“Yes, Leo mentioned that Wren could stay with me. But we’ve decided that it would be fun to spend some time in the village. I know it’s not something I’ll get a chance to do the rest of my stay. This might be the only opportunity I get. And I definitely want to take Wren to the cheese shop and bakery.”
My dragon pushes at my skin. We’re in agreement, but keeping her locked up isn’t something we can do. Not anymore. Not here. That’s what Kieren has told me morethan once this week. And I can’t create another fake reason to keep her from being out and about without us again. “I see.”
“It’s just for tonight into tomorrow,” she says. “You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
Wren’s watching her sister with hawklike eyes. “I’ll have her back tomorrow night. I have to be back in Zurich by midnight or I turn into a pumpkin.”
“A pumpkin?”
“She’s referring to the fairy tale Cinderella,” Evander says.
“I’ll have her back tomorrow.” Wren steps back into the bedroom. “I’m going to go use the little pumpkin room.” She disappears into the water closet.
“Sorry about my sister. She’s a lot.”
“I heard that,” comes through the closed bathroom door.
“But I still love her. Are you okay with me going?” she asks softly.
“Of course we are,” Evander answers before I can tell her no. “Have fun. Well, not too much fun, Spunky.” Evander hooks his arm through mine and pulls me down the corridor, where he tosses open his suite door and pushes me inside.
“Why in the heavens did you tell her that we’re okay with her going?” I growl. “I’m nowhere near okay with her going to the village alone. Are you insane?”
“No, I’m not insane. But I’ve already arranged it. I’ve got a security detail for her. And I’ve upgraded the dismal little room she booked. We can contact them anytime we need information.”
“You want a bunch of males stalking our candidate? Males that aren’t us?”
“No. That’s why I hired a firm that specializes in female shifters who do security. Wolf shifters and the like.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I didn’t think you were going to, Thundercloud.”
I hate that nickname.
41
RAINE
“That’s it.” I hook my arm with Wren’s. “Did you like the castle tour? There’s just one thing left—the collection.” I take her back inside from the garden.
“I wish we had more time to do the maze. I bet you could really get lost in there.” Wren looks back at the spot where I thought I was going to die.
“Yeah, well, we have to pick and choose, you know. Like when you’re on a one-night layover. Do you go looking at the city or do you sleep?”
“Always go for the tour. I can sleep later.”
“Right, well, I know art isn’t your jam, but this collection is amazing.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
I take her back inside to the south hallway and into the old banquet hall, now collection or hoard room, depending on who you are.
“Whoa, Raine.”
“I know.”
Wren spins around, her mouth open. “This is... this is crazy. I don’t know who painted this, but I know I should know.”
