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“All of it,” I tell him, pointing to the canopy. The leaves have already died off for the winter and it’s just a hulk of gray, twisted, unassuming vines. Now, I know better. “Once you’re done, drag it out back and we’ll burn it.”

Dylan nods, and gestures for Chris to hand him a small hatchet from the tool kit. They get to work with a gusto that makes me envious, all energy and optimism. The new pledges weren’t at any of the ceremonies I’ve been involved in, but they’ve heard rumors about what transpired the night of the oaths. I see how they look at me, with a little bit of fearand a heavy dose of awe. They’re obviously terrified of the upperclassmen, especially my Princes, and I’ve learned they’ll do anything I ask them to without any questions.

It’s pretty awesome.

“Hey,” Ballsack says, walking out of the house and squinting at the light. “I thought you may be out here.” He looks up at the guys. “What’s going on?”

I lean against a pillar. “With all the renewal and rebirth going on around here, I figured the garden could use a little sprucing up before winter.” Sighing, I prop my hand to support my lower back. It’s been killing me all week. “Also, I’m bored to tears. Lex and Pace are back in classes while Wick is trying to get a handle on Rufus’ business interests. No one’s around to entertain me.”

“You could take a nap instead of supervising freshmen hacking up your garden.” He looks me up and down. “You look exhausted.”

I make a face. “Iamexhausted. Justice thinks it’s fun to sleep on my bladder, making me get up every few hours. My cravings are ridiculous, and,” I pull at the sleeveless dress I’m wearing, even though we’re way past summer weather, “I’m hot all the time. At least it’s cooler in here.”

Ballsy tries and fails to hide his discomfort at my diatribe, and glances back at the guys hacking up the vines. “Damn, being a freshman pledge sucks. You wouldn’t believe all the shit-work the guys gave me when I was first recruited.”

“And look at you now,” I smile, though a bit sadly. “They offered you a Dukeship and everything. Do you regret not taking it?”

“I don’t know.” He shakes his head, modestly, but I see the light in his eyes. “It’s a strong class, and I’m not sure how great of a leader I’d be.”

“Eugene.” I give him a look. “You spent the last ten months living with a bunch of Princes in a completely volatile time, notonly keeping me safe but managing to avoid a territory war. If that’s not leadership, I don’t know what is.”

Ballsy’s cheeks turn pink, and blushing at my compliments, his gaze flicks back up to Dylan, who’s currently struggling to get his hatchet through the thick vine. “That’s the purple stuff, right? Looks like big bunches of grapes?”

“Wisteria,” I say, aware he’s avoiding my compliment. “It is beautiful, but I’ve also learned it can be dangerous.”

He studies me for a long moment. He hasn’t asked any of us what happened with Rufus or Danner, but he’s aware both are gone. “It makes it a lot brighter in here. I like it.”

“I like it.” Effie trills from the branch of a camellia tree. “I like it, Euuugene. I like it.”

“Shit!” Ballsack jumps a foot off the ground. His hand lands on his heart. “I didn’t know she was in here.”

“I thought she probably needed to stretch her wings,” I explain. Ever since Pace and I took her out on the water, she’s been bursting with life, eager to go out again.

“Well, warn a guy next time.” He exhales slowly. “I should kick Wick’s ass for teaching that bird my name,” he says, glaring up at Effie. “I told him in strict confidence that birds freak me out.”

“No,” I shake my head, fighting off a laugh, “you shouldn’t have. These men are trained experts in the torture of their enemies. You’re the dumbass who showed him a weak spot.”

“They’re just so unpredictable,” he argues. After a blink, he adds, “Birds. Not Wicker, although that dude can definitely sneak up on a guy.” He shakes his head. “It’s their beady eyes, always looking like they’re watching you, and the talons and beaks are strong enough to crack the shells off seeds and nuts.” His eyes are wide and he quickly covers his crotch with his hands. “I don’t want her to do that, or anything else, to me.”

He’s so serious that it’s a struggle to hold back my laughter. “She’s more likely to take a shit on you than to go after your genitals.”

“Maybe.” He scowls, keeping his eye on the black bird. “That bird is a?—”

“Pretty bird.”

Ballsy flinches, but I can’t help but smile up at Effie. “Yes, you’re a pretty bird.”

“Don’t encourage her,” he mutters.

“If she makes you that uncomfortable, you can go. I’m fine down here alone.”

“Actually, I came to find you for a reason.” He jerks his thumb back at the house. “There’s a package that’s been delivered for you.”

I look over at the two guys hacking up my garden, unsure if they can be left without supervision. “Can you just leave it for me? Or have one of the guys take it up to our room?”

Ballsy’s eyebrows do something complicated. “I think you’re going to want to open this one sooner than later.”

Relenting, I turn to the boys. “Dylan!” His clippers snip off a piece of fern. “Don’t touch anything past that window!”