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“Unseelie fae can scent their prey from a kilometer away.”

Unseelie Fae: A Scientific Study

M oonlight peeks through the clouds, kissing the silver petals of the two flowers thriving in my windowsill.

Everett knew where I lived .

He brought me right to my doorstep without a word of direction. Is that because he’s been here before, perhaps with a flower in tow?

I should leave well enough alone. I’ve already appeased my curiosity over the Unseelie, after all. But the thought of seeing Everett again makes me giddier than all my suitors combined, and I simply have to know.

One more visit to confirm my suspicion. That’s all.

Then the husband hunt will truly begin.

I ease the bedroom door open and slip into the hallway, keeping to the side of the staircase to avoid any unnecessary squeaks. After visiting Trevor, I went to the café with the intention of forgetting the whole silly thing. Then I saw Ronan and just couldn’t bring myself to hold an idle conversation with the man.

As I stood on the sidewalk watching the three of them laugh and joke, Ivee swept through the café doors and stole my seat.

Although I felt guilty for Nia having to endure her presence, not a hint of jealousy sparked in my veins. As a matter of fact, if Ivee had proposed to Prince Ronan then and there, I would’ve wished them well.

Not wanting to make things awkward, I returned to the cottage and stole away to my room intending on reading my Unseelie book. Unfortunately, the late night led to a nap, which means I’m wide awake at two in the bloomin’ morning.

I tiptoe through the kitchen to the back door, unfasten the latch, and step into the moonlit garden.

Instead of crossing the field and ruining my slippers in the dew, I take the path through town. There are still a few people in the pub, but most appear to have gone home for the night. Now that I have my bearings, it’s easy to keep to the shadows, and there’s no fear of anyone following once The Divide comes into view.

When I reach the bridge, I do not hesitate to take that first step. Keeping a hand on the rope railing in case any boards have been removed, I slowly make my way forward, searching the mist for signs of the man I hope to find.

The heaviness in the air grows thicker, until I can barely make out my next step. I stretch my foot ahead, feeling for the plank instead of assuming it’s there, continuing until my slipper meets solid wood.

The mist thins enough for me to see white bones scattered across the ground the way our gardens stretch in our front lawns, as if the bones have grown from the dirt. There is a path between them, and on that path stands Everett.

Was he this tall last night? He must’ve been, but saints above, he seems twice as large.

And twice as handsome.

I raise a hand in greeting, but he remains still.

Perhaps they don’t wave on this side of The Divide. Then again, I’ll not assume that is the case the same way I did about the non-existent language barrier.

I keep my head up, ignoring the harsh reminders of death that surround us. Despite his lack of a proper greeting, the way his dark gaze sweeps down my periwinkle dress leaves my heart ramming against my breastbone. When his eyes return to my face, they track a little higher, to the flower in my hair, and they widen ever so slightly.

His chest goes still, as if he’s holding his breath, and somehow, I already know the answer before the question falls from my lips. “You recognize it, don’t you?” I withdraw the stem from behind my ear, holding the silver bloom in the palm of my hand so there can be no mistake.

“It is a flower.”

That voice . The deep, delicious rumble bathes me in goosebumps. “Yes, but what kind of flower is it?”

“How should I know?”

“Because you’re the one who gave it to me.”

His weight shifts from one foot to the other, but he does not deny my accusation. I was right! Bloody Ronan .

Now that I know Everett brought me the first flower after I met him at the well, that still doesn’t explain how he knew where to leave it in the first place. “How did you know where I lived?”

They’re monsters…

Dangerous…

Perhaps his intentions aren’t so gallant after all. Just because I feel as if I know him doesn’t mean I do. “Are you stalking me?”

“No. That is not what…” His hands flex. “ No . You and your friend were in the city on your own that first day. I only wanted to ensure that you made it back home safely.”

He could be lying, but from the sincere expression on his face, I don’t believe that is the case. Didn’t he do the very same for me last night?

“But why did you leave the flower?” All I did was give him a box of biscuits and an awkward greeting. He doesn’t seem the type to carry around flowers, meaning he must’ve crossed The Divide a second time.

His toned shoulders lift and lower in a stiff shrug. “You gave me gifts, so I gave you gifts in return. Now we are even.”

“I didn’t bring you biscuits expecting anything back.” That’s considered bartering, not gifting.

His black brows come together over narrowed eyes. “Seelie do nothing without asking for something in return. They are not kind. They are not gracious. What do you want, Kerris Dawn? Do not lie and say friendship .”

I have spent my day being lied to and disappointed by the men I’ve met in Rosehill; why would this one be any different? Who cares about the bloody flower? It meant nothing. He was only reciprocating because he thinks I’m like all the other Seelie fae who hate them.

I was willing to go out on a limb, to give Everett and the rest of the Unseelie the benefit of the doubt, and now he’s throwing my kindness in my face.

Straightening my shoulders, I infuse my spine and tone with steel so he doesn’t hear the tears clogging my throat when I say, “I want nothing from you.” I crush the flower in my palm, toss it on the ground next to the bones, and turn and run away.