The universe took pity on me, settling his hands down into his pockets.
“Ready for the ball tomorrow?” Finley asked. An expectant look sparkled on his face.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I muttered. “Honestly, I’m more nervous about heading off to Eostre Land the morning after with a hangover.” An avoidant laugh shot out of me, sounding forced.
Why was I acting like this? It was Finley, my Finley. My friend, my?—
My brain stopped dead in its tracks.
I messed up. We weren’t supposed to be in this awkward zone of blushing and overthinking when we were around each other. It wasn’t meant to go beyond liking.
God damn it . . .
“I hear ya.” Finley’s eyes danced. Then, he cocked his head, studying me as a small frown appeared. “I can’t imagine what ya going through—with everything that’s happened. Just know ya won’t be alone. I’m with ya—we’re in this together. I promise.” His eyes lingered on mine for a moment too long before he looked away.
Any chill that clung to my body was completely banished, replaced with simmering heat.
Slowly, his smiled returned and he rocked on his feet. “Personally, I’m beyond excited for the Ball. I’ve got myself a fine date lined up.” He winked.
I looked down, my lip sucked between my teeth, hoping to hide my sudden fluster. It was a failed attempt.
Coward. Just look at him.
Finley laughed, then stepped closer. A hot palm wrapped around my hand, grasping.
“Come on,” he said, jerking his head toward the forest. “I want to show you something.”
I glanced toward the tree line. It was now fully cloaked in pitch black, sending a shiver up my spine, remembering the night of the Dullahan.
Finley’s gaze followed mine, understanding flashing on his face. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“You’re safe with me, Carwynn. Always.” He gently tugged my hand taut, waiting for my feet to follow. His eyes held a question as his body waited for the answer.
Safe. Could there really be such a thing when it came to the circus of my life? No, probably not. But in this moment, I trusted Finley, and even if safety was just an illusion, he felt like a warm blanket, a promise that I’d never be betrayed to the cold.
I let out a slow breath and walked forward.
“Just a little farther,” Finley whispered. It was hard to see him, but I could hear the smile clear in his voice.
For several minutes, he led me through the woods. It only took sixty seconds before our fingers were laced. Strange. It was a vastly different feeling from when they’d been intertwined with others. They were just hands, and it was just skin, but it was . . .more.
Thankfully, my clumsiness seemed to have stayed home for the evening. I only tripped once on a fallen branch, but Finley’s arms worked at the speed of light to catch me.
A bright beam cut through the darkness, near-blinding. We’d left the abyss of the forest and emerged into a small clearing. Moonlight shone over large, weathered stones and green ivy twisted and turned crawling up them. It looked likeremnants of an old castle, now reduced to ruins with wildflowers in every color blooming in patches all around.
“It’s stunning,” I gasped, an excited smile tugging at my lips. “I didn’t know this was here!”
Finley watched me, as if observing how the moonlight soaked into my skin. Then, he faced the ruins, the corner of his mouth ticking up in a satisfied grin.
“An old Ossory Chapel—sacred to our kind. Keeffe and I used to play here as kids. Our own little sanctuary,” he said, the words sounding like cherished memories.
Fingers tightened around mine as he led me through an archway, and into a courtyard beyond. More lush plants grew around us. Some in the grass, others climbing the rubble walls, from delicate petals to large, vibrant blossoms. Farther out, stone benches dotted the yard, worn gold carvings still visible on their surfaces.
Sacred indeed.
I was in absolute awe, thinking that if I’d grown up here, this would’ve been my most precious treasure too. Maybe even more than just a sanctuary—a piece of my soul.
Before my mind could stop my heart, I rose to my tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to Finley’s cheek.
