Frowning faces fill the cavern.
Raven’s eyes narrow. “Come, then. I will bring you to her.”
My trousers cling to my skin as we traverse back the way we came and emerge into the bright day. Females line both sides of the path, extending bowls and plates of food toward me. Names are thrown my way and chests are thrust forward. Hunger gnaws at my gut, but I cannot accept any of these gifts for fear of offering false hopes.
My Seelie, with her mane of white curls, waits at the end of the gauntlet, her arms folded over a faded green dress. Did Fern give it to her?
Something must be terribly wrong, because Nia refuses to meet my gaze as I am led to one of the many ladders.
I reach for Nia’s hand to draw her closer, nodding up at the waiting cavern high above us. “Females first.”
All those gathered start chattering at once. The volume of their protests makes it difficult to decipher what they’re saying, but when I do, my jaw clamps in irritation.
They want Nia to stay with the other unmated females and promise to keep her safe, but I will not allow this. I have chosen to trust these fae of Riverglade, but my trust only extends so far. “Nia will stay with me, or we will not stay at all.”
The silver-haired female from the healing pool pushes through the crowd, her lips pursed in disapproval. “This Seelie is your mate?”
I want nothing more than to say yes, but she is not. Not yet. “Nia stays with me.”
Fawn’s eyes flash, but she nods, and the rest of the females slink away, untouched food still clutched in their hands.
I urge Nia to climb, and once we are both inside the small cavern, I bring the ladder up as well so that no one will follow without some warning.
The dwelling is small but comfortable enough, with a mattress stuffed with sweet grass and running water in the privy. There is a fireplace with a chimney cut into the stone to takeaway the smoke. The only thing that is missing is glass for the small windows.
I head into the privy to take off my wet trousers, rub my legs with the rough towel, and throw on the new ones. They are a bit tight across the thighs but will suffice this night. If I hang mine by the fire, they should be dry by the morning.
I find Nia standing next to the bed, studying the rust-colored wall. When she hears me enter, she turns, her expression one I do not recognize.
“What were they saying to you?” she asks in a small voice that sounds as if it belongs to someone else.
I sink onto the edge of the mattress. Stiff but many times better than the ground where we have spent each night since we landed in this unknown land. “They wanted you to stay with the unmated females.” From the corner of my eye, I see her stiffen. “I told them you stay with me, or we leave.”
She runs her hands down her skirts, a habit she has for when she is uneasy. This place is strange to us both, but as long as we are together, there is nothing to fear.
“I could’ve stayed with them if you wanted,” she says, refusing to meet my gaze.
“Why would I want this?”
She braces her hands on her hips, a waterfall of white spilling across her shoulders as she tilts her head. “You know why.”
“If I knew, I would not have asked.” Does she not wish to spend this night with me? Why did I not consider this?
We have been stuck together for many days, after all. Even my friends tell me that my presence can be draining. Perhaps she needs a break. I should have asked before assuming.
“They all had food, Maddox. Clearly, they’re wanting you to choose them as a mate.”
Now I understand. Her concern is not because she does not wish to be with me but because she wrongly believes that I do not wish to be with her.
I do not know those females. My blood does not sing for them. Surely, she must recognize this by now.
A ridiculous thought strikes me, leaving my lips before I can stop the words. “Is this jealousy?”
Her nose wrinkles. “What? No. I’m just saying you can do what you want.”
The pink on her cheeks calls her a liar.
This lie does not offend me. Nia is a prideful female. She would not wish to admit such a thing. But I know the signs. I have had jealousy ever since I first saw her with the Nolan.
