Page 48

Marin

The castle emerged in the distance, its spires piercing through a maze of twisting tree branches, all shrouded in a silver mist. A stone wall encased the labyrinth, accessible only by a single line of eroded, narrow steps.

No rail.

No handholds.

A hundred feet to the top, or a hundred feet to your death, depending on your level of optimism.

“That’s menacing,” I said, shifting the weight of my pack to relieve the tension in my neck.

“I don’t know.” Gavin tilted his head, surveying the stone wall like a man calculating its worth. “A little stonework, maybe trim back some of those trees so you can actually see the spires, and it might be tolerable.”

“First, you rebuilt my house, now you want to restore a giant’s castle?”

He shrugged, a slow, lazy grin spreading across his face. “What can I say? I look good wielding a hammer… at least, you didn’t seem to complain.”

I cocked my head, countering his lazy grin with one that had more bite. “The sun was in my eyes. Must’ve blinded me because I don’t remember seeing anything that impressive. ”

“You’re brutal, Mare.”

“Just keeping your ego in check.”

“My ego has taken a beating since the day I let you pick my pocket. One of these days, you’ll appreciate—” He gestured from his shoulders to his hips, his eyes full of mischief. “all that this has to offer.”

I scoffed. “I appreciate all of that just fine. It’s your mind that’s gone soft if you think you let me pick your pocket.” With a teasing touch, I trailed my finger down the side of his arm and hooked my thumb into his belt. “That was skill, and I can do it again, anytime, anywhere.”

Gavin’s gaze darkened. His fingers circled my wrist, thumb brushing slow circles over my pulse. Heat shivered through me as his head dipped, his voice a low murmur in my ear.

“Stop flirting with me in front of the giant’s castle. It’s very unprofessional. The other hunters will talk.”

“There are no other hunters who are as reckless as us. And you’re insufferable.”

“Wrong.” His breath warmed my cheek. “Ever since you… all I do is suffer.”

My thoughts scattered. Gavin Blackwood needed to come with a warning label: Run for the hills, or he’ll decimate every last shred of your resolve. Mine needed more reinforcements than the hundred-foot stone wall, and it was crumbling fast.

I cleared my throat, forcing my feet to move as I stepped out of Gavin’s reach. “Are you sure we can’t attempt the maze today? There’s still daylight.”

His gaze lingered on me for a beat too long before shifting to the sky.

“Not enough daylight, and those are storm clouds gathering. We can’t risk getting stuck inside the maze after dark or in the rain.

The stone will be too slippery. The map says there's an abandoned outpost a little to the west. We should camp there for the night.”

I barely contained a shudder. “You use the term abandoned too loosely. It’s probably full of snakes.”

“Oh, definitely. But it’s snakes or sleeping in the rain. And that storm doesn’t look good. I vote fangs over soggy boots.”

A gust of wind whipped through the trees, rattling the branches. Gavin took advantage, draping his arm over my shoulder and effortlessly wheeling me away from the castle.

“Let’s make a deal,” he said. His voice was dangerously smooth. “I will use my overtly masculine abilities to clear out any living creatures, and all you have to do is compliment me on my valor. I can do it shirtless if that will help.”

And Gavin thinks he suffers.

I arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Come on, snake killer. If I dig deep enough and really search my soul, I’m sure I can find something to praise.”

Gavin squeezed my shoulders. “Looking forward to it, Mare.”

The outpost was little more than a rundown shack with a tattered roof.

But it would keep the rain and wind off us.

Overgrown weeds climbed around a water well, the bucket hanging loosely from a thick rope.

Branches and a few logs were scattered near the door, and I collected the kindling lying on the ground.

A smattering of raindrops fell from the sky, pelting me in the face. The clouds overhead were ominous, and a crack of thunder split the air. There wouldn’t be much time for snake detection before the skies opened up with rain.

The door rattled in the wind, swinging open with a gust. I peered into the shadowed room and frowned.

It was actually pretty decent. The floor was clean of debris.

An empty hearth waited for a roaring fire.

Crude furniture filled the rest of the space.

Some cabinets were stocked with rustic cookware, and a narrow table lined the wall.

A torn hammock hung in one corner, swaying from the wind blowing inside.

I collected water from the well while Gavin stacked the kindling in the hearth and started the fire. The sky unleashed, rain pouring and soaking the ground before I hurried back inside and secured the door.

The firelight bathed the sparse room in a warm glow, making it feel smaller than it had moments ago. Gavin shifted on the balls of his feet, stacking a dry log onto the fire. Sparks snapped. I watched him, leaning against the door.

What wasn’t there to praise?

Gavin’s shirt sleeves were pushed to his elbows, revealing the corded strength of his forearms. Steady hands coaxed the flames higher, filling the room with delicious warmth as the rain slid down the windows.

His hair—always tousled, never tamed—brushed against the hard planes of his face.

He looked solid. Capable. An anchor keeping me from crashing onto the rocks.

But it wasn’t just his focused determination I admired. It was the way he teased, turning danger into a game we could win, as long as he was there. The way his touch always affected me, whether it was calming, guiding, or slow and wicked. Every single touch made me crave another.

We'd known each other for a long time, but I used to take his presence for granted. I told myself it was nice but not necessary. That he was too reckless, too much of a wanderer. That anything between us would never work, and I’d be a fool to try .

And I was a fool.

Because Gavin was necessary.

The room was warm now, the fire strong enough to chase away the damp chill. Gavin dropped onto the floor in front of the hearth, stretching out his legs as he dug through his pack.

“Our rations aren’t exciting, but they’ll do.” He tossed me a wrapped bundle of dried meat, cheese, and bread.

“They still aren’t as bad as Bowen’s cooking.” I slid down beside him, the heat from the fire sinking into my clothes that were still damp from the rain. A spear of lightning flashed outside the window. The wind howled.

“Here, here!” Gavin raised a hunk of cheese in agreement. “That man could ruin a perfectly good egg. Thankfully, he has a cook. Liana would never have stayed.”

“I don’t know… Bowen has other qualities.” I cast Gavin a mocking look. “Not everyone is as obsessed with their stomach as you are.” I playfully tapped my temple. “Some people value the mind.”

“Very funny. Let me think. Which one of us found the seeds first? Oh, yeah, me. My mind.”

I shrugged, hiding my grin behind a sip of water. “Faster doesn’t always mean smarter. Cass and I had a stunning plan. A heist work of art.”

“Stunning is right. You should wear black silk more often.”

I tossed a piece of bread at him. Gavin caught it and popped it into his mouth with a wink—the devil.

For a while, we ate in easy silence. I finished the meat, the last bite of cheese, then tore off another piece of bread.

“Wait.” Gavin reached into the side pocket of his pack. “I have something for you.”

He removed a small glass jar and held it up. A thick amber substance glowed in the firelight. I stilled.

Honey. My favorite.

I hadn’t had honey in years. The last time I even thought about it was back in my cell with Sirena, regaling her with descriptions of its smooth, sweet taste. Like molten gold, you can eat.

“Where did you get that?”

Gavin popped the lid. “You think I don’t remember things, but I do. You always drizzle honey on your bread. And I think you deserve a treat. A, ‘you survived a vicious bog monster, and all you got were sappy hands’, kind of treat.”

“You're right. My quick thinking should be celebrated,” I said, unable to stop the blush streaking across my cheeks.

I took the jar from him, bringing it to my nose before dipping the tip of my finger into the pot.

The first taste made my eyelids heavy. It was a sweetness that sent a shiver to my core. Simple. Perfect.

I glanced at Gavin. He was watching me.

“You did good, Blackwood. Please accept my effusive praise. See? I knew I could think of something.” I drizzled some honey onto my bread. “And you didn’t even have to kill any snakes.”

Our fingers brushed when I handed him back the jar.

“My plan all along. Win you over with the honey and pray to the treasure gods, there weren’t any snakes.” He faked a shudder. “Nasty beasts.”

I settled my back against the wall. A heaviness weighed on my shoulders. Exhaustion from walking and carrying a pack for hours.

“You’re quiet,” Gavin said, tearing off another piece of bread. “Worried about tomorrow?”

I blinked, rolling my shoulders as the tightness moved higher up my neck. My throat felt dry like I’d traveled miles without water.

“Yes. Normally, I like mazes. But the innkeeper said something evil lurks in this one.”

“Vague monsters are the worst. They are always more atrocious than you imagine. Like a saber-toothed unicorn with a blood-soaked horn and spiked hooves. Suddenly, the snakes don’t seem so bad.” He nudged my knee with his foot. “You should get some rest.”

I nodded, finishing the last of my bread.

The crust stuck in the back of my throat, and my chest felt leaden.

The warmth from the fire had faded, leaving my skin feeling clammy.

A strange pressure built in my throat, and I tipped my head back with a rush of dizziness.

The sweet taste in my mouth soured. My breath tugged like it weighed more than air should.

Gavin unrolled his bedding, then leaned back against his elbows.

“As long as it’s not still raining, we’ll hit the maze at first light, use our tokens to cross the clouds, then get inside the castle and get out.

If an evil creature lurks inside the maze, we’ll handle it, or you will.

You can distract it with ooze or something.

I trust your instincts.” He flashed me a grin.

But the edges of my vision were darkening. His grin blurred.

A dull ache spread across my collarbone, crawling up my throat, squeezing. The air was too heavy. Too—

“Gavin—” I gasped his name, pressing my hand hard against my chest.

“Mare?” He rolled to his knees, concern slicing across his features.

The pressure climbed higher. My body locked up. My lungs refused the air.

“It’s happening—again. I can’t—I can’t breathe. Help. ”