, grinding yarrow root with trembling hands. At fifteen winters, her shoulders had broadened from l

uldron of pungent thyme broth to mask Thalassa's scent. "Thr

g her wrist as she served wine, his stare lingering on the curve of her neck. *"You look... d

ounded t

s presence suffocating the cramped room. His ice-blue eyes l

sitated. "

ow.

nding rigid, eyes downcast. Kaelthar circle

e, deepening her v

d her jawline. "Your fa

th, leaves the flesh wea

s flared. "Yet you

too *feminine*. Thalassa's pulse raced. "T

ollar, yanking her close

d, her voice cracking-a high,

his gaze dipped to her lips. Then

-

icy creek, scrubbing until her skin raw. Orion fo

spered. "He just does

onna into her hand. "Nymeria n

brushing the hidden dagger at he

s voice wavered. "

new the borders

-

aelthar summo

ots echoing. Kaelthar lounged on his th

olf pelts beneath her knees-

ims the moonrot i

Nymeria hadn't warned her.

ssed a sword at h

ecret with Orion, but a boy's strength was

assa sidestepped, her blade clashing against his. Metal rang

ed forward, e

ble, dropping her

. "Pathetic." He descended the dais, gripping her a

flecked her irises-her mother's

the light,"

brushed her pulse

-

s as Thalassa returned. "He'

ped off her binding

gue him. And intri

-

ar cornered her

ck to him. His heat pressed agai

und," he

d, clutch

ngers digging into hidden curv

She kneed his

ides, pinning her to the

voice breaking. "A cu

her lips again. Then he released he

his stare bur

-

hind a pine. Orion found her,

the truth," s

ial of Nymeria's strongest tonic into her hand

the bitterness

lf howled-a sou