Evie’s POV
As it turns out, my hostage’s name is Kipp, and he’s a rather nice fellow.
They’re healing Ty as we speak—at least, supposedly they are. Kipp must have some degree of value to them, because my little stunt worked. They conjured up a stretcher for Ty, charmed it to float alongside them, and told me to follow them to their nearby village. I kept Ty’s blade pressed against Kipp’s throat the whole way, until finally they threw us into a room together and closed the door. Only then did I lower it.
“I must say, I’m rather impressed by you, Princess,” Kipp tells me as we wait. “You’re nothing like what they say.”
I grimace at that. Knowing that I’m probably better off not knowing, I ask, “And what, exactly, do they say?”
“Oh, you know—just that you’re sheltered. Spoiled. Have no r
