Page 19 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

“It wasn’t luck that saved you,” he said. “I watched you defeat the lycane. You knew you were no match for its size and strength, so you got into position and you let it fall on your blade. Let its weight do the work for you. It was brave. And damn clever.”

“You’re very kind.”

“I’m not saying it to be kind. I’m saying it because it’s true. You’re a fighter, Nova. You’ve earned your scars.”

Nova stared at his fingers draped gently over her own. His touch was so warm against her skin she could scarcely believe he had the ability to conjure snow and ice in the palms of his hands. She blinked several times before drawing her hand away. Callan pulled his hand back as well, staring at it for a beat as if the limb had acted with a mind of its own.

“Look, I realized I brought you here without preparing you fully for what to expect. You’re obviously a quick study, but I sought you out today to share some advice.” He paused for a moment. “You should know that Fae can’t lie directly. But they can deceive. There are many who would do so simply for amusement, or for their own gain. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

Nova searched his eyes, imagining what it would feel like to stroke the curve of his jaw. How the roughness of his stubble would feel against her fingertips.

Stop.

“Don’t worry about me, Callan,” she said dryly, turning her face away from him. “I can take care of myself.”

She felt him bristle at the change in her demeanor. An awkward silence stretched between them.

“Why are there so many sentries?” she asked, changing the subject once again. “Expecting an attack?”

Callan rubbed his jaw, throwing a look at the guards stationed all along the crowded wall.

“They’re guarding the Estate against lycane.”

“Lycane?” A shudder rippled through Nova as she scanned the trees below. “Surely they can’t get past the wall.”

“Likely not. Lycane attacks are rare in Pyralis, though other territories haven’t been so fortunate.”

It was Callan’s turn to fall silent.

“I nearly forgot. I have something for you,” he said abruptly a moment later. Reaching behind his back, he removed something from his belt and held it out to her.

“My dagger!” she gasped, cradling it in her hands.

The blade had been sharpened and the hilt wrapped with a fresh strip of leather.

“I pulled it from the beast’s chest. It would have been a shame to lose such a fine weapon.”

Nova searched for adequate words but found none. If she remembered her faerie stories correctly, expressing gratitude was discouraged in the Fae Realm.

“It was my father’s.” It was all she could think to say.

Callan nodded and cleared his throat. They stood beside each other for another moment, neither one speaking.

“I can teach you,” he said, breaking the silence once again. “To fight. With a dagger. A sword. Whatever you prefer.”

“I’d like that.” A thin smile played on her lips. He nodded, and they both looked out over the forest, the trees swaying in the chill wind as if dancing at their feet.

Ten

The dining room was empty when they returned to the residential wing for the evening meal. A note from Fawn explained she had plans to dine with a friend, and Evander was occupied with matters to oversee at Court that would keep him past the dinner hour.

So, Nova and Callan dined together.

When Nova had eaten her fill and swallowed the last sip of her second glass of wine, Callan stood and offered to walk her to her chamber. Cheeks burning, she fought the peculiar urge to giggle as he accompanied her down the long corridor, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Finally,” Nova sighed, leaning against her door. “Is it just me, or is this hallway entirely too long?”

She snorted involuntarily and clapped a hand over her mouth, swallowing the laugh threatening to spill from her lips.