“Is there a different potion?” I ask. “One that can… stop me feeling the effects?”
Kitarni freezes, looking at Bram with something akin to surprise. “You don’t want her?”
I shrug, knocking back the foul-tasting red brew with a shudder, because she’s right, better to be prepared. “Call me insane, but I’d prefer not to have her hate me when the dust settles.” I raise my arm, shoving back my sleeve. “And I highly doubt that taking advantage of Rose is the way to get Danu to release me from this Ancestors-damned curse.”
The tattoo is painfully obvious against my blue skin, the firelight making it seem darker. The four empty frames glare accusingly at me, reminding me that the only way to be free of this is if the other males of Rose’s Guard trust me.
Kitarni nods. “I have a sleeping draught. I was going to give it to Praedra…”Because she didn’t trust me not to force myself on Rose like an asshole,I snarl under my breath at the insinuation. “But it will keep you unconscious for a week.”
My hands curl into fists, everything in me rebelling at the idea of allowing myself to be that vulnerable. Growing up in Fellgotha taught me to sleep with one eye open, not voluntarily submit to the whims and protection of others.
I glance at Prae, asking a silent question, only to be rewarded by a dramatic roll of her good eye.
She’s got my back, always.
“Fine. Give it here.”
Five
Rhoswyn
Growling rumbles through my body, waking me. It takes a while for my sleep-fogged brain to work out that it’s because I’m nestled in a pile of fur. Next comes the awareness of how warm I am, followed by the wet huff of breath over my prickling skin.
“Jaro, let me sleep,” I complain.
I know it’s him. I can feel his closeness through the bond. I have no idea how I ended up curled up against his wolf, but he’s warm, and soft and comfy and—
“Dragonfly, he’s let you sleep too long,” Bree murmurs, drawing another growl from the wolf. “It’s past daybreak and you still haven’t eaten.”
Food.
I don’t think anything else could’ve convinced me to blink open my bleary eyes. When I do, I realise the extent of the problem.
Jaro’s wolf is curled around me on one side, sandy fur keeping me toasty warm. On my other side is a pile of white fluff that can only be Wraith. Both lupine heads are currently focused intently on the three other males, who have clearly been ready to leave for some time.
Lore is holding a severed blue arm—I’m not even going to ask where he got that—and waving it in front of Wraith in an attempt to tempt him to move, but my barghest puppy is just as intent on staying put as Jaro’s wolf. Neither of them is quelled by the narrow, frustrated glare Drystan is levelling at the three of us, and I want to grin at the absurdity of the situation.
“I think Jaro must’ve shifted in his sleep,” Bree continues, holding a bowl of steaming food in one hand, as he beckons me to stand with the other. “But if you can just get out from between them, it might get Jaro’s wolf to calm down.”
Easier said than done. I chuckle under my breath, then try to wiggle my way out from the literal dog-pile I’m caught in. I end up accidentally stepping on Wraith’s tail, causing him to shoot up like he’s been burned, kicking Jaro in the face as he does so.
Bree is forced to hold the bowl up over his head to avoid spilling the food as the two huge beasts snarl and snap at each other.
Drystan reaches out to drag me away. “Lorcan, sort them out,” he demands. “Do whatever you need to do to help Jaromir take control of his beast. The wolf is probably reacting to her scent.”
The huntsman is in typical grumpy form as he pulls me over to the horses, clearly not in any mood to answer my questions.
“Bad doggie!” Lore cries, and I twist to look, only to have my head turned back around by the impatient winter fae in front of me.
“How are you feeling?”
In answer, I yawn in his face. I don’t mean to, but I really can’t help it.
He raises his eyes heavenward and scrubs his free hand down his face. “Apart from tiredness, do you have any headaches? Itchiness?”
“You’re giving her an inquisition and she’s only just woken up,” Bree says lightly, but there’s a hint of censure in his tone as he joins us, offering me the bowl. “Eat up. We made this last night, but you were out cold.”
I take it from him, my mouth watering at the scent of rich herby stew. Bree hasn’t given me a spoon, so I tip the bowl back in careful sips, groaning at the taste. I can’t believe I just fell asleep after Jaro made me come. That must have been hours ago. We were supposed to talk when we made camp, and I was going to practise my aura skills again and—
