The first attempt was to grow a peony—they were my favorite, and I didn’t care that they weren’t at all consumable. It took a bit more effort than normal, but the soil shifted and all at once, a green bush of pale pink peonies formed, sitting tall and vibrant. I snapped off a flower and walked over to Col.
“A little gift for you.” I smiled and extended my hand. He pulled me into him, and I shrieked from the movement.
Dipping me down, he placed a gentle kiss on my lips and I pressed in, not caring who was around. I breathed in his saltiness; it would be the first thing I’d miss when I returned to Rivale.
Fisher cleared his throat, and Col lifted me up, letting his mouth linger a bit longer. Maybe we would skip going to town and spend our time in bed. I couldn’t seem to get enough of him.
Col pulled away. “I think your guard may be worried I’m suffocating you.” He plucked the flower from my hand andkissed my forehead before walking over to his book and placing the flower on top.
“You’re not going to press it?” I asked and shivered from the shift in temperature. Col grabbed his jacket and wrapped it around me.
He shook his head. “I’ll put it in water for a few days and then I will. I want to watch it live first.” Walking toward the trench, he grabbed the shovel and continued digging.
I worked and focused on vine vegetables, perennials, and root vegetables. Figuring out which vegetables would be the most beneficial, I also focused on self-seeding options, such as tomatoes and arugula. Col changed his focus to providing lattices and other supportive structures for the produce to climb.
I wouldn’t be around to speed up the growth time, so I had to be efficient. Melons, berries, and grapes spread around the makeshift garden as my magic hummed through the area. The space wasn’t huge, but it was a start, and we could work on expansion the following day.
My eyes caught on a dirty piece of paper lying partially buried in the soil. It was tinged yellow, folded multiple times, and frayed around the edges. I picked it up and unfolded it carefully, being sure not to tear through the creases that were nearly see-through.
Several long columns of writing adorned the sheet. A hundred names of men and women were neatly etched in black ink on the page. Not knowing what I was holding, I scanned the list trying to find a pattern. I jumped as a hand moved onto the lower curve of my back.
“How about we let everyone else go to dinner and we head home?” Col’s voice rumbled against my neck. “That kiss wasn’t nearly enough, I’m hungry for more.” His tongue roamed over my ear, gently pulling it into his mouth.
My body stiffened, and my stomach sank as I came to the final name in the last column.
Kamden Clair.
“I will not take no for?—”
I turned on my heel and looked at Col accusingly. “Is this yours?”
“What? Let me see.” He reached for the paper, but I retreated. “How am I supposed to tell you if it’s mine if you won’t let me see what it is?” His smile was lazy, and his amber hues sparkled in the setting sun.
Side-stepping to his left, I looked at the three people still diligently working in the newly formed garden. “Whose paper is this?” I shouted several times, each request growing louder. They all looked at me as if I were crazy. All except Fisher.
Hesitantly, he stepped forward. “It must’ve fallen out of my pocket when I bent down.” He reached for the paper, but I pulled it away. Shock flashed across his face.
“What is this?” I asked. “Is this some sort of sick joke?”
“It’s something I keep with me.” Fisher reached for the paper again and looked at me with indignation. “It’s not yours, give it to me.” Anger coated his words.
My legs trembled as the realization sank in. I might’ve thought Fisher was my friend, but he wasn’t. He was a member of the Rivale Guard. And he served King Sutton.
He reached again, nearly snatching it from my hand. I sneered.
“Give it to me, Audryn.” Fisher’s voice was low as threat laced his words.
“Touch her and die.” Col’s voice was rough and dripped with venom. He moved to step between us, but I pushed past.
“Why is my brother’s name on this list, Guard Fisher?” I knew the answer the moment he claimed ownership, maybe even before that. It was the same list I carried in my head, only mine was shorter. It was a death list.Hisdeath list.
Fisher’s eyes went wide.
Col stepped to my side, and when I looked at him, his eyes were onyx. Magic thickened the air, a mixture of mine, Fisher’s, and what I’d come to recognize as Col’s. An unfamiliar tang was wrapped in the mix, and when I found Amalee staring, I knew hers was the biggest threat to us all.
Col unsheathed his sword and stepped forward.
“No,” I commanded, and the king obeyed.
