“Seems you’ve mistaken me for some glamoured errand girl.”
“Actually, I have you pegged for the only sister who’s won.”
Shit. I can’t ignore that. “What the hell does that mean?”
“News travels in the Solitary wild. Your victory is quite the smoldering topic.”
Right. Cerulean had said that would happen. “I’m the only sister who’s wonso far. If you don’t know that yet, you haven’t gotten to know my sister well enough.”
Another smarmy grin. “Make sure you deliver that message.”
I snarl, “You haven’t given me one.”
“Bloody true. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
For fuck’s sake. If Cerulean is a master at twisting words, Puck is a fucking wizard.
“You’re craftier than Juniper,” I say. “But make no mistake, whatever game you’ve got her playing, you’ll never be smarter.”
Puck leans in, his earrings tinkling and his breath stirring my hair with delighted menace. “Now who said anything about her needing to be smart?”
I’m about to whip him to the ground when the rogue struts backward, clasping his hands behind his back like he’s stashing a prank. “Now you see him,” he singsongs. “Now you don’t.”
On reflex, I jolt forward and thrust my whip. The tail catches nothing but air as he evaporates into the woodland with a conniving chuckle.
35
I squeeze the whip and glare at the empty spot where Puck disappeared. Fireflies tease the oak leaves before the tree dissolves as well, leaving behind the residual scents of cloves and pine.
If he’s done something to Juniper…
If he’s hurt my sister…
He wouldn’t have come here. He’d have gloated or bargained with me. So what’s his game in showing up and being murky about it?
Do not let him see your tattoo.
Cove’s warning to Juniper is one more thing to fret about. On the other hand, the satyr had referred to Juniper as a huntress instead of a poacher, which has to mean he doesn’t know about her marking.
But what does Puck know? Is he aware that his brother no longer rules the sky? If so, does that worry him?
To the former? I’m betting yeah.
To the latter? No idea.
According to Cerulean, the woodland has its own relationship to its fauna, diverse from the mountain and river. No matter what happens on Cerulean’s side of the wild, Puck still commands The Solitary Forest, and Elixir still reigns over The Solitary Deep.
But dammit. There’s gotta be a hiccup, something that would threaten Puck’s power to Juniper’s advantage, if she hasn’t already figured it out herself.
Has Juniper heard about me and Cerulean? Does she know anything about Cove?
Why did Puck come here? What did he want?
Did I give it to him?
I close my eyes and rehash what I know, what Papa said, and what Cerulean reminded me about. If I got this far, my sisters can, too. They’re stronger and more resilient than they look to the Faeries. I’ve seen Juniper handle her crossbow, and I’ve seen Cove wield that spear. They’ll be all right. They will be. I have to keep faith in that. If I learn otherwise, there’ll be hell to pay, and I’ll be liable to do something mutinous.
Mutinous Lark. The nickname reduces my boiling blood to a simmer. Yeah, that’s me, and that’s why I’m here, whether or not it pisses off Cerulean’s kin, whether or not we’re mated.
