“Why not?” she asked, continuing her determined trek forward. “Shouldn’t you have more pressing matters to attend to?”
“Such as?” he asked.
He didn’t fail to notice that she’d avoided his question. She clearly didn’t want him to know what she was doing in the woods, her boots churning up clumps of wet snow. He had only known her for a short while, but he already understood her far better than he understood most. She had a spark in her eye and a determined set to her jaw. Whatever she was up to, she felt it was important.
“Getting my sister out of the city, for instance,” she said as they passed the clearing where they’d trapped the assassin. And rolled around in the snow together, arms twined.
“Well, for one, it’s the middle of the night. Two, you only just decided to send her home. We cannot just cart her out of the city with no warning.”
“Perhaps you should,” she said with a frown, still hurriedly rushing down the path.
“If you’re so worried for her safety, then why are you out here traipsing in the woods instead of standing watch outside her chambers?”
She stopped suddenly and pointed her dagger at him. “And I suppose you would allow me to do that?”
“No,” he said with a smile. “But when has that ever stopped you?”
Reyna rolled her eyes and resumed her rush down the wooded path. With a sigh, he followed suit. She moved quickly through the thick trees, ducking beneath snow-laden branches. Even against the slushy ground, she moved easily, her feet finding purchase against the slick surface.
He followed just behind, watching her movement. Her head swivelled from left to right. Occasionally, she stopped to examine a branch. She was clearly in search of something, though what she expected to find in these woods, he could hardly wager a guess.
He grabbed her arm. “Reyna, if you do not tell me what you’re doing out here, I will be forced to carry you back to the castle. Thane’s orders.”
She yanked her arm away and whirled to face him. “I believe Ula came through here when she escaped. So, I’m following her trail.”
He arched a brow. “Thane made it clear that he doesn’t like you chasing after assassins in the woods.”
She mumbled something beneath her breath.
“What was that?” he asked.
She sighed. “I said I do not care if he likes it or not.”
“That is deliciously blunt.” He smiled. “You have not fallen for his charms then?”
She gave him a piercing look. “Whatcharms?”
“The charms that every female at court sees, other than you.”
“No, I can’t say I’ve noticed these charms,” she said hotly. “But I’ve been fairly distracted by the repeated assassination attempts against me and my sister.”
Lorcan frowned, though secretly, he felt pleased. Reyna and Thane clearly made a terrible match. He’d thought that from the moment he’d discovered that Glencora was ill. Thane would be far better off with someone else. Reyna would, too. She needed someone just as rebellious as herself. Someone who didn’t care about court, or fashionable clothes, or simpering lords and ladies.
Someone who appreciated her for exactly who she was. Someone who never wanted that spark to fizzle out.
“I’m sure Thane will be displeased to hear that,” Lorcan said, rather than voicing his thoughts aloud. Even if Reyna had not fallen for Thane’s charms, she was still very much his betrothed. And she would remain that way, as long as he didn’t let her run off into the woods to chase down assassins.
“I am entirely certain that Thane is aware our marriage is simply for the alliance.” She shook her head and spun back toward the branch she had been inspecting. “Now, let me be. I can’t track when I’m talking.”
He inched up beside her and peered down at the branch. At the very end, where the bark narrowed into a sharp point, the branch had broken, as if someone had rushed by.
“A female of many talents,” he murmured. “You can track as well as fight.”
She shot him an odd look. “It’s strange that you think those are talents. Most don’t, particularly not my father.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You are fire with a dagger. I can only imagine what you can do with a sword. And the ability to track? Most fae are never taught that.”
“I’m a princess. I’m not supposed to have the skills of a warrior.”
