“I cannot help you if I do not know what’s going on.”
That’s the problem. “No one can help me.”
She takes me by the hand, her expression softening. “What has he done?”
It’s all too much, keeping these secrets. Am I to take them to my grave? I can trust Nia—she’s been with me from the beginning of this downward spiral. Perhaps I’m being foolish not enlisting her help. Even if we cannot find a way out, at least I’ll have a shoulder to cry on. “Ronan found my dress at Trevor’s. He threatened to blame me for Trevor’s death.”
Sinking onto the end of my bed, Nia presses a hand to her forehead, her face milky pale. “Oh, Kerris… What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to marry him.”
“You can’t.”
I can and I will because: “I don’t have a choice.”
50
Everett
“Home is whereversheis.”
Everett Gathin, An Observation
Time passes in a blur—I am not even sure what day it is. All I know is that it is another day wasted withouther. I have tried to keep myself busy. Having the lads here helps, but the nights stretch on forever, empty and lonely, and there is no hope of it ever getting better.
That is why I have made a very important decision.
Maddox crests the hill, his boots slipping on his way down to where a rare patch of sunlight breaks through the trees. He comes to a stuttering stop, his nose wrinkling as he takes in the state of my trousers. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I am doing?” Sometimes Maddox asks the most idiotic questions.
I am kneeling in muck, there is a dagger in my hand, and a dead stag by his boots. Not the kill I had hoped to make this day, but at least we will not starve while I try to collect as many furs as possible.
The Seelie love furs, especially in winter. If I spend every waking moment hunting, I will have enough pelts to pay for a small house across the canyon. Kerris deserves a castle, but if she was willing to stay in my barrel-top, she would not mind some place small until I can afford to give her something larger.
I will resign myself to living the rest of my days being hated in her sun-drenched world if it means I get to share a life with her.
He cards a hand through his hair, his bare chest heaving as if he ran all the way here. “You have not heard?”
Gryffin jogs into view, his feet sure as they eat up the distance between us. “What the hell are you doing?” he bellows.
“He does not know,” Maddox throws over his shoulder.
Gryffin skids to a halt next to Maddox, perspiration dripping down his furrowed brow.
Looks like I am the one missing something here. “What do I not know?”
All they do is grimace, which tells me fuck all.
Maddox nudges Gryff with his elbow. “You tell him.”
“You are such a fucking coward,” Gryff mutters with a roll of his eyes.
“I prefer to give good news instead of bad.”
“Will one of you tell me what the fuck you are talking about?” Or else I am going to stab them both with this blade and leave their bodies for the scavengers prowling this forest.
Gryffin blows out a breath. If he is hesitating, it must be very bad, indeed. “Kerris is getting married.”
