“No.” Although it should not surprise me. Kerris is a rare beauty, and her heart has no malice. Any male would be a fool to look past her and not at least consider her as a mate.

“This complicates matters,” he goes on. “Kerris Dawn is not just some random Seelie female. She is being courted by the heir to the throne. One day she might be queen. What can you offer her?”

I try to ignore his question, but the truth in his words pulses through my ears like a drumbeat.

“He makes a good point,” Maddox chimes in, still smiling but not quite as widely. “Your cock will only get you so far.”

What do I have to offer Kerris besides a life in exile from her friends and family? She would never survive on our side of the canyon, and I would never be welcome on hers.

The reality of our situation has never seemed so bleak.

* * *

I am too keyed up to return home, offering instead to take over guarding the bridge from River and Rynan. They gawk at me as if I ordered them to eat rocks. Although I would rather be left alone with my thoughts, Maddox and Gryff insist on keeping me company. Maybe their bickering will help take my mind off the hopeless situation with Kerris.

I toss another log onto the fire, and sparks shoot into the sky while the gray smoke curls toward the layer of mist hanging above us. Maddox holds out his hands, offering me a giant flat rock. “I have baked a pie for you, Ever. Here. Take a bite. You know you want to.”

I shove Maddox back, and his “pie” goes flying. “You are one to talk. ‘Oh, Nia, blueberries are my favorite.’”

He shrugs, not the least bit irritated by my retort. “What is so wrong with that? She is beautiful.”

“She hates you.”

“She only hates me because she does not know me.”

Gryff shakes his head, unstrapping his dagger to stoke the coals beneath the fresh log. “And if she ever has the misfortune of getting to know you, she will hate you even more.”

“Fuck off. You do not know that. Kerris Dawn is smitten. Maybe her cousin wants to cross the bridge for a taste as well.” The way Maddox rubs his hands together makes it look as if he is plotting something terrible. May the fates help whatever female has the misfortune of choosing him as a mate. “Just wait till Leah Locke finds out.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

In my elation, I completely forgot about Leah.

I will have to be on alert in case she tries to cross The Divide. There is no telling what Leah would do to Kerris if she found her. This situation is becoming more complicated by the minute.

The thump of hooves echoes in the distance, growing louder with each passing breath. Whoever approaches is in a hurry.