Page 86 of A Sunwoven Ascent

Callista’s composure cracked for the briefest moment. She gathered herself, then looped her arm through Wesley’s.

“For your information,” she said, with a crisp lift of her chin, “Lord Wesley and I have every expectation of an engagement in the near future. He is a most devoted and loyal friend.” She fixed him with a pointed look. “Is that not so, my lord?”

Wesley blinked, awareness returning to his face. “Ah—yes. Quite so. Most devoted.” His gaze shifted to Evelyne and brightened at once. “Lady Evelyne! What a pleasure to see you again.”

Evelyne fought the urge to laugh at how transparently distracted he was. “Good evening, Lord Wesley.”

Before Callista could resume her assault, Aurelia swept forward. “Forgive us, but we must be on our way. The hour grows late, and I confess I am in desperate need of a warm bath.” She offered a polite curtsey, but Callista was not finished.

“Oh, Lady Evelyne,” she said, “surely you will not ignore Lord Ivan, considering the… chemistry you once shared.” She beckoned him forward, and the moment Ivan took a single step, Alaric moved closer to Evelyne.

Her pulse thundered in her ears. She needed to leave. Now.

“She will not be greeting him tonight,” Alaric said coldly. “Nor ever again.”

He turned and began walking, and the others followed without hesitation. Behind them, Kaldrek released a low, quiet growl. Too soft for human ears, but Evelyne knew he had felt something wrong.

Chapter 39

The last person Alaric had hoped to encounter in Velenshire was Callista—the woman who had ruined his former betrothal, humiliated Evelyne before half the court, and, given the chance, would no doubt turn her venom on Heidara as well. That, above all else, he would not allow. Still, the meeting could have gone worse. At least Lord Bavrick had kept silent. If Kaldrek ever pieced together how deeply Ivan had hurt Evelyne, Alaric doubted anything would stop him from tearing the man’s throat out.

No one spoke as Alaric led them down another long street paved in gray stone. The lane was quiet, bordered by graceful trees and thick greenery that softened the road’s edges. If they kept straight, they would reach the Shaw estate. Thankfully this route remained mostly deserted at night. Lord and Lady Shaw valued their privacy, which made the field beyond their orchard the best place to shelter the wolves on such short notice.

The farther they walked, the darker the street became. Branches and bushes stretched overhead, turning almost black in the faint lantern light.

To their right, a sudden rustle disturbed the greenery. Alaric’s gaze snapped toward it just as a small hooded figure hurried through a grove-like arch in the hedges and stepped onto the road, only to collide directly with Cillian’s shoulder. A startled, feminine gasp escaped her as the impact knocked back her hood, revealing pale, blondish hair.

“Pardon me, sir,” the girl said quickly. “I did not see you there.”

“That is quite all right, miss,” Cillian replied, steadying her by the shoulders as she quickly reached to pull her hood back over her head.

“I should be on my way. Please excuse me.”

“It is rather dark along this street,” Cillian said politely. “Would you like us to escort you back toward the lanterns?”

“Oh—no, thank you, sir. I have a carriage waiting.”

Alaric stepped closer, trying to see her face more clearly.

“Alia?”

The girl turned sharply toward him, surprise widening her eyes.

What in heaven’s name was his family’s house servant doing out in Velenshire after dark?

“Mr. Stonebridge.” She dipped into a quick curtsey. “You are home. How—how wonderful it is to see you again.” Her hands trembled slightly as she clasped them before her.

“What are you doing here?” Alaric asked gently. “Are you visiting Lord and Lady Shaw?”

“No, sir. I was only visiting the grove.” She gestured behind her toward the shadowed arch of branches. “It is such beautiful scenery, don’t you think?”

“I… cannot say that I have ever visited it,” Alaric admitted. “What exactly lies within?”

Alia laughed softly, clearly surprised by his ignorance. “The tree, Mr. Stonebridge. It is the most beautiful I have seen it as of late.”

“A tree?” Alaric asked in confusion.

“Yes, the Solwyn Tree. It’s magnificent.”