We arrive slightly later than usual. Most who’ve gathered are already seated around the long wooden table, the roaring fire crackling—its deep, comforting warmth enveloping the green in a cosy embrace. Tall flames lick towards the sky, casting dancing shadows over those assembled.
Reth sits at the table with Ceira lounging on his lap, her back to us. He bends towards her, an easy laugh parting his lips as he whispers something in her ear. Her arm snakes around his neck, fingers playing in his white hair while his hand dips into the back of her tight black leather trousers, squeezing. When his gaze flicks to Domanikk and me, a sly smirk rises to his mouth, a languid glint in his eyes.
So much for discipline. Ceira’s attack on me seemingly forgotten or simply dismissed.
I look at Domanikk—his lips are pulled tight, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Reth’s demeanour shifts as Domanikk pulls me by our clasped hands towards our seats, his gaze piercing.
“Did we forget something?” Reth drawls, making us pause.
“We discussed this earlier,” Domanikk replies, his voice low, barely restrained fury vibrating through every word.
“I changed my mind.” Reth’s smile is cold, predatory. He leans forwards slightly, his eyes shining with dark amusement.“Sit. Down. Domanikk.” Each word drops sharp and final, the threat beneath them unmistakable.
I feel Domanikk’s hand clench tightly in mine, his fingers gripping with an intensity that borders on painful before they slowly, reluctantly, loosen. The warmth of his touch fades as my hand drops from his, falling limply to my side.
He turns and walks away without a word, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. As he moves past Reth, he shoots him a venomous glare—eyes narrowed, jaw clenched—before dropping into his seat, fuming. I’m left standing alone, exposed and vulnerable, facing whatever Reth’s whim might bring.
When my gaze meets those ice-blue eyes, a feeling rises from the hidden darkness within. It’s not just defiance—it’s an absolute raging fury. Did he still expect me to stand here after his mare tried to kill me—bruises still a dull, aching reminder—and hand over information that could harm the one I love?
Fuck the consequences.
Another, much darker sensation quivers through me as desire blooms, making me clench my legs shut. Both emotions writhe in my chest, entwining so tightly that one becomes indistinguishable from the other, until my skin tingles and my legs shake.
“I see you there, Little Wildie. Is that wrath aimed at me or the wicked beauty on my lap?” he asks, sneering. Ceira turns, madness flashing across her piercing gaze.
“You,” I seethe, the word slowly dripping from between my lips like honey.
He pauses, cocks his head, raises his brows. Then he gestures down the table. Three Equitae rise and join him as he deals out low, inaudible orders.
They gather around me.
I look over to Domanikk, who downs a large glass of Fae Wine, his bright yellow eyes fixed on me over the rim.
Rising power fills the air, a metallic taste coating my tongue.
Rather than tearing and breaking, the Fae Form liquefies and blurs. Shadows and light reform as shimmering luminescent mist—green, yellow and blue—weeps from their skin and they dissolve into pure elemental light, so bright I have to look away.
When I look back, a swirling vortex of mist encapsulates them and their Fae Form is gone—strong arched necks, rippling bodies, flowing manes and tails—transformed into Horse Form.
The nearest to me has a coat gleaming golden, dark eyes staring from under long lashes. He snorts, shakes his white mane and trots around me. The others join—one black, shining like polished ebony, and another chestnut with a creamy mane and tail. They prance and stomp in a circle, throwing their heads in the air, ears flicking.
As I stare in wonder, the black one moves too fast; I miss it until his teeth snap towards my shoulder, nipping painfully. I jump back, rubbing the growing welt.
Laughter erupts—a chorus to my humiliation.
Another nip to my side from the chestnut, and I start spinning wildly, trying to predict their next move. But they’re surprisingly agile and swift—bites to my arms, legs and body before they turn in the air and disappear with a squeal and flick of a tail.
Spinning so fast, I stumble, falling to my knees. A strong black hoof stomps down a hair’s breadth from my head. I roll onto my back, and another slams down on the other side, grazing my ribs. A glowing blue Enchantra, power swirling inside like a glittering mist, fills my vision.
I hear shouting and my gaze snaps to where Domanikk and Reth argue, their voices rising with each heated exchange. The tension between them is palpable—visible in their scrunchedfaces, clenched jaws and deeply furrowed brows. Domanikk’s hands gesture wildly as he makes his point, while Reth sits rigid, arms crossed over his chest.
“Stop!” Reth’s roar echoes around the clearing.
The Equitae slow instantly, turning towards their Alpha in compliance. Reth shoots up, grabs Ceira’s hand and strides purposefully towards his tent—throwing one final vicious glance at Domanikk before they both disappear inside.
I flinch instinctively as an arm comes up over my shoulders, my body tensing for a blow that never comes. But it’s only Domanikk, his touch surprisingly gentle given the tension of the moment. Without a single word he leads me from the Gathering towards his own tent, his footsteps deliberate and unhurried on the packed earth. Behind us, the soft nickers of horses and the rhythmic thud of restless hooves gradually fade into the distance.
