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My cheeks warmed, and a pair of golden eyes shone brightly in my mind…as did well-formed arms honed from wielding a sword, slick with sweat. “I have no idea what you’re speaking of.”

Tawny’s laugh was light. “Sure.”

I said nothing to that because Tawny knew I lied. Everyone was aware of who Hawke Flynn was. I imagined even Duke Teerman found himself a bit engrossed in watching the guard. It was the way he moved, the fluid gracefulness when he trained. Or how, when he entered the Great Hall for the City Council sessions, he didn’t just walk. He prowled.

I cleared my throat. “What have you heard?”

“That he’s found someone new to occupy his spare time with,” she shared as the scent of damp soil thickened around us. “Britta.”

“Oh? I’m sure they make a lovely couple,” I heard myself say as a pang of envy lanced my chest. Britta was one of the many maids who worked within the castle, and I wasn’t at all surprised to hear that she was one of a string of many—at least according to the gossips—who’d caught Hawke’s eye. Not only because she was one of the prettiest maids but because Britta enjoyed life and all it had to offer. She was bold with her affection. She was experienced. The only time I’d ever seen her appear scandalized was when she spoke of the dancing she’d seen behind the curtains at the Red Pearl.

Which made me very curious about what type of dancing she’d seen.

But I wasn’t sure if the envy curdling low in my stomach was directed at her or purely because I…well, I had no idea what it was like to catch another’s attention in that way. To be…wanted. To become experienced. To truly live.

And I likely never would.

Spying the glistening water through the trees, I pulled myself out of my thoughts. There was no point in dwelling on that, was there? The future was inevitable, and I didn’t want to spoil these moments I had with Tawny.

Sooner rather than later, we wouldn’t have any of these.

The quiet lake appeared ahead of us, its still waters reflecting the moonlight and catching the shadows of the long tree branches still flush with leaves. That would change soon, too. The late-season heat would end in a blink, and I would wake up one morning to see that all the leaves had fallen. Another winter would be upon us.

Slipping free of Tawny’s hold, I walked ahead. Once I reached the water’s edge, I reached up and lowered my hood, baring my face to the night sky. There was nothing better than feeling the air on my cheeks and brow.

“You look like you’re going to turn into a statue,” Tawny commented.

Grinning, I glanced over at her. She’d already dropped her cloak onto one of the nearby flat rocks and now stood in just a shift as she kicked off her ankle boots. She had her mass of caramel-hued curls piled high atop her head, making her cheekbones appear sharper and higher. I eyed the smooth skin of her brow and cheek and felt another unwanted twist of envy.

I looked away, annoyed with myself as I unlatched my cloak. I folded it neatly before laying it beside Tawny’s since it didn’t belong to me. I wasn’t even sure whose it was, but it must’ve been worn by a man. There was still the distinctive spice of some cologne lingering on it. I’d sort of helped myself to it when I saw it lying in one of the many first-floor chambers. Now, I took care of it. I wasn’t even sure why. It wasn’t like I planned to return it to where I’d found it. I hoarded clothing of color like others collected books or knickknacks.

Tawny tossed a grin in my direction as she padded barefoot into the water. A soft squeak left her. “Oh, it’s cold. Definitely cold.”

The water was always chilled, which was odd, considering the floor of the lake was made of some sort of dark rock. One would think it would absorb the sunlight and warm the waters, but that wasn’t the case.

Tawny waded out several feet, her arms folded across her chest as she muttered to herself about what a bad idea this was.

“The other lake?” Tawny asked from where she was now up to her waist in the water. “The one by Wayfair? Was it always this cold?”

I nodded. “Yep. Even on the hottest days.” I didn’t have a lot of clear memories of walking the elms outside Wayfair with Ian when I was a child, but I did remember the lake there. This one reminded me so much of that one, except it was larger and had a waterfall. But there was something else the lakes had in common. Something I hadn’t remembered until now. “You know what’s strange?”

“Besides the fact that I’m the only one in the lake?” she asked, splashing water at me.

“Besides that.” I began toeing off my boots. “The woods surrounding the other lake in Carsodonia are also rumored to be haunted. At least, that is what Ian claimed.”

“Ian claims many things.”

I laughed as I unhooked my sheath with the bloodstone and wolven-bone dagger, placing it on the cloak. I inched closer to the water’s edge, the grass cool beneath my feet. “He said the woods were…” I squinted. “He said they were haunted by the spirits of those afraid to face judgment.”

“That’s kind of sad,” she said, slipping down so her shoulders were just barely visible. “But why would they haunt those woods?”

“He said it was because the lake was a doorway to where Rhain ruled,” I told her. “One of many.”

“Your brother has a very active imagination.”

“That he does,” I murmured.

“Did he say the same thing about this lake—wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”