breaking free of the tight hold he kept on all those unpleasant feelings he didn’t want to face. Anger on her behalf. Anger at himself. Logically, he knew she couldn't possibly have been talking about him, and yet, he couldn't help but wonder. Lyana had been prepared to give up everything for him and for his people—her freedom, her dreams, her heart. In return, Xander would have gotten everything he'd ever wanted. A worthy queen. A loyal mate. A hopeful future. All the while, Cassi had lurked in the periphery, watching the scene unfold.
Was that what she thought of him?
Worse still, was she right?
"I'm not sure I approve of how much time you’re spending with that owl," his mother murmured as soon as the healer left.
He eased his shirt back over his shoulders and around his wings, wincing at the dull ache in his side. "I'm not sure I care."
"Lysander."
"Mother."
"What is she still doing in our home?"
"She's helping me find Lyana."
"How?"
"She's— She's—" In truth, aside from tossing him up against walls and stopping by to steal books from his library, Cassi wasn't offering much assistance. But then again, what else could she do? He didn’t even know where to begin the search, so how could she? "She just is. And besides, we couldn't very well let her leave. The doves would know something was amiss the second she stepped foot on their isle, and the whole ruse would be undone."
The queen tsked.
Xander was saved by the sound of the door opening behind him. Helen strode into the room, a grim look on her face. "My prince."
"We need to discuss our next course of action."
"I agree."
"Cassi lost track of the assailant, but she says he was a raven. She's sure."
"And you believe her?"
"I do. I saw the man for a brief moment, and I thought his wings were black. Her words just confirmed it." He frowned, wiping his palm over his face and into his hair, the heavy weight of that truth starting to sink in. "Did you—did you see this coming?" he asked, allowing all the shock and doubt and hurt he'd been hiding to leak into his tone now that the three of them were alone. "Today, while I was in the city, I swore I felt a change in the air, a shift. I thought they were starting to trust me again, to believe in me, but now… I don't know."
"I did not see this coming," Helen said as she leaned her hip against his desk and crossed her arms. "And that's what worries me more."
"Do you think he was working alone?" Xander asked.
"I don't know."
"Do you think he'll attack again?"
"I don't know."
"We need to call the guards back to the castle immediately," his mother cut in, voice flustered with fear for her son—a feeling he appreciated, but also couldn't accept. "We need to double their shifts. We need people shielding Lysander day and night. I don't want a single window unwatched."
"We can't do that, Mother."
"Last time I checked, I was still the Queen of the House of Whispers, and I say we can."
He and Helen shared a look.
"We can't pull the guards from the city," he tried to reason. "There's still too much work to be done, with the wounded, with the destruction. The people need help."
"You’re their prince, and someone is trying to kill you. I'm sure the people will understand."
"And what will they say?" he asked, remembering her warning. Frightened gossip has the power to bring a kingdom to its knees. The statement had never been truer. "That we're more concerned for ourselves than for them? That we're greedy? That we don't care? Our reign is fragile enough as is with everything that's happened. Until we have Lyana back, we can't risk bringing more contempt upon us."
"What would you have me do? Dangle my only son—my heir—as bait?"
"Of course not, I just…" He sighed. "There's got to be another answer."
"I might have an idea." Helen's tone was soft, but the statement rang loud against the silence. An ominous pulse slipped down his spine.
"What?"
"You're not going to like it."
"When has that ever stopped you before?"
Helen pursed her lips while his mother frowned. She'd never appreciated their relaxed relationship, but the last thing he needed in an advisor was another person tripping over to please him.
"Fine." His captain of the guard stood, unfolding her arms as she met his gaze unflinchingly. "You could leave."
Xander recoiled. "Leave?"
"It would solve both our problems. The guards would be free to