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“She had to show me where it was. But I still miss it sometimes.” Then, before he had time to respond, Nix said, “I’m going to collect some flowers for Auri. Wait here,” and disappeared into the woods.
Luc grumbled and turned back to look at the hedge once more, walking its length when he heard women’s voices—sweet and lilting—coming from inside. He stepped back, searching for the elusive entrance.
“Remember when we were talking to Tarley the other day? About the man in the woods?” Aurielle—he knew her voice—replied.
“So romantic…” the other said, her voice soft and whimsical. Which left only two possibilities: Luc’s woodland fairy or the other sister, the one with the dark, soulful eyes. “Why are we doing this again?” she asked.
He wondered which one was with Aurielle and suppressed any hope it might be his singer.
“Well, I’ve met someone.” Aurielle snapped the words, because the other one seemed to be antagonistic about being dragged out into the woods.
He grinned at their bickering. Relatable.
“I have so many questions! You’ve been behind the hedge since–” The sister’s voice cut off abruptly, then she shouted, “The Great Nap Escapade?”
“So,” Aurielle said, drawing out the word, “you’re doing this for true love. And I promise, Brin, you won’t have to wait long.”
Brin.
Brinna.
He ignored the pitter patter of his heart in favor of frowning and pressed his fingers against his breastbone.
There were words spoken Luc couldn’t discern, followed by Aurielle bursting from the hedge. She called out for Nix and disappeared across the road through the bramble.
“What if someone comes?” Brinna called, then groaned. “Annoying.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Luc couldn’t see her; she was still hidden within the hedge.
She gasped. “Who’s there?”
“The brother.”
Her head—like a disembodied apparition—appeared from the hedge, turning to look for him. When she saw him, her eyes widened. It was the first time he realized her eyes were gray.
“Whose brother?”
He hummed but said, “Since we’re both on lookout duty, we could make it interesting.”
“Who are you, exactly?” she asked, stepping from the hedge.
Luc’s breath stopped up, caught up by both disbelief and utter excitement. He was face-to-face with his woodland fairy—though he hadn’t been sure why he ever thought of her as his—who stared at him as if he were something unbelievable. While he’d never intended to return, there he was.
“There you are,” Luc said, finally finding his voice.
She demanded his name.
“Lucian,” he said, turning slightly toward her, his shoulder leaning against the hedge—a terrible choice. He straightened and wiped the leaves from his shoulder.
“And you’re not here to meet my sister?”
“Stars, no,” he said, allowing himself to truly look at her as he shook his head, grateful, suddenly, that Nix asked him to be his unnecessary companion. “That would be my brother. Come closer.” He gave her a slight grin. “I don’t bite. Usually.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m fine right here, thank you.”
“You know my name, which gives you power. Will you not offer the same?” Though he already knew it, he wanted her to offer it freely.
“Brinna,” she replied and disappeared back into the hedge.
