“Bit chilly,” Asmo mutters as he stuffs his hands into his pocket.
“No shit,” Holly quips back. Mother, I love this version of her.
I survey the winter woods. “At least there are no witches here this time,” I say. The blanket of white is all-encompassing, not a blur of black leather or Cursed creature to be seen. Holly re-adjusts the daggers hidden in a belt that loops around her hips.
Asmo and I wear the same disguises as before, the sigil etched into the space below our ribs. Holly, much to Luca’s disapproval, is herself. She wears a scarf to hide her face, but that’s the extent of her disguise. Her honey blonde hair is longer now, and she struggles to keep it tame against the wind.
We make the journey into town quietly. I can’t stop picturing the Cursed, cambions, and osseri hiding behind every tree, and my nerves are shot by the time we make it into town. We cut through the crowded streets as a silent unit, me sandwiched between Asmo and Holly. Outdoor vendors stand nearly empty and blanketed in snow, while cafés are packed with hybrids desperate to escape the freezing weather.
The Fox Den comes into view as we round the corner, its interior looking barren through foggy windows. The entrance is blocked by two guards wearing suits of light blue and gray armor.
“This tavern is closed,” the one on the right says firmly.
“May I ask why?” Asmo responds, using the most respectful tone I’ve ever heard come out of his mouth.
“Matters of the High Family.”
I fight to contain my smile. Flint really did it. He got August here.
“Oh! Perfect. I believe those matters involve us.” Asmo flashes the guards a charming smile. “We’re here to meet Prince August and his cousin, Flint. Please inform them that we’ve arrived.”
The guards don’t move. I wonder how much it’s killing Asmo to act so cordial. If the guards knew who hid behind the disguise, a simple command and sharpening of his gaze would have them rushing to open the doors.
Holly stirs beside me. “Is it possible that this meeting isn’t for us and we got the location wrong?”
“No, this is it,” Asmo says confidently, then cups his hands over his mouth. “Flint! We’re here!”
My mouth falls open. “What are you doing?” I shout-whisper at him, which is pointless because the guards are standing four feet in front of us.
“If they’re not going to tell him, then I’ll tell him. We didn’t come all this way for nothing. We had a plan. It’s not my fault that Flint didn’t tell us the secret password to get in.”
The tavern door opens. Flint stands there, a smile on his face. “Hello!”
“See? I told you,” Asmo says to the guards before pushing past them and pulling Flint into a friendly embrace.
Prince of Darkness, my ass.
“You made it!” Flint exclaims before turning his attention to me. “Hello again! I don’t think I ever caught your name, now that I think about it.”
I say the first name that comes to mind. “Amelia.”
“And this must be…” he says, turning his gaze to Holly. His smile flickers when he sees her, his gaze lingering on her scars. He catches himself and pastes the smile back on.
My blood boils and I tamp down a string of curses. I shouldn’t have asked her to do this.
“Holly,” she says warmly, extending her hand. She either didn’t notice his smile falter or, like me, she shoved it into a box to think about later. He takes her hand in his and places a brief kiss on the scarred skin.
“Holly, welcome! Let’s get you out of the cold.” He ushers her inside, and we follow, the tavern a ghostly version of the one we visited the other day. The only sounds are our feet shuffling on the floorboards below and a fire crackling. No billiards being shot, no glasses clinking together, no raucous hybrids shouting as they call for more beer.
The room is empty save for one figure seated on a green leather sofa next to the blazing fire, long legs crossed at the knee. His golden blond hair is neatly styled, pointed ears peeking through the glossy strands.
My breathing quickens. He’s here.
“Cousin!” Flint exclaims. “Our guests have arrived!” I wish I could bottle his enthusiasm and drink it every morning instead of coffee.
August rises from the sofa and I’m taken back to the first time I met him. He is gorgeous. Tall and golden skin and blond hair and those piercing eyes the color of a glacier. They captivated me then and they captivate me now. But unlike before, they gloss over me and move right to Holly.
He freezes.
