A verdant hill in that unmistakable bell shape sits sentinel above the valley, protecting it from the winds howling down the Brumalts. Shielded from the harsher weather patterns, the region is a luxuriant tapestry of green flora and blue lakes. Forest and moss and olive and sage mingle with a shade of deep cobalt so reminiscent of Lachlan’s eyes, it’s as if he’s always wearing a reminder of his homeland.
But amidst the beauty are pockets of ruin; smoldering wounds burned into the land by Duke Áine’s occupation.
“Why have the other Houses done nothing to stop him?” I ask as Lachlan steers Tula down toward the town center. The ring warms as we get closer.
“Cernunnos hasn’t involved himself in any of the kingdom’s affairs beyond the Seasonal presentation ceremonies for the past six years. And Desmond is hamstrung. An official public move against Duke Áine would kick off a civil war, especially since he won that ruling from Queen Caer and King Aengus. It would drag even more of the kingdom into the fighting. The best way to end this without further loss of innocent lives is for Desmond to win the monarchy. That way, he can rescind the ruling and kick Áine’s forces out. But Des has still been helping in private ways. Sending supplies to the region in secret. Weapons, too. And, well,mewhen he can spare me.”
“What does that mean?”
He smirks. “You’ll see.” Tula pauses at an overlook, and Lachlan slides his hand under mine, flicking the ring with his thumb to check the temperature. The palm-to-palm contact sends a frisson of pleasure down my spine. “Are you sensing something? Feels warmer than usual.”
I survey the populated areas of the Vale, my simmering anger rising to a rolling boil. There are far too many burned-out shells of buildings. Far too many celestial knights on the streets, even at this early hour, glinting like schools of minnows in shallow water. Far too much evidence of Duke Áine claiming this idyllic region by destroying it. Does he plan to claim me the same way?
When I first arrived in the Otherworld—god, it feels like eons ago—and Desmond explained the Hunt and my suitors, it all sounded so tempting. Sothrilling. Who would win me, I wondered? How handsome and wealthy would my pursuers be?
Such shallow considerations. They shame me now, looking upon this once-peaceful valley. Desmond and Duke Áine and even Duke Cernunnos, I have no doubt, are incredible specimens of masculine beauty and obviously live quite comfortably. But it’s clear they are not all good men.
How much agency will I be afforded during the Hunt? Will I be able to influence the outcome to ensure I end up with the right man?
I press back into Lachlan, and I?—
The ring singes my flesh as my gaze catches on a brick structure—some kind of small church or a temple—nestled on a property along a sparkling lakeshore.
“There. That’s where we should start searching.”
Lachlan slumps forward, resting his chin on my head. “Are you quite sure?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because that church is on the old Áine estate.” He pushes out a ragged breath.
“The headquarters of the duke’s forces here in Campan’s Vale.”
How many knightsare outside the main house?Lachlan asks.
I peer around a large tree at the edge of the property. Lachlan sent Tula away with cryptic instructions to wait for him in their usual spot.
Four, by my count.What shall we do about them?
Lachlan’s thoughtful, parting his lips as he drags the tip of his tongue down a fang. An innocuous tic. Unbearably attractive.
There’s no reason whyyoucan’t be here, he says.Just tell them you’re searching for the fragment. You should be allowed entry wherever you need to go. Myself on the other hand …
What?
He leans back against the tree, and scrubs his face with his palms.I’ve been banished from Campan’s Vale since the early days of Áine’s occupation.
You punched a bunch of people, didn’t you?
He snickers, daring a peek around the tree before pulling back.That knight on the left? The beefy blond with the long hair? I broke his jaw. And caused similar damage to ten of his friends who were terrorizing a mother and her two young daughters. Took Des weeks of careful diplomacy to ensure I hadn’t exposed his other, more clandestine efforts in the Vale. My banishment was the price we paid to keep our operation going in secret. Needless to say, I cannot accompany you unless I want to spend the rest of the Season in Áine’s dungeons.
I shrug.I’ll go alone.
You’re funny. Bodyguard, remember?
You’ve let me go places alone before.
That was before I saw how shit you were at defending yourself against the báshounds the other night.
