I take offense to that.
Why? He’s very handsome and so concerned over my well-being. Did you hear him? He wants to fight off the Beast for me.
Oh, is that all it takes to win you over?
Valorre had nothing else to say.
She met Teryn’s eyes, reached for his emotions. Her palms tingled as she sifted through his energy. She felt strength and fear. Hesitation and conviction. Something murky lurked at the edges, which told her he was still hiding things from her. But so was she. Could his secrets be any bigger than hers?
Finally, she released a grumbling breath. “I’ll think on it.”
He blinked a few times. “You will?”
“I’ll tell you what I decide in the morning.” She went to brush past him, but his hand landed on her shoulder. Her body went stiff, her pulse thrumming. She glanced down at his hand, felt the heat of his palm on her bare skin where her shift had slipped down her shoulder.
In an instant, he snatched his hand back. Even in the dark, she could see color rising to his cheeks. He cleared his throat before he spoke, fingers curling tight. “I just wanted to implore you…please give it serious consideration.”
It took a few seconds to steady her breathing. “I will,” she said, her voice a whisper.
* * *
Teryn waiteduntil Cora was fast asleep by the dying embers of the fire before he approached the horses again. He used the same technique he did while stalking prey—prodding the earth, taking one slow step after the other—to ensure he didn’t wake her. Quinne softly nickered at his approach. He paused, waiting to see if Cora would stir. She didn’t. Valorre, thankfully, was nowhere to be seen. He’d caught the unicorn wandering in and out of camp during the last couple hours that he’d feigned sleep.
He rifled through his saddlebags to retrieve parchment and quill. Berol landed quietly on his shoulder and nibbled his temple in greeting. After giving her a few affectionate scritches, he quickly scrawled his message. Then he took the Wanted poster he’d stashed inside his vest when Cora hadn’t been looking and rolled it together with his letter. Finally, he sealed it and lifted it toward Berol. She clasped it in one of her talons.
“To Father,” he whispered. “Home.”
He then offered her a strip of pheasant he’d pocketed during dinner. She accepted it as well as more pets, then launched off his shoulder. He watched her silhouette against the dark sky until she merged with the night. A pinch of worry settled in his gut. He’d never sent her away this far from home, but she’d always returned with ease before, no matter where they were. Besides, this was the only way.
He needed to get a message delivered to King Dimetreus as soon as possible. Berol couldn’t simply fly to Ridine Castle—a place she’d never been—and take up perch outside the king’s study. The only way to let him know that Teryn had found the fugitive was to get a note to his father first.
Teryn stepped back from Quinne.
And froze.
The moon illuminated something white between a pair of trees. It was Valorre. He watched Teryn with his large russet eyes. How long had he been standing there? Teryn smiled at the unicorn, trying to exude innocence as he returned to his bedroll. The truth was, Teryn was anything but innocent. His string of broken promises was only just beginning.
At least he had one consolation.
The girl he was going to betray wasn’t innocent either.
27
Lex, Teryn knew, would take some convincing.
“You can’t be serious,” Lex said, eyes bulging.
Teryn kept his voice far lower. “I am.” They stood near the stream, watering their horses. He glanced toward their secluded camp and the tendrils of smoke that wafted above it. Cora had already been awake by the time Teryn had opened his eyes. He was almost surprised to see her there, tending the fire and boiling something fragrant in a cook pot. As much as he’d itched to ask if she’d made her decision, he dared not say anything more than a cordial greeting. The fact that she hadn’t snuck away when she had the chance told him she was at least considering his offer. For now, that was enough.
He’d woken Lex after that, inquired about his arm. Trying not to be too obvious, he’d then pulled Lex away and had him bring his horse. Once they’d reached the stream, Teryn let him in on his idea. He hadn’t told Lex everything. Only what he’d told Cora. Not because he didn’t trust Lex to keep a secret. They’d successfully hidden their original alliance from Helios, after all. It was more that this situation felt particularly tenuous. The way Cora’s dark eyes always held far too much intensity, how she always seemed to be watching, studying, reading between his words…he knew he needed to tread carefully. Letting Lex in on his secret would be a last resort.
“We only have to accompany her to the next group of hunters,” Teryn said. “That’s all.”
Lex gave him a pointed look. “Oh, that’sall? We nearly got ourselves killed by the last company.”
“Yes, but that was when we knew nothing. Helios kept us in the dark. Cora was working against us. Now, we’ll be working together.”
“I don’t see how this helps you get your princess.”
