Page 399 of Kingdoms of Night

He shrugged. “Now is all anyone has.”

She couldn’t help but smile like she’d received the best present in the world. “Of course.”

He took her into his arms, settling his large hands at her waist. She lowered her hand—she’d been expecting him to lift one in the Wylfenden style—and placed it on his shoulder and did the same with her left hand as well, doing her best to keep her dress sleeve over the strangely textured and faintly colored patches along her pinkie and wrist.

He swayed and hummed a tune, the apple in his long throat bobbing slightly. Her fingers ached to touch the skin there and to lean closer, to take in his scent more deeply. It was as if the very forest itself had come to life and decided to embrace her as a lover.

Her knees grew weak and her head light, but his hold on her was firm, secure. She felt safer than she had in ages.

He began to sing, and Isa thought she might die right there from happiness.

“And to the shadows, I go,

To rest, to dream, to know.

And to the ocean, I go,

To see, to hear, to know.

And to the stars, I go,

To feel, to breathe, to know.”

His chest rumbled as he sang the song again, his accent clipping the syllables in ways that made her want to listen to him forever. His hand slid farther down her back and urged her closer, and though it probably wasn’t the wisest idea to cozy up like this to a stranger, she allowed it, enjoyed it. She’d never had the pleasure of a man’s company like this. When her parents had died so suddenly, she’d been driven into early adulthood. Then the storm had happened and she’d lost it all, driven into indenture. Ever since, she’d been focused on Nico and keeping him alive. She hadn’t had someone take care of her in years. So she let herself be held tightly by this gorgeous dryad prince and breathed in the scent of him and danced and danced as he sang song after song, lyrics that wove the story of his life here.

“Isa!” Nico rushed into the room, damp hair flopping around his ears and his feet clean and bare. He crashed into them, and Isa wrapped him in a hug. “Isn’t this place wonderful? Julian brought me to the castle’s courtyard where they have an enormous swing.” He laughed. “I think I made him nervous with how high I went.”

A bubbly feeling rose inside her heart and she regarded him, holding him at arm’s distance. His bruises were gone, his little leg healthy and smooth beneath the short trousers Julian had dressed him in. “You look very fine in your dryad elf clothing. Like a prince yourself.”

“Indeed he does,” Viridi said.

A knock sounded at the doorway and Isa turned to see Werian and Rhianne. Viridi waved them in, so they bowed their heads and entered.

Werian clasped his hands, then rubbed them together, that twinkle he always had in his eyes sparkling. “I think it’s high time for a raucous feast, don’t you think, Prince Viridi?”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

ISA

Isa linked her arm in Nico’s and they spun around and around, laughing up at the stars. To the Underworld with everything else. She just wanted to forget about the odd patches on her finger and wrist, the horrors they had been through, the worry about what had happened on the beach when she’d first seen Viridi. Tonight would be fun and nothing else. Nico deserved it. She deserved it. Later, after they’d lived a little, danced a lot, and eaten more, they would figure everything out.

The leaf-green glow of the dryad fires made her feel like she was inside the very heart of the woods. The magical fire had a lovely scent to it, akin to mint and lavender.

Grinning mischievously, Nico broke away and ran toward four dryad elves who were approaching with trays of food. They set the trays on the ground among the fires. Wooden bowls held walnuts, pistachios, light orange berries, and figs. One of the trays held cups and pitchers.

An elf poured out the drinks and Isa took an offered cup. She sipped it and tasted cloves, sage, and pomegranates.

“This is delicious,” she said more to herself than anyone.

Nico was busy stuffing his face with berries.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” a deep voice said behind her.

Her heart stuttered and she turned to see Viridi. With the stars behind him and the dryad firelight illuminating his features, he looked like a god. His tousled dark hair fell over one eye and his lips quirked into a grin.

“Very much. Want to dance with me?” She wiggled her hips.

He laughed. “I would love to.”

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