Once again, he steps into a leadership role with ease, and again, I don’t push back. We silently follow the Hunter into the rapidly darkening forest.
Cool air brushes against me, and I draw my arms around myself. I don’t see any more embers or any sign of soldiers, but I still feel uneasy. Yesterday was a good reminder that I can’t let my guard down, even for a moment.
After all, the king is coming.
We walk for roughly a quarter of an hour before a branch snaps ahead of us.
The sound is a crack of lightning in the otherwise silent forest, and my heart jumps. Immediately, my mind leaps to the worst conclusion: There were more embers we didn’t see, they alerted the king of our presence, and he has found us.
I gesture to the girls to get behind me and draw my dagger. Marie whimpers as Gabriel unsheathes his sword, positioning himself in front of us. His shoulders are tense, and he is a warrior, through and through.
A dark shape is moving through the trees.
My Mark begins to burn, and my fingers rise, reaching for the hood that isn’t there. I’m not wearing a cloak, and I have nothing to cover the glowing swirl with.
Damn it.
I pull some curls over my forehead, masking it as best I can, but there isn’t much I can do. Glancing at my sisters, I whisper, “I love you both.”
Another snap from the woods, and I steel my spine. Clench my fists. Draw deep breaths.
I will not die easily, I promise myself.
I wasn’t ready for my life to end the day of my Giving Ceremony, and I’m not ready now. But all the brave words aren’t much in the face of potential death, and my blood chills as leaves rustle.
And then, we are no longer alone.
5
THE COST OF SAFETY
WREN
My heart climbs into my throat as the dark shape draws near. My palm grows slick, and my breath comes in short bursts.
Is this it? Is this the moment my life comes to an end? If so?—
My thoughts trail off as a beautiful young woman with ebony skin and black hair falling in waves past her shoulders emerges from the forest. Dressed in a dark crimson gown and a black cloak lined in midnight fur, she is clearly a noblewoman.
She slows, taking in the scene with wide eyes that slide from the Hunter to me and then the twins. Her mouth moves, a hushed “Oh,” and then she looks back at Gabriel.
There’s ashinkas the Hunter sheathes his sword, and then the oddest thing happens. For all his power and strength and ruggedness, hechuckles. The deep, low sound sends tingles running down my treacherous spine, and my stomach flip-flops. Gods above, such a good sound has no right coming from a man like him. Does he know how confusing he is? How everything he does has me warring with myself?
“Ladybug,” Gabriel says warmly, stepping towards the newcomer. He moves with ease, and if his arm is bothering him, I can’t tell.
“Gabe.” The noblewoman’s smile is warm, and the familiarity with which she speaks to him makes my stomach twist. “Fancy meeting you here, in the middle of the forest.”
Gabriel snorts.Snorts!
I glimpsed this side of Gabriel in the short time when we first met before he found out who I was, but it disappeared after that. It’s difficult, reconciling the Hunter I know with this man making sounds ofamusement.
“Well, you know how it is. Sometimes, I like to take long walks in the woods.”
The lady laughs, the sound tinkling and sweet. “And you’ve picked up a few strays, it seems.”
“I have.” He nods, the ghost of a smile flickering on his lips.
Violet shoots a look at me over her shoulder. “Who is she?” she mouths.
