"Prince Embrez?" Thalia echoed, eyes narrowing. "As in… first prince of Wyfn-Garde?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah. It's his moor mansion. People don't like to talk about it here. But you're not from here, so…"
He shrugged.
Sebastian stepped in front of her slightly. "Why would Prince Alaric and his wife stay in prince Embrez's home?" he asked, low. "The king—Embrez's father—is the one who put a bounty on them."
Thalia's voice was quieter. "Why would they feel safe there?"
"I don't trust it."
The boy tilted his head. "You coming or not?"
Thalia looked to Sebastian. "We have to go. We're sure it's here and we kinda saw them."
Sebastian hesitated, then gave a sharp nod. "We'll follow. But we stay sharp."
The boy grinned. "This way."
And with that, he turned on his heel, darting down a side street.
Thalia followed with quickening steps, her heart thudding.
Because if Alaric was in Embrez's house—something wasn't just strange.
It was dangerous.
