“I…uh, do believe that the whiskey may have aided in his inability to stay awake,” Quentyn answered sheepishly.
I grinned, unable to help myself.
“But we made sure fires were lit in the rooms since it does get chilly here at night,” Quentyn continued, glancing up at me curiously.
“Allow me to introduce my fiancée.” Casteel took note of his questioning looks. “This is Penellaphe.”
Fiancée.
My grip on the saddle loosened, and I wondered if the dizziness was just my imagination. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to hearing him say that.
“Alastir said you were bringing a lady with you—your fiancée.” The torch bobbed along with him. “I mean, congratulations! To you both. You hear that, Beckett? This is our Prince’s fiancée.”
Beckett, the wolven, bounced happily across the road, disappearing into the brush.
“Penellaphe, this is Quentyn Da’Lahr. The overly excited pup is Beckett Davenwill, a great-nephew of Alastir.”
Act like yourself. That was what Casteel had advised earlier. What would I normally do? Sitting here and staring at the young man as if I had no brain between my ears was not how I’d behave. I would smile and say hello. I could do that.
Fixing what I hoped was a normal smile on my face, I gave Quentyn a small wave. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s an honor to meet you!” Quentyn offered a jaunty wave with the torch in return.
The enthusiasm in his voice and greeting softened my smile, and it no longer felt like it was plastered there.
I felt rather proud of myself as we passed a copse of trees, and the fort came into view. Torches and lanterns warmed the sand-colored stone of the ancient fortress, which rose higher than the Rise. Massive columns supported walkways that connected the roof of the stronghold to the Rise.
Arriving at the stables, Casteel demounted with ease and then settled his hands on my hips, lifting me from the saddle. My pulse thrummed as my body slid against his, our heavy cloaks proving to be no real barrier. The hands at my hips tightened. I looked up, his gaze catching mine. For a moment, neither of us moved as we stared at each other. There was an intent in the shape of his lips, one my body seemed to inherently recognize and respond to. I suddenly felt entirely too tight and yet too loose at the same time. His head tilted, sending my blood pumping. Anticipation was swift and sweet, and I knew I should pull away. We didn’t have to be this convincing, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t. I was snared like a rabbit.
“The rooms are right over here,” Quentyn announced, breaking the spell. Casteel turned, grabbing our bags as Quentyn headed toward our left. I patted Setti goodnight and then followed Quentyn.
“None of the rooms on the upper levels are all that useable, but the ones on the ground level are pretty nice.” He stopped suddenly. “Oh—one second. Be right back.”
Blood still thrumming, I watched Quentyn dart through an open doorway, into a lit room. “He…um, he seems young.”
“He just went through the Culling,” Casteel explained, and I thought his voice sounded thicker, richer.
“I’m surprised to see him out here,” Kieran said, having reappeared. “And that one”—he nodded behind us—“especially.”
I looked to find Delano leading the horses toward the stables. The small wolven trotted beside him, ears perked as Delano spoke to him, tail wagging frantically.
“Both are far too young.” Naill joined us. “I was under the impression that none of the young had moved out here.”
“As was I.” Casteel squinted. “The last I saw of Beckett, he could barely control holding one form or the other.”
I blinked. “Is that common?”
Kieran nodded. “It takes at least two decades for us to gain control over our two halves. Any slight change of emotion can send us to four legs or two.”
“That has to be…inconvenient.”
He laughed dryly. “You have no idea.”
“Have Atlantians relocated to Spessa’s End?” I asked. “Is that what you meant by a temporary fix to the land issue?”
Casteel nodded. “It hasn’t made a huge impact. Not yet. But it has freed up some of the homes and land. Those who’ve moved out here have been hand-selected for the most part. Old enough and trained in case the Ascended do happen to venture to these parts, but that hasn’t happened since the Ascended laid siege to the town.”
“How many people live here now?” I asked.