“Tauren…” Dahlia steps forward, but I can’t take my eyes off the child. She has horns, even if they’re smaller than they should be for a girl of her age, so she must be a demon, but she smells like a human. And woven between her likeness to Maeve is a likeness to someone else. Someone that makes my gaze darken.
“How old are you, child?” It can’t be. Maeve would’ve told us.
The girl just blinks at me, fidgeting with her blue skirt.
“You’re scaring her.” Dahlia steps between us. The girl hides behind her, gripping my wife’s arms with white knuckles.
I force my anger to settle a little. “I asked her a question and she’s not answering.”
“She can’t talk.” Dahlia scowls. “I told you that before, remember?”
My lips press together. I’m about to ask a different question when another voice fills the forest.
“Dahlia? You’re back!” Claren rushes past me.
I ignore the ugly jealous feeling inside me when Dahlia’s face lights up.
Before Claren can hug her, his gaze catches on the trembling girl, and his smile drops. “Who is that?” he mutters.
I already know, but I can’t bring myself to say it.
Maeve’s hair. Maeve’s eyes. Elheart’s nose and mouth.
“They had a daughter?” Claren breathes.
“A daughter?” Dahlia blurts. “But Elheart called her—” She stops herself, thinking. “Wait… Maybe he never actually called her Maeve. All this time I just assumed…” Slowly, she turns around to face her. “Is Lord Elheart your father?”
She nods timidly.
It’s like I’ve just been punched in the stomach. “Can you write, child?” I manage.
She nods again.
“Good.” I adjust my cuffs. “Once we return to the castle you can write your name for us and give us any information you have about your mo—” I feel ill, “about Maeve.” I glance at Claren. “Have my men prepare the carriage for you and take the child with you.” It’s then I notice the two other women, a younger blonde clinging onto a dark-haired, scowling woman like her life depends on it. “Take the strays, too. I’m assuming they’re something to do with my wife.”
I glance at her, expecting to receive a grateful smile, but her expression is murderous. “Thosestraysare my sisters. Blossom and Eden.”
“Your sisters are here?” I sputter.
She nudges them towards Claren. “Go with them,” she speaks softly. “Once we get to the castle I’ll find you and we’ll figure out how to get you home.”
“You’re not coming with us?” the blonde squeaks.
“I…” I don’t like the hesitation in her tone. She whispers something to them, too quiet for me to hear, then passes them to Claren, who leads them with a kind smile towards the carriage.
Too bad for her, I’m not feeling anywhere near as kind. “What did you tell them?” I ask the second they’re gone.
“It doesn’t matter what I told them.” She lifts her chin. “Now, I’m assuming you have spare horses for us to ride back on. We won’t all fit in the carriage.”
Her bratty tone is so sweet, my mouth waters. “Have you forgotten your training already?” I walk towards her until her back is flat against a tree. Pushing up her skirt, my hand teases her thigh.
“Stop it.” The anger in her tone makes me pause. “Believe me, the last thing I want right now isthat.”
I pull back to meet her furious gaze. Her lower lip is trembling.Shit. “Did something happen at the palace?” If Elheart laid a single finger on her, I’ll?—
“You mean other than hearing about your lies?” she snaps.
“My lies?”
