The morning mist clung low to Mauvais Way, dampening the grass beneath their boots. Six hunters fanned out in pairs, bows strung, quivers full. Tau and Kaja wove between them, noses down, tails slicing the air like banners.

“Three teams,” Hassian said, glancing between the others. “Lyra with me. Saraya and Simon. Rex, Lexi—you two know the drill.”

“Keep it tight,” Simon added, though his smirk suggested he didn’t believe for a second it would stay that way.

The first ogopuu came quick—blue, lurching on its hind legs with its foreclaws splayed. Hassian raised a hand, steady and calm. “Lyra, first.”

Her arrow flew sharp, sinking into its chest. Hassian’s followed an instant later, striking clean. The beast collapsed without a sound.

“That’s how it’s done,” Rex said with a low whistle.

But the second ogopuu—a mean emerald—spat a spray of green slime right at Saraya and Simon. Both jumped opposite directions, but not fast enough; Saraya’s sleeve dripped, Simon’s boots oozed.

“Oh, perfect,” Saraya groaned, shaking her arm.

Simon grimaced at his boots. “You distracted me.”

“Me? You shouted in my ear—”

The ogopuu darted into the water and was gone.

“Lovely teamwork,” Lexi called sweetly from the ridge. Rex just laughed so hard he nearly lost his bow.

The third encounter unraveled everything. Three ogopuu burst from the brush at once—blue, emerald, and a waveback streaked in black, blue, and white. They split in different directions, and so did the hunters.

“Left!” Hassian barked, already loosing an arrow.

“Other left!” Simon shouted from somewhere deeper in the grass.

“Which left is other left?!” Lexi yelped, stumbling after Rex as slime whizzed past her ear.

Tau charged after the waveback, Kaja barreling the opposite way.

Lyra’s bowstring sang. She turned—and found Saraya at her side, both panting, both blinking in the sudden lull. Two blue ogopuu bobbed a few strides away.

Saraya smirked. “Let’s start with the one on the right.”

“Okay,” Lyra said, nocking her arrow.

Saraya counted, steady. “One, two, three—”

Lyra shot the right. Saraya shot the left.

For one stunned heartbeat, neither moved. Then they burst into laughter so hard they both dropped their bows to clutch their sides.

“Are you two even trying?!” Simon’s voice drifted over the field, exasperated.

“Not particularly!” Saraya shouted back, still laughing.

The fight dissolved into pure chaos. Lexi yelped as she slipped in mud, Rex nearly tripped over her trying to haul her up. Simon cursed when slime spattered his shoulder. Even Hassian—steady, stoic Hassian—was gritting his teeth through a grin as he tried to keep Tau in sight.

“Blue right!” he called. “No—other right! stars—just shoot something!”

By the time the group staggered onto the De Mer Docks, the air smelled of salt, slime, and sweat. They’d brought down three ogopuu, maybe four—it was hard to count—but they were covered in stains and still laughing between gasps.

Hassian shook his head, wiping his brow. “Chaos,” he muttered. “Pure chaos.”

But the corner of his mouth curved, and Lyra knew he wouldn’t have traded a second of it.

Revenge

They walked through the Elderwood central stables after the ogopuu hunt, the forest alive with the soft chatter of returning hunters. Tamala’s stand came into view—and her smirk was waiting.

“Oh, how sweet,” she purred. “Hassian’s little pet made it home safely.”

Hassian stopped dead, fury flashing in his eyes. He started toward her, shoulders tight. Lyra caught his hand, tugging, but he shook free.

She leapt in front of him, planting herself in his path. “Stop,” she said firmly, her gaze locking on his. “That’s not you.”

His fists balled at his sides, chest heaving with a rage she had never seen from him.

Tamala laughed, low and cruel. “You two are delicious.”

Hassian reached for Lyra, pulling her beside him, his voice dropping to steel. “If you ever touch her again, I’ll rip that rune off your neck and let everyone see the wrinkled old hag you really are.”

Tamala only smirked. “Mmm. You always were so passionate, darling.”

Lyra’s smile was sharp as glass. “Do you really think the trash you spit bothers me? We’re devoted to each other. He’s about to be my husband. You just make yourself look like the bitter old bitch you are.”

Tamala’s mouth fell open, shock breaking her composure. “Husband? How… how can you speak against me?”

“Yes, husband,” Hassian said flatly. “Get over it, Tamala. Nobody gives a damn about you. Oh—and Lesare sends his regards.”

Her face twisted. “I might have known Subira would send you to that old fool.”

Lyra’s smirk deepened. “You’ve got a lot of nerve calling anyone old, cobweb crotch.”

Hassian gave her a tight squeeze. “Lesare is ready for you,” he finished. With that, he pulled Lyra closer and turned away. Tamala’s sputtering scoff followed them, but nothing more.

Tamala’s smirk faltered as their friends came striding up.

Saraya’s laugh rang out first, sharp and delighted. “Wow. That was devastating.”

Lexi grinned, shaking her head. “Absolutely ruthless.”

Rex chuckled loud enough for Tamala to hear. “They told that bitch.”

Simon leaned back, snorting. “Cobweb crotch,” he said, and the group erupted, their laughter echoing through the stables.

Tamala’s face flushed, her poise cracking as she realized the entire exchange had left her the punchline.

Only then did they move on, leaving her behind in her own silence.

When they reached the edge of the clearing, Hassian’s arm stayed snug around Lyra’s waist. He bent his head closer, his voice low and warm. “I’m proud of you.”

Lyra tilted her head against him, smirking. “She had it coming.”

Hassian chuckled, brushing a thumb across her hand. “You shut her mouth. I’m glad you don’t feel jealous anymore… you never had a reason to be.”

Lyra shot him a sideways look. “I’m still jealous. Just… wasn’t going to tell her that.”

He stopped mid-step, turned her gently to face him, and gathered her into his arms. “Lyra… baby… you have no reason to be. I love you.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “I love you,” he whispered again, lower this time, kissing the curve of her cheek.

Lyra’s lips lifted in a quiet smile.

He leaned in again, brushing a kiss across her forehead. “I love you,” he murmured.

And again, this time on the tip of her nose—playful, tender.

When he finally pulled back, Lyra’s grin turned mischievous. “Well… you were jealous of Reth, and I only ever cooked with him.”

Hassian stared at her for a beat, then a reluctant grin broke through. “Okay. Fair point.”

Their friends caught up, and Lexi raised a brow. “Are y’all making out again?”

“Mind your business,” Hassian said with a rare smile, kissing Lyra once more.