Page 76 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

“How do you know about that?” Shepherd asks me, brows bunching together. Finn only smirks as Shepherd comes to the realization.“He’sthe Skysworn from the Winter Kingdom?”

“Oh, so youhavemissed me,” Finn says arrogantly, Shepherd’s question proof that I’ve discussed Finn with the pack.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Shepherd says to me, ignoring Finn.

“I’m sorry, who are you?” Rowan says to Finn; he must not have been in the pack when the infamous fight went down.

“Prince Finneas Ravencrest of the Winter Kingdom, at your service.” Finn bows sarcastically to Rowan.

Shepherd rolls his eyes at the gesture as Rowan puts the pieces together. His eyes widen slightly as he realizes that the aengel I told them about is actually the prince of the Northlandsandthe same Skysworn that apparently broke Shepherd’s jaw in a fight gods-know how long ago.

“Finn was just offering to be my informant for the Winter Kingdom.” I decide to use this tense situation to feel out if Finn was being serious about gaining back my trust.

His smug expression vanishes, telling me that I clearly caught him off guard, but he quickly recovers, maintaining his air of confidence. He clears his throat and speaks to the three of us.“Yes, I was.”

“And why would you do that?” Rowan asks, crossing his arms and eyeing Finn skeptically.

“What’s in it for you?” Shepherd asks coldly.

“That’s between me and Auri,” Finn answers coolly.

“If we’re to trust anything you say, we need to know your motivations,” Shepherd challenges.“What do you have to gain from risking your safety in your own home by helping her?”

“Everything.” Finn looks right at me, his tone completely sincere.

I blush involuntarily, praying it’s too dark out for anyone to notice.

“You’ve gotta be shitting me,” Rowan says, not buying Finn’s explanation for a minute.

“Back off,” Finn bites out, his tone hostile.

“Do you even know her?” Shepherd asks Finn and I whip my head toward him, unsure what he’s getting at.

“I know her better than you ever will.” Finn spreads his wings wide, the unmistakable scent of testosterone coating the air between them.

“Because if you knew her at all, you would know that she’s too good for you,” Shepherd says matter-of-factly, completely ignoring Finn’s response.

“Mind your own damn business, dog.”

“Maybe you just want to use her for her abilities,” Rowan suggests, and Finn cocks his head ever so slightly in confusion.

“You don’t even know, do you?” Shepherd raises his chin in victory.

“That’s enough,” I say to the wolves, knowing the situation with Finn is complicated enough.

“Auri can thought-speak.” Rowan brags.“And she healed Shepherd last night. His heart was practically falling out of his chest and she closed his wound with her bare hands.”

“Rowan,” I say ruthlessly, but the damage has already been done. Finn’s indigo eyes dim and he takes a step back, ready to leave without a word, but I call out to him.

“Finn, wait!”

“You can’t be serious.” Rowan looks at me like I’m crazy.

“Can you give us a minute?” I ask the wolves, and they reluctantly oblige me.

“We’ll be right inside.” Shepherd gives Finn one last death glare before they head inside, leaving Finn and me alone once again.

An awkward silence hangs between us, neither of us really knowing what to say. Finn speaks first.“Is it true what they said?”

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