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“You can’t say those things,” I muttered.

“Why not?”

I blinked, insides swirling in heat. “Because we’re trying not to die, and . . . you’re making me want to do other things.”

Kage laughed. “Something to look forward to, Wildling. I plan not to slip into wretchedness before I’ve felt those thighs wrapped around me, understand?”

No words seemed right; I said nothing, merely gawked at him like a fool.

People might expect me to unite with Destin, the future king. But my heart screamed for the second prince. A potential troublesome issue to face once we figured out how to unravel this damn dark magic.

At the base of a slope, the meadows of midnight bloom split to a dirt path that wove through the flowers like a hidden snake in the grass. We kept a steady pace. My hand never unraveled from Kage’s grip, and when the solid, dusty earth shifted to something more reminiscent of a marsh, Asger scooped Gwyn onto his back, carrying her across the ankle-deep water.

“What a hero you are.” She hugged his neck, nuzzling her nose against his ear.

“He’d be more of a hero if he’d carry me too,” Cy murmured. “Brand new boots. You better be worth the trouble, my beautiful prince. I know our lovely sacrifice is, but you, I’m still not certain.”

Kage chuckled. “You’ve known me the longest, Cy.”

“Yes, and that ought to tell you something if my allegiance is shifting after knowing her for so short a time.” Cy grimaced when he ripped one boot free of the sludge.

“We’re here.” Kage paused in front of a short iron gate wrapped in dark vines.

“This is it?” All that lay ahead was an empty field of long grass, whispering in the wind.

Kage rested a palm on the top of one spire of the gate for a few breaths, then faced me. “You cannot enter. Not yet.”

“I don’t understand.”

Before Kage could respond, Gwyn pulled back her long braid. There, tattooed behind her left ear was a small rune. “New keys to enter are cast each full season weave. I’ve no doubt you once had one, but it has been a great many seasons since you were here.”

Again, where was here? There was nothing. “If I can’t enter the sanctuary, then what are we even doing?”

“Youcanenter,” Kage said. “But you must be bound to an escort who has earned a key. This is where our people worship and study;this is where they find the depth of their power. It is a sacred place to many.”

“To you?”

Kage peered at the gate. “The seers are rather pretentious, thinking themselves as goddesses and gods of a kind. Still, they are willing to share their texts and the Well of Urd, of course. They might be arrogant, but they want the mage folk to strengthen and are keen to see power grow.”

Cy opened a leather pouch he kept strapped to his belt and dumped a bit of silvery powder into his hand. “I’m assuming you’ll be the escort, my love.”

Kage frowned at his friend, but said nothing. Doubtless, he’d given up trying to stop Cy from all his pet names long ago.

I was placed in front of Kage near two stone pillars I was certain had not been there a moment ago. Runes were carved into the sides, a sort of imposing entrance of the gate that opened to the emptiness.

The glide of steel over leather caused me to jolt. Kage held my stare and pressed the tip of a dark steel knife into the meat of his palm. Blood bubbled at once, dribbling off the edge and splattering over the satin petals at our feet.

Each drop hissed and billowed into a misty steam.

Gwyn stepped to his side, Asger to mine. They each shaped their hands into bowls where Cy dropped red flakes of dried leaves that smelled a great deal like honey and cinnamon.

“Are you willing to accept me as your guide, your protection, your escort while on these sacred lands?” Kage’s eyes were dark as coals against the fading sunlight. “It will not take if you are not willing.”

“Yes,” I said, grinning to hide my disquiet. “I’m definitely ready to have you bound to cater to my every need.”

He returned a horribly intoxicating half-grin and leaned in closer. The man had to know his skin was an irresistible collision of woodsmoke and silky bourbon.

“If you have needs, Wildling, I’m sure I can satisfy them.”