And she was only asking from a logical standpoint—it made sense to learn more about the wraith. Fenn was clearly willing to discuss the subject and that wasn’t guilt prickling at her for encouraging him. Surely gaining his trust would be an advantage. Determination settled on her like a dusting of snow. I’ll exploit any edge to wrestle my tether’s key away from his neck.
Fenn glanced at her, tilting his head. “I suppose pairing is similar to…marriage?” Serenna frowned thoughtfully at his interpretation of the word. “The elders wished to make our society more stable than the elves’, so they adopted something akin to the mortal practice. I think.” Fenn extended a claw. Serenna hesitated for a moment before clasping it, allowing him to assist her over a drift. The heat of his skin bled through her gloves. “Pairing can extend to multiple partners, so long as everyone agrees with committing to one another.”
Serenna chewed her chapping lip, mulling over the unexpected cohesiveness of wraith culture—and the fact that they had their own culture at all. She never would’ve predicted they might have stronger familial ties than the elves.
Nearly panting by the time they reached the buried lift, Serenna’s legs ached from the exertion of trudging through the snowy banks. She refrained from voicing her question, deciding it would be rude to ask what Fenn’s mother thought of Kal and Aesar. With what he’d shared, anything seemed possible so long as everyone was in agreement. But Fenn did say his father has been alone for a while, so maybe Kal and his mother had a falling out.
The punctures in Fenn’s neck shamefully summoned Serenna’s curiosity. She could only imagine how their venom enhanced mingling. Brushing her flustered discomfort aside, she saw no harm in entertaining him by inquiring a little more. He was almost begging for it, if that grin he was giving her was any sign.
Stomach suddenly tumbling with disappointment, Serenna wished the prince had been this forthcoming when she’d wanted to talk. I did all I could, but it takes two.
With glove-clumsy hands—the tips of the elongated fingers open to accommodate talons—Serenna swept windblown hair out of her eyes. “Are you…paired with those you mingle with?”
Fenn hardly gave her time to finish the question. “No. I have partners, but I’m free to mingle beyond them.” His smirk was annoyingly smug as he traced a fresh bite mark on his neck. “My preferences include anyone willing.”
Serenna sniffed disinterestedly. I don’t know why he’s flirting with me if he already has multiple partners. Shouldn’t they keep him busy enough? “And am I supposed to gather that those preferences extend beyond the wraith?”
Fenn’s crimson eyes glittered in the sunlight. “I’m open to trying new things, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Embarrassment shot through Serenna like an arrow, his teasing words quickening her pulse. “I wasn’t asking,” she snapped before thinking better of curbing her defensive reaction. Well, I kind of was. But only because she was attempting to learn more about his culture. “And for your information, I’m not a thing to try.”
Fenn’s cough was obviously meant to swallow a chuckle. His lips twitched like he wanted to dispute that statement. Instead, he became very interested in toeing a clump of snow, disintegrating the mound into icy pieces.
Serenna shoved her hands into her cloak, a wisp of her expelled breath coiling in the air. I shouldn’t be so harsh and accidently bruise his warrior-sized ego—I’m sure it’s as big as those fangs. Serenna cleared her throat, tempering her tone. “But consider me…enlightened.”
As he studied their surroundings, Fenn spun his lip ring before his gaze landed back on her. “Even if I wanted to pair, I’m not of age yet.”
Skeptical, Serenna scrutinized his face. He was definitely no youth. “What do you mean you’re not of age?”
“I’m still a part of my clan’s household until I reach my fifth decade.” Fenn stooped to snag a clawful of snow. “It’s one topic I actually agree with the reavers on.” He grunted humorlessly, balling the flakes into a sphere and bouncing it. “It’s absurd that the elders don’t consider those of us born as wraith to be mature sooner—I have three decades.” With a faraway look, he added, “I’ve already proven myself as a warrior in battle.”
Serenna scoffed, a flare of indignation brewing under her ribs. “I hope that’s not a boast about attacking us.”
Fangs extending, Fenn suddenly rounded on her with a snarl. “I lost clan there too.”
Serenna blanched at his reaction, retreating as he crushed the fistful of snow. She’d never considered the casualties on his side.
“Lykor believed eliminating your military was the only way to keep the wraith safe,” Fenn growled, adjusting his bandolier with a yank. “And I’d do my part to protect my people again.”
“Then why didn’t you finish me off in the war room for your precious leader instead of protecting me?” Serenna bristled. “You’ve lived in as much fear of us as we have of you.” She stepped back into the space she’d abandoned, ignoring her better judgment of antagonizing a soldier. “If those at Centarya knew the truth—”
“I know what you’re trying to do, she-elf.” Fenn’s tone was loaded with a warning that he wouldn't be swayed. “Lykor warned me you’d—”
“And does Lykor not permit you to think for yourself?” Serenna interrupted, planting her hands on her hips.
A two-note horn sounded, breaking off whatever words Fenn was starting to form. Serenna followed his gaze to a mountain pass. Her pulse skipped up her throat upon seeing a group of wraith in the distance, angling toward the stronghold.
“A patrol returns,” Fenn announced, alleviating her flash of worry. Shoulders relaxing, he retracted his fangs. “They’ll likely have a kill to transport to the kitchens. Let’s use your magics to clear this lift.”
“Yes, let’s use my magics,” Serenna mimicked under her breath.
Blowing out a sigh, she released her frustration. As soon as she started reaching toward the surrounding earth, Fenn stiffened, snatching her arm.
“We’re getting out of here,” he said, bending down as if to scoop her up.
Uninterested in being carried again, Serenna shook him off. “Why?”
The scouts were much closer now, warping in short jumps to the fortress. A patrol of nearly fifty wraith with red face paint sheared a path through the snow. The sides of their heads were shaved, leaving twin ridges of obsidian braids trailing down the centers of their backs. Crossbows and maces clattered as the soldiers approached.
“We’re going back to the Aerie.” Fenn caught her wrist. “I didn’t expect the reavers to return until nightfall.”
Serenna froze when she noticed the smaller beings in front of the warriors. Hands tied, they staggered as the wraith roughly shoved them ahead.
“Humans?” she gasped, seeing the mortals in rags and tattered furs. “What are humans doing this far away from the realms?”
One man stumbled and fell into the snow. Laughing, a female warrior punted him in the ribs with a cruel, spiked boot.
Serenna flinched. “Fenn,” she whispered, clutching his arm. Fear soaked into her limbs, icier than the surrounding air. “What are the reavers going to do with them?”
Fenn’s eyes volleyed around the warriors. The soldiers kicked the remaining humans behind their knees, sending them sprawling face-first to the ground. When a pair of wraith sauntered toward them, Fenn stepped in front of Serenna, concealing her with his towering frame.
“What are you doing with Lykor’s elven scum, Lieutenant?” the male sneered, cloak flapping over his armor. Face painted with red streaks, he squared his stance, folding his arms across his chest. The female next to him replicated his pose, flashing her fangs.
Claws flexing, Fenn ignored him and addressed the female warrior, who had a bone pierced through the center of her nose. “Taryn, the humans need to be escorted to Lykor.”
The male’s snarl cut in, lifting every hair on Serenna’s neck. “I’ll decide what to do with them. It was the reavers who seized these thieving rats, gorging themselves at our traps. Pilfering our kills like the vermin they are.”
“We’re starving,” one human cried out, eyes smudged with exhaustion. Hands bound behind his back, the man stumbled forward, trying to stand.
