Chapter 20

Sloane

I had made a mistake.

I knew it before we reached the trees.

The rogue walked several paces ahead of me, one hand pressed against his ribs where Tiernan’s warriors had hurt him during the capture.

He should have been grateful.

Instead, he was smiling.

“Keep moving,” I said.

He glanced over his shoulder.

“You’re awfully demanding for someone who just saved my life.”

“I didn’t save your life.”

“No?”

“I saved mine.”

His smile widened.

At least he understood that much.

The old service entrance behind the packhouse had been sealed years ago, but sealed did not mean forgotten.

Not to me.

I had grown up in Moonhaven. Trained here. Sat through emergency drills here. Learned every entrance, storage room, cellar, and evacuation route while Kade was still learning how to carry the weight of his father’s title.

No one questioned me when I walked through the packhouse.

Why wo