I suddenly needed a moment alone. Feeling grateful for the safety of the cave and Lionel’s presence. But saddened that the comfort of a dress had not lasted even twenty-four hours and I was naked and unprotected for the rest of my journey.

It meant I had much more work to do.

I’ll have to find clothes first thing.

I sighed.

Making Lionel’s head spin from the entrance to observe me.

I knew he could see me vividly in the dark. His eyes shined purplish in the fading light. Reminding me of that fact.

He was waiting to see what was wrong.

“I need moss.” I told Lionel. “I have to make the ring. A bit of lavender to keep Craven away.”

His shadow nodded and he slipped out the crevice.

Standing in there alone, I could hear the water dripping far in the distance.

Deeper in the cave.

I caught the wafting smell of sulfur that told me most of this cave had once been filled with water.

Even under my feet was stone.

And it was cold. I knew it was only going to get colder as night fell.

Near the crevice there were a few fingers of light creeping in. Some white, some yellow. A sure indicator that the sun was falling and casting one last burst of festive colors as it said farewell to the day.

And offers the potential threat of hunting Eternus while I sleep.

I waited, trusting that Lionel would return.

He came with an armful of moss and lavender.

I quickly formed a wide circle in the dark. Crawling on my knees, inch by painstaking inch to make sure there was no gap in the protective ring. I lay on the chilly stone floor, curling up carefully to ensure I didn’t disrupt the circle. I was shivering but far too tired to stay awake.

With the cold permeating until my bones ached, I couldn’t help thinking about the warm tavern room. Where Gray had, had a bath drawn and fed me with his fingertips as my skin steamed until it was rosy. Then how warm I’d been while he sent my body quaking with pleasure.

The recognition of that kind of heat was haunting.

But it was that sort of strange, solace that sent me deep into peaceful slumber.

Night had come.

Jackson Gray was hunting.

They were next to the river and Gray was pressing against indentations in the mud. Though he’d already spotted much more than that along the bank of the river.

While he was crouched there, he saw the turquoise material floating down the river. Recognizing it as the dress he’d given Fiere the night before.

She’d managed to lose it already.

He stood and sniffed the air.

“What do you scent?” Bart asked. “I’ve been checking everywhere for her and can’t find anything.”

“Lavendar…” Gray said thoughtfully.

“Does she wear lavender scent?” Bart asked. Knowing it was the custom of most females to perfume their skin.

“No.” Gray murmured.

“Any sign of her then?” Bart said dismissively. Scouring along the bank again.

Gray was still staring upriver with narrowed eyes.

The direction the scent was seeping from.

“No.” Gray said. Turning slowly and striding across the clearing.

“So what direction do we go?” Bart frowned.

“For tonight, we reward the men with drink and women.”

“An alehouse?” Bart asked hopefully.

“Indeed.”

“What if she gets away?” He frowned.

“She won’t.” Gray said confidently. “I know where she’s headed.”

Bart eyed him askance, but he knew better than to question his dark-tempered commander.

“I thought Orin would be able to get to me, once I was in that water.” I whispered as I lay on the cold stone in the dark. I could feel the heat of another presence settling next to me and felt the furred body of Lionel.

“He can’t.” He said simply. Never one for many words. “Not water in motion. He can’t touch through it.”

“How did you know that?”

“I know something of mages.”

“Did you have one watching you?”

“Orin watches me now too.”

I felt an instant pang of guilt. “I’m sorry, Lionel.”

“It’s fine. There was one before him. One that could do the same.”

“Reach through water.”

“Yes.”

I was curious. Though Lionel had been following me for a long time now. I still knew very little about him.

“Lionel…” I said.

“Yes?”

“Don’t try to mount me while I sleep. I really just need some rest.”

“Yes, Spark.” He said obediently. Rolling the other way and then scooting his back against me. Presumedly to try to reduce the temptation.

I knew Lionel would do his best. Still…It was a concern.

By morning I woke shivering and found myself scooting next to his back for warmth.

He didn’t move, but I doubted he was asleep. He’d laid down facing that crevice.

Watching for anyone who might poke their head in.

I could see it was still dark, so I set my head back down. With every intention of waiting until first light to get up and try to get ahead of the Pyre army while they slowed for daylight. I was rather surprised Gray hadn’t managed to find me. I wasn’t sure there was any way to actually lose him once he was on a track.

When I woke the second time, I could hear Lionel breathing deeply and knew he’d fallen asleep with the rising of the sun.

I slid from behind him and was careful not to disturb anything. I stepped outside the cave and saw a purple silk dress hanging from a branch. I sent a thankful look back toward Lionel, even though I knew he was too far asleep to see it. I stepped into the dress and tugged it up over my body. Slipping the arms into the thin sleeves and adjusting the filmy fabric over my chest and hips. Pulling the shimmering underskirt straight beneath it.

Taking a moment to stare down at it, I was saddened that I was only traversing through the woods in it. In a different time and place I might have been entering a crowded Ballroom for some suitor to twirl me around the floor. Feeling safe in my home, surrounded by people who protected me.

Until I got them all killed.

I walked down to the river. Leaning over it and watching it apprehensively. When I saw no sign of Orin, I realized that Lionel had been right. It seemed Orin couldn’t see me. I excitedly splashed water on my face. Grabbing handfuls and drinking thirstily.

Realizing that I had a moment of actual privacy I stripped that pretty gown right back off and waded hip deep in the edge of the river. Feeling the cool water surrounding my hips and cleansing my aching parts and bruised joints. Washing away the taint of those who’d touched me in the last few days.

I sighed blissfully and dropped onto my back. Waving my arms just enough to keep the current from fully taking me down the river. The sound of rushing water echoed in my ears and the distant high tone of birds chirping.

There was as much solace here as there had been back in that cave. Where things seemed to echo hollowly. Reminding me there was peace and no one could get to me.

It was as close to home as I’d felt in a long time.

No one was trying to paw me.

“What have we here, Brother?” I heard a low voice saying in excitement.

I popped my eyes open expecting, Gray but instead it was a blonde man with long white hair and brown eyes.

“Aren’t you a sexy little piece.”

I dropped my feet under me but before I could get away, he hooked one of my legs with his hand and pulled it up along his lean hip. I quicky scanned his face and asserted he was Feral Fey. His pointed ears gave him away.

He already had me pulled against him close enough I could feel the shape of him through his cloth pants.

Not good.

“Is it her?” One identical to the man holding onto me stood on the edge of the bank.

“I’d guess so.” He was eyeing me hungrily. “I’m already having a reaction to her.”

My eyes widened as I realized I was in trouble. I shouted, hoping I might be able to summon Lionel. But as I feared, there was no motion from the cave.

After being awake all night, Lionel would be sleeping the sleep of the dead.

He won’t hear anything for hours. I flinched.

“Bring her over here.” The other one directed.

The one in the water gave me a long study. Clearly unwilling to share with his brother.

Twins?

It was hard to tell with Feral Fey.

They all tend to look alike.