I hug him again for good measure.
A month ago I was supposed to protect her.
A month ago I watched them drag her away and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
Champion of the Wild Court. Couldn’t even keep one woman safe.
The shame of it sits in my chest like a stone I can’t cough up.
And here finally is the tether I have to our mate. I can’t help the fact I missed him.
“You’re going to kill him, Orion.” Kieran’s cold voice rolls over me and I immediately drop Finnian and turn to Kieran. “I will kill you,” he immediately snarls.
I don’t hug him. He’s using the same voice I used when I threatened to kill Whispen.
I hold my hands up and chuckle. “Fair enough.”
“Now that the gang’s all here,” Kieran rubs his hands together, letting little snowflakes fall to the sticky tavern floor. “Are you ready to get started?”
Finnian’s jaw tightens. “Some of us have been ready for weeks.”
Rude. Snorting, I mutter, “I was on my way.”
Kieran doesn’t flinch, but the temperature drops three degrees.
I look between them. Something happened while I was gone. Something neither of them wants to name.
I want to ask about her. The question sits heavy on my tongue, shoving against my teeth.
Is she?—
I open my mouth.
Kieran’s eyes flick to mine. Ice blue and razor sharp. A warning lives there. Or maybe a plea.
Don’t.
If something were wrong they would have led with it. That’s what I tell myself.
So I swallow it down. Lock it behind my ribs where it can burn in private.
4
Ash
“You’relucky I’ve been tapped of magic,” I glare at Kestra. And I do mean glare. Maybe I enforce it with a little growl.
I’ve dealt with her kind before. Cruel. Unusual. She reminds me so much of Sabina.
“Ash, you are being dramatic.” She knocks on the closet door. “You’ve worn dresses before.”
I swing the door open and point a finger in her face. “Don’t you dare.”
She hides her smile. Barely.
“You said breakfast. You know how I feel about food.” It’s the only thing I have to look forward to. “You said—” I stumble over my words I’m so angry.
“I said,” she grips my shoulders and drags me from the closet probably because I’m wearing this abomination of a dress, “if you wear an official Unseelie Court attire you may attend breakfast.”
