Dayton doesn’t even seem to register my words. There’s a bitter edge to his voice as he spits, “I’d never have done what he did. Sending you back there. Back tohim.”
I look to the closed pale green curtain.
“I don’t get it,” Dayton says, following my gaze to where Lucas sleeps. “Why bring him here? He’s a dick. He doesn’t deserve your help.”
I’d told Dayton about Lucas when we’d traveled together to the Summer Realm. How he’d asked me to marry him. At that point, a part of me still thought I’d return to Lucas. The idea sends a wave of nausea through me now.
“Why did I save him…” I whisper, still rubbing my wrist. “Because I could.”
Dayton narrows his eyes at me, and I continue, “Because he might not deserve my kindness, but if we can help someone, shouldn’t we?”
The golden wolf shakes his head, and murmurs not unkindly, “You’re too good for this world, Rosie.”
“I know now,” I say, staring at the pale green curtain, “after Lucas heals and we send him back, I never want to see him again. Ever.”
“Agreed. But hey, I warned you not to marry a man who wouldn’t even go down on you.”
It flashes in my mind: my legs flung over Dayton’s shoulders, his tongue brushing against me. But I shake my head and flick him in the snout. “Okay, fine, you told me so.”
He nuzzles closer to me, and I wrap my arms around his neck. Some of the rotten seaweed in his fur comes loose. Carefully, I pry it free, leaving behind only the glittering seashells.
Dayton squints at me. “How did you do that?”
“It just felt loose.” I smirk. “If you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a brush next.”
“I did not think you calling me a good boy would be such a turn on.”
“Can you not flirt with me while you’re like this? It’s weird.”
But the wolf playfully knocks his entire giant head into my stomach. “I don’t think I could stop flirting with you if I tried.”
A gasp sounds at the doorway, then a voice smooth as honey says: “Well, butter my biscuits! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
“You’re back! You’re really back!” a higher voice squeaks.
In the doorway stands a brown raccoon and a small white hare.
A sob stutters up my throat. “Marigold! Astrid!”
I fall to my knees in front of the animals. Astrid and Marigold leap into my arms, and I hug them with everything I have. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Finally, after an eternity, I let them go and sniff back the last of my happy tears.
“We heard the princes brought you home,” Astrid says, her red eyes glistening. “Thank you so much for finding her, Prince Dayton.”
“A little trip to the human world was nothing,” the golden wolf says. “I’d descend all the way to the Below to get Rosie.”
My heart jumps at the words, said so casually and yet like he’d said them with his whole heart.
“I’ll let you girls catch up.” He brushes past but stops and gives me one last look. There’s something in his turquoise eyes, a promise. I know what it means. He’s not going to let me go again.
I smile at him and then turn back to my friends. They’re both giving me a knowing look.
“Well, he’s certainly happy to have you back.” Marigold somehow waggles her brows, even in raccoon form.
I put my hands behind my neck, letting out a breath and tugging on my hair. “That’s just Dayton being Dayton.”
Astrid wiggles her nose. “We haven’t seen him like this in months.”
