I can picture her watching me train with someone else and yelling it from the edge of the ring.“How hot, Hen?”
Carter is the only one who says it, because even though Bryce knows it too, he’s more prone to instigating a fight than stopping one.
“I’m sure if you were going to issue a real challenge to me, you would go through the formal channels to do it instead of finding me on my morning run,” I say.
It’s almost impossible to walk away from Stefan. The only consolation is the simmering rage in his eyes when I remind him that he’s afraid of me. If he issued a formal challenge, he would have to beat me in a fight, and the Laurence family would take over as ruling family of Mountain Haven. The only reason Stefan hasn’t done it yet is because he doesn’t think he can. I’m hoping it stays that way.
His ego might tempt him to find out, but I already know. As much as I’d like to put him in his place, there are people I would alienate by killing him.
I step around Stefan and continue down the path at a slow walk until I hear Carter and Bryce behind me. We walk a few more minutes until we’re certain that Stefan isn’t following us. The trees become more sparse, opening to the ruins of my mother’s favorite shrine. Stones lie where they fell the night of the invasion, but the statue of Asher has been righted as if nothing is amiss. The only sign of the battle is the dried blood staining the Divine’s white marble feet a dark, rusty brown.
Just below the base, an iron handle protrudes from the rocks. It’s almost completely covered in strips of blood-stained fabric. My mothercomes here every time she misses Holly. Every time she wants to honor Divine Asher for giving her the power to save one of her children.
The reminder fills me with frustration. I think of Harlow locked in her room.
“She hasn’t shown her face since that dinner and speech. You heard them out there. What will people think?”
“That she’s afraid,” Bryce says.
Carter slaps his arm. “He was speaking rhetorically.”
I glare at Bryce. “A lot of help you’ve been on that front.”
He crosses his arms. “I hardly think it’s my fault that she snuck into hunt night. Plus, it looked like she was enjoying the show to me.”
“Looked like you enjoyed her watching,” I say.
Bryce arches a brow. “You’re being a bit territorial for someone who’sjust a jobto you.”
“A job or not, she’s stillmyjob.”
“Did you have quality time with Miriam before you were interrupted?” Carter asks.
Bryce barks out a laugh. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Carter stares me down. “You know what I mean. You’ve had that look in your eyes and I can’t tell if it’s Harlow or?—”
“It’s nothing,” I snap. “And yes, I took care of my needs—now drop it. You both know how it is. The possessiveness comes with the territory. I wasn’t expecting it to be so bad when I don’t feel anything for her.”
They glance at each other, another unspoken conversation passing between them.
“You need to stop by the recovery room before you go see her. You’re too agitated and you haven’t stopped breathing hard since we left Stefan,” Carter says.
He’s right. My chest is too tight. I tip my head back and draw in a slow, deep breath.
He holds up a placating hand. “It’s normal. We all struggle sometimes.” He winces as he continues. “And Miriam told me you were interrupted and that she didn’t see you again that night.”
“I don’t need you checking on me,” I snap. “I saw someone else.”
Bryce takes a step toward me. “You didn’t, and it’s unlike you to lie.”
The revelation hits me all at once, and I turn away from him, pressing my hands against a tree trunk. “You’ve been following me?”
“Just since the betrothal was announced,” Carter says. “We were worried that some people might not take it well.”
“I’m the heir of Mountain Haven. I don’t need a Divine-damned babysitter,” I snap.
Carter ignores my anger. “We know. You think you’re all-powerful and indestructible, but you know you’re not. We’re just trying to make sure you get the chance to claim the peace you need.”
