Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(75)

Nia’s vexed look deepened. “Oh my Gods, you’re as bad as the bard.”

When the laughter broke out, all the cubs turned to see what was going on—making everyone laugh harder.

As the females settled onto the blankets, Bree said to Darcy, “I saw your mentors head off together toward town. Did you escape a lesson today?”

“Gawain has a blade to forge, and Owen’s doing something for the Cosantir. No lesson today.” Darcy took a bite of cookie. Sugar and chocolate chips and walnuts. Mmmm.

“I bet it’s a relief to escape,” Nia muttered, gaze on the cublings.

Darcy blinked, caught Bree’s slight shake of the head, and moved on. “I was going to go explore a new set of trails, but, this is so much nicer.”

“Are Owen and Gawain teaching you anything besides hunting?” Bonnie asked before grinning at Bree. “I remember how ignorant our Bree was when first arrived. She didn’t know anything about the Daonain or wolf packs. Or anything about Gatherings.”

Darcy rolled her eyes. “I’m in the same sad shape.”

“I can’t even imagine how scary that must be. I’m new, but if you need someone to hang with at a Gathering, just yell.” Nia frowned. “Did you attend the last Gathering in Cold Creek? I didn’t see you.”

Darcy felt her cheeks heat. “I wasn’t there. I’d gone to the Twin Sisters to search for my people.”

“On a Gathering night?” Nia’s tone was scandalized.

“No one had told me about full moons or Gatherings. I guess I was lucky. My mentors as well as Donal and Tynan caught up to me before the moon rose.” Remembering how gently the males had treated her…and how intimate it had gotten, her insides melted. Gawain and his laughing eyes and powerful body. Owen, such a mixture of rough and gentle.

Being with them, mating with them, had changed her.

Some forest pinecones wouldn’t sprout until burned by fire. She’d been burned—and now love was sprouting in her heart. Oh no. Don’t be a turkey-brained tinker. She mustn’t—couldn’t—be in love with them.

She was.

Oh my Gods.

She cleared her throat. “The males were all very kind to me, especially for my first full moon heat.”

“Right. I’m glad for you. But, don’t expect… Um.” Nia’s smile was bittersweet. “I found out the nasty way that what a male does under the full moon means nothing once the moon sets.”

“What do you mean?” Darcy asked.

“Well, see, I mated Owen, and it was amazing. He was really nice.” She shook her head. “Only, I thought he liked me, but when I saw him the next day, he said he didn’t like me—or any female—and he hates that he has to fuck us once a month.”

“He was awfully rude,” Darcy’s voice came out hesitant. Would even grumpy Owen have said something so mean?

Nia glanced at Bree. “You heard him.”

Bree nodded with a sad look at Darcy.

“He did apologize, though.” Nia wrinkled her nose. “Probably the Cosantir told him to.”

Bonnie was frowning. “I’m sorry, Nia. Owen is…”

“Oh, it’s all right. He was nasty, but I was silly to see more in a mating than was really there.” Nia shrugged. “It was a lesson I needed to learn.”

But such a harsh one.

Apparently, Darcy had needed the lesson, as well.

She knew he avoided females, although he did like her. He’d said so. However, like wasn’t the same as love, now was it?

Nia wasn’t the only foolish one. Akin to the cublings, Darcy had been building castles out of mud and had somehow forgotten that matings under a full moon weren’t a prelude to a relationship.

Had Gawain or Owen said they loved her? No, they hadn’t. The two were wonderful and protective…and her mentors. Nothing more. Control your emotions, tinker.

This really was for the best, anyway, since she’d be leaving Cold Creek. Love wasn’t in her destiny.





Chapter Nineteen





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Gawain had spent the day forging new blades for the cahirs’ incoming students, but halted early to clean up at the lodge. Breanne was hosting a dinner party for the cahirs and their families to give Darcy a chance to meet everyone. Apparently, a couple of days ago at a creekside picnic, Darcy had mentioned she didn’t know Ben and Ryder.

Gawain pulled on clean clothes, a better shirt than his usual white smithing ones and jeans.

No clothes on the floor meant Owen hadn’t yet returned from dragging Darcy out for a quick hunt. Undoubtedly, they’d be back soon.

As Gawain headed down the stairs, amazing aromas were coming from the kitchen. His stomach rumbled.

In the kitchen, Bree was pouring a liquid over a huge roast in the oven.

Hoping to score some food, Gawain asked, “Can I help with anything?”

She closed the oven door and smiled at him. “Not in here. I have everything timed and choreographed. But…”

“What?”

“Well, with the danger from the Scythe, Zeb ordered me to keep the door locked all the time. But I need to be in here. Could you possibly be the doorman?”

“Sure. Not a problem. I’m an excellent butler.”