Page 60 of Of Wind and Terror

“Rise and shine, Kassie.” Treyton flashes me a smile as he pokes his head through the carriage door.

“I wasn’t sleeping,” I sign.

The Spring Prince eyes me dubiously. “No? You sure? I could’ve sworn I heard cute little snores…”

I lean forward to whack him across the chest before I can think better of it. In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the smartest decision to punch the Spring Prince, but Treyton doesn’t seem to mind. His smile remains in place, not faltering or wilting at the edges.

“I do not snore,” I protest.

“You do.”

Blaze materializes behind Treyton’s shoulder and arches one arrogant eyebrow at me. “Are we talking about Kassandra’s snoring?” He focuses on me and cringes in mock sympathy. “I hate to tell you this, little beast, but you most definitely do.”

I shake my head adamantly and shoulder past them, desperate to stretch my taut muscles. I much prefer riding in a carriage than on the back of a mulino, but that doesn’t mean my body doesn’t ache fiercely afterwards. We have so much luggage piled in with me that I’m forced to fold myself in half more often than not.

I dip my brows when I see our camp for the night.

We appear to be in a small, abandoned town that borders a dense forest. It’s still sunny out, yet no light seems to penetrate the tapestry of leaves overhead. Darkness extends before me as far as I can see.

The town itself is smaller than even Faye’s settlement. There are a few dilapidated houses and shops, what appears to be a pub, and a stone fort only a few inches away from the forest’s border.

Not just any forest.

The Forest.

Blaze follows the direction of my gaze. “The royal family used to keep a contingent of soldiers stationed here to keep an eye on the Forest,” he explains, emphasizing the last word in a way that tells me he’s talking about one specifically. “Most of the homes and shops here were designed for the soldiers. The majority of fae know not to go near the Forest, especially at night— What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Blaze stomps towards Aleksander…who’s attempting to climb a tree directly at the border of the Forest. The elf’s smile is wide and guileless, and his eyes twinkle with mischief.

Treyton lets out a disbelieving scoff beside me.

“What?” Aleksander blinks innocently from his perch on top of the tree branch. “I’m just trying to grab dinner for tonight.”

“Did you not hear anything I said about the Forest being immensely dangerous? Full of monsters and magic?” Blaze practically roars.

Aleksander places one hand over his heart in feigned surprise. “Oh. You were talking to little ole me? I didn’t think you cared, big guy.”

“Some believe the Forest to be sentient,” Treyton muses. Unlike Blaze, who appears murderous, Treyton just sounds amused. A budding smile blossoms on the Spring Prince’s face before he can squash it. “If you take that fruit, there could be dire consequences for you.”

Aleksander’s eyes narrow suspiciously. “You’re lying.”

“Try it and find out.” Treyton shrugs as if he doesn’t care either way.

“Don’t you fucking dare touch the—” Blaze begins.

But Aleksander ignores him.

Touches the fruit.

And then is catapulted out of the Forest and onto the ground at our feet.

The elf releases a pained groan as he sits upright. In his hand, he holds a bright-red apple.

“Worth it,” Aleksander murmurs…and then promptly passes out.

“If I knew the reward of being knocked unconscious was being coddled by you, I would do it more often.” Aleksander blinks up at me, dark smudges beneath both his eyes and his lips slightly chapped.

Still, there’s that familiar sparkle I’ve come to know in both of his eyes.

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