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Shayne’s hand found his chest again—right over his wildly thudding heart. He kept his eyes on the back of Dranian’s head after that. Because…

Who was he kidding?

She was probably already his mate.

Lily didn’t know what she did to him every time she spoke or breathed, or why she was such an attractive target to his hellish brothers. She had no idea why Shayne had tried to tether her to him with a vine after he saw her in his fairy realm. And he would never tell her.

She didn’t like him back—Shayne knew that. It wouldn’t have stopped him from chasing her day in and day out, but it was enough to make the impending separation easier for him.

Lily Baker, the proud human who thought she could do anything and solve anyone. She’d never solved him. His slow grin returned at the thought.

Perhaps in several years, when he finally caught up to the others in the human realm, Lily would be married to some human idiot half as handsome as Shayne. Maybe she would have childlings of her own. Maybe she would have found another happily ever after.

He frowned.

Nope. No, he did not like that one bit.

“We’ll stop here,” Mor decided, looking around. A crystal creek laid ahead with a shore covered in lush greenery. “There are rash weeds everywhere. Be careful where you step,” he added.

Lily slumped to sit and catch her breath, and Mor sat down beside her. The two looked like they’d been attacked by an artist with all their tattoos peeking out everywhere. He didn’t join them though. He waited.

Then, right on cue, the voice Shayne had been waiting for lifted from the back.

“I’ll go fetch firewood,” Luc said. It was stated in disgust as he looked around at all the rash weeds. The moment Luc headed into the trees, Shayne doubled back and went after him.

Luc must have heard Shayne coming, but he didn’t react as he drifted down a slope and rounded a small cliff. It was clear though when Luc stopped walking and released a loud sigh.

He turned around.

Shayne punched him.

Luc’s whole body spun; he caught himself on the cliffside before he could fall into a rash bush. He dragged his gaze back to Shayne and slowly wiped a fresh bead of blood off his bottom lip. “Fascinating,” he said.

“How could you lead them here with breadcrumbs?” Shayne accused. “I’m going crazy every moment Cress and Mor aren’t at home! You know what will happen to Kate and Violet in two days now that they’re alone!”

Luc tilted his head curiously. He stood tall, folded his arms, and tapped a finger against his bicep. “Do I?” he asked.

The pretense only boiled Shayne’s frustration more. He should have known not to trust a fox. What was Dranian thinking keeping company with an enemy?

Shayne pointed in Luc’s face. “You might not care about humans like we do, Zelsor—”

“You’re right. I don’t.” Luc angled his head again. “What are you saying, exactly?”

Shayne drew his fairsaber. Luc’s silvery gaze flickered down to it. “I’m saying this goes beyond me being concerned for Dranian’s feelings being hurt once you’re dead.”

A funny smile broke across Luc’s face. “Oh dear.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you mean to tell me that our dear Violet is in trouble—again? And it’s not even because of me this time?”

Shayne’s fist balled around his fairsaber handle. “You’re out of your mind. Admit it.” He pointed back to the others with his blade. “They have no idea how warped you really are inside.”

“Ah.” Luc nodded. “Probably not. But I suppose they don’t know how messed up you truly are at this point either.”

Shayne lowered his saber and worked his jaw. “I’m not messed up. I’m theonlyLyro with a clear head. Even my family knows it, despite my best efforts to prove otherwise.”

Luc licked the remaining blood from his lip and folded his hands behind his back. “Well, before you blame me for putting Violet Miller and whoever else in danger, perhaps you should consider what might put them back out of danger. No threat comes without a solution, North Fairy.”

Shayne opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again and said, “I have a solution. Lord Riothin is the solution. And if that doesn’t work… I’ll do what I need to. I’m not afraid of that chair.”

Luc’s heart-shaped mouth pinched. He took too long to think. But finally, he said, “Excellent. At least we’re clear on that.” He stooped down and grabbed three thick, dry sticks, then stood and handed the wood to Shayne. “Don’t stand around here with me then. I’m getting the feeling you’re running out of time to save those humans.”