Page 63

Chapter

Sixty

H er blood chilled in her veins, and Lessia dropped the stone as she grasped for the daggers tucked into her waistband, wondering if it was worth risking her magic.

Before she had a chance to unsheath them, Loche’s fingers wrapped around her wrists. “She’s a friend, Lessia.”

Shooting him a wide stare over her shoulder, she wrangled her arms free and got out of the sled, putting it and Loche between her and the woman.

If she even was a woman.

Lessia didn’t know much about the shifters.

They were all supposed to be dead.

But that scent…

The scent of constant change, of mystery, of winter and summer and snow and grass at the same time…

There was no mistaking what stood before her.

She crouched down, the memory of Merrick’s lessons burned into her muscles, and Lessia sliced her gaze between Loche and the laughing woman .

“She’s feisty, Loche.” The shifter offered him a hand to get out of the sled. “Not that I’d expect anything less from you.”

“Geyia…” Loche shook his head before turning to Lessia. “Lessia, it’s all right.”

Muscles locked, she glared at him, unable to control the adrenaline pulsating through her and the low growl vibrating in her throat.

While she knew little about the shifters, she knew they were not to be trusted.

Lessia had heard enough about the destruction they’d caused during the war.

When Loche let out a low chuckle, she snarled at him, “Why did you bring me here?”

“I told you, I wanted you to meet my friends,” Loche said, taking a step toward her, the smile on his face never faltering. “She is a shifter, yes. But you, out of anyone, should know what it’s like having people judge you because of your heritage.”

Drawing a shaky breath, Lessia moved her eyes to the woman again.

Geyia remained in the same spot, her posture relaxed and her eyes kind as they watched her.

“There is more to our shared history, Lessia. The books have some facts right, but not all.” Loche closed the distance between them, reaching out for Lessia.

She flexed her hands.

She usually tried to keep an open mind.

Some of the children she brought over had definitely engaged in questionable behavior while on the streets.

But it was because they were forced to.

Geyia’s people had been greedy—ruthless.

Had sacrificed so many humans and Fae in their attempt to take control over Havlands.

And now, one stood right before her.

“Not all of the shifters agreed with our king.”

Lessia’s eyes snapped to Geyia.

The woman offered her a sad smile. “The books don’t tell of those who fought back against our own. They lost, and those who weren’t killed were imprisoned, forced to work as slaves.”

Lessia glanced from her to Loche. “But how did we not hear of it? I’ve heard nothing of a resistance.”

It was Loche who answered.

“Because the shifter king was clever.” Loche scratched the shadowy stubble on his chin. “He made everyone think those who stood against him sided with the Fae. That they wanted them to rule Havlands. With their own kind and humans against them, they lost their voice.”

Geyia nodded. “They did. My ancestors rebelled against him, wanting nothing to do with his plans. The only thing I have him to thank for is that they escaped the slaughter that ensued when humans and Fae caught on to what he was planning. They were left to die in the cellars he put them in, but once the king and his followers were dead, they managed to break out. Some died, of course—they were starving and sick already—but the rest of them escaped. We’ve been hiding across Havlands ever since. ”

With her brows furrowed, Lessia straightened, but still held on tight to her daggers. “How many of you are there?”

Geyia shrugged. “I’m not sure. My parents died when I was quite young, and the ship we’d been living on dropped me off in a harbor, as they had too many mouths to feed.”

Geyia’s eyes moved to Loche, and the love in them strained Lessia’s chest. “I ran into Loche here when he was just a small, angry boy. But apparently, he didn’t forget about me.

He brought me here a few years ago. Told me of a place with a bunch of misfits that wouldn’t mind a shifter in their midst.”

Loche smiled at her. “She’s being modest. She saved my life when my mother forced me onto the streets. And while the people here might be misfits, they’re a great bunch.”

Lessia stared at the two of them.

A bunch?

How many people lived here?

Geyia rolled her eyes, then fixed her piercing gaze on Lessia again. “If you’re not going to kill me, we should probably head over. Since hearing Loche was bringing a woman, they’ve been cooking up a storm.”

The shifter spun on her heel, her long curls bouncing with every stride she took into a glittering, arched hallway.

Lessia stared after her, then back to Loche. “What is this place?”

Wrapping his hand around hers, Loche leaned in and whispered, “I’ll tell you everything. But I promise you, she’s nothing like the shifters you’ve heard of in the books. She’s good. Every person here is good.”

Her mind still spun, but something in her gut urged her to trust him.

Like he’d trusted her when he’d found out about the half-Fae she’d smuggled into Ellow.

So Lessia nodded, and after bending down to pick up the sparkling stone she’d dropped and putting it in her pocket, she allowed him to tug her with him into the passage.

A few feet inside, Loche halted, turning toward her.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

Her heart leaped when their eyes clashed.

Pride and something else flashed in Loche’s dark ones, and a thrill raced across her neck.

When she managed to nod again, he smiled wide .

She couldn’t help but smile back.

Loche stared at her for a moment, and she waited for him to say something else, but he only shook his head almost imperceptibly, his lips lifting higher as he continued walking.

Lessia stared in wonder at the ice-covered walls of the hallway he and Geyia led her through, the simple beauty of the sparkling ice illuminated by torches attached every few feet.

Murmurs and the rattle of dishes drifted toward them as more light spilled onto the stony ground and the passage opened wider until a massive arched chamber came into view.

Geyia skipped out right into the arms of a beautiful man. He was short, with wild red curls tumbling down his back and piercing green eyes that found Lessia’s the moment she stepped into the chamber.

The man grinned at her, giving Geyia a quick kiss before running up and pulling Loche into a tight embrace. As Lessia backed up a step, the man released Loche and turned to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he enveloped her in the smell of fire and food.

Lessia stiffened, but when the man barked a laugh, she made herself return the greeting.

As he pulled back, Loche glared at him, pulling Lessia to his side.

The red-haired man winked at her, flashing a row of large white teeth. “Welcome! I’m Steiner.”

His eyes trailed over her face and body, zeroing in on where her hand was joined with Loche’s, and his green eyes glinted with mischief. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. How did Loche manage to snare you? Or did he kidnap you? ”

“Steiner…” Loche warned, his grip on her hand tightening.

She could only sense pure sincerity from the man, so Lessia gave him a faint smile. “He did, actually.”

Steiner threw his head back and cackled. “I like her already.”

With a groan, Loche tugged her closer, his arm snaking over her shoulders. “I’ll show Lessia to our chambers, and then I expect some of that food Geyia talked of. But tone down the insinuations. Remember who brought you all here.”

As Loche dragged her with him, Steiner’s laugh echoed behind them, and Lessia let out a surprised snort when she overheard Geyia scold him, telling him not to scare her away.

“This is where the nobles and part of the royal court hid during the war,” Loche explained as he led her up a wide stone staircase.

“It’s a cave, but the king took great measures to make it comfortable.

There’s room for hundreds of people, although there’s only about thirty or so living here now.

I came here a lot during my first year as regent—when I needed a break from all the politics. ”

Lessia nodded as her eyes swept around the space.

They’d entered a large circular room where several fires burned bright. Groups of people huddled around each hearth, some cooking and some seemingly only mingling and socializing.

Around them, a great number of benches and chairs were arranged, and a few long tables stood closest to the grandest fireplace. Barrels of what she guessed was stored food and wine were placed around the walls, and everywhere flickered lanterns and candles that cast the room in a warm glow.

By the stairs where they now walked were rooms every few steps, rounded openings exposing comfortable bedding on the floor, smaller dining sets, and a fireplace in each.

“The people living here are outcasts. Some I knew living on the streets back home, some I met during my time in the navy, and then there is Geyia, of course. They don’t fit in society—some don’t even want to try, but they still deserve a safe place to live.”

Her eyes briefly met his in understanding, and she bit her lip to hide a smile.

Loche’s gaze shifted to her mouth, and he lifted his hand to her cheek, his thumb freeing her lip from her teeth.

“Don’t,” he whispered.

So she didn’t.

Lessia let her lips curl into a broad smile, and Loche exhaled sharply.

Dragging her with him, he took two steps at a time until they reached the top floor, where another small chamber lay.

In the middle of the room stood a large bed with white bedding and a thick fur blanket, and in the corner crackled an already lit fireplace with a plush couch before it.

On the other side of the bed was a desk with a few books and papers strewn out across it.

As Loche set down the satchel he’d been carrying on the desk, his head whipped back and forth from the room to the rounded opening, and his brows snapped together.

“What is it?” she asked.

Loche dragged a hand through his hair. “I didn’t think this through.”

She raised a brow.

He bridged the distance between them and pulled her to him, pressing her body against his hard one. His lips whispered over her mouth, barely touching, before shifting to her ear.

“I want you alone. And there is not even a door in this damned place,” he rasped .

A shiver of anticipation traced a path over her shoulders, and her breaths quickened as she breathed, “I’ve heard you’re quite resourceful.”

A growl rumbled in his chest, and Loche crashed his lips against hers.