulder and turns her head to look at me, her lips so red, her eyes so bright. "Then show me around, Prince." She walks forward, down the great hall draped with crimson banners, my sigil, the white wolf, upon them. She starts to skip, and I wonder how she can be so carefree, with everything that has happened.

Who is this girl?

When I was assigned to protect her, I did my research, learned about her childhood and schooling. I thought I knew her, but now I see, I knew nothing at all. There is something... different about her. The feeling of danger has been buzzing in my blood since she entered my life. It is a distraction I do not need and should not have, but she is part of the puzzle, and so she must be protected. Even from myself, if that's what it takes.

"Come on slowpoke," Arianna says.

I walk forward slowly. I have lived long enough to know how to say no to temptations, but there is something about Arianna that pushes past my walls, and that is not safe for either of us.

Baron nudges against her leg, making puppy eyes. Even my traitorous wolf senses the difference in her. I wonder, would he turn on even me to protect her?

"Here." I motion to a door on the left. "This leads to the west wing. There you will find the kitchens and storage rooms. In the east wing, you will find the servants quarters."

"And is this your throne?" Arianna climbs the few steps at the end of the hall and sits down on the chair, a massive thing carved from grey stone, a red banner draped over the back. "Fancy."

There are only a few servants awake at this hour, but they all freeze and stare at the princess. She doesn't seem to notice, or perhaps she just doesn't care. "It's my least favorite part of the castle," I say, walking up to her. "But it is useful when one needs to appear powerful, when one must enforce the laws of the land."