Tilting its head, it watched us follow Nia, seeming to pay particular attention to me.
“Do the creatures communicate with their people?” I asked Lexie who was striding directly behind me with Derren.
She scoffed. “They’re animals, not mind-readers.” But her expression shifted as she spoke, a frown creasing her skin. “Although… My grandmother used to say something about bonds. That they were wonderful things to be treasured and protected. That silence held its own kind of voice.”
She kicked a loose stone, sending it past Nia, skittering into the growing darkness.
Nia didn’t flinch or even appear to notice.
“Back then,” Lexie said, “I was too little to understand what she meant. I thought she was talking about my grandfather. He’d diedthe winter before, and she’d sit for hours staring at his empty chair, having conversations with someone who wasn’t there.”
As we walked beneath it, the hawk’s gaze burned through me. I could almost feel him on the other side of those eyes, Trew watching, measuring, ensuring I survived.
Maybe that subtle thread of magic inside mewastaking hold, driving me mad. Or I was conceited, me thinking he might care enough to watch me, to make sure I was safe.
Kerralyn followed our stares. “Cinderhawks are extraordinarily rare. I studied flora and fauna for a time, and my research indicated they only bond with those of exceptional magical strength and unshakeable will. For one to choose our king…” A touch of awe widened her eyes. “It’s considered a great honor.”
“Tell me more about the bonds.”
Color flooded her face. “I don’t know much about it. They’re…companions. We’ve all seen that already.”
“What else do you know?” Lexie asked, walking closer behind us.
“That they’re a blessing.”
“Or a burden,” Jaxon said from behind Lexie, his high-pitched laugh echoing off the damp walls. He fidgeted with the worn leather bracelet around his wrist, spinning it around and around.
She looked back at him. “Do you truly believe that?”
Color flooded his face at her attention. “Well, no.”
The hawk’s head swiveled toward him, and Jaxon stumbled backward, into his brother with a sharp intake of breath.
“Easy there,” Maddox said, steadying him. His calculating gaze fell on me. “Funny how some people seem to attract attention wherever they go.” He shook his head, making his sandy hair sway across his shoulders. “Even if it seems they’re trying not to get close.”
I held myself apart from the others for a solid reason. I wasn’t from around here, and the last thing I wanted to do was give that away. But to finish my mission, I needed to blend in.
“You went out into the hallway last night,” he said in a twisted way that could only mean one thing.
“I had to go to the bathroom. Nothing new about that.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have run into someone while you were there, would you?”
“Spying, Maddox?” Lexie jeered. “If you’re interested in a girl, just say so.”
He swiped his hand my way. “Who’d want to be with her?”
“The feeling’s mutual,” I said.
Lexie chuckled. “See?” She prodded his shoulder with one finger hard enough he winced and rubbed the sore spot. “You’ll have to look for romance elsewhere.” Her tone came out light, but the edge of warning hung in the air.
“Fuck you,” he snarled.
Derren shoved Maddox against the wall. “Fucking leave my girlfriend alone.”
“Now, now.” Fara hurried forward, her melodic laugh ringing out as she thrust herself between us and Maddox. “Look at all of you, squabbling already. We should be supporting each other, not picking fights before we even reach the trial.”
“Take some.” She pulled a small packet of dried fruit and nuts from her pocket, dumping pieces into our reluctantly held-out hands. “Eat. You’ll feel better.” The gesture was so purely Fara, nurturing, optimistic, and determined to drive light into every interaction.
