Page 96 of The Fox Heir

Isadora

2118 – 2138

Beloved daughter of Corrin and Ilsa

Devoted sister to Tristan

May the Moon Goddess forever keep you at peace.

I stare at the gravestone for a long while. All this time, I thought I was following the ghost of some vengeful, Llwyn-hating villager. Or maybe some castle dweller from centuries past. But it turns out I had no idea who I was dealing with.

I’ve been following Tristan’s dead sister.

Chapter 30

The next morning, I’m waiting at the front gate when Tristan arrives. He approaches with easy confidence, his steps echoing off the stone walls. When he sees me, he stops. A small grin transforms his face.

“Eager for more lessons, Red?”

The implication makes my stomach tumble deliciously, low in my belly. I study his face. His shadowed eyes are brighter today. His skin looks a little less hollow. It’s like the veil of despair has lifted, letting a hint of sunshine through. At this moment, I can finally see what Nalina meant when she said this man used to be happy. After last night, I think I know what destroyed him.

“We have to talk.” My eyes dart toward the villagers arriving early for their work within the castle. “Somewhere private.”

Tristan’s smile fades, and I hate that I’m the reason for it. He leads me outside, around the castle, and toward the remains of old Gwyllion. Frost sparkles on the ruins as leaning towers stand tall against the receding night. Out here, only the ghosts can hear our secrets.

The dawn is vibrant pink and orange as we settle onto an old, toppled column. I tilt my head toward the rising sun. It’s warmer today, promising a day of melting snow and dripping icicles. There’s a war raging inside me, fighting against the joy of the cloudless sky and the fear of what it will bring: spring. And with it, my father and his Fox Army.

For all I know, they’ve begun marching through the mountains already.

Tristan touches my hand lightly, and my power flares in my chest in response. We’ve kept our secret this past week. Whenever we’re in the castle, I hardly dare to look at him. If I do, someone will see how I blaze with the need for more of him. Someone will notice how much I crave to have this Wolf’s hands on me again. How I ache for him at night.

My skin grows warm, and it has nothing to do with the sun on the horizon.

Tristan clears his throat. “It’s been my experience that nothing good follows when a woman says, ‘We need to talk.’”

A breathy laugh escapes me. “No. I suppose you’re right about that.”

“So, what do I need to be worried about?”

“You mean beyond the fact that the Fox Army is on its way to murder us all?”

He nods.

I sigh, not sure how to break this to him, but there’s no way through it but forward. “I discovered something last night. I think it helped me understand you a little better.”

Next to me, Tristan shifts, turning a curious glance my way. “Oh?”

I nod.

“And does this have anything to do with Nalina stealing you away to the village?”

I tilt my head. “You knew about that?”

He leans back, his palms bracing against the stone. “I make it my business to know everything about you, Red. You should know this by now.”

“Does Nalina tell you everything?” My voice comes out petulant, but I can’t hide my annoyance.

He shrugs. “Sometimes. Other times, not so much. We have … unresolved issues.”