CHAPTER 28
“YOU MISSED A SPOT.”
Lenore’s lower lip jutted out as Edmund hovered over her shoulder. In the distance, the last of the food carts rolled into the depths of the forest. The noisy rumble of wheels on rough terrain eventually faded, leaving the pair completely alone for the final bits of clean-up.
In a whisper, she said, “I appreciate how much you helped us clean up, but do you really have to nitpick me right now?”
“People would’ve been questioning us a lot more if I wasn’t ordering you around.”
Lenore frowned to herself, almost tempted to smack his side with the dirty rag. She scrubbed at the wood more aggressively. With reddening cheeks, she muttered, “I can feel your breath against my hair.”
She heard his voice splutter, then quickly regained its footing. “I’m not that close.” Boots shuffled behind her, and he sounded just a few inches farther. “The coast is clear now.”
The rag fell onto the glistening tabletop. Lenore’s hands gripped the edge, leaning over in exhaustion. She stayed there for nearly a minute longer until she slowly stood straight again. “Alright, so—”
The back ribbon of her dress was gently tugged back, eliciting a surprised squeak from her. “What’re you—”
“Sit.” At Edmund’s gentle command, she turned to look at a chair he pulled out for her. “You just spent a huge chunk of your day making food for us. Don’t push yourself anymore.”
She stalled—then smiled at him. Any desire to hit him with the dirty rag disappeared. “Thank you.” Edmund’s fingers had held onto the satin ribbon, only letting it slip free when she moved to sit. Once seated, she looked up. “So. I’m... sure you have a lot of questions.”
“I do,” he said. The warmth that held her fondly locked itself away behind a grave expression. “But the night is a perfect shadow for listening ears.” Edmund’s voice was hushed, and he glanced to the side, then back at her. “Just tell me—are you safe?”
“Huh?” The surprise slipped out before she could fully react. “Me?” A tingle of wonder spread through her chest amid her disbelief at the unexpected question.
“Yes, you.” His voice softened with humored affection. “Who else?”
Lenore’s cheeks bloomed red, and for a moment she could only stare. “I—yes. I think so, at least... for now.”
“For now,” he repeated. A tight crease formed between his brows. “How did you know about... the gift?”
“The person we followed last night,” she whispered. “She... she warned me. But I don’t know what it is exactly.”
Edmund sucked in a breath. “Damn it.” He ruffled his hair with one hand, eyes scrunched shut as he took it in. “I knew there was something wrong the moment Auden got sick!”
Her hands scrunched the fabric of her dress in her lap. “I have a question of my own.” Pip shifted in her pocket, holding its breath in suspense.
Something in her tried to hold her back—like claws digging into her throat, dragging her voice into the abyss.
But she fought through. With a silent cry for mercy if all failed, she asked, “Do you really trust me? Even everything I’m saying to you?
” Thistles of dread grew in her—trapping her within a mental cage of thorns that waited for the dead Lucyn to haunt her, reminding her of every fear she kept inside.
Of how she didn’t truly belong.
Edmund lowered himself to her level, one knee on the ground.
He looked into her eyes with a sincerity that tore through her cage, and the world around them turned into a distant blur.
All she could see was the warmth flowing out from his gaze, filled with care that she had so long yearned for all her life.
“I do,” he said softly. “I trust you.”
Something deeper than affection bloomed in her, and it spilled out in the vulnerability of her actions. Her lower lip trembled as she began to reach out for him. “Edmund, I—”
The sudden hush from Edmund silenced her.
“Someone’s coming—more than one,” he muttered.
He stepped away from her, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the table.
Lenore instantly stood up and grabbed the rag she left on the table.
She sniffed just as a few wolves ran into view, straight toward Edmund.
“VESREN! IT’S AN EMERGENCY!”
Edmund stood straight. “What?”
“It’s Auden!”
“Auden’s fallen into a coma! He collapsed and no one’s been able to wake him since!”
Shock burst through Lenore, her hand flying to her gaping jaw. No...
“Arisa’s gone hysterical.” The last wolf to talk was Hans. He was one of the attendees at the feast, and he gave Lenore a brief sideways glance. Her heart sank. No doubt he was completely suspicious of her now. “It’s a complete mess,” he added, still watching Lenore from the corner of his eye.
Edmund’s expression darkened. His shift to a wolf was instant, and he moved forward with controlled urgency. “Let’s go.” He paused only for a brief moment to look back. “Lenore, you’re dismissed.”
And then they were gone, disappearing into the night.
“Auden…” Lenore couldn’t believe it. Howling echoed in the distance—the news was spreading fast.
Pip flew out of her pocket, hovering just above her head. With a worried face, it leaned in closer. “Pip Pih…”
Her hand touched the other pocket of her dress. Arisa’s gift was hidden within. Slowly, she looked up at the light sprite.
“Pip... since you’re able to hide your presence, can you do that for me as well?”
She had to go back to where she and Edmund saw Charie last night. If there were anything there, it might carry the answers needed before it was too late.
Lenore silently accepted that she could never escape what may lie ahead.