Page 104 of The Poison Daughter
We stay like that for a long time, with him acting like this is a normal request, and me breathing through the wretched agony.
20
HENRY
Three Divine-damn days. That’s how long Harlow has been hiding in her room. That’s how long I’ve been locked out of my own washroom. That’s how long she’s hogged Kyrin.
It’s childish to be jealous that my wolf is so loyal to her. I want him protecting her around the fort since she is as reckless as she is curious. But Ky has never warmed to anyone except me. He’s even surly toward Bryce and Carter. Yet he won’t leave Harlow’s side.
It makes me even more curious what she’s doing in there, because despite what her bodyguard has said repeatedly, I’m not buying that she’s cloistered herself to pray to the Divine.
The cold morning air stings my cheeks as I run through the hunt grounds behind the estate. The staccato beat of Carter and Bryce’s familiar gaits behind me is soothing, as is their bickering. But every time I settle into a rhythm, my mind wanders back to Harlow, her eyes fever-bright as she rushed out of the dinner.
I know she wasn’t drunk. I need to know what scared her off.
A haunting mist threads around the trees and over the trail ahead of us. It’s not particularly nice weather for a run—cold enough to burn the lungs, damp enough to make everything chafe. But ever since we were forced to spend the first two years after the wall fell mostly underground, I’m too happy for the freedom of it to complain.
I’ve run this path so many times, the steep mountain face to my right, the forest and fort to my left. The coating of dry pine needles on the trail keeps the ground from being too muddy and fills the air with their earthy scent. It smells like home.
The new moon and our wedding are tomorrow, and Harlow has to be ready. I’m torn between dread and excitement. She has managed herself well so far, but she’ll be out of her element tomorrow. She’ll need me to guide her through our customs, and that puts her at a disadvantage. It forces her to be the one thing she absolutely refuses to be with me—vulnerable. I know I can get under her skin, and I’m more determined than ever.
“I can tell you need a good tumble by how fast you’re running,” Bryce shouts from a few yards behind me. “You only have this much energy when you’re miserable.”
I push the pace faster, charging the last half-mile to the mountain escape tunnel. Finally, I stand tall and lift my arms, sucking in air as I check the foliage covering the tunnel opening.
The branches and vine net that hide the door are in place. Anyone else would miss the secret door, but we are trained to know these escape routes in the dark, by touch alone. These tunnels saved us ten years ago. They still save us.
I’m not particularly devout. Holly’s death and my own brushes with the veil made certain of that. But three of the youngest children in our community being blessed by the Divine of Fortune with the ability to make plants grow in the glow of sunstones allowed us to create a full farming system inside the mountain tunnels. That, combined with our miraculous survival, inspired devotion in many people in our community. They think if we ask, the Divine will provide.
I’m not so sure. If the Divine are so eager to be at our beck and call, where were they the night the fort fell?
A hand claps down on my shoulder. I spin, slapping it away.
Carter immediately lifts his hands, readying for a fight. “Oh, is that how it is today?”
I hesitate. It would feel good to hit something—someone—just to have control over something right now, but I need to keep my head.
I step back and run a hand through my sweaty hair. “She won’t comeout of her fucking room. I’ve been locked out of my own washroom for days.”
“Is this because Ky likes her better?” Bryce asks from where he leans against a tree, stretching his calves.
“Ky is just antagonizing me,” I say.
The two of them look at each other, a silent conversation passing in that glance.
“A dove came from Lunameade this morning.” Carter reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny scroll.
“And you didn’t think to say something earlier?” I ask.
Carter chuckles. “You took off running before we even said hello. When would I have had time to?”
I unroll the note addressed to Harlow and read.
Able misses you. He hopes you’ll be wed and back in time for his birthday. - Mama
“Seems innocuous enough,” I say, tucking the note in my pocket.
Carter shrugs a shoulder. “It does, unless you know that Able’s birthday was three moon cycles ago.”
