Page 6

I removed the knife and shoved him away from Lyra, only content to leave her when Emi gripped her arm. Even though I knew Gunter would not understand my tirade, my hands spun and gestured my demands to stay away from Lyra and vows that his blood would spill should he touch her again.

I’d not wanted to reveal my affection for Lyra on the journey forward. No doubt the Dark Watch would still see our bond as something twisted and wretched. I’d planned to keep my indifference until I could safely lock her away inside the royal house and plot a way out of Dravenmoor.

But plans would need to alter course; I could no longer find a reason to care whether the darkness inside bled out.

Gunter watched every signal, one of his palms scratching the back of his neck where his bronze hair waved around his shoulders. “Listen, I’ve tried to learn some of this”—he waved a hand at my gestured words—“but frankly any ravagers who survive your blade don’t really wish to speak much after. Seems you’re a bit frightening to them. What’s he saying, Nightlark?”

I spun on my cousin. Her fingers were still curled around Lyra’s wrist, but the barest of grins teased her lips when she looked to Gunter. “He’s describing all the painful ways your bones will be plucked from your flesh if you touch Lyra again.”

Lyra did not look mortified, not like she had when I’d once demanded a reckless Stav kneel at her feet for her forgiveness. I dared not allow the slightest hope, but I could not deny there was a buried passion behind the silver scars in her eyes. Like she might want me to recite more gory promises to my own folk.

Gunter snorted. “Well, I’m going to need to touch her. I’m to tether her to me, after all. Or do you prefer she walks out there on her own with no previous experience? A little ruthless, wouldn’t you say?”

My chest butted against his. I will cross with her.

After Emi translated, Gunter grinned. “Not what my orders are, you ass.”

As though time hadn’t created a divide between us, Gunter patted my cheek, the same as he often did when we were boys. Hard. Then took a step toward Lyra.

She lifted her chin. “I’m not going across the ravine with you.”

Gunter let out a groan and pinched the bridge of his nose like we were all petulant young ones. “Fine. Suit yourself. I’m cold, my feet have ached since I stepped on a damn thorn before we ever found you, and I had a meet set with Sigrid and her naked body before the Watch was called away. I intend to keep it the moment we’re inside the gates.”

Gunter moved aside, waving his arms in a gesture for Lyra to go to me. “Just so you know, Melder, he always was terrible at balancing and rocked the entire tether. But please, choose him. Nightlark! Ahead of me. I’ll keep watch on your back, it seems.”

Emi shifted in disquiet but forced a grin when she faced me. “He wasn’t horrid to me before I ran. He’s not going to toss me off the side.”

My fists clenched all the same.

Gunter took note. “What now? Going to eat me with your dark soul? Didn’t even give me a chance to see it before you went off to bleed, and I’m still holding that against you.”

Lyra’s lips parted, and a heated flush filled her cheeks. “When he…went off to bleed? You mean when his own folk tore him apart?”

By the gods, I could not keep the smirk from my lips. Try to resent me for the secrets kept between us all she wanted, but Lyra Bien was not one to hide when she cared for someone. I took a bit of pleasure being on the receiving end of her defenses. It was another taste of hope.

I would have that woman in my arms, on my tongue, in my soul again.

Gunter chuckled, but there was little delight in the sound. “Yes, Melder. That’s the day. Life-changing for many of us, you see.” With a new shadow to his features, Gunter faced Emi. “Come, Nightlark. As cousin to the prince you’re safe with me, for I still have a long-standing debt that must be paid to him for vital services rendered on my behalf once. Perhaps he has forgotten how fiercely we Dravens honor our debts.”

One final narrow glare, and Gunter strode to one of the heavy ropes buried beneath vines of pale blossoms, still damp from the morning mists. Disquiet over Emi burned heady in my chest, but she would need to cross, and I would not leave Lyra.

I would simply try to stay as close to my cousin as possible.

“Are we truly doing this? The slope seems to go on for ages.” Lyra cautiously peered over the edge of the ravine.

Had I not been so near I might’ve missed the subtle drum of her fingers against her sides, a show of the apprehension she fought to conceal.

I ran my knuckles down the back of her arm, waiting until she peered back at me. I vowed not to let you fall.

A vow made in Stonegate the day she met King Damir. A time before I loved her, a promise to keep her upright, bolstered against the burdens of her craft. I meant it then, and I meant it now.

Lyra’s lips pinched. “Don’t do that.”

I arched a brow, a silent question, perhaps a bit of a taunt.

“Don’t speak like…like we are the same as we once were.”

We are not the same. I took a step nearer until my chest pressed to her back. One arm slipped around her body, my fingers slowly gesturing against the place just above her heart. I will not pretend everything has not changed. But my vows never will. I will not let you fall. Ever.