A growl surges up my throat, but I contain it. There must not be any suspicious noises or hints of the curse. I can only imagine what Princess Niamh would do if she knew of our true nature.
Kel’s frozen beast stands in the entranceway to Farron’s room, but Dayton’s shape, dripping briny water, shoves forward to look. Then Rosalina squeezes between both of them.
Farron’s body is still changing. The man’s back arches unnaturally, his legs furry and crooked like that of a wolf. Long canines erupt from his mouth, and his eyes glow with golden hunger. Then the wolf erupts from him, the beast of rotten leaves and burnt brush.
It’s not working, I think. Caspian tricked us. Farron will be lost, and I’ll have to—
The thorn collar erupts from around Farron’s neck. It grows like a thicket, winding around his legs, his body, even his muzzle, then sinking thorns deep within the floor. The wolf remains still, only its golden eyes flitting this way and that.
“He’s trapped,” Kel growls.
I creep past them, stepping into the room. Tentatively, I sniff the thorns. Every inch of Farron is covered, except for his eyes and a bit of his nose. His wails and thrashing usually fill the night. But now, all I hear is the rapid in and out of his breath through his nostrils.
“He’s not getting out,” I say. “It worked.”
Rosalina rushes forward, but Kel snags the back of her shirt with his teeth. “He’s still dangerous, Rose,” he mutters through fabric. “We haven’t seen enough yet.”
“He’s scared,” she cries, ripping free. “Can’t you see it? He’s terrified.” She turns to Farron, hand outstretched for the tip of his snout visible through the thorns. “He’s in there, all alone—”
Kel bursts in front of her, nudging her hard in the belly with his snout. “Out.”
Rosalina looks like she’s going to snap back, but I bump against her. “We’re only going to rouse him by being here. Let’s shut the door and let him rest.”
She wrinkles her nose, battling her tears, but nods. We leave the bedchamber and Rosalina clicks the door shut.
Dayton’s sitting there on his haunches, a fluffy pillow in his mouth, tail wagging. Rosalina strokes an affectionate hand over his ears. “You look like a golden retriever with a frisbee.”
Dayton spits the gob-covered pillow out on the floor. “Maybe we can’t be in there with him. But I can be right here.” He lays down, snout peering under the door. “I’ll always stay.”
The idea lights Rosalina up, and a smile forms on her tear-streaked cheeks. She runs to the firepit in the center of the room and starts gathering up all the pillows she can.
“What are you doing?” Kel asks.
She positions the pillows right by the door, tucking some under Dayton’s paws. Then she rushes back to grab the blankets off the couch. “Dayton’s right.” She touches the door. “Somehow, Farron will know we’re right here with him.”
I raise a wolfy brow as I watch Rosalina and Dayton create a nest of pillows and blankets. They’re a good team, I think. Both determined to see the light in even the darkest situations. My chest warms at how Dayton makes Rosalina smile. I hope he can see how happy he makes her.
As they’re debating what would be better to sleep on, piled blankets or piled pillows, Kel gives an exasperated sigh. He yanks the cushions off the couch. “These are best,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Here’s a lesson, Rosie,” Dayton says, his wolf’s smile strangely similar to the man’s. “The best way to get Keldarion to do something you want is to do it wrong. He’ll be sure to correct you.”
Keldarion stands in the middle of the nest—a giant creation of fluffy blankets and plush pillows—and turns in a circle, then turns the other way. Then he plops down. “If I’m going to sleep here, it might as well be comfortable.”
Rosalina gives the softest smile and somehow, she’s shining brighter than before.
Dayton gets into the nest beside Kel. “Big strong protector has to watch out for us?”
Kel cracks an eye open. “Yes.”
Dayton laughs, and I notice his fur isn’t damp anymore. In fact, I don’t even see the usual strands of rotten seaweed that wind through his fur.
Rosalina dives into the middle of the nest. She’d ran into her bedroom and changed into a light pink nightdress.
Warmth spreads through me. Short-sleeves.
Dayton crawls beside her and tugs the blankets over her body with his mouth. I sit awkwardly to the side, watching them. Keldarion’s curled in a tight ball, but Dayton lays his snout on the white wolf’s haunches. Rosalina curls between them, nearly engulfed in white and gold fur.
I walk quickly toward my bedroom, alone.
“Ez?” Rosalina calls. “Are you coming?”
An uneasy beat passes in my chest. You deserve to be alone, Kairyn whispers in my head.
“Hurry up,” Dayton says sleepily. “You’re the last one in so you’re the foot warmer.”
I squeeze my eyes closed. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up, I say to the voice in my head. This is my family.
Each step feels cautious as I approach the plush nest and step a foot in. Slowly, I lay the front of my body over Rosalina’s legs. Her eyes are closed, but she smiles and reaches down, scratching between my ears.
It feels… nice.
“Goodnight, everyone,” Rosalina whispers sleepily. “Goodnight, Farron.”
As I drift into oblivion, I hope he knows we’re right outside. His family, waiting for him to return to us.
I wake before dawn. I’m so… warm. I know I must return to my own chamber before the sun rises, so I’ll transform in private and have access to my helmet. But I don’t want to get up.
Forcing myself up to my feet, I look at the strange nest we created last night. Dayton’s sleeping on his back, all four paws in the air, and a huge glob of drool running out of his mouth. Rosalina is right. He does look like a golden retriever.
And Kel…
Kel is a man, his naked form wrapped in Rosalina’s arms. They’re fast asleep, but Kel’s face is soft, reminding me of my friend from years past. A boy who had no knowledge of the trials of manhood.
He may not have accepted the mate bond yet, but there is still magic here. Proof the Enchantress’s curse can be broken.
Proof that Rosalina’s touch is magic.
I press my ear to the door, and thankfully only hear rhythmic breathing. Hopefully, Farron found rest, despite the chains of curse and thorn.
I creep from the nest to my room, careful not to wake anyone. I take one look back at Kel in Rosalina’s arms and a pang of sorrow tightens in my chest.
You deserve to let yourself be loved by her, Kel, I think.
I only wish I could be so lucky.
36
Dayton
I love Autumn: the bright calamity of colors, the warm hearths crackling inside the keep. The first time I visited as a child, it felt like the chill breeze whispered secrets and stories of the forest and ancient fae. It’s so different from the Summer Realm, with its vast ocean horizons and open buildings. Something about Autumn is cozy, familiar, inviting.
Like Farron.
My gaze rests on the High Prince of Autumn perched on his great elk, Thrand. He adjusts the collar of his deep red tunic. It’s paired with fitted black trousers and knee-high brown boots. Over his tunic, he dons a leather jerkin with golden clasps that taper to his slim waist. His wild mane of auburn hair flutters in the breeze, a stray strand framing his jaw.
Damn, I want to kiss him.
Rosalina trots her horse up beside him, a beautiful white mare named Amalthea. Except the horse decides she’d rather graze on the grass.
“Come on, Thea,” she chides. “You just had a snack.”