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The three of them made the remaining trek to the House of Marlin. It was hidden deep within the woods, surrounded by thickets of bright green trees and moss that sprawled across every side of the massive stone building. The silver moon overhead beat down on the roof, illuminating the colorful array of flowers that covered the entiresurface.
Bree had to admit that it was stunning, and it was certainly much more beautiful than the ugly monstrosity that King Midas had built for his reign. The building was large, at least ten times larger than any home she’d ever lived in, but something about it oozed an aura of warmth, familiarity, and homeyness. Bree could imagine wandering these gardens every day, plucking flowers from the overgrown shrubs, sitting outside in the gazebo, reading abook.
It was so opposite of everything she’d ever imagined Underworld tobe.
“Is this what it’s like everywhere?” she asked, gazing up at it. “All this time, I thought Underworld was like your castle, but this is sodifferent.”
“Parts of Underworld are like this. And parts of it are not,” Taveon said from beside her. He’d been quiet the rest of the journey here, no doubt mulling over their conversation just like she had been. “It is a varied land full of varied fae and creatures. I hope you never have to see the truly terriblethings.”
Bree shuddered. So far, her experience of Underworld hadn’t been one hundred percent amazing. A lot of the fae at Court were kind of...well, dicks. She didn’t want to meet anyoneworse.
“It is strange, is it not?” Rafe asked, striding up beside them. “Usually, the Marlin family would be out on the front steps, ready to greet the Prince. I have never known them not to come outside inwelcome.”
Taveon’s face was grim as he nodded. “Indeed, it is quite out of theordinary.”
Bree felt her entire body tense, and she gazed up at the looming building. No longer did it feel warm and welcoming. The dark windows were menacing, hiding enemies within. The house was large and imposing, casting eerie shadows onto the blooming ground. Sheshivered.
“You do not think they plan to fight us, do you? I mean, what if they’re the ones behind all these attacks?” Bree asked, though she found it hard to believe even as she voiced it aloud. They might be behind something, but it didn’t make sense for them to be behind everything. She’d been shot at. Seath had been killed. And there had been that random attack during the feast when no one had even known she was there. None of it seemed connected. Every attack felt separate, done for different reasons. If one random family out in the middle of the wilderness was behind it all? Well, she’d eat hershoe.
Taveon strode forward and pulled his sword from his scabbard, holding out a hand in front of Bree’s body, as if to shield her. She didn’t miss the movement, and it warmed her in a way she hadn’t expected. Prince Taveon, who had dragged her to his castle in chains, was protecting her. And what was worse was that she kind of likedit.
“We cannot know what will happen,” he said over his shoulder. “Stay behindme.”
“You could give me a weapon to protectmyself.”
Taveon froze, frowning as he glanced back at her. He looked so strong standing there with his sword raised high. If he wasn’t such an ass, she might think he was handsome. But even though they’d made something of a truce, she didn’t have tolikehim.
She just maybe didn’t hate himanymore.
“You truly expect me to give you a weapon after what you pulled that day I brought you into this realm?” He arched an eyebrow and actually laughed. It was a deep melodic sound, one Bree swore she’d never heard from him before. Not with all his scowling and stomping around. It was...nice.
“I won’t stab you again.” She shrugged. “But even if I did, you wouldn’tdie.”
The laughter died on his lips, and out of the corner of her eye, she swore she saw Rafe tense. “Never repeat thatagain.”
She blinked and frowned. “Okay, sorry. I was just stating thetruth.”
“Never repeat that again.” He grabbed a dagger from his belt and threw it her way. “If you stab me again, you are going back into that damncell.”
“Aye aye, Captain,” she said, but Taveon merely furrowed his eyebrows in response. Sighing she said, “Sorry. Humansaying.”
With a quick shake of his head, Taveon turned back toward the home of House Marlin. Bree stepped up to his side, now sandwiched between him and Rafe. They all stared at the dark, quiet house. It certainly didn’t look like anyone was about to attack them, but Bree had quickly learned that appearances can be deceiving inUnderworld.
“I shall go and knock,” Rafe said, moving toward the door before Taveon or Bree could get a word in edgewise. She most certainly did not want him to approach, not after what had happened at the volcano. But it seemed as if there was no stopping him, not once he got an idea into his head. She had to appreciate that about him atleast.
After a long moment passed, nothing happened. Rafe knocked again. “Open up, House Marlin. By order of the King ofUnderworld.”
Bree raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything. There was no King of Underworld, not at the moment, but she supposed the Prince was closeenough.
Several more moments passed by before Rafe shot them a shrug and then slammed his boot into the door. The wood splintered against the force, and the door flung open wide, revealing nothing but a deep and penetrating darkness. Bree shuddered and gripped her dagger’s hilt as hard as she could. If anything ran out of that house, she’d beready.
But nothingcame.
Rafe disappeared inside, and Bree itched to follow. She didn’t want him going in there alone. They could be waiting for him in there. It could be some sort oftrap.
A moment passed. And then another. She was about to charge in there after him when his silver hair popped around thedoorframe.
“The entirety of House Marlin is dead,” Rafferty said, his lips set in a grim line. “They all look poisoned, the same asSeath.”
