The Blood Spell (Ravenspire, #4)(20)

Of course she’d been trying for years to convince him not to be an idiot, and nothing she did seemed to take. Still, it was better than putting him in more danger than he’d already put himself.

Quickly, she made her way to the deserted corner, ignoring the whispers from the crowd. The second they reached the corner, she snapped, “Have you lost your mind?”

“Have you lost yours?” His voice was low and forceful. “What are you doing walking by yourself in these neighborhoods after dark? Do you have any idea the kind of things that happen here?”

“We aren’t discussing my choices. We’re discussing yours. Hang it all, Kellan, what happens if you get seriously hurt?”

“I’m very quick on my feet.” He grinned as if inviting her to admire his fighting skills.

“What happens if the magistrate’s guards show up and catch you? What will the head families think of a crown prince who—”

“Keep your voice down.” He glanced over his shoulder at the crowd, which was milling closer as if hoping to eavesdrop.

“And what happens to the other fighter if you’re unmasked? He could go to jail. Is that worth you having a night of fun?” Blue planted her fists on her waist and glared up at him.

Kellan paused, looked once more at the square, and then swallowed hard. “I didn’t think about that.”

She threw her hands into the air. “You never do. Never. You just jump from one dangerous plan to the next with no thought to the consequences.”

“Oh, I think about the consequences.” The charm was gone from his voice, and in its place was something dark and lonely. “I just didn’t think about the consequences to him.”

“And the head families? Nessa? Your mother?” Blue tugged at her curls as it occurred to her that she was now responsible to either inform the queen of Kellan’s risky behavior or start keeping secrets from both her friend and her sovereign ruler. “Oh stars. What am I going to tell the queen?”

Kellan straightened abruptly. “Don’t tell her anything.”

“But—”

“Blue, please. For once in your life, don’t run to someone in charge and tell them everything you know.” His eyes beseeched her.

She set her jaw. “Give me one good reason why I should start keeping secrets for you.”

He was silent for a long moment. The crowd behind them grew restless, and the broker shouted for Kellan to return to the fight.

Finally, Kellan said quietly, “Because we both love Nessa.”

The righteous indignation that filled Blue slowly bled into resignation. They did both love Nessa. And Nessa would be worried sick if she knew what her brother was doing.

“Fine.” Blue spat the word at him. “I’ll keep this a secret on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“You never participate in another street fight again. Starting now.”

“Now?” He shot another glance over his shoulder as the broker bellowed for him. “Blue, I can’t back out of the fight. He’ll send his enforcers after me in a heartbeat. I have to finish this.”

“Then go lose. Quickly. Less risk for everyone involved that way.” Blue folded her arms across her chest as Kellan glared at her.

“Fine.” He flung the word at her in the same tone she’d used on him. “I’ll go lose. And then I’ll walk you back to the shop.”

“I don’t need an escort.”

He stared pointedly at a group of men, all wearing the same black and white stripes as the broker, who were briskly moving in their direction. “The broker blames you for ruining the evening’s entertainment. Come back to the square with me, watch me lose, and then we’ll leave.”

She sighed in annoyance, though in truth, the look on the broker’s face made her heart pound uncomfortably.

Kellan poured the charm back into his voice as he turned them both toward the square. “My dear friends, a crisis has been averted. Who’s ready to watch a fight?”

The crowd erupted into cheers as Kellan ducked under the rope, ignored Blue, and proceeded to gracefully lose.





EIGHT

DINAH COULDN’T DRAW a single breath without panic scraping at her thoughts. None of her plans had worked. The businesses she’d hoped her husband hadn’t known about were mortgaged, the documents forged with his signature. Her contacts in Akram refused to extend the massive credit she needed because the economy in their own kingdom had declined sharply in recent months. Her contact in Súndraille had offered a much smaller loan than she needed but had pressed for assurances that she had collateral to back up the debt.

She didn’t.

And while she’d yet to hear from her contact in Ravenspire, she had to assume they would demand collateral as well. She certainly would in their place. No one asked for the kind of loan she needed unless they were on the cusp of financial ruin.

She was running out of time. The estate, along with its debts, would go before the royal magistrate for review in less than two weeks unless she paid back every bit of it, according to the papers Mr. Dubois, the creditor, had filed with her solicitor.

She didn’t have any coin.

She didn’t have any resources.

And so far, Mr. Dubois had been smart enough to thoroughly secure his home and walk the streets heavily guarded. He hadn’t underestimated the lengths Dinah would go to reclaim what was hers. Under different circumstances, she would admire the ruthless cleverness it took to assess the value of the Chauveau empire, exploit its weakest link in her husband, and sweep the entire thing out from under her feet, all while staying safely out of reach of her dagger.