“I thought we’d explore the grounds a little bit. Ivan may or may not have given me some tips on some good spots to visit.” He holds up the picnic basket. “Also, I brought food.”
Of course he did. I remember the way he dug into his dinner the other night.
We step outside into the crisp air and the shining sun. It’s a gorgeous day. A slight breeze sends the loose tendrils of my hair fluttering in the wind.
“You look beautiful today,” August says as we walk down the white limestone stairs in unison.
I blush at the compliment. “Thank you. So do you. Well, not beautiful, but very handsome,” I say, finishing the compliment awkwardly.
He chuckles. “I’ve been called beautiful before.”
“Wow, I’m so surprised,” I say sarcastically.
He throws his head back in laughter. We near the bottom of the stairs and pause to look back at the castle. “Those stairs are going to suck going back up,” he mutters.
“It was your choice to come all the way down here,” I point out.
He turns to me, a charming smile lighting his handsome face. “It will be worth it. At least, I hope it will,” he says before grabbing my hand and leading me down the path away from the castle.
We walk in silence for a moment before he asks, “How are you doing?”
I slowly turn my gaze to him. “What do you mean?”
“Well, dinner ended so suddenly the other night. I just assumed something was wrong.” He looks at the ground, a grimace on his face. “And now I’m overstepping. I’m sorry.”
I squeeze his hand and say, “No, it’s okay. Thanks for asking. I’m doing much better.”
He offers me a smile, but silence falls between us again. The farther we walk from the castle, the closer the trees grow together, their trunks seeming to thicken the farther we walk. I glance up, only to find that the canopy above us has thickened so much that only glimpses of the blue sky can be seen now.
He squints down the path, his hand still holding mine. “I think it’s close. Ivan said I would know I was close when the trees started to block the sun.”
He continues leading me deeper into the forest, not even needing to concentrate on the rocky path beneath us, his half-Fae reflexes doing the work for him.
The light fades even more, the trees standing so close together that even the sounds of the forest seem to have been muffled. The morbid tale of the First Deer Queen reverberates in my head like a warning sign.
Anxiety starts to worm its way into my gut. William stayed back at the castle on my own orders. It’s just August and me alone in the forest. How many times have Ivan and Elle reminded me that the killer is still out there? I scold myself for being so stupid.
“August,” I say, trying my best not to sound as nervous as I feel.
I inhale once, then exhale, ready to wrench my hand from his and run back to the castle.
“Aha, here it is!” he exclaims, a smile lighting his face as he looks at me. His face falls when he sees my expression. “What’s wrong?”
I stare at him. “Um, are you going to kill me?” I squeak.
He drops my hand and his eyes widen. “What?” he asks, genuine shock appearing on his features. I throw my net up quickly, just before he responds. “No!”
Nothing snags.
Truth.
“Why would you ask me that?” Now, he’s looking at me in horror.
I glance around the forest. “This setting is…ominous,” I say.
He looks around and frowns. “It is pretty dark,” he admits. “Look, I think it’s just up here.” He motions to a bend in the path, where light is softly glowing.
“What is?” I ask dubiously.
