Page 28 of A Castle of Broken Memories

Tip-toeing around the three men slouched about the cramped space—and smothering a laugh at the sight of Tenebris snuggled so tightly to Calum’s side he was all but in his lap—I made my way outside. Stretching my arms overhead, I breathed in the sweet, fresh air, but it did little to ease the tension that’d been building all night.

I can’t believe I agreed to spend the entire day alone with Jack.

I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it to the side.

I can’t believe Jack is here to spend the day with.

The pants came next, followed by a pair of black panties. I paused, letting the early morning sun wash over my bare skin before allowing the wolf to claw her way to the surface. My paws hit the soft grass at a sprint, and I dashed across the lawn toward the streambed. Fish scattered in every direction as I splashed through the warm water. The stress from the previous evening melted away while I ran, leaping from rock to rock while I worked my way toward the trees. When I ran out of water, I took to the woods, careening around the peeling birch trees until they, too, came to an end and I was forced to pivot beside a swirling blue wall.

I put it to my left and ran some more, following the glimmering perimeter of the room’s boundary. The faint hum of magic vibrated from the wall, soothing the remaining wrinkles of tension as I trotted back toward the cabin. Jack stood outside with his hands stuffed in his pockets, watching me with the faint hint of a smile on his otherwise guarded face.

“I forgot how beautiful your wolf was,” he said when I approached.

I side-eyed him as I headed for my discarded clothing, drawing the wolf back inside while I did. Jack’s gulp was audible when I passed him, nonchalantly picking up my discarded clothes.

“And this,” he said, his voice coming out a touch strangled. “I definitely forgot how amazing this form was.”

I slid my underwear on before glancing over my shoulder. The bulge in his pants was impossible to miss, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he looked like beneath the layers of protective clothing he’d outfitted himself in. Would it be the same as I remembered? Or had that changed along with everything else?

His eyes flashed with an invitation to find out, and I whipped my head back around while I fumbled with my tunic. Embarrassment heated my neck when I realized just how flustered I’d become. I’m supposed to make people nervous, not the other way around.

“So…” I jammed my legs into my leather pants as I avoided looking at him. “Tell me about this sentient instrument we’re going to see today. What’s she like?”

“Harp?” His voice softened on her name, and I couldn’t help but glance up at him. A fond smile curved his lips. “She’s sweet and kind, an exceptional listener. Reminds me a bit of a mother the way she’s constantly trying to take care of me.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. “To be honest, she’s kind of my best friend.”

I blinked. Harp was his best friend? He used to say that about me. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who moved on. You should be happy he had someone to talk to all these years, even if it was only an enchanted instrument. And I was, truly. But also just a teeny bit jealous? Gods help me, I’m pathetic.

“Awesome. Let’s hope she can help us.” I forced a smile before yanking the cabin door open and yelling inside. “Wake up you lazy bums, the day’s a-wasting. And Calum, get your hairy ass off my rucksack. I need my shit.”

The boys grumbled sleepily while they stirred, and I gave Calum a little shove as I pulled my bag out from behind his back. The light dimmed when Jack stepped inside the doorway, but I kept my focus strictly on the contents of my rucksack while I pulled out a utility belt and knives, as well as some potions and brushes. I could feel his gaze burning a hole in my back, but I refused to look back and meet it.

Because there was no telling what he’d see reflected in my eyes if I did.

17

Seeing Mariana’s wolf in action again was surreal. She had the same dark fur, gleaming like polished obsidian in the sun, and the same loping grace as before, yet there was a hard fierceness to her amber eyes that I’d never seen in the Mariana of my youth. And the sheer boldness in which she transformed, waltzing past with the confidence of someone who knew they were a goddess—I’d never wanted to sink my fangs into someone so badly.

Which, of course, resulted in a massive erection and my yammering like an idiot. Had I really just referred to Harp as my mother? Kill me now.

Fortunately, Mariana took charge after our little conference outside and had us sorted in no time, with Calum fetching fresh drinking water from the well and Tenebris cooking up a pot of oatmeal using ingredients he pulled from his travel bag. His face was annoyingly smug as he handed me a bowl full of the hearty concoction, which smelled amazing. Damn it. I stuck a spoonful in my mouth and almost died of bliss on the spot.

Tenebris preened. “Good, isn’t it? I use chai in place of water and cook it with overly-ripe blackberries.”

“It’s not the worst thing I’ve eaten,” I admitted. Grudgingly.

“It’s delicious.” Calum shoveled a huge spoonful into his mouth, cutting Tenebris a shy side-eye. “I should get you to cook me breakfast more often.”

Tenebris busied himself with the pot, but I could see the tips of his ears turning pink. “Perhaps I could be persuaded…”

I smothered a grin and glanced over at Mariana, but she was too busy staring pensively into her bowl to notice her alleged lover was flirting with her pack mate. Two little lines formed between her furrowed brow, and I had the sudden urge to lean over and kiss them away. I shoved another spoonful of oatmeal into my mouth and swallowed before I did just that.

“So,” Tenebris drawled. “We never really did get back to discussing the why behind Noah’s little deception. What does everyone think? Jealousy? A deep-seated hatred for Jack hidden behind the veil of friendship?”

I choked on a mouthful of oatmeal. “Little deception? He lied to everyone I know and left me up here to die. I’d say that’s a pretty fucking big deception.” Just thinking about it made my blood boil all over again. First thing I was going to do should this plan succeed was murder that son of a bitch.

“Semantics.” Tenebris waved his spoon with a dismissive air, and I briefly fantasized about a two-for-one homicide: Tentacles’ head mounted on a post beside Noah’s. “Personally, my money is on jealousy. The way that man looked at Mari when we arrived at the council meeting was fucking hot. Like, I’m surprised he didn’t rip her clothes off and ravage her right there on the table.”

The spoon bent in my fist, and I growled, swinging my glower toward Mariana. “He did what?”