“Mira has a point,” she said, kissing the hinge of my jaw. “You were gone long enough, I had all manner of dreary thoughts running through my head.”
“I was properly surrounded by blades, Fire. No need to worry. What I am more concerned about are all my salacious plans will now need to wait for tonight.”
She tugged on my belt, grinning. “I’ve no doubt you’ll make up for it.”
“Best prepare yourself, Wife.”
“Jonas Eriksson!” Mira shouted. “If you wish to go, we must leave now or we will be late for the revel.”
I helped Skadi onto the horse, glancing at Tait who nervously handled his own charge. “Heartwalker, you’ve been talked into joining, I see.”
There were no horses in the Ever Kingdom, rather strange, horse-like creatures that handled the tides as well as the land.
He glared our way. “I must, seeing as I am the damn escort for her. These beasts are horrendous, by the way.”
Mira turned over her shoulder. “The offer to share a horse still stands, Hearttalker. You seem to be struggling.”
He glowered. “I’ll manage.”
Sander kept watch on Tait while I positioned behind Skadi. “I hope you’ll be more willing to share a horse, Princess.”
“So long as you promise to behave those hands.”
I leveraged behind her, my arms caging her between them when I took the reins. I kissed her shoulder. “Never.”
“You should.”
“I refuse.”
“What if I say so?”
“I’ll refrain.” I paused. “Until I change your mind.”
“Doubtful.”
A grin spread over my lips. “Trying to get the last word, Fire?”
Skadi hesitated. “Perhaps.”
I nudged the horse into a slow trot, laughing. “I wish you luck.”
Skadi reached her hands overhead, running her fingers through drapes of willow limbs that opened to a corridor of thick aspens and evergreens. “This place reminds me of the wood back home.”
“Jagged Grove is where vagabonds once lived during wars.”
“The Kryv?”
I nodded. “Borders have changed since the earth realms united, but this place is where my mother and father first became a king and queen of thieves.”
A few paces ahead of us, Frigg and Sander sang an old folk song, laughing when they went off tune. Von took in the quiet of the grove, occasionally glancing to the west side of the trees with Aleksi.
Mira had grown somber since Heartwalker’s charge seemed content to walk alongside hers. It was strange to see these trees as a mere wood. Too many ghosts of fae wars lived here, each with a tale that impacted each one of us.
I wanted Skadi to be part of it now too.
Tall, jagged walls of dark stone broke through the branches. Overgrown with tangles of vines and spindly trees, the ruins had few intact floors and towers, but enough the levels would not crumble should we enter.
“We’re here.” I kicked a leg over the horse and took hold of Skadi’s waist, guiding her down.
