Page 62 of Let Slip the Dogs of War

“I’m going to—I’ll come back,” he says.

Ophelia reaches for him, but Dante walks away—in the opposite direction to Aodhan—before she can grasp his arm. We both watch him leave.

“What do you think he said to him?” she asks after a few seconds. Dante has not gone far. He weaves between groups of fae, most of whom eye him speculatively. No one tries to touch. Good. Collar or not, they at least know not to test me.

“I have no idea,” I reply faintly. What could Aodhan have said to have Dante fleeing from us both now? Even if he does not wish to speak with me, Ophelia is his best friend. Why would he avoid her?

“He’s here then,” a voice says behind us, making Ophelia jump.

Oisin, of course. He smiles when we both face him, and although I am irritated by his apparent desire to avoid Aodhan and leave him to us, it is clear that Ophelia is angry about it.

“Where were you?” she hisses. “Dante was all on his own.”

Where is Grant, for that matter? I scan the crowd. I cannot see him.

“I told you, I do not—”

“I don’t care,” Ophelia says. She plasters a fake smile on her face when she realises some fae are looking our way, but it does nothing to hide the fury in her eyes. “You did all this for a reason. You don’t get to run off when you get scared.”

“I was not—”

Ophelia scoffs, and for a moment, I think Oisin will lose his temper, but instead, his shoulders deflate. He ducks his head as though chastened.

“Lark handled it,” Ophelia goes on. “But this was all a bloody pointless scheme if you can’t rule alongside him properly.”

“I will.”

“And if he”—her gaze flicks to Aodhan, who has stopped to speak with Veles, and then back again—“causes trouble, what then? The crown isn’t going to make you stronger.”

Oisin stares at her. Honestly, so do I. I have never seen a fae so thoroughly told off before, and even if I had, I doubt they would have taken it so well.

“I am sorry,” Oisin says after a long moment, first to Ophelia, and then to me. “I didn’t—It will not happen again.”

Ophelia grants him a nod before she turns her attention back to the party.

“No matter,” I reply. “It was inevitable I would have to speak with Aodhan today. It is unfortunate he cornered Dante first.”

“Where is he?” Oisin asks.

“Aodhan?”

“No. Dante.”

I look over in the direction where I last saw Dante, but he is no longer there. Where is he? My heart races. Perhaps he has simply gone back to the castle. He has been, understandably, out of sorts all day, although I would expect some cheer despite it all because he and Ophelia have been reunited and can return home soon.

“There!” Ophelia says, pointing.

My stomach sinks. Dante is heading towards the maze. He is too far to hear if I shout for him to stay away.

“Stay here,” I say. Oisin is already protesting, but I shake my head. “I will be back in time for the announcement.”

“Fine. Hurry.”

I hardly register the words as I head in the direction of my soulbond.

Chapter Eighteen

Dante