That kernel in my chest that had sparked back in Wormwood came alive once more, the humming much louder now, not as distant. I burned for her, and my heart filled up with something I couldn’t quite place. The closest word I had for it wasmagic.Could it be?
But then she moved away, and my chest went vacant again. I ignored the relief, elation, and throbbing disappointment vying for space in my stomach.
I understood. We couldn’t cross those lines, not with this much at stake.
I blew out the candles, the room falling into darkness save for the gentle glow from the fading embers.
I told myself it was a natural reaction. Hesper was objectively breathtaking, capable, and strong. We’d just shared our darkest stories with each other. Pain bonds faster than laughter in cases like these. Of course my body would react to her in that way. It meant nothing more. She was my protector. She only listened because she had to. She only kissed me because I pulled her close.
Once this was all over, she would leave, and I’d go back to the life I had before.
If that was even possible.
One is not simply born hating dogs; it is a learned behavior from years of malicious incidents with demon hounds from hell.
—opening line attempt 91
A sharp knock on our window startled us both awake. It was still dark outside, the room filled with a thick, creeping silence. The same silence that had come before Margast entered the wood days ago.
My heart stopped. If we brought darkness to this place, to this Haven, I’d never forgive myself.
Hesper threw open the window, letting Edge through.
“The Prince’s hounds are here,” he said in a low whisper.
“How many?” Hesper asked.
“Several. Water-drenched hounds. They came across the sea.” My Goddess.
“What? How?” I cut in.
“They were sent by boat,” Edge replied.
“I thought Marielle’s waters protected the Isles,” I said.
“They do,” Edge offered. “But only the water-touched. She cannot prevent boats from crossing above.”
“What do we do? And where is Warty?” I asked, looking between Hesper and Edge, my hedgehog nowhere to be seen.
“Do not fear, Madame. Warty elected to stay on the roof. He said he can better aim his quills at the hounds from high up, should something go awry.”
Sincewhenhad he ever done that? A snake in my garden once tried to attack me and all Warty did was scurry away, knocking over my tools stacked by the cottage door as he did so. I almost asked Edge if he was teaching Warty some defensive strategies, but there were more pressing questions that needed answers.
“How did they find us?” I asked. We’d been tracked from Moss through Wormwood, but the entrance to Lore was little known. And underwater at that. How could they have found out where we were so soon?
“Not every shadow is as it seems, Madame.” Edge bowed his head low.
I looked around, as if I could see if any of the darkness seemed like more than it was. Goddess, if even the shadows were unsafe, how were we going to survive this?
“I don’t understand. I thought the light kept them at bay.” Panic laced its way up my spine.
“It seems the hounds are, indeed, growing more powerful as the Prince does,” Edge said grimly.
Before I could ask any more questions, Hesper cut me off.
“We need to leave.” She draped my new cloak around me and secured both of our travel packs to her back.
“But what about the boat?” I asked, thinking of the kindinnkeeper who would be waiting for us to no avail when the sun arose.
