Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)

by Rachel Gillig

The sound of Ione’s bare feet slapping against stone floors echoed in the empty house. When they reached the parlor, she wrenched her arm free. “What’s going on?” Elm’s throat caught, his voice rough. “Your cousin Elspeth—” No, not Elspeth anymore. He clenched his jaw. “She tore into Hauth at Spindle House. Broke his spine. He’s hardly alive. My father is out for blood. His inquest—” His eyes swept over Ione, a chill crawling over him. “I have to bring you to Stone.” Ione did not flinch. She hardly even blinked. “So do it.” “You don’t—” He took a steadying breath. “Clearly, you do not understand.” “But I do, Prince. Had you not come and offered yourself as an escort, I would have found my own way to Stone.” “I’m not your goddamn escort,” Elm bit back. “I’m arresting you.” Ione turned to face him, but her expression remained unchanged—utterly blank. She should have been crying. Or screaming. It was what most people did when they faced an inquest. But she was just… calm. Eerily so.

If I gotta be a real one to say this, I will, but Hauth for sure would've done so much worse, unspeakable things if we're honest, to Elspeth if the Nightmare hadn't taken over.