“She unexpectedly bumped into him. He helped her evade Lochlainn’s men at the time. Only told her he was searching for something—wouldn’t say what.” Wyatt let silence settle for a beat before adding, “Alvar wasn’t here to harm anyone. Just passing through, using some cloaking magic. Not sure how he made it through the grove unnoticed.”
Wyatt didn’t say it, but we both knew—if she was involved, we couldn’t keep her out of this anymore. He’d warned me about this—of the inevitable. It was my nature and my job to do what I could to delay it.
Faelad’s face went contemplative. A hand dragged over his copper beard as he released an exhausted breath.
“Vinterland coming out of hidingmeanssomething. If their Shield is active . . .” His voice trailed off, face sullen. “What has Vinterland been doing this whole time without their King? Why enter the lands now?” Then he turned back to me. “Ask your Cherubs if they’ll deliver one last letter. Maybe if I call out his trespassing, they’ll respond. We need to know what they know, and what their next move is.”
In the distance, deep melodic pipes echoed, the sound vibrating through the air like a distant warning.
“Let the Fortuna Ball begin,” Faelad mumbled, words weighted, burdened by truths unspoken. “The snakes are already on the move. Chances are the road ahead could be longer than any of us foresee. Enjoy the festivities while you can.”
52
CARWYNN
My thumb swirledover bare skin where the purple emergency Cherub eject button normally sat. I instantly regretted leaving it behind. Should’ve let the color clash with the dress. Though with my luck, Pudge would show up and instead of saving me, he’d add more fuel to the fire.
The Enbarr sped through the forest, its hooves beating the earth like a pointy-eared, fluffball pony in a derby.
Thank god for that . . .
I couldn’t handle the silent friction building in the carriage. For countless minutes, Pogue and Finley were locked in a staring contest. No winner yet, but I was sure I’d lose either way.
My throat cleared obnoxiously, projecting my thinning patience.
Finley reluctantly turned his head, his eyes met mine through the dimness. A small, apologetic smile pulled at his mouth. Slowly, he settled his hand on my exposed leg, thumb tracing soothing circles along my skin.
Across from us, Pogue tracked the movement. Face stone-cold. The very aura around him became a black hole, vacuuming out the light.
“Curious,” Pogue pressed, as if dipping a finger in to test the waters. “When did you two first meet, Carwynn?”
Finley’s hand tensed on my leg. I felt the muscles in his arm go taut too.
What an odd thing to ask. What the hell was he doing?
My skin prickled, a chill slithered down my spine as his words settled on my mind, foreboding. They seemed to ask so little, yet, say so much.
“He took my Human Studies course. So probably right after I—” I began.
“Moved back to the Ferie Realm,” Pogue finished, nodding as if he’d already heard the story. “And I’m guessing within that first week? He probably, what—asked you out, offered to pick you up from your house? Or perhaps insisted on walking you home—being new to the realm and all, and he’s such agentleman.” Something sinister snaked hissed behind the words. “Am I right?”
I could only imagine what my face looked like, utter bewilderment tattooed all over it.
My eyes dragged to Finley, hoping to see some semblance of confusion mirroring my own. Instead, he’d gone rigid, drilling Pogue with a look that made me think he was one snap away from throttling him.
“I don’t understand,” I muttered with a mix of bemusement and something darker. “What’s this about?”
A strangling hush fell between us, tension misting around like a stale cologne. Finley and Pogue were two predators waiting for the other to flinch.
“Hey!” I snapped my fingers midair, trying to break whatever hypnosis they were both under. “What’s going on?”
The carriage jerked to a halt. A strong arm braced myshoulder, steadying me from flying forward. Pogue’s hand lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary, caressing my skin as he steadily retracted it. My stomach tumbled as his eyes brushed the scars on my shoulder, an ember of fire lighting behind them.
“How lucky of you that Lochlainn’d have such a kind, honest cousin to walk you home each night.” Pogue’s branded me on the spot, words splashing up like acid. He shot a final look, then opened the door and left.
A hush fell, drowning me in my own thoughts.
What the hell just happened?Was I having an out-of-body experience?Unable to process. Unable to move.
