I see immediately where the name came from. Eyes snap open along the tree trunks as we pass, their eerie gaze following us wherever we go. They’re all different colors, each pair of eyes unique and too human for my liking.
Ugh.
An hour passes, and I’m sure Ruby has lost the scent, when I hear voices. Frantic voices.
I sprint toward the sounds, sure it’s already started. A small clearing opens up. I see figures moving through the dead grass, and my heart leaps at the sight.
Mack and Asher stand side-by-side, holding up swords that glint in the muddled gray light. Eclipsa is near them, legs spread wide in a fighting stance. She wears all black leathers, her silver hair pulled into a simple ponytail that swings well past her shoulders.
A twig snaps beneath my boot, and Eclipsa’s head swivels my direction. Her forehead wrinkles slightly in confusion, but then she smiles and rushes toward me. Her hug nearly crushes the life from me.
“What are you doing here?” she demands, pulling back to examine me.
Behind Eclipsa, I see Mack and Asher both turn our way. Then Mack is screeching and running toward us. She slams into me, hard, and joins the hug.
“What the Fae hells is this?” Asher booms, lumbering over. “A love fest in the middle of the Wild Hunt? This isn’t a slumber party, girls.”
Eclipsa glares at Asher. “Pipe down, smoke-breath. We’re having a moment.”
“Well, have that moment somewhere else. That medusa spider is still out there.”
Medusa spider? Yep, not even asking about that one.
Curiosity dances in his green eyes as they shift to me. “Summer, it’s not that I’m not happy you’re here. But . . . if you’ve come to talk to the prince, it’s really not the best time.”
Eclipsa’s face darkens. “It’s true. The portal was spelled with forbidden magic and the prince’s powers have been bound. He’s in a mood. We think it was a rival court, but we still can’t figure out how—”
Suddenly, Eclipsa stiffens beside me. Asher glances over his shoulder, releases a long breath, as if shit’s about to hit the fan, and then moves.
I knew Valerian would be here, but I wasn’t prepared for the way my heart leaps when I lock eyes with him. Nor was I prepared for the look that flashes across his face.
Anger.
“What are you doing here, Princess?” he demands. “It’s not safe.”
The nerve of this guy. “Yeah, I’m aware.”
His gaze scours my body as if scanning for an injury, something to explain my presence. The hard edge of his jaw softens. “Are you . . . in trouble?”
The protective tone in his voice pisses me off. He doesn’t get to be that person anymore. The one who uses super annoying nicknames and pretends to care about me.
“No,” I snap, “but you are, which means my friends are in trouble by association. I’m here to save their lives.”
A muscle jumps in Valerian’s temple. “Explain.”
Ugh. I hate the coldness in his voice. His demanding tone. He might not have participated in Inara’s cruel trick, but he let two months pass without telling me the truth. Two whole months where my heart felt cracked in half. Where he let my feelings for him burn into a sick, twisted hatred.
My sudden fury propels me toward him. I slam a finger into his chest—probably hurting myself more than anyone—and glare up at him. “No, you explain.” I poke him again. “Explain why you never told me the truth. Why you let me drown in hurt when you promised to always protect me.”
His hand reaches up, his cool fingers circling my forearm, where his brand scrolls over my flesh. Gently, his fingers slide to my wrist and he tugs my hand down. “I promised to keep you safe from harm. To protect you no matter the price. That’s exactly what I did.”
His stoic answer only serves to piss me off.
“Safe from harm?” I snap. “You broke my fucking heart.”
The silence that follows is almost worse than the apathy in his voice.
Ruby flutters above the prince’s head. “Kid,” she says. “As much as I enjoy watching this public flaying, and I do—I really, really do. I have to wonder if we really have time for this?”