I slept sounder than I had in days, only realizing this when I woke to the sun streaming into my room. The down sheets felt different; my fingers grazed over the fabric, reminding myself where I was. Raydir snored peacefully in bed next to me, and I smiled. Last night had been absolutely amazing. Everything about Raydir had always been amazing. My heart twinged with guilt as I remembered what last night really meant. It was to be but a memory, kept locked away as we moved on without the other. Watching his chest rise and fall, I pressed a small kiss to his cheek. I stopped to gather my nightgown from the floor. Memories of the frenzy from last night flashed through my mind. My fingers fluttered up to my collarbone. I could still feel his lips against my neck.

No. I cannot dwell on this. I set the nightgown aside before picking out an outfit for the day: a blue and silver dress that would easily blend in with the atmosphere of Gwyniar.

Since it was still early—I blamed the valley for messing with my ability to sleep late—I took a walk down the road. My fingers itched to get back at my bow and arrow, but this wasn’t the time to go off and practice my archery. Instead, I found myself waving down a carriage and taking it further into town. The aromas of fresh baked bread and sweet citrus hit my nose the minute I stepped foot outside of the carriage, a sure testament that morning deliveries had already started.

As usual, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and ran straight into someone’s back, letting out an “oomph” in the process.

“Pardon me,” I said, beginning to walk away.

“Oh, no, it’s my fau—Arwyn?”

I looked up, taking a step back. “Emilia? Wow, you look…you look fantastic.” It had only been a month, but she had changed so much. She wore a dark red dress trimmed in gold, her blonde hair pulled back away from her face in a complicated twist I was all too familiar with.

She smiled and clasped her hands in front of her, a silver ring glinting on her finger. “Arwyn, it’s good to see you. I heard about what happened to your father. How is he?”

“He’s doing better, thank you. Mother is staying with him at the hospital until he recovers fully.”

“Do you have some time?” she asked. “I would love to catch up.”

I nodded. “I would love that.”

She took my hand, and we wandered into a small cafe that was just opening its doors. “A table for two, by the window please.”

The server nodded and led us through the cafe to a vacant spot. I smoothed down my skirt as I sat down. Even dressed to blend in, I still felt out of place here in Gwyniar.

“So, the ring,” I blurted out when we were seated. “You’re engaged?”

Emilia blushed. “Yes. I had my ceremony sooner after yours, and he proposed. Duke Castor. Do you remember him from school? It has been truly magical, just the two of us. And since he’s a duke, I’m no longer a countess.”

“That is amazing, Em. I really am so proud of you. You were always so much better at this than me and Ray.”

The waiter came by to take our order before hurrying away.

She laughed. “I’m surprised the two of you didn’t run away together sooner. How is that going, anyway? Still in the magic of the honeymoon phase?”

I cleared my throat. “Yeah…Raydir is great. We’re…great.”

Emilia raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth to reply, waiting instead until after our server had set down matching cups of ginger chai tea in front of each of us. “Something tells me things aren’t going all that great. Spill, Ar. I thought Raydir was the love of your life.”

“He is. Was. Well, he still is. It’s just…complicated. He thinks I’ve had my eye on someone else.”

“Have you?” She looked at me over her mug.

I stirred the spoon around my tea absentmindedly, watching the honey dribble down slowly when I lifted it out. “It’s—”

“If you say complicated, I’m walking out.”

“Emilia…”

“I’m serious, Arwyn.” She rested her spoon on the saucer and dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “Raydir gave up everything to be with you. His title. His livelihood. Me.” Her gaze locked hard on me, making me wonder if she’d had feelings for Raydir when they were courting. “And you’re telling me that you can’t put aside an external crush to focus on the man you’re engaged to? You are still engaged to Raydir, correct?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes, we’re still engaged. I do love him, Em. But sometimes these things just happen. Without our consent. Beyond our control.”

But you still have the choice to make things right, a familiar voice said in my head. You still have the chance to keep your fate on your chosen track.

I stiffened as the words rang through my head. The voice…it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be possible.

If I was right, then Arabella had just spoken to me.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Three days later, we returned to the valley. At first, I had protested, wanting to stay longer for my father’s sake. But after a very convincing argument on his behalf to the tune of me being the independent woman I claimed to be, I reluctantly agreed to return with the group. There was only one last thing I wanted to do to purge myself of my old life.

“Are you sure about this?” Emilia asked. She stood behind me in my room at the palace, a pair of scissors perched between two fingers.

“Absolutely. Chop it.”

A cool breeze now blew along the back of my neck as it was no longer shaded by the length of my hair. This was the start of a new beginning.

Raydir squeezed my hand as we approached the valley—we had shifted back so we could easily walk into the valley together. “We’re going to be alright, Ar. Everything…everything is going to be okay.”

I nodded shakily. But I knew after our conversation from the gardens that had continued in my bedroom, things were going to be different between us and there wasn’t going to be much we could do to stop it.

“Arwyn! How is your father?” Rosie greeted us. “Come, you all must be hungry.”

We followed Rosie up to the Grand Cabin for a late dinner where everyone greeted us, swarming around to offer condolences. I gripped Raydir’s arm as my head swam, my knees buckling beneath me. I couldn’t breathe. My eyes scanned the room for something—anything—to focus on. Caesaria had disappeared into the crowd. Raydir was just acting as a support, doing nothing to help the panic creeping into my throat.

“I have to go!” I blurted, releasing my grasp and running toward the doors. Voices echoed behind me just as the sound of blood pumping pounded in my ears. Coming back was a mistake. It had to be. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t…

“Arwyn!” Darius’ voice broke through the silence and the barrier I had forced into my mind.

“Go away.” Darius was the last person I wanted to see right now.

“You can punch me if you want.”

I whipped around to face him. “What?” Are you serious?

He put his hands up in defense, and took a tentative step forward. “Just saying. If you want to take out your anger on something…well, I’m here.”

“Stop invading my head.” I wrapped my arms around my body.

“Sorry. It’s…just hard to turn it off.” He sat down next to me. “I know you don’t want any company right now, but just pretend I don’t exist.”

I scoffed. “Like it’s that easy.”

The corners of his mouth twitched up into a smile. “I’m going to avoid saying what I’m thinking because then you really will punch me. But whatever you need to do to stay sane right now, do it. These last few days…you’ve been going through so much, Ar. I know things between us have always been rocky, but I want you to know I’m here for you. Everything you feel with the attack is valid.”

My nickname sounded different coming out of his mouth, but I wasn’t sure what to think of it.

“Why do you keep doing this?” I asked, forcing my eyes not to meet his and failing miserably. In the fading evening light, they shone almost grey.

“Doing what?”

“Saying things that make me want to kiss you. Why do you do that to me?”

Darius ran a hand through his hair. “We can’t control our feelings, Arwyn. Just how we act on them.” His eyes dipped briefly to my lips, which slowly parted, letting out slow breaths. He licked his own lips before shifting his gaze back up to me. Oh how I desperately wanted to have the sweet taste of his mouth against mine.

Then why don’t you?

My heart began to beat faster in my chest as I anticipated what was to come. Without thinking, I leaned forward with one hand against my thigh, the other nestling its way into his hair. Darius reacted, resting his hands on my hips. My breath came out in short spurts, warm against his cheek.

“Is this what you want?” Darius asked, his voice gruff yet comforting. He looked at me with those mesmerizing blue eyes that I fought to resist.

“I…” I inhaled sharply. “I just want you.” My lips found their way to his, and electricity sparked between us. He responded, moving his lips to taste mine and rubbing circles on my hips with his thumbs. Thunder rumbled low in the distance, the threat of rain evident in the air. My body melted to his touch while my other hand traveled under the hem of his shirt. The muscles on his abdomen rippled at my touch when my fingers grazed over his scar. When I tugged at his shirt, he reacted by breaking the kiss, raising his arms over his head to give me access to release its hold on his body. As our lips found each other again the first drops of rain fell from the sky.

I shrieked, pulling away from him and immediately regretting it. Darius must’ve noticed that—I still wasn’t sure how I felt about his ability to sense my vulnerabilities—because he pulled me to my feet, and we ran to the shade of a tree. Within seconds, he lifted me up so my legs could wrap around his waist, pressing my back against the rough bark of the tree. Then his hands tangled into my hair, thumbs brushing delicately against my cheeks. I kept a hand pressed against his chest as he kissed me, moving his lips to pepper kisses along my jawline before grazing them over my neck. His fingers left my hair and reached for the clasps on my top.

“Wait.” I pressed back against his chest, and he lowered me down.

“Too fast?”

I nodded. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “Hey. You don’t have to apologize, this isn’t your fault. I have to ask though, are you and Raydir…did something happen in Gwyniar?”

“You mean did we end our engagement?” I instinctively twirled the ring around my finger.

He nodded.

Please don’t ask me that. “No, not yet.”

Darius raised his eyebrows at this. “We should probably go back.”

My heart sank, and I visibly winced. I don’t regret kissing you. “Yeah. We should.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Okay, Arwyn,” Caesaria said the next day when we went to practice our archery together like we always did. “What happened last night? You ran out and didn’t come back.”

I attached my leather arm bands. “I…kissed Darius.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “So, that’s why. Did something happen with you and Raydir in Gwyniar?”

What was it with everyone asking that question? “Kind of. We’re…reevaluating our relationship. But I promise you nothing serious happened with Darius—it was just a kiss. A hot, heated kiss but just a kiss.”

“Was it good?” she asked.

“It was…sensational. I know that’s probably the last thing you want to hear, but—”

“No, no it’s good, Arwyn.” Thwap. “Can I ask you something?”

I hooked a new arrow to my bow. “Sure.”

“How long have you felt this way about Darius? I mean, did it start before he kissed you—the first time, that is—or even earlier?”

I blew out a puff of air to get my hair out of my face. The new haircut was great, but it wasn’t long enough to tie up anymore. “Honestly? It was that stupid grin of his. The way it reaches his eyes which you could just get lost in if you stare for too long…” I trailed off when I saw Caesaria trying to contain her laughter. “Laugh all you want, but it’s true. God, I hate him.”

“Hate him so much you almost—”

“Hey!” I swatted at her. “We stopped before anything serious happened.”

“No, just making out in the middle of the woods.” She grinned at me. “Honestly, Ar. It’s good that you’re feeling this. But back to my point about what happened with you and Ray—does he know?”

“About the kiss? No. But we’re in an unspoken ‘seeing other people’ territory while also still having our own moments. They’ve been far and few between, but this is a mutual thing, Cae. But the truth is I don’t know how long we can last like this.”

Caesaria stepped up to shoot another arrow. “I’m proud of you for following your heart, Arwyn. Even if it’s telling you something different than before. You both deserve to be happy.”

I swiped my hand across my brow. “It’s not like I wanted this to happen, though. Darius…he just has a way of invading my mind in ways I certainly did not approve.”

Caesaria laughed. “He tends to have that effect.” She lowered her bow. “Oh, that reminds me—I was supposed to talk to you about training.”

Thwap. “What type of training?”

“The type to protect us from the rogues.” Her expression changed, a darkness clouding her face as she reached to take a sip from her canteen. “It’s the same training that Raydir has been doing since the first Alignment. Now that you’ve shifted, we—the Wolf Council—think it’s best for you to start, too. It’ll help control your powers.”

“So you’re gonna train me?” I asked.

Caesaria scratched her head. “Not exactly. The council hasn’t made an official decision on your trainer yet.”

“Oh.” Then realization hit me. “Oh no. No. Not Darius. You can’t…no.”

“We figured you would react like this.”

“We? Who, exactly, approved this?”

“Rosamund—Rosie—and Bennett. Rosie is the den mother, leader of the Wolf Council, so she makes a lot of these decisions.”

I shook my head. “I can’t train with him, Cae. I don’t…trust myself around him.”

“Trust me on this, Ar.” She rested her hand on my arm.

I ran a hand through my hair. “I need to swim. Check in later?”

She hesitated then nodded. “Just think about it, Arwyn. Please?”

“Yeah, Cae. I’ll think about it.” I packed up my bow and arrows, handing them to her to bring back to the weapons shed. Once she was gone, I made my way to the spot on the lake that wasn’t too far away from our archery spot. My fingers trailed in the water, checking the temperature. Cool and inviting like always. Checking to make sure no one else was around, I stripped out of my clothes and dove in. The water circled around me, bending to my will as I opened my eyes. Minnows darted around me while seagrass waved slowly back and forth with the currents.

I let the water guide my body as I floated on my back, no clear destination in mind. Flashes from last night clouded my brain, heated passion mixed with the tender moments with Raydir from the last few days. Fingers grazing my skin. Gentle kisses. Gazes locked in desire. Subtle touches. Passionate glances. Small smiles to share an inside joke. Darius. Raydir. Darius. Raydir. Darius. Ray—

“Hey, Ar.”

My head dipped below the water as I reacted to the voice. When I emerged, Raydir stood smiling on the edge of the lake, his shirt halfway unbuttoned.

“Hey!” I didn’t see you there. I wrapped my arms around my naked torso, realizing I had just been floating completely visible to the world.

“You want some company?” he asked.

I nodded. “Company would be great.” My heart swelled with happiness as he undressed, teasing me with every button. Finally, he dove into the water and emerged grinning, running his hands through his hair. I wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands latched under my legs, swinging them up into his arms.

“Ray!” I shrieked.

He laughed. “We’re alone out here, Ar. No one is going to see us.”

“Well that’s what I thought too, and then you showed up!” I said, flapping my arms. He pretended to let go, causing me to shriek again and cling to his neck. “I’m glad you’re here, Ray. I know it’s only been a few days, but I’ve missed this. Us.”

“There will always be an us, Arwyn.” He lowered me to the water so I was looking up at him while he supported my back. His hands felt nice against my skin. Normal. Familiar.

And that’s when it all turned to chaos.

I spotted something in the distance, and self-consciously lowered myself more completely into the water. “Um, Ray. I need you to turn around very, very slowly.” A wolf, black as night with piercing icy eyes, roamed the grassy bank.

Raydir furrowed his brow and turned around in the water. “Get behind me, Ar.”

I grabbed his hand and hid behind him. “What is that thing?”

“I have no idea. Just stay behind me, and don’t make any sudden movements.”

I gripped his arm, my fingers leaving red marks on his skin.

“Not so tight,” he said through gritted teeth.

I eased my grip. “What should we do?” Those deadly eyes just screamed nightmare. There seemed to be no way we were escaping alive. Who’s bright idea was it to go swimming naked? Yours, doofus. I cursed at myself and lowered my body more into the water. My heart started to beat faster as I willed the beast to leave us alone. I really hoped it couldn’t sense fear.

“Arwyn.”

“What?”

“The water.”

I froze. “What about it?”

“You control it, don’t you?” He turned to face me, which was dangerous considering the threat looming on the bank. “Distract it.”

“What?! Raydir, are you crazy? I can’t.”

“Yes, you can, Arwyn.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked firmly into my eyes. “You just have to focus.”

“I haven’t trained for this, Ray.” My breath shook as I spoke. Maybe that’s why the Council wants me to train. For situations like this.

The beast growled, its eyes moving toward us.

“Do it now, Ar,” he whispered.

“I’d rather do this while clothed,” I grumbled but nevertheless thrust my hands out in front of me, focusing my attention on the water. Come on, come on, come on. Slowly, the water began to churn, forming into a funnel in front of us. The beast on the grass regarded the funnel carefully, arching its back and spreading its wings. Wings?!

“Good, Ar. Keep it up!”

“It has wings!” I shrieked. This, of course, attracted the beast’s attention. I pushed my hands further, the water funnel moving closer to the store in an effort to scare off the creature. Luckily, that was enough to scare it off. With a final bare of its teeth, the creature sulked away. I dropped my hands, my whole body shaking.

“You did good, Ar.” Raydir wrapped his arms around me.

“Ray, what was that thing?” I held onto him tightly.

“I still have no idea.” He swam to the edge of the lake and lifted himself out of the water, pulling on his pants. He held out a hand to help me out of the water.

“Oh no, no, no. You are not making me walk back to where I left my clothes. I’d rather swim.”

He smirked. “Take my shirt, ok? We’ll walk over together.”

I reached an arm out. “Then hand me your shirt now.”

He tossed it to me, and I put it on before climbing out of the water. “You know, you should wear my clothes more often.” He pulled me to him. “You look great.”

I blushed and pushed my hand against his chest. “Seriously, Ray? After that brush with death, that’s what you’re thinking about?”

“We’re safe.” He squeezed my hand. “That thing—whatever it was—can’t hurt us.”

Glancing back over my shoulder, I noted the now-empty bank. But an uneasy threat still loomed in the air. I wish we knew that for sure.