A rotund figure parted the crowd like a charging bull. It was Prince Marcassin, his ruddy face held in an imperious expression. Rilla bristled. This man had helped in Bruna’s arrest, and he’d been the first to attempt to swing an ax at the trolls, not caring to learn what they’d done to Prince Armin or the abducted women. Rilla also hadn’t forgotten how the pompous swine had accused her of being in league with the trolls, just because she wanted to save them for interrogation.

He straightened, pushing forward his belly. “Cadet Perrault. I demand that you apprise me on the status of the trolls.”

Rilla stared hard into his beady black eyes, sneered, then turned to Dora. “Did Scarlet and Greta make it through the assessment all right?”

Dora grinned, revealing her blackened teeth. “You’ll never guess who we caught sneak—”

“How dare you!” Prince Marcassin’s jowls wobbled.

Rilla curled her lip, ready to tell the man exactly what she thought of him, when Prince Armin pushed through the crowd, his handsome face twisted with anguish.

“What have you done to Olga?” He grasped Rilla’s shoulders, looking frantically around at all the faces. “I have to help her.”

Rilla wanted to place her arms around her friend, but he clearly needed medical attention.

The crowd bowed and parted to let through the Queen. “Armin, I told you not to run off after that creature.”

Armin’s face reddened. “I don’t care that she’s a troll. She’s beautiful, and I love her. I haven’t met anyone who understood me since—” He glanced at Rilla then rushed to the interrogation room, knocked over the guards, and banged his fists on the door. “Olga!”

Rilla placed her hand on his shoulder. “Armin, I think you’re under a—”

He flinched away. “Don’t touch me. I am the Crown Prince, and I demand you return my betrothed immediately.”

Rilla turned to Millissa. “Can you help?”

“Me?” She baulked.

“Someone of equal rank needs to subdue him before he gets himself hurt. Why not the Queen of Autumn?”

Millissa nodded and stepped forward.

Prince Behr accompanied her and put a large hand on Armin’s shoulder. “You need the infirmary, my friend.”

Armin struggled, but between Millissa and Prince Behr, they overpowered him and dragged him off. Tears stung the back of Rilla’s eyes. While she’d exposed the so-called Princess Olga, it was clear that the love enchantment still held Armin in its grip.

A hand clamped around Rilla’s arm. She turned. Lord Bluebeard loomed over her, his expression stony.