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finger. “Even though we won’t get married, you’re as much a part of my life as any wife.”

“I know,” she said and held the ring up to the many lamps ringing the room. “It’s lovely, Cam.”

“I hope so.” Cam smiled and kissed Miuri again. “Now give me a hand. I have more presents to give out.”

“Smart man,” Miuri said and helped Cam lift the mattress. He extracted a long shaft of wood and stood it up on one end before sliding off its leather cover, revealing a gleaming bronze spear tip. Miuri gaped at the thing for half a moment then looked down at the mattress.

“We’ve been sleeping on that?” she asked.

“Just last night,” he said. “Here, one more thing to grab.”

Miuri grunted as she lifted the mattress and Cam grabbed a round wooden badge, only three inches in diameter, carved with the symbol of the Mansion emblazoned on the front, the long-tusked boar.

Cam led Miuri back out into the main room. She carried the spear in her hands and Cam clutched at the wooden badge. He felt nervous, although he wasn’t exactly sure why.

Felin sat with Key on the couch directly across from the fire, Felin’s feet in Key’s lap, the wolf girl leaning back with her hair dangling over the edge. She turned, spotted Cam and Miuri, and scrambled up, making Key grunt as Felin’s heel dug into her lap. Felin came bounding over to Cam and stopped a foot away, staring at the spear, then at his clothes.

“Well look at you,” she said.

“How’s it suit me?” he asked.

“Perfect. You look like a proper little lord.” She laughed and shook her head, her wild dark hair flying around. She bared her teeth in a wicked grin and stepped forward to kiss him.

Cam kissed her back. “I have a present for you.”

“Do you now?” she asked. Her bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle up at him.

“Here.” Cam held out the small badge and Felin hesitated before taking it.

“What’s this?”

“That’s your freedom,” he said.

She cocked her head then narrowed her eyes at him like he’d just grown a second skull. “Explain yourself, shaman.”

Cam laughed and reached out, taking Felin’s hand. “I know you struggle with being unable to shift into your wolf form in the Mansion,” he said. “I had Galla go to the Wardens and barter for this. It’ll let you pass by the guards outside without any issues, so whenever you want to spend time in your wolf shape, you can leave and come back as you wish.”

She looked at the badge then back up at Cam. “You’re okay with that?” she asked.

“I don’t think you’ll run away,” he said, his voice gentle. “And I know it’s dangerous out there, but I trust you to stay safe.”

She beamed at him, leaned forward, and kissed him. “Thank you,” she said.

He nodded. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m guessing that’s for me.”

Cam looked past Felin and saw Key standing next to the couch, her arms crossed over her chest, her braided honey-blonde hair down one shoulder. She scowled, a look that Cam knew well from growing up with her. She hated the idea of Cam marrying Galla first, but she’d come to accept it, though she hadn’t quite gotten over it.

He moved past Felin and spun the spear once before presenting it to Key, blunt end first. She reached out and took it, slipping it from his hands, and testing its weight and balance.

“Heavy,” she said. “And what’s the tip made from?”

“Bronze,” Cam said. “I had it cast just for you. Shaft is made of ironwood, so it’s less likely to break. But it’s heavier than what you’re used to.”

She nodded, spun it twice, and slammed the butt end down against the rough stone floor. “I love it,” she said.

“Good.” Cam stepped closer, half expecting her to take a swing at him with the spear, but she only gripped it tight. “I love you, Key, and this marriage doesn’t change that. I promise you, I swear it right now in front of Felin and Miuri, I’m going to marry you next.”

“I know,” she said, letting out a breath. “You didn’t have to get me a present, you know.”

“It was the prudent thing to do,” Miuri said, coming up behind Cam and kissing his neck. “Give your current girlfriends presents while you go off and marry the new girl.”

Cam grinned, looked over his shoulder, and kissed Miuri. “What can I say, I’m a smart man,” he said.

Key spun her new spear again then leaned it up against the simple wooden table that sat beneath their window, which was a luxury in the mountain Mansion.

“I’ll admit, you do look very handsome in your new clothes,” Key said, coming to him. She adjusted the buttons in the front and put her hands on his chest.

“That’s what Miuri said,” Cam said. “I was going for dashing.”

Key smiled at Cam, but he could see the pain behind her eyes.

She was his first love, his oldest friend. He’s always imagined that she would be the woman he’d marry one day. Instead, he found himself in this complicated relationship with her and Miuri and Felin and now Galla Remorn, the daughter of the Lord of the Mansion. His marriage to Galla had been her idea, and he was following through because it made sound political sense.

But that didn’t necessarily make things easier.

“We should be going,” Key said. “I don’t want you to be late for your wedding.”

“It won’t be much of a wedding,” Cam said. “Considering the guest list.”

“Even still. Why make your bride wait?” Key smiled and tilted her head. “I’ll be honest, I’m a little nervous for you.”

“Don’t be,” he said. “You know Galla. She’s going to make our little group stronger.”

“You’re right.” Key got on her toes and kissed Cam. “Come on, then. Let’s go get you married.”

He nodded and looked back at Miuri and Felin. They both grinned at him, Felin leaning her head against Miuri’s shoulder, Miuri’s arm draped lazily around Felin. He felt a strange