Chapter 47 Carwynn
CARWYNN
I needed to clear my fucking head.
Slap! Every freaking time!
My forearm stung along a splattering of freckles where I nearly nailed the little flesh-feasting bastard.
In the Human World, nightly strolls meant mosquito bites. But here, you’d be victim to itty bitty, demonic fairy pests that prowled the forest looking for warm bodies to chew on. Enchanted rodents. Must’ve been cousins of the Brownies . . .
A row of tiny bite marks sat below my elbow, another battle wound to add to my collection. Huck and his magical fingers healed the claw marks on my shoulders from the Snake Pit. Unfortunately, the Dullahan’s were too severe, so angry jagged lines remained.
The last few days felt like the aftermath of a car accident. Whiplash. Tremors. An insane amount of emotions frying my nervous system.
Not only were Lochlainn’s drugs poisoned, but someone had infiltrated his underground club.
Turned out, the simulation was hexed right before I went in.
It wasn’t capable of conjuring monsters, no, that was something only a powerful individual—possibly someone of the Craft—could do.
And I, an Ancient’s misfortunate chew toy.
It’d be a while until I pet a dog again.
Lochlainn was spitting flames—sending men out in packs, tearing the quadrants apart until they could find the culprit. Last I heard, no such luck.
Finley refused to leave my side. It was only after he brought me home, and I summoned Huck to heal me that he finally relented.
I warned Finley that if a Cherub showed up, usually David followed right after—and would probably be out for blood, not caring who paid it.
Luckily, Wyatt arrived with him to help diffuse his atomic reaction.
I visualized mentally expelling all my stress as I blew out a long breath.
My advisors directed me to lay low at home, but I abandoned those suggestions tonight. My mind felt sore, the weight of everything pressing in and bruising. I was in desperate need of some air.
Orb lights lined the dirt path ahead. They looked like glowing yellow fireflies strung up for a party, splaying beams across the ground, dancing through the trees.
It was such a pretty night. The feeling of stepping into a childhood storybook never seemed to fade around here, but that was the effect The Mounds had on you. You almost imagined magic twirling in the breeze and kissing your cheeks good evening. Simply mystical.
My long, soft, form-fitting black dress was paired with a sweater. Perfect for the cool Luckland air. Shoes scuffed against the path as if my own feet knew I should’ve turned back a while ago, but those goddamn sparkly lights kept pulling me forward, entranced, happy to feel the calmness.
A sudden rustle from behind had be spinning around.
Shit. My heart thundered in my chest as two reflective eyes watched me from the shadows.
I froze.
Slowly, a massive wolf prowled out from the trees.
Onchu dog, the name whispered in my mind, trudging up images that made my palms sweat.
Thick, pale gray fur and yellow fangs had the hair raising up on my arms. It was something out of a nightmare with disturbingly long, muscled legs that were outstretched.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
My power burst to life, an immediate glow spiraling up my body. I stumbled back a step, scaring myself at how reactive it was. Charged, ready, beyond on edge.
I glowed like a beacon, casting light on the forest surrounding me. I studied the wolf—the coloring was similar, but it wasn’t the Onchu beast. This was different. An Ossory.
Okay, breathe. An Ossory. Just one of the Ossory on patrol.
My magic dimmed.
It took a step forward, crossing onto the path, eyes fixed on me.
Would the man inside have any control? Or was it all animal impulses? I scolded myself for not learning more about them. I really should’ve.
I inhaled, shallow but quick. Slowly, I took a step back. Then another.
The Ossory matched my step, closing the distance, before pausing. It shook its head slowly. Some cryptic doggy message I didn’t understand.
“N-n-nice puppy,” I whispered, voice high and hysterical. “Good boy. Go home now.” A tremor clung to the last of my words.
The large wolf huffed. Its front paws lifted in a playful gesture, landing with a thud.
I swear to god, if this thing wanted to play fetch . . .
In a blink, it darted back to the woods, sucked up by the inky dark.
Phew. The tension in my chest released.
I hesitantly walked closer, curiosity tugging at me, needing to see where it went. But really, I just wanted to know it wasn’t coming back.
My gaze hit the edge of the forest and—nothing. Good.
Until a tall figure instantly emerged. Coming into view was ruffled hair, soft eyes, and a smile that could melt an iceberg.
“Finley,” I blurted, utterly confused for a millisecond. The relief that followed was a muscle relaxer to my senses.
The wolf, an Ossory wolf, was an adorable one at that.
“Hi Carwynn,” Finley said, bordering on bashful. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare ya. Was out on a run and caught your scent.” He awkwardly dragged a hand through his hair and chuckled, a slight blush smattered his cheeks. “Couldn’t help following it. Wanted to make sure ya were all right.”
My mouth twitched. A specific memory of him intimately between my thighs had me stifling a smirk. God, I really hope that wasn’t tied to him knowing my scent.
His mouth moved. Words strung together—something about him thinking or worrying about me. But I couldn’t focus. Couldn’t break my eyes away from his bare chest or the muscular arm that flexed every time he tousled his hair, making him look—
For fuck sake, get your shit together, Carwynn!
“Oh,” I blathered. I felt like an idiot. Warmth coiled deep in my core where it had no business being at this moment. “Um, Fin? Where’s your shirt?” I’d never noticed the curve of his shoulders before.
Finley smiled, following my gaze. He trailed one large hand up and down his obnoxiously-chiseled abs.
He needed to stop doing that. Immediately.
“Clothes tend to get misplaced when we shift,” Finley said with a casual shrug. “But at least I found my trousers.”
I cleared my throat.
“Well, thank heavens for that.” Was all I could rasp out.
The universe took pity on me, settling his hands down into his pockets.
“Ready for the ball tomorrow?” Finley asked. An expectant look sparkled on his face.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I muttered. “Honestly, I’m more nervous about heading off to Eostre Land the morning after with a hangover.” An avoidant laugh shot out of me, sounding forced.
Why was I acting like this? It was Finley, my Finley. My friend, my—
My brain stopped dead in its tracks.
I messed up. We weren’t supposed to be in this awkward zone of blushing and overthinking when we were around each other. It wasn’t meant to go beyond liking.
God damn it . . .
“I hear ya.” Finley’s eyes danced. Then, he cocked his head, studying me as a small frown appeared.
“I can’t imagine what ya going through—with everything that’s happened.
Just know ya won’t be alone. I’m with ya—we’re in this together.
I promise.” His eyes lingered on mine for a moment too long before he looked away.
Any chill that clung to my body was completely banished, replaced with simmering heat.
Slowly, his smiled returned and he rocked on his feet. “Personally, I’m beyond excited for the Ball. I’ve got myself a fine date lined up.” He winked.
I looked down, my lip sucked between my teeth, hoping to hide my sudden fluster. It was a failed attempt.
Coward. Just look at him.
Finley laughed, then stepped closer. A hot palm wrapped around my hand, grasping.
“Come on,” he said, jerking his head toward the forest. “I want to show you something.”
I glanced toward the tree line. It was now fully cloaked in pitch black, sending a shiver up my spine, remembering the night of the Dullahan.
Finley’s gaze followed mine, understanding flashing on his face. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“You’re safe with me, Carwynn. Always.” He gently tugged my hand taut, waiting for my feet to follow. His eyes held a question as his body waited for the answer.
Safe. Could there really be such a thing when it came to the circus of my life? No, probably not. But in this moment, I trusted Finley, and even if safety was just an illusion, he felt like a warm blanket, a promise that I’d never be betrayed to the cold.
I let out a slow breath and walked forward.
“Just a little farther,” Finley whispered. It was hard to see him, but I could hear the smile clear in his voice.
For several minutes, he led me through the woods. It only took sixty seconds before our fingers were laced. Strange. It was a vastly different feeling from when they’d been intertwined with others. They were just hands, and it was just skin, but it was . . . more.
Thankfully, my clumsiness seemed to have stayed home for the evening. I only tripped once on a fallen branch, but Finley’s arms worked at the speed of light to catch me.
A bright beam cut through the darkness, near-blinding.
We’d left the abyss of the forest and emerged into a small clearing.
Moonlight shone over large, weathered stones and green ivy twisted and turned crawling up them.
It looked like remnants of an old castle, now reduced to ruins with wildflowers in every color blooming in patches all around.
“It’s stunning,” I gasped, an excited smile tugging at my lips. “I didn’t know this was here!”
Finley watched me, as if observing how the moonlight soaked into my skin. Then, he faced the ruins, the corner of his mouth ticking up in a satisfied grin.
“An old Ossory Chapel—sacred to our kind. Keeffe and I used to play here as kids. Our own little sanctuary,” he said, the words sounding like cherished memories.
Fingers tightened around mine as he led me through an archway, and into a courtyard beyond.
More lush plants grew around us. Some in the grass, others climbing the rubble walls, from delicate petals to large, vibrant blossoms. Farther out, stone benches dotted the yard, worn gold carvings still visible on their surfaces.
Sacred indeed.
I was in absolute awe, thinking that if I’d grown up here, this would’ve been my most precious treasure too. Maybe even more than just a sanctuary—a piece of my soul.
Before my mind could stop my heart, I rose to my tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to Finley’s cheek.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “For showing me this piece of you.” I started to turn back when Finley’s hand caught my chin, gently tilting my face up.
He closed the distance between us. Heat radiated from his lips, a breath away from mine. The soft joy that was on his face minutes ago faded, replaced by something more profound.
“Carwynn,” Finley breathed, like a secret brushing against my soul.
The strength of my knees faltered. Emotions had been shifting between us for a while, and in this moment, I knew.
Keeping my distance would have been the wiser choice, but with the way he was looking at me .
. . I could feel the vault inside my mind starting to unlock.
Each part clicking open, threatening to release the buried feelings I’d kept sealed away.
Click.
His breath was heavy on my forehead as his other hand slipped around my waist.
Click.
I swallowed. Fire swam through my bloodstream, finding its home in my core.
Click.
“Carwynn,” Finley said my name again, but this time, it was a desperate plea.
I was tired of being in control and keeping my guard up. I wanted to let go, to surrender. My emotions, my body, my heart . . . Tonight, they were Finley’s to keep safe.
Snap—all restraint shattered.