Nia shrugs. “Does it matter? You received seven free dresses made by the most exclusive designer in the kingdom. Let’s just hope they keep on coming.”

28

Everett

“The quickest trail to death is the one you walk alone.”

Surviving The Unseelie Lands, Author Unknown

The softest swaying rouses me from sleep.

We were relieved of our posts a few hours before dawn and returned directly to a silent camp. When I think back to the night, my body comes alive. As irritated as I was at River’s unexpected interruption, the opportunity to share such an intimate space with Kerris made the night a magical one, indeed.

If I breathe deeply enough, I can still smell her honeysuckle hair. If I close my eyes, I can still feel the way she felt pressed against me, the soft swell of her breast beneath my palm⁠—

This damn hunt could not come at a worse time.

We need food to feed our people, and the threat of wolves is one we need to quash as quickly and quietly as possible, but there is somewhere else I would rather be.

With Kerris Dawn.

Female of my dreams who confessed to sharing the same yearnings that stir within me. Such a thing hardly seems possible, and yet I can still taste the sweetness of her honeysuckle skin on my lips.

Even my bones know that she is not meant for me. Not forever.

She will find herself a Seelie fae, one who laughs and smiles with her, who can provide all the luxuries she deserves. When that happens, I will sink back into the dark shadows where I belong.

Until then, I will take every smile and laugh that she gives to me. Every intimate touch. Every burning look. I will lock all of them away in my heart to keep me warm on the nights when the loneliness creeps in.

“Ever?” a husky voice calls.

My stomach sinks. Leah.

At least she waited until daylight to call instead of forcing me to turn her down once again. The upside to this hunting trip is that she will be staying here to protect the rest of our clan.

I roll out of the bed to drag on my trousers and fasten my belt. When I open the door, Leah is waiting on my staircase, a steaming pot in one hand and a smile on her lips.

“Good day, Ever.” She raises on her toes to press her lips to my cheek.

The overly familiar greeting stuns me silent. She and I have shared kisses, but never in the light of day where anyone walking past might see. What is she thinking?

She holds up the pot. “I brought you porridge oats.”

Not this again. “Leah…”

“Do not look so worried. This is not a proposal. I have cooked them for all the hunters leaving today. You will need a full belly for the long journey.”