Page 63 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

“No one touches those stairs unless it’s Ecaeris, Talodus, Connak, or me,” I whisper harshly. “And those two women don’t leave the wing without you by their side. Understood?”

“Yes.” Without another word, he stands at the base of the stairs, his back to a wall so he can watch both posts.

“One of us will be back soon. I’ll send another guard to take this position so you can return to your post for the evening. Wait for him before you move.”

I casually stroll toward the catacombs until I’m out of view. Then I slink through the shadows, looking for any signs of Poko. But he’s nowhere.

That’s probably for the best.

Ada shows no interest in him, though she is tense when he’s around. I can’t figure out if it’s a general dislike or something more. We need to ask.

When I get to the meeting room inside the catacombs, I see Marren standing outside the door. Talodus trusts him; we all do. So, I pull him aside.

“I instructed the guard at the front entrance to watch Ada and Rin, but we’d all feel better if it was you.”

He stands at attention, sensing my command. “Where do you want me?”

“At the bottom of the stairs to Ecaeris’s wing until one of us is back. No one goes up; the women don’t go anywhere without you.”

“Is there something I should know or look out for?”

“Just my intuition. I’ll speak to Talodus about it later.”

Marren is protective of Rin. I know nothing will happen on his watch, but it still takes me a moment to collect my thoughts before I push through the meeting room door.

Ecaeris paces around the table, filled with restless energy, as he runs his hands through his hair. Connak and Talodus sit in silence, surveying him while he unravels at the seams.

“What’s going on now?” I snap, grinding my teeth as I take a deep breath.

The prince snorts, then he throws his head back and groans. “Why does she always look at the ceiling? It offers no answers.”

“She does that when she’s exasperated or when she’s trying to not roll her eyes.” I grin at him, brows raised. “What is your issue?”

“I spoke to my mother.”

Talodus rolls his hand as he prompts, “About?”

“About Ada.”

“What did she say?” I ask.

“She’s the queen,” he mumbles.

“Yes,” Connak quickly agrees. “We know that.”

Ecaeris whips around to glare at the hunter. “You knew Ada was the next queen and didn’t tell me?”

“Repeat that,” Talodus demands.

“Ada is the next queen.” Connak and Ecaeris speak in unison, though their tones vary wildly.

One is frustrated; the other is amused.

I flop into the closest chair, staring at the new map on the stone table. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Who told you?” Tal inquires, leaning forward.