Page 23 of The Night Prince

“Is that the Moon Priestess?” I ask the cloaked wolf.

He nods. “Aye. She’ll be conducting the ceremony, later.”

Arran musses up Alfie’s hair and leads him in the opposite direction, while Elsie seemingly exchanges a sharp word with Blake before following them.

“Is Lochlan here yet?” Callum’s rough voice is carried by the cold wind. “I can’t see him.”

“I suspect we’d know if he was,” says Blake. “He always likes to make an entrance.”

“Gentlemen,” says the male beside me. He lowers his hood.

Callum and Blake both turn. Callum’s fist clenches by his side, while Blake’s mouth curves into slow smile. “Ah, Lochlan, there you are,” says Blake.

My stomach jolts. Lochlan has hair as red as mine. It’s shorn close to his scalp at the sides, a bit like Callum’s, but the hair at the top is much longer—braided then tied—and it reaches his lower back. His eyes glint with intelligence, and they’re underlined with black kohl. Amusement dances on his lips.

Lochlan winks at me before he strides toward Blake and clasps him on the shoulder. “You’re looking flawless as always, Blake.” There’s something like heat in his eyes.

A dimple creases Blake’s cheek. “As are you, Lochlan.”

Callum crosses the space between us, and puts an arm around my shoulders. There’s something territorial about his stance, and Lochlan chuckles. “Rest easy, Callum. I have no quarrel with you. I’ve just become acquainted with your princess.” He grins at me. “I like her.”

Some of Callum’s tension dissipates, though he still seems wary when he shakes Lochlan’s hand. “Thank you for coming. I was hoping we could speak.”

Lochlan makes a dismissive gesture as he steps back. “I know what you want to talk about but we’ll have time for politics later. Blake has invited me to stay for a few nights. Let us enjoy the festivities tonight, and we can talk about your brother—and what I want from you in exchange for my support—tomorrow. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m parched after the climb. My men brought a barrel of Glas-Cladach’s finest whisky. Can I tempt you?”

“Always,” says Blake, his voice smooth as silk.

Lochlan’s grin is almost wolfish. “Excellent. Callum?”

Callum is still for a moment, then he relaxes. “Aye. I’ve heard you barrel it in caves blessed byGhealach.”

“My clan will tell you that because of this, it brings the wolf to the surface more than any other whisky in the Northlands.” Lochlan grins at me, and lowers his voice conspiratorially. “Really it’s just the exceedingly high alcohol content.” He winks. “Want to try it?”

I blink, surprised to have been asked. “Please.”

He walks away and Blake falls into step beside him. “I’ll join you. There’s another matter I wish to discuss.”

Lochlan inclines his head. “I had one my of men bring you a cart of moonflower, by the way.”

“Excellent. My supplies were low. . .”

Their voices fade as they walk toward the group gathering around a barrel in the center of the stone circle. Callum frowns.

“He’s up to something,” he says darkly.

“Lochlan or Blake?”

“Blake. Whenever he lays on the charm, there’s reason to worry.” His eyes darken. “I didn’t even know they were friends.”

I touch his arm. “At least he can probably talk Lochlan into supporting you.”

Callum sighs, his breath a plume of mist before his troubled face. “Likely with promises of what Lochlan can expect when Blake has put himself on the throne.”

I squeeze his muscles. “You’ll just have to offer him something better, won’t you?”

“Did I ever tell you you’re rather nefarious, Princess?”

I shrug and give him a coy smile, but Callum frowns.

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