We continue out of the “village” to the edge of the forest where the trees creak, their branches so high, I have to squint to see them. Ancient and stoic but providing very little shelter to anyone living here.
A short distance up ahead sits a turquoise wagon, the weathered boards painted with colorful flowers.
Maddox halts next to a boulder blanketed by moss. “This is as far as I will go.”
“Why is that?”
The crease in his brow deepens. “Unlike Ever, I would like a mate one day. If the others catch me speaking to him, they will shun me too.”
“I thought you and Ever were friends.”
Maddox’s scowl deepens. “Siding with Ever means certain death.”
It might not be right to judge Maddox when I’m not facing the same dire consequences, but I judge him all the same. If Nia were kicked out of her home, you’d better believe I’d be right next to her. Hell, I don’t even know how to survive in this land and I’m here for Ever.
With nothing more to say to Maddox, I leave him by the boulder. My ire slowly melts into despair as I approach the lonely carriage. The door swings open on squeaking hinges, and Ever appears, filling the space. When he sees me, his eyes widen and his gaze flies to where Maddox stood only a moment ago.
His nose lifts, and he inhales deeply. “Maddox?”
I nod.
His knuckles whiten where they grip the doorframe. “He knows better than to bring you to this place. It is not safe.”
“And yet I’m here all the same.”
His brows jump beneath the dark strands of hair falling across his forehead. “Why?”
Because I’m halfway to loving you, you big, prideful fool.“Because you have no one else.”
Ever blinks at me, saying nothing as his gaze makes a slow glide from my braid to the dirty slippers peeking from beneath my skirt. Slowly, he steps aside, a silent invitation into his home.
The stairs whine as I climb to the entrance and duck beneath his arm. The roof is just high enough that he can stand upright. Barely. A crackling fire blazes inside a tiny cast iron stove with the pipe affixed to the wall. To my right are a handful of cabinets, all painted with the same flowers as the outside. At the very back is a bed.
I swallow thickly, working through the emotion climbing my throat. How does he live in such cramped quarters? And everything is so…frilly. There are ruffles and flowers everywhere, from the walls to the quilt on his bed.
Ever’sbed.
With my stomach fluttering like mad, I trace a daisy on the cabinet, the petals gone yellow with age. “This is beautiful.”
The carriage rocks when Ever shifts his weight. “My mother’s touch.”
“Is this where you’ve always lived?”
A nod.
“No brothers or sisters, I presume?” Heaven knows there wouldn’t be room for them.
His head swings toward the little square window framed with yellowed lace curtains. “We are only allowed one child.”
“Why?” I can’t imagine life without my brother.
He slips his hands into the pockets of his trousers, the muscles in his bare arms flexing with even the slightest movement. “It is easier to keep one safe than multiple.”
Because these lands are so dangerous.
Yet Ever and the rest of his people spend night after night guarding us against horrors we cannot even fathom.
I slip the pack from my back and set it on the wooden slab that serves as a counter of sorts.