Maiya’s eyes went wide. “That’s amazing! That’s the highest honor?—”
“I told her I don’t think I’m right for the position.”
Her friend blinked in disbelief. “Why?”
Cora shrugged. “I’m certain there’s someone better suited to the position. Someone who has been with the Forest People far longer than I have.”
“Cora, when will you finally accept that you’re one of us?”
Cora’s eyes darted back to the sigil. She would never truly believe she was one of them. Not when her presence alone could put everyone at risk. Not when there was a chance she’d be banished if they knew the truth. And she’d been tempted to tell the truth. The closer she got to Maiya and Salinda, the more she wished she could be honest with them. But honesty had never proven to be on her side. Not when dark magic and murder were involved.
Maiya’s expression fell. “Why do I feel like you’re always one step away from leaving us?”
Cora opened her mouth but no words would form.
She was saved from having to reply, however, when Gisele hopped into the pool between them. “What are we talking about?”
Cora gave the girl a wry grin. “Oh, just how we can make you pay us back for subjecting us to your makeout session.”
“Do you like him? James?” Gisele asked, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
Cora glanced at the other pool where the hunter lounged alone, his gaze fixed longingly on Gisele. “What does it matter if we like him? You seem to like him well enough.”
“He’s sweet, isn’t he? Kind. Funny.”
“I didn’t realize he had a personality, but I’ll take your word for it.”
Gisele rolled her eyes. “Oh, Cora. You’re so droll.”
“Who does he think you are, by the way?” Maiya asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t tell him…”
“About the Forest People?” Gisele’s mouth fell open with indignation. “Of course not. What kind of fool do you take me for? I may not be all magical like you two but I know our rules.”
“Then where does he think you live? If he’s a hunter, he should know the nearest village is hardly a casual stroll away.”
Gisele frowned. “Well…he hasn’t asked.”
Cora gave her a pointed look. “Sweet and kind indeed.”
“It’s not like I’ll see him again after tonight,” Giselle said with a casual flip of her sodden hair. “Tomorrow morning he and his companions are leaving their camp and heading north to join the rest of their hunting party.”
Cora’s stomach knotted for reasons she didn’t quite understand. She itched for something she couldn’t name. The idea that the duke’s men were so close filled her with a frenetic quality, an urge to move, to run. Notawayeither. But toward them.
That was when she realized what the uneasy feeling was. Vengeance.
Thoughts of finding the hunters’ camp, sabotaging what she could, knowing whatever she destroyed was indirectly the property of the duke, filled her with the most delicious satisfaction.
But the longer she entertained the fantasy, the more ridiculous it felt. What could a girl like Cora do against a group of trained hunters? And how would it have any impact on Duke Morkai in a way that mattered?
Morkai was second to the king. He was King Dimetreus’ most respected councilman. The hunters were likely on an errand to fell some great beast for a royal dinner. And what was Cora dreaming of doing? Breaking their spears like a child throwing a tantrum in hopes that her greatest enemy would be mildly inconvenienced. Gisele had said James and his men were joining the rest of their hunting party. If they too served Morkai, harassing this smaller group would do nothing of import.
She breathed her thirst for vengeance away. It was childish. Silly. Besides, acting on her fantasy went against the Forest People’s most important rule—never get involved with royal matters or attract the attention of agents of the crown.
“Gisele,” James called, a note of yearning in his voice. “Come back.”
She tossed a coy smile over her shoulder at him. “Have a little patience. I came with my friends. You can’t have all my attention, you know.”
He bit his lower lip. “I’d have all your attention and more if you’d give it to me.”
