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I gulp and turn back to the portrait, letting my curls hide my blush. “She’s beautiful.”

“The most beautiful woman in the world,” he says, and I peek at him through my curls. Those words didn’t seem directed at the late Lady of the Forest. My stomach clenches.

“Now you know where I got it from.”

…And that fuzzy feeling fizzles out. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Leaf.”

“What, I’m just being honest!”

I slap his chest.

He rubs the place where my hand left a mark. “You wound me.”

“Good.”

“Would you like to see more of my lovely childhood home?”

I did almost get lost earlier trying to explore the palace. “Actually… yes.”

“Well then.” Leaf drops his voice, once again offering his arm. “Follow me.”

For hours, we walk around the palace. Down corridors of twisted, glowing vines and flowers. Across more rope walkways suspended impossibly high above the forest floor and through kitchens where Leaf sweet talks the chefs into sampling a little bit of everything for us. If I didn’t notice the way he paused or went silent in certain areas, I would have thought that he grew up with everything.

A loving, full family like my own. While I want to punch my own brothers for the way they always steal the first bread rolls, I would do anything for them.

“What was it like?” I ask as we walk through the garden.

“Ha! Well, they would always let me taste test the sweets before the biggest festivals—so I’d say pretty damn well.” He gives a good-natured chuckle, but I can see his mask.

“You know what I mean,” I push further.

Leaf slows and sits on a bench. He pats the space next to him.

I sit.

He places his arm on the back of the bench, so close to me, I can feel the warmth radiating off of him. We sit there for a while. The forest is alive. Bugs chirp and buzz. Even the fireflies flash, sometimes in swirling patterns. At some point, Leaf’s arm rests over my shoulders, and I find I like the weight of it.

“When you have everything, everything begins to feel like nothing.”

“Is that why you left to live with the humans?”

“That…” Leaf pauses, considering. I look at his profile as he thinks. Has he always been this handsome? His proud nose, full lips, and sharp jaw that is currently flexing. “Among other things. My father may not have struck me physically, but he would have his trainers do it for him. His words were just as sharp as the point of a bow.”

His jaw flexes again. I lean my head on the crook of his shoulder, giving him the space he needs to share more.

“I’ve always wanted to see the world. See what’s beyond the ancient woods. Live separately from the pressure and duty that comes with my title. It’s selfish, I know.”

I start to say something, but Leaf puts a hand on my leg, surprisingly shutting me right the fuck up because all my thoughts narrow down to the single point of contact.

“It was selfish to want to leave, but when I heard about the Watch, that I could train with the humans, I thought it could be a way to freedom.”

“How did your father let you go?”

Leaf scoffs. “Too quickly. I should have known something was wrong when we struck our deal. Perhaps he was planning for me to return at winter solstice or give up my ruse. Maybe even use me as some sort of spy to the humans.”

I startle at the thought of even our allies knowing our tactics. “You don’t think he would do that, would he?”

Leaf’s laugh is sharp around the edges, bitter and harsh. “Yes, that and more. I’d be surprised if he didn’t already have spies planted in all of the different territories, reporting back every move. No, I’m confident he was using me; I guess I’ll never find out how.”