I freeze mid-step.
Fury spikes.
Power erupts.
And it’s as though the world turns to ice.
The forest now resembles a winter painting. I watch my shaking breaths curl upward in shimmering clouds. Sunlight elbows its way through the branches overhead, making the frost sparkle. And there, standing in the middle of it all, a satisfied smile etching at the corners of his cruel mouth, is the Earth Cleaver.
My heart beats so loudly in my ears that I wouldn’t be surprised if he could hear it too. What have I done? Andhowdid I do it?
Fox leans against a glistening tree, crossing one ankle behind the other. ‘I’d say you’re welcome, but I have a feeling that wouldn’t go down particularly well.’
My brows shoot up. ‘You’retaking credit for this?’
‘In part. I gave you what you wanted. Your power was weak – now it’s not, and seemingly it’s even stronger than before.’
I make to respond but a sudden wave of dizziness washes over me, causing me to sway on my feet. Fox is there in an instant, holding out a steadying arm.
I shake him off, some of my anger returning, battling through the shock. ‘Don’t.’
For a moment, so fleeting that I can’t be sure whether it happened at all, he looks almost wounded.
Good, I think.
I start to march away but the slippery ground lurches violently then turns spongy. My limbs feel like liquid.
‘Easy,’ says Fox. His voice is soft. Gone is any trace of arrogance or amusement.
I try to frown at him but it proves rather difficult, for there now seem to be two of him. My head spins and I make a small, feeble sound. Everything hurts.
This time, when he reaches out, I surrender. Fox scoops me up, cradling me with surprising tenderness as he carries me through the frozen forest.
‘I don’t like you,’ I mumble into his chest.
His lips are on my hair as he murmurs, ‘I know.’
19
Flint
The moor seems to go on forever, purple heather stretching in all directions.
The Wildlands are made up of four principal landscapes – moors, meadows, mountains and forests. Having already grown tired of the endless moorland, frankly, any of the others would be preferable. At least then there would be some variation – trees, grassy plains, pretty flowers, not-so-pretty swamps. Even cliffs. I would honestly rather be hiking up a cliff right now, if only to fantasize about pushing Sheen over the edge.
He’s walking several paces in front, shoulders back, spine poker-straight, really milking those few inches of height he has on me. He tends to do that – walk slightly ahead. I’ve never been able to work out whether it’s because he likes that I’m forced to trail along behind, or that he hates being in my company so much he needs just a couple of yards of distance between us in order to tolerate it. Perhaps both.
It’s been this way since the day we met. Sheen seemed to take an instant dislike to me, and as someone who has spent their entire life being more or lessadoredby everyone, I admit I find it … well, rather infuriating, actually. I’m not used to people not liking me. It’s not that I expected it to feelgood, but I just never expected it to feel thisbad.Several times I’ve come close to asking him outright. But it just always sounded a bit stupid.
Why don’t you like me?
All right. Pathetic, even.
Though maybe I shouldn’t take it too much to heart, because Sheen doesn’t seem to like anyone. He’s so different from the other Eyes, with their court gossip and glamorous parties, living so vivaciously, carving out a space for themselves in every room.
In any case, Spinner’s delight at being in my company more than makes up for Sheen’s distaste for it. Unlike him, she was never immune to my charms. Things between us started just before the second trial, but I knew how she felt about me only days after arriving at the palace. I have this way of drawing people into my orbit, of making them fall fast and hard. It’s not intentional. It’s inherent – just a part of who I am. Orwas.
Yet while I may have a long list of lovers, I don’tdolove. I’m not one for grand gestures or soul-bearing declarations. I only hope Spinner doesn’t see this,us, as more than it is – a bit of fun, a casual, mutually satisfying arrangement with no strings attached.
