Two bulky men with black stripes on their faces and a small feather tattooed on their cheekbones morph into monstrous birds.
“Fal.” Mattia and Riccio raise two fingers to their foreheads in salute as they climb aboard their feathered steeds. Where Mattia grins at being airborne, Riccio’s ruddiness leaks right out his cheeks.
Syb and Gia climb atop the shifter sisters’ backs.
Syb alternates between eyeing the hatch and eyeing me. “I should stay.”
I shake my head. “I promise to behave.”
“And wear actual clothes?” She bobs her head toward my outfit.
“Once they reappear from the laundry.”
“I meant—”
Crow-Imogen—or is it Eefah?—flaps her wings, cutting off my friend’s speech and breath, but only momentarily.
“I meant the ones in your closet! Love you, Fal!” Syb yells, right before vanishing through the hatch.
Antoni dares approach me. I think he’s about to hug me, but a glance behind me—at Lorcan I presume—stills his advance. Is this to be my future? No male daring to hug me? Well, besides Phoebus?
Antoni holds out his hand. Because we’ve never shaken hands, I stare at it a beat too long. Finally, I reach out and take his palm, which feels very dry, like . . .
Oh . . .
My eyes grow wide as I realize it isn’t his skin I’m feeling.
“See you soon, Fal.” Although he doesn’t blink, I read the warning to stay quiet about the note he’s just given me.
As I slip my hand from Antoni’s and tuck my fist at my side, tendrils of Lorcan’s smoke curl around my neck and collarbone.
Don’t touch me.With my unencumbered hand,I whisk away the spiderweb texture of his magic, yet I swear I can still feel it cling to my skin.
My hands are at my sides, Behach Éan.
I turn to scowl at him.Withanypart of your body.
Then do not touch other men.
Although I want to smother this mental bond as soon as possible, my molars and lips are wedged too tightly to allow words through.Whom I touch is none of your concern. Besides, it was a handshake. Hardly worth getting your feathers in a bunch.
While Lore’s golden eyes rove over Antoni, his attention presses into my spine, prompting me to square my shoulders. “Your gold and your mansion awaits, Greco.”
I startle. “A mansion?”
“In Tarecuori.” Antoni casts a long look at the king he helped resurrect.
I wonder if he regrets it.
Perhaps, but I doubt he regrets his newfound prosperity.As Antoni climbs atop another giant bird, Lorcan says, “Imogen will be at your house tomorrow evening to discuss your visits to Rax. I’ve also tasked her to be our go-between with Vance from this point forward.”
“Who’s Vance?”
“The unofficial leader of the Racoccins,” Lorcan explains just as the Crow carrying Antoni takes off.
“Safe travels, Antoni!” I call out as one more friend is swept away.
Once the air stops churning and I find myself alone with Lorcan, Keeann, and Bronwen, I scan each one of their faces. “What exactly are you planning?”
