Page 37 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“You refuse to fight back?” he taunted, eyes glittering in an expression hardened to stone.

Dark flames licked at my palms. I curled my hands shut to keep from giving myself away. Instead, I retreated a step, not stupid enough to turn my back on him but also ready to get the Hel out of this place.

“What are you?” I asked, backing toward the trees.

He smirked. “I’m the thing nightmares fear.”

The moment I reached the cover of the forest, I turned and ran.

Chapter Twelve

Rydian

Wind whipped at my cloak as I watched the princess slip away. When she was out of sight, I started slowly forward. Her scent would be easy to follow; there was no point hurrying. A moment later, Slade emerged from the trees and fell into step beside me. I felt his eyes on me.

“Amanti was right,” he said finally, which wasn’t a question.

“I never doubted her.”

“But you didn’t tell the princess about the Aine we rescued.”

“She didn’t ask,” I tossed back.

“And she killed that Obsidian without magic,” he said. “Even though she has plenty of it.”

I didn’t bother commenting.

“Those flames in her hands were something else.”

I gritted my teeth. I’d seen them. She’d refused to use them though. On me or the creature. Despite my attempt to bait her into it. Doing so was a violation of the vowI’d made but hopefully a gray area. And if it prompted her to admit what she was—to finally make her own choice—all the better.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” he demanded.

“You weren’t asking a question,” I told him.

“Do you think she’s the Chosen One now?” he asked in a wry voice.

I shot him a look, but Slade wasn’t intimidated. Not by me. Not anymore.

“She smells like one of us,” he said, and even though he wasn’t wrong, I snarled.

“She’s hiding,” I said through gritted teeth. “I want nothing to do with a coward, chosen or not.”

“I don’t recall you having a choice in the matter.” Slade was way too fucking cheerful for words that provoked me so close to violence.

“Bastard,” I muttered.

“Aren’t we all?” Again with the cheery tone.

I considered smashing my fist into his face. One look at his smirk, and I knew he’d seen my intention.

“It wouldn’t make you feel any better,” he said.

“I disagree,” I said.

Slade laughed darkly, and we trudged on. An hour later, we slowed when we nearly overtook her progress. Masking our presence with my shadows, Slade and I watched as the princess released a rabbit from a trap and slit its throat with a short blade she pulled from her boot. She bled it then cleaned her weapon. She didn’t bother to skin the animal before tossing it over her shoulder and resuming her trek.

Slade and I followed, still wrapped in shadows as we closed the distance. Her scent hung thicker here, making it harder to follow from a distance, so I kept her in sight. It was the only reason I knew she’d crossed a ward line—there one second and gone the next.

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