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“Princess.” Riven encourages me into the colorful room before following behind.

Happy clears his throat from the doorway. “Ummm—your room is out here, this way.”

“No.” Riven takes a calming breath before looking at my uncle. “She sleeps better when I’m near.”

“Well, ugh, I—”

“I promise, he’s a perfect gentleman,” I intervene, stepping between them. “But it’s true—the dreams aren’t as bad when he’s close by.”

“Well, okay then.” His smile looks more like a scowl as he raises his grey, bushy brows at Riven in silent warning.

Riven shuts the door with a smirk.

“What was that?” I laugh, looking around at the warm, pastel space that should be comforting yet feels foreign.

“No one is going to separate me from you, not for a minute, certainly not for a night.”

His gravelly voice draws my attention back to him.

“But I thought you hated me,” I tease, still amused at his reaction to my uncle.

“Who says I don’t?” He steps closer until we’re standing chest to chest, the tiny space feeling even smaller, if that’s possible.

“Prove it.” I look up at him expectantly. I’m so tired of the dancing around, the push and pull. I wish he would just kiss me already.

“Don’t tempt me.” He leans down, looking into my eyes.

I follow his gaze over my shoulder to a small bed covered in a frilly white cloth and stuffed woodland creatures, biting my lip to keep from laughing.

“One bed. Of course it is.” He looks up and releases a breath before moving to rid the bed of the furry little toys, placing them in a neat pile by a worn wooden chest.

I love how even though I can’t remember that these are my toys, my memories, he handles them with care.

We both remove our capes, and he pulls me down next to him onto the soft bed. We fall into our silent routine of holding each other without saying a word. Because it makes it feel less real.

This way, we can both pretend this fondness… this undeniable chemistry is nothing more than exhaustion and convenience.

I can’t help but wonder how Riven might handle me. If things were different.

If he wasn’t supposed to be my enemy… that’s the one thing I wish I could forget.

Because out of everything in this strange place, he’s the thing that feels the most familiar.

Chapter 17

Riven

“Send word as soon you have her,” I tell Lucien. There are no other men I would trust with Birdy’s life. And according to the brothers’ scout that returned yesterday, she’s in danger. When we didn’t make it back to Winter Haven by the second sundown, the queen sent out reinforcements.

My loyalty has been questioned, and now Birdy is caught in the crossfire.

“You know I will reach out as soon as it’s safe,” Lucien promises, clapping me on the back.

“Yeah, we promise to take good care of her.” Bash winks, earning a growl.

“Keep your paws off my sister,” I warn.

“He will.” Lucien glares at his twin.