Page 62 of A Rift in the House of Bruin

“I don’t—at least not anymore. He’s dead and hopefully rotting in whatever afterlife exists. But don’t worry about me. There’s more than one way to get laid on Lunavale.”

People had floodedin from Dunharrow, joining us at Whisperhold alongside our allies in the Raven’s Hand. Lunavale brought a new energy to our rebellion. There was something different in the air. The downtrodden faces I’d grown used to now shimmered with hope and anticipation.

Nico had given them something to believe in—and they were rising to meet it. The feeling was so contagious that even Maxfield wasn’t immune. I’d managed to get a half-smile out of him when I presented him with the serviceberry pie I’d made.

The camp flickered with torchlight, centered around a communal fire in the nearby clearing. The air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke, spiced cider, and roasting meat.

Amos’s deep baritone rang out in lewd drinking songs between swigs from his flask. Fiddles sang, flutes trilled, and voices rose in raucous harmony as rebels linked arms and spun in wild, unbridled dancing.

Overhead, the full moon bathed the clearing in silver light, casting long shadows that danced with the glow of the bonfires.

Nico, Luca, and Lucius had all announced they would take part in tonight’s Villrenna. Jase hadn’t said either way. A part of me was afraid his answer might be no. The idea of the four of them chasing me down was as exhilarating as it was terrifying.

“Isn’t it lovely?” Nico asked as he joined me, fresh from greeting the guests.

“Isn’t what lovely?”

“Listen...” He leaned in. “No one’s whispering about battle plans. No one’s sharpening blades. Only the sound of our people enjoying what life has to offer.”

“It’s perfect,” I agreed, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. He’d saidourpeople. That one word filled me with a sense of belonging, wrapping around the hollow spaces inside me.

Tonight was a reprieve. A sacred night of laughter, music, and revelry. A festival of defiance. A celebration of the simple fact that we still lived, still breathed, still fought.

“You didn’t happen to have anything to do with the unusually good mood everyone is in tonight, did you?” I teased.

“It’s not from me. I promise. Completely natural. I haven’t used my gift.”

“Go talk to Lucius and you’ll realize not everyone is in a good mood,” Luca said, appearing behind me with a cup of mead. “You look absolutely stunning tonight. That dress... mmm.” He growled softly, his eyes taking me in with a feral glint.

The dress was rather modest—a simple sweetheart neckline with capped sleeves—but the cream silk and the embroidered crimson petals cascading down made it truly breathtaking.

“Thank you for the drink, and the compliment,” I said, pulling the fur mantle tighter around my shoulders. I felt self-conscious under their praise. “You’ll have to thank your sister for the dress. Apparently, I’d look like a “filthy house gnome” if not for her intervention.”

“Even on your worst day, you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen,” Lucius added as he joined us.

I gave him an exasperated look. “The three of you flatter me too much.”

“The three of us have to make up for the one asshole who can’t be bothered to show his face tonight,” Lu scoffed.

“Where is Jase?” I asked, hesitating as I scanned the sea of unfamiliar faces.

A cold touch brushed my shoulder moments before a voice answered.

“This asshole is on guard duty tonight.”

I spun and found Jase emerging from the shadows. His silhouette stretched in the firelight. He was clad in black leather armor and a sleek fur mantle draped over his broad shoulders. One hand rested on the pommel of a broadsword strapped to his hip.

He was dangerously handsome. My cheeks flushed at the sight of him, my body betraying me once again. He sauntered towards us, with his jaw tight and eyes narrowed—the only signs of the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

“You’re the last person any of us want on guard duty,” Lucius snarked, not even trying to hide the disdain.

Lucius didn’t trust him. I didn’t know if it had anything to do with the fact that Jase and I had... been intimate, or whatever you wanted to call what happened that night. I hadn’t told anyone. Not even Fallon. But there was no hiding the fact that Jase had left his scent all over me.

“That was my call,” Nico admitted.

“You can’t be serious,” Lucius snapped. “You’ve invited a slew of unvetted shifters into our camp, and nowhe’sthe one guarding our backs?”

“There are laws against battles on Lunavale.”

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