Page 26

26

“Save your cakes and tarts and pies.

The sweetness I crave is that of my lover’s lips upon mine.”

Author Unknown

M y heart leaps with joy when I find Ever waiting for me on my side of the bridge. He asks about my day, and I tell him all about the pies and fresh loaves of bread we baked. Aunt Cordelia’s kitchen has turned into a proper bakery. If one more dessert gets added to the ice box, the thing is liable to explode. I swear the oven sighed with relief when we finished.

He listens intently, escorting me to where Maddox and Gryffin sit around the fire. A short distance away, a blanket has been stretched on the ground with two more stacked beside it.

Ever must catch me looking at them because he nudges my arm with his elbow and says, “You will not be cold tonight.”

It’s incredibly sweet that he remembered to bring them, but part of me mourns the fact that we won’t need to sit as closely.

On the other side of the fire, Ever’s unicorn stamps his hoof. Two more beasts have been tied to the same post, but their saddles aren’t quite as intricate.

Hesitantly, I step toward the animal. They’re almost like Seelie horses only bigger. Kind of like the Unseelie themselves. Then there’s the spike on its head. Imagine finding yourself at the wrong end of that thing.

The unicorn watches me through careful eyes, much like his master. “He’s beautiful. What’s his name?”

Ever positions himself between the unicorn and where I stand. “Onyx, but I call him Nyx.” At hearing his name, Nyx nudges Ever’s shoulder with a snuffle.

Onyx. Suits him. “Hello, Nyx.” The beast’s ears twitch, his wide eyes landing on me as I inch closer.

Ever’s lips flatten even as Nyx nudges him again. “He does not like many people.”

Neither did my father’s horse back in Gravale, but I still managed to make old Domino my friend. I stretch out my hand toward Nyx’s nose. From over Ever’s shoulder, the unicorn bumps my fingers with his muzzle. Ever’s eyes widen as I dare to close the distance even more. Nyx sniffs my hair then nods as if he approves.

Probably because I smell like apple pie.

I can’t help my smile as I pat his stiff mane more confidently. “I knew you were a good boy. So beautiful, aren’t you?”

Nyx snorts happily, letting me pet him like I used to pet old Domino.

“I can be a good boy too,” Maddox murmurs under his breath.

I bite my lip to keep from giggling.

“How would you like to explore the bottom of the canyon?” Ever snaps.

Maddox raises his hands in surrender, but his cheeky grin remains.

Gryffin doesn’t look up from the fire.

Nyx swings his head back toward the sparse patch of grass where the other two unicorns tear at the vegetation with their teeth. Is there any good grass here for them? Imagine the grazing they could do in the field behind the cottage.

Ever gestures back toward the blankets. “Come. I made you a seat.”

“I can see that. Thank you.”

Ever folds himself next to me, sitting a little closer than necessary. The other two seem content to speak quietly in front of the fire. Every once in a while, the wind changes direction, blowing smoke toward the blankets. It takes all my effort to keep my breathing steady even as my eyes burn.

When Ever shifts, the dagger at his hip bumps against mine. Maddox and Gryffin seem to have similar weapons on their belts.

“Do you all have the same daggers?”

Ever leans back on his hands and stretches his endless legs in front of him with a shake of his head. “Younglings are given daggers of elk antlers. You only receive a wolf’s bone dagger when you have killed one.”

“All of you have killed wolves?” To think, I’ve lived my whole life protected from the harsh reality of their world.

They nod.

“How young were you when you first killed?”

Maddox puffs up his chest. “I slayed a squirrel on my third birthday.”

The soft scent of pine and leather tickles my nose when Ever leans closer. “Maddox lies.”

“I do not.”

Gryffin shakes his head. “You were five, same as the rest of us.”

“I was three,” Maddox insists.

The two of them squabble like an old married couple while Ever watches silently. Always watching. Always alert. “As Gryffin said, we were five when we were allowed to hunt in the small forest near camp, but we are taught to defend ourselves as soon as we can walk.”

They’re taught as children, and here I sit without even the most basic knowledge of how to defend myself. Soft , just like Ever accused when we met. “Will you teach me?”

His dark brows come together over narrowed eyes. “Gryff, do you have an extra blade?”

From his pack, Gryffin withdraws a small silver dagger and tosses the thing right at us.

Ever rips it out of the air easily enough, like the hilt and his hand are made magnets. He flips it over, handing me the bumpy hilt. Antler .

The poor deer…

Ever’s fingers come around mine, and all thoughts of cute, fuzzy animals flee my mind. “That’s too loose. Hold it like this.” He tightens his grip, forcing me to do the same. “Otherwise, if you miss your mark and hit bone instead, the blade might slip right out of your grasp. Keep your grip firm. There you go.” He withdraws his hand, but I can still feel his touch as acutely as if his fingers were still tangled with mine. “Just like that. Now you can swipe across the throat or stab the eye and strike the brain.” Taking my free hand, he presses my fingers to his bare chest. “Do you feel where this bone ends?”

Suddenly, my tongue is made of ash. “Yes.”

“Being this close to your prey is not ideal, but if you are, angle the blade upwards to avoid the ribcage and strike the heart. Never hesitate. Always go for the kill. If you miss, it could cost your life. Even if what you are hunting does not seem dangerous, you must remain on your guard. A deer’s antlers can be as deadly as a wolf’s teeth.”

Remain on your guard.

Never hesitate.

Always go for the kill .

Maybe Ever was right. Maybe I am too soft.

I return the blade and slide my hands down my silk skirts.

Ever’s head snaps up and his chest rises with his deep inhale. Before I can ask what he smells, chaos descends.

With a vicious curse, Gryffin starts digging through his pack. He drags out a piece of brown cloth and tosses it onto the fire. Maddox scrambles to standing and unbuckles his trousers.

Ever launches to his feet, yanks a blanket from the stack, and wraps the scratchy wool around my shoulders. Then he picks me up like a child bundled up for bed and starts running toward Nyx.

“What’s wrong? Is it a wolf?” Perhaps I shouldn’t have given back the dagger.

“Quiet,” Ever hisses as he puts me down and untethers Nyx.

Hold on. Is Maddox urinating over there?

Ever stuffs his foot into the stirrup and mounts in one fluid motion. When he extends his hand toward me, I let him haul me up in front of him. The way his body presses against my back as he reaches for the reins feels incredibly intimate, never mind the way his thighs squeeze mine as he kicks Nyx into a gallop.

Wind tears at my hair as we race away from the canyon, the thudding of Nyx’s hooves matching the drum of my thundering heart.

A few minutes later, Ever comes to a halt beside a tree and dismounts. When he reaches for me, I let him lift me down to the ground. The wool blanket falls into a puddle on the dirt.

“Can you climb?” he whispers.

Nodding, I grip the lowest branch and haul myself up to the next one and the one after that, my arms and legs protesting the entire climb. This is far more difficult than I remember. Eventually, I reach a small platform hidden among the barren branches with sticks and twigs nailed to the walls. The space would be cramped for just one person, let alone both of us. By some miracle, Ever manages to fold himself into the tiny gap behind me. He grimaces as he tries to settle himself, but there’s hardly enough room for him to stretch his legs without bumping into me, even though I’m trying to make myself as small as possible.

“Kerris?”

“Yes?”

“Come here.” He holds out his hands, and I hold my breath as he settles me right onto his lap.

I try not to think about how close we are, how intimate the space feels, but it’s all I can seem to focus on and if I don’t distract myself, I’m going to do something incredibly foolish. “What just happened?”

“Riders were approaching the outpost.”

Really? I didn’t hear a thing beyond the crackling fire. Looks like Trevor’s book was correct about Unseelie hearing.

“And Maddox was relieving himself because…?”

“We needed to cover your scent.”

So the book was right about their sense of smell as well. “I thought it wasn’t illegal for me to be here.”

“It is not illegal, but our chieftain would not approve, and I would rather not have the entire clan knowing my business.”

His words rumble from his chest, straight into my heart. His chieftain wouldn’t approve and yet here he is, hiding me, protecting me, seeking me out anyway.

And I’m doing the same. If Nia found out, she would be so angry. If any of the other Seelie learned the truth of where I sneak off to every night, they wouldn’t understand. But here I am, crossing The Divide night after night just to steal a few hours with this cautious, caring man.

The realization gives me the courage to turn around and ask him one very important question: “Am I your business, Ever?”

After the briefest hesitation, he nods. The look in his eyes says I’m more.

I think…

Heaven help me, I think I want to be more.

To know this man inside and out. To learn what makes him smile and how to cook his favorite meal. To feel the press of his bare skin against mine. I want…

I want everything I shouldn’t.

Ever watches me with the same intensity that seems to live in his gaze. My heart beats double time as I continue to twist until I’m straddling his thighs. Ever’s toned chest rises and falls with each deep inhale, brushing against mine.

Slowly, I bring my hands to the necklace he wears, tracing the bones and teeth. Evidence of the violence that lives in this beautiful man only to realize I don’t want to touch his necklace.

I want to touch him.

“Kerris,” he whispers.

“Yes?”

“I lied.”

My hand stills. “About what?”

“I do not want to be your friend.”

“Why not?”

“Because friends should not want to do the things I long to do to you.”

No one has to know.

It’s just the two of us.

The darkness is made for such truths.

“What sort of things?” I dare to ask.

Strong hands anchor around my waist. “I long to touch you when no one is watching,” he whispers. “To mark you as mine.”

I’ve wanted the exact same thing since I first read about mating scars.

His voice drops even lower as his hands slide to my hips. Kneading. Insistent. “I yearn to taste your most secret places and feel your body shuddering around mine. To hear my name on your tongue when you shatter.”

Desire sparks like a flame in my blood, burning through me until I’m a pile of wanton ash. All those things… I want them just as much. No, I don’t want. I need .

“Ever…”

His hum is a delicious vibration in his throat.

Even knowing I would be a fool to give in, my fingers trail along his collarbone. I tell myself to say nothing. To put a stop to this before it’s too late.

If only I’d known it was too late the moment our eyes met across that square. “I don’t want to be your friend either.”

He raises one hand, his eyes wild as they search for any hint of discomfort as he trails a solitary fingertip along my own collarbone.

An even exchange.

A stolen touch for a stolen touch.

No. Not stolen.

Given freely.

I move my hands lower, to the cut in his chest, and press my palm to his heart. Slow. Steady. Strong. So unlike my own beating like a hummingbird’s wings.

Heat gathers low in my stomach, pooling as he flattens his hand and inches down down down until his own palm stretches over my left breast.

I don’t know who disturbed us at the outpost, but I say a silent word of thanks for the interruption. Without them, I might never know the utter ecstasy of Ever’s touch.

His nose grazes my ear, sending a delicious thrill zinging down my spine as he breathes against me, drawing my essence into his lungs. Warm lips dance down my neck as I move my hands lower, squeezing his chest, telling him without words exactly what I need.

That whatever he wants from me can be his.

His free arm bands around me, holding tightly even as his hand cups my breast. His quiet groan turns my bones to water.

Our foreheads press together and breaths eddy, caught between us in a haze of wanting. Gazes drop to lips, the space separating us slowly disappearing until?—

“Psst! Ever!”

Maddox’s quiet call is like a cold bucket of water poured over our heads.

My Unseelie stills.

“They are gone,” he goes on. “You can come down now!”

Ever’s hands fall back to his sides, but the fire in his touch gathers in his heated gaze. An onyx inferno burning just for me.

“Ever!”

“I heard you the first time,” Ever growls.

“Prick,” Maddox mutters, followed by the thump of hooves on hard earth.

This got out of hand far too quickly. He must think me shameless the way I threw myself at him. I slide off his lap and crawl toward the exit even as my body screams for more of his touch.

“Wait.” Ever’s quiet plea freezes me in place.

When I glance over my shoulder, I find him grimacing.

Say you want to finish what we started. Tell me not to leave this place until we know the taste of each other’s lips.

Ever’s head shakes as if he heard my silent pleas. “This is not over.”

“Good.” I’d never forgive him if it were.

With muscles protesting, I climb back to the ground where Nyx waits. The ride back to the fire might not be as quick as our exit, but it’s filled with the tension of unfulfilled promises.

Maddox waves from where he ties his mount to the post while Gryff waits with his hands on his hips and his scowl in full force.

When I go to dismount, Ever stills me with a hand on my knee. The casual touch reignites the burning beneath my skin. “Who was it?” he asks.

Gryffin folds his arms over his chest. “River. A pack of wolves was spotted near Villers. The chieftain wants his best warriors on the hunt. We leave tomorrow at noon.”

A whole pack of wolves? And they’re going toward the danger?

Ever nods even as his hand slips from my knee. “You must go back.”

Somehow, I knew that would be my fate when we returned.

This is not over .

I cling to those words as Ever dismounts from behind me and helps me to the ground. I tell the other Unseelie goodnight, which earns a smile from Maddox and a grunt from Gryffin.

The walk back to the cottage feels desperately lonely, only the sounds of my footsteps and swishing skirts to keep my mind occupied.

Ever might be accompanying me, but he seems as lost in his own thoughts.

“How long do hunts usually last?” I ask, missing him already.

“A few days. A few weeks.” Ever shrugs as he glances up at the stars winking above us. “There is no way to tell.”

I might not see him for weeks?

Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this forced separation will allow me to gain some clarity.

“You will be safe, won’t you?”

“I am a skilled hunter. It is the wolves who should be afraid.”

“I know. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

He offers a slow nod. “Would you weep if I did not return?”

“I’d be beside myself.”

“Good.”

Cheeky fae. I nudge his arm with mine, and the corners of his lips tug into the barest hint of a smile.

Suddenly, all I can focus on is the fullness of Everett’s mouth as he stares down at me, his large hands hanging loosely at his sides. All I can think about is what it would feel like if he dipped his head and pressed those lips to mine.

Don’t go.

Stay with me tonight.

Let’s finish what we started.

Requests that never leave my lips as I watch him turn and head back the way we came.

“Ever?”

The muscles in his back flex in the most enticing way as he twists toward me, his brows raised in silent question.

“If you’re back in time, will you come to the Beltane festival? I bought a new dress just for the occasion.”

His expression gives nothing away as he sighs and offers a non-committal, “We will see,” before melting into the shadows.

When I make my way to the back door, I can still feel the warmth of his gaze like a caress. This has been the most magical, most memorable night of my entire life. I don’t think I’ll ever get to sleep?—

Something scrapes in the corner of the room, followed by the flicker of a flame. Nia sits at the kitchen table, a match pinched between her fingers, glowering straight at me. “Where the hell have you been?”