My throat tightens, and I have an urgent desire to step away from her, but she looks so distraught. “You know I won’t let anything happen to you, Wren.”
Her lip begins to tremble. “You say that, but do you mean it? I saw how you treated Farron and Rosalina. So much gentleness and care. To me, you’re always so distant. They aren’t your mates. Iam.”
The words hit me like arrows. I want to stumble away from her, but I force myself to stay still, to not let the anguish show on my face. I’ve put Wrenley through enough.
“I can make you happy, Dayton, if only you’d let me try,” she says and stands on her tiptoes, lips turned toward mine.
Magic shimmers through my body as the last rays of sun dip below the horizon. My body shifts, transforming into the golden wolf. Wrenley gasps and lurches back, pressing against the door.
Water drips from my paws. Rotten seaweed tangles through my fur. Barnacle-covered shells are embedded in my skin, and the smell of rancid fish hangs heavy in the air.
“I will try harder, Wrenley,” I say, the wolf’s voice more guttural than I’ve ever heard it before.
She looks me up and down, fear flashing in her eyes. “How can you stand to be like this?”
I turn away from her and slump onto the floor. “Trust me. There are harder things to bear.”
CHAPTER 63
Ezryn
Aspark ignites within the kindling as I strike the flint against my dagger. Carefully blowing on the embers, I stoke the fire to life, feeding it dry grass until it stands on its own. I sit back on my heels and blow into my hands. Though the days in the desert burn so hot the sand is scorching to the touch, the nights carry a chill.
The sun hasn’t fully set yet; dusky light paints the horizon in brilliant orange. Luckily, the night after the harpy attack passed without incident. The princesses, despite their occasional whining, have kept a good pace. Though, I noticed Eleanor ceased her endless questions, and Delphia no longer ran ahead of us.We grow up in the wilds, I think. It’s the necessity of nature.
The thought sounds exactly like something my father would say. The hardened—at times brutal—belief that any hardship is an honor as long as we have the strength to survive it. It’s how Kairyn and I were raised.
Until we return to Hadria, the girls are my responsibility. Is this how I want to treat them? Like soldiers?
Tonight, we were lucky to have come across a small oasis tucked into the dunes. I’ve made our fire among the palm trees, using their fronds and bark as tinder. Bushes and patches of greenery remind me there is still some life in this barren place. A pool of water provided much needed relief from our filthy clothes. I’d scrubbed my hands until they were raw, finally ridding myself of the harpy blood which had dried and soured on my skin. Unfortunately, even after scrubbing it in the pool, Delphia’s blade seems permanently stained with harpy blood.
The girls are on the other side of the pool, taking turns holding a large palm frond up to the foal we found in the harpy nest. The little beast chomps greedily and flaps its wings in delight. Another mouth to feed with four wobbly legs was exactly the last thing we needed, but I couldn’t leave the Pegasus up there. Not with the small shimmer of hope it had ignited in the girls’ eyes. Besides, it reminded me of a lesson my mother once told me long ago.
We don’t know best when it comes to nature’s will, Ezryn. Would you tell the grass how to grow or a bird how to fly? Would you try to show a deer how to run or the sun how to shine? Nature knows best. But if you’re a patient enough listener, she might teach you.
I had wanted to keep heading north, but the foal—Drusilla, they’d dubbed her—had whinnied and pulled until we followed her westward. Sure enough, the sand turned to red clay beneath our feet. Peering past the descending sun, I can see steep rock canyons in the distance.Is that where you’re hiding, Huntresses?
The girls start to make their way back from the pool, leading Drusilla with another palm frond. I need to get them settled in their bedrolls before the sun dips. Last night, we’d been fortunate enough to find an abandoned cave in an outcrop of rock. With only one entrance, it was simple enough to guard. I’d tucked the girls at the very back of the cave with a fire, then followed the short path to the front where I’d stayed awake, watching all night. Every muscle in my body was tense with apprehension—I kept expecting something to creep out of the shadows and barge past me, heading straight for the girls. At the same time, I was afraid one of them would wake up and come and check on me. Instead of the man, they’d find my wolf.
I know they’re both aware of the Enchantress’s curse; their brothers have informed them. But I don’t want them to see the monster I become each sundown.
I’ve already scared them enough.
A knot tightens in my chest, and the twig I’m holding snaps. I can’t rid the image from my mind: their faces, splattered with blood as I drew my blade down on the harpy again and again and again. I told Dayton I would protect them, and I did. But at what cost?
I take a shaky breath. Ezryn hasn’t been able to keep anyone safe; only the Prince of Blood can.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Delphia snarls, slumping down by the fire, her back leaning against the felled trunk of a palm tree.
“I’m not stating opinion. These are facts and as much as you love to pretend your opinions are facts, they’re scientifically inaccurate,” Eleanor says in her usual dry tone, sitting against the other side of the trunk. Drusilla gives a concerned whinny and lies down across the fire from them.
“Well, your facts are stupid,” Delphia says.
“Good one,” Eleanor snorts.
I dust off the charcoal from my hands and sit between them, leaning back against the tree. “What are we fighting about this time?”
Delphia looks away from me, crossing her arms. I notice there’s a shimmer in her brown eyes.
