A sudden burst of pressure cleaved the air, interrupting Fenn mid-demonstration as he began tracing lower, toward the crease of Serenna’s inner thigh—his favored spot for a bite. Entirely unrepentant, he tossed her a wink before turning toward the colossal portal unfurling at the clearing’s western edge—the space designated for returning rangers and dracovae.
The surface of the rift rippled as Vesryn strode through, silver hair tousled by the wind. Naru followed behind him, tossing his head, feathers and scales glinting with black iridescence in the sunlight.
A booming huff escaped the dracovae, morphing into a series of chattering clacks as he snapped his beak at the prince, making his displeasure known. Secured to his saddle with glowing blue ropes of force, Naru dragged an elk carcass, the massive kill scraping across the ground.
Vesryn led Naru aside as rangers filed into the glade, each dracovae bearing spoils from their hunt. Releasing a sharp trill, Naru stamped a taloned claw, craning his neck to squint while the prince unfastened the saddle.
A light kindled in Fenn’s eyes as he studied Vesryn across the clearing. “I should relay Lykor’s orders about delivering kills to the kitchen area Mara organized to the south.”
Serenna sensed Vesryn’s exhaustion, saw the heavy drag to his movement. But Fenn radiated restless energy. His piqued interest made it clear he’d found his next opportunity to antagonize the prince.
The stolen hours of sleep the previous night had been tense enough. Both males had stubbornly vied for the same spot at her back, as if the forest floor couldn’t accommodate them both.
Serenna bit the inside of her cheek, weighing her options. Caution was the safest course—for Fenn, at least—until they all found a way forward.
“Maybe Lykor should be the one delivering that information,” she suggested, knowing full well that Vesryn wouldn’t tolerate orders from anyone—especially Fenn.
But Fenn waved her off, adjusting his bandolier around his shoulder, focus riveted on the prince. “I still need to see if your princeling secured any of those leather trousers for me.”
With that flimsy excuse, Fenn vanished in a blink, warping across the glade to materialize beside Vesryn.
Naru instantly spooked with an earsplitting screech. His wings snapped out, feathers and scales fanning wide. The dracovae danced in frantic circles, talons snagging in the straps of his loosened saddle.
Serenna rubbed her forehead, a weary sigh escaping as Vesryn darted around Naru, voice low but strained as he worked to free the dracovae’s legs and soothe the agitated beast. She decided that if Fenn pushed the prince too far, it would behismess to sort out—she wouldn’t intervene.
Velinya edged closer, towering a full head over her now. “How is all ofthatworking for you?” she asked, a knowing smile curving her lips.
Serenna groaned. “I really don’t think it is.”
Freed from his saddle, Naru lashed his tail, prancing off into the trees while Fenn snared the prince in conversation. Frustration poured from Vesryn in sharp waves, crashing against the smug satisfaction rolling off Fenn.
“So you’re entertaining three males now?”
Serenna’s head whipped to her friend just as Vesryn jabbed a finger into Fenn’s chest. “Three?”
Velinya twirled a loose curl. “Well, Fenn mentioned another partner and—”
“And Koln isFenn’spartner,” Serenna blurted, desperate to derail Velinya’s musings.
“If you say so,” Velinya said, tracing the point of a talon as they watched Fenn circling the prince. “It seems like you have your hands full with those two as it is.” She trailed her claws over her hips with a wistful hum. “It’s a shame I haven’t had the chance to test out this form with anyone yet.”
“I don’t see how it would be any different,” Serenna insisted. And then grudgingly admitted, “Well, except for the fangs.”
“Have you thought about…” Velinya trailed off, her teasing unrelenting, “having both of—”
“Don’t say it,” Serenna hissed through her teeth, grabbing Velinya’s arm as though she could physically halt the rest of that outrageous thought.
Her heart raced at the sheer absurdity of it, mortification blazing across her cheeks again, which only sent Velinya into a fit of giggles. The idea of visiting this lake began to seriously tempt Serenna now—if only for the satisfaction of shoving her friend in.
“Everything is complicated enough as it is,” she mumbled, her gaze wandering back to Vesryn and Fenn. The prince stood with his fists clenched, glaring as Fenn’s animated gestures toward his leathers grew more exaggerated. It would only be a matter of time before Fenn started comparing their heights again.
“I’m going to find Jassyn,” Serenna said, snatching a few apples to stage an excuse for her retreat. “I’m sure he hasn’t eaten anything since dawn.”
If Fenn didn’t have an audience, maybe he’d leave Vesryn alone. Or maybe he’d find himself on the receiving end of the prince’s shadows.
Before Velinya could revive the conversation, Serenna hurried into the jungle.
CHAPTER 23
