“Rissa! Rissa!” she called with an excited wave. “Can I play with Mia?”
“Of course.” I handed her the leash, making sure she had a tight grip on it. Mia smothered her and her two new friends with kisses, the four of them dancing around the sandy dirt and leaves.
A small pang shot through me. Fates, I was going to miss her.
Leo and Rose were drawn into another fireside with the promise of a strong chocolate drink I hadn’t heard of but that smelled fantastic. Nox and I took a corner log facing the others, with Marigold and Mia nearby. My eyes kept straying to them and, inevitably, to Thorne right behind. I tugged my cloak tighter around my shoulders as I stole another glance.
He’d always been casual compared to the men of nobility back home, but tonight…tonight he was an entirely different Thorne. Barefoot with his sleeves rolled up, beads like Daelan and Hector’s strung around his neck—along with that same marigold necklace he always wore. I didn’t think he’d stopped smiling since we got here. Arealsmile, not that smirk he often had when he knew others were watching. Those blue eyes sparkled in the firelight, little creases appearing at the corner of them when Hector said something that made him laugh.
I imagined sitting next to him, his arm flung around my shoulders with Marigold and Mia playing between us, the drum roll and lively music and chatter of the island wrapping us in its cocoon.
“Can’t stop watching your king?” Nox crooned to my right. Shooting him a bland look, I leaned back on my hands and stared up at the moon, taking in the night.
“Or perhaps not theking,” he added.
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ah, so I’m just imagining the ruggedly charming blue-eyed man who’s been staring at you since we walked up.”
I jerked forward. “What?”
Nox chuckled. “You’re too easy, darling. I knew it had to be one of the two.”
“I don’t know why you assume there has to be anyone at all.”
“You’re right, there doesn’t. And you don’t owe me any explanations.” He leaned back to match my earlier position. “But if I turn up dead because Handsome over there skewers me through the heart for sitting too close to you, I’ll start asking questions.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re just as ridiculous as I remembered.”
“Probably more so.”
Propping my chin in my hand, I turned to face him. “How long have you been here, Nox?”
“About a week.” He shrugged. “You tend to lose sense of time here.”
“I can see why you like it. The island suits you,” I admitted.
He twisted one of his rings on his pointer finger. A moment of silence passed between us before he said, “Truthfully, the first time I came to this kingdom months ago under your orders, the loss of my magic shocked me. But then…it was freeing, in a way. Knowing nobody could use me for what I could do because I simplycouldn’tdo it here. In Mysthelm, I’m just a man. No secrets or ulterior motives.”
“Nobody to control you,” I said softly. It reminded me of what Devora said on the ship.
“I amsoclose to getting Vera out, Rissa.” His voice was low and strained, at odds with his usual composure. “So close I can taste it. I just have to hold on for a little longer. Do what he wants alittlelonger.”
I rolled my lips together. “Will you tell me if there’s something I can do? Some way to help you?”
“Yes,” he said with a quick nod. “I’m still trying to figure things out, piece together exactly what’s going on and what Scarven is up to. You just have to trust me. I’m on your side, Rissa. But Ihaveto get her out.”
“I understand,” I whispered. “Just please, take care of yourself. Be careful.”
He nudged my shoulder. “Always knew you had a soft spot forme. Butyou, my dear future EmpressandQueen of Mysthelm, have other things to worry about. Have you heard about the Hunt?”
I shook my head. “No. What’s that?”
“Oh, boy,” he said, letting out a whistle. “Are you in for an adventure. These islanders are very keen on their traditions. And also very superstitious.” His eyes flashed with humor. “You know, maybe I’ll let you find out for yourself.”
I smacked him on the arm. “You can’t set me up like that. Now I have to know.”
He ignored me and scanned the passersby. “Ah, here we are,” he said, reaching behind me and tapping someone’s elbow as they walked by with a tray full of drinks in tall glasses. “We’ll take two.”
