Chapter 85
“I don’t care what the King thinks of me,” Nichs said. “I will see justice done.”
“That’s incredibly noble of you, brother Julian rolled his eyes. “But I have a different scheme. It would
provide the same result, with less mess.”
Nichs shook his head like he didn’t even want to hear him out. But I disagreed. We should hear
every
option before acting, especially if Nichs’s n would hurt him in the long run.
“Please exin, Julian,” I said.
Nichs shot me a look, which I pointedly did not acknowledge.
“If we call out the bullies directly, we could back them into a corner and make things worse. It would be
so much simpler if we lifted up Piper instead. We could make her untouchable.”
Nichs thought a moment, then asked, “How?”
I had the same question.
Julian nodded toward the boar carcass that the wolves were protecting.
Understanding crossed Nichs’s face. I still wasn’t sure.
“Very well,” Nichs said. “We can try it. But if it fails, we will do it my way instead.”
“Fair enough.” Julian shrugged. “But give me a couple days, anyway. I think I can work with this for a
while, reallyy it on thick.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
Julian winked at me. “You’ll see.”
“Trust us,” Nichs said. Then, after a quick scowling nce at his brother, amended, “Trust me.”
Julianughed.
Nichs wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t sure I could trust Julian. But Nichs? Even with the misunderstanding
of betrayal looming between us, I knew I could still trust him with my life. Elva’s too.
That counted for something. A heck of a lot, actually
“I trust you,” I told himn.
His face didn’t change, but he seemed satisfied with the way he tapped my shin.
“We have to get her back to the pce.” Julian waggled his eyebrows. “Maybe I could carry you,
Piper.”
“Absolutely not,” Nichs said at once.
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I nced between them. “I could try to walk…?”
Nichs shook his head. He turned so that his back was to me. “I will carry you.”
With his guidance, I draped my arms over his shoulders, and he hoisted me up onto his back. He held
my
legs, giving me support.
My cheeks burned a bit, especially after Julian gave me a knowing look. I couldn’t deny the position
was nice though, pressing into the long expanse of Nichs’s back. His strong hands pressing hard
under my
thighs.
I desperately tried not to think too much about it. Nichs was only doing this for my sake, to get me
safely and swiftly back to the pce. Romance had nothing to do with it.
That didn’t fully exin why he hadn’t wanted Julian to carry me instead, however.
No, none of it mattered. I had to let those thoughts go. Nichs no longer cared for me like he used to.
I’d only hurt us both believing for a second that we could be amicable again.
When we made it back to the pce grounds, it was clear the news had spread about the end of the
hunt. I realizedter that the wolves had announced it, through their howling.
Being the only one in the room who couldn’t speak to a wolf was… upsetting. At the very least, I wished
I
could have properly passed my gratitude onto Silver, who had saved my life. Even now, she trotted
along protectively behind Nichs and me.
Nichs led me through the sea of girls, who whispered cruelly as we passed, likely jealous of the way!
was being carried
Julian, still holding my broken bow, gave a sharp smirk to whoever whispered too loudly, making his
displeasure known. With his help, the mumbling quickly died down.
When we came before the King, he looked between the three of us with obvious annoyance in his
eyes, though a wide, kindly smile on his lips.
“Which one of you downed the boar?” he asked.
Theld my breath. I hadn’t been sure which of the two had fired the finishing blow. I’d only seen the two
arrows hit their mark.
Nichs and Julian spoke at once.