Chapter 39

Raven

The throne room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, despite the fact that Lycans filled every available space. Buttery yellow sunlight spilled through the large stained glass windows, casting patterns of deep reds and golds across the stone floors.

I had only been in this room during the daylight once before, when the King had informed us of Serena’s misfortune. ‘My’ misfortune. But it had been such a whirlwind that I hadn’t had the opportunity to realize just how beautiful this room was.

The King sat in the large marble throne, his golden crown perched neatly on his head. He wore a silky golden doublet beneath a trailing black cloak, and held a crystal-encrusted sword across both knees. He looked like something out of a painting, or a medieval movie.

But it was really the Queen who stood out to me. She stepped slowly down the dais, a pure golden gown trailing behind her and a golden circlet around her silver hair. She moved with an effortless poise and grace despite her age, like an elder lioness.

“Today, we send our warriors forth, to defend our people,” she began, stopping in front of her three sons. “May the Moon Goddess bless you, shield you, and guide you in battle. May your hearts be strong, your minds sharp, and your spirits unbreakable.”

She paused, closing her eyes, and began to murmur a prayer. As she spoke, my gaze drifted to Neil. He was standing tall beside me, his hands clasped firmly behind his back as the fur on his black cloak rustled slightly in the breeze seeping in through an open window overhead.

As if noticing my gaze, he slowly turned his head and shot me a glance.

“You will be fine,” he thought through our Mindlink. “Just copy what the others do.”

I swallowed and looked away, nodding ever so slightly. Truthfully, I wasn’t really worried about the pomp and circumstance of today, about fitting in and playing my role. I was worried about him. Riding off into battle.

Not a small skirmish against a few straggling rogues, but a real battle against what could very well be a horde of them.

But I didn’t tell him that.

When the prayer ended, the room was silent. Then, one by one, the betrothed of the three princes stepped forward, each carrying a flower crown that matched the colors of their respective houses. Mine were red and yellow. I wondered what those colors were supposed to signify to Serena’s family.

I clenched my jaw, feeling suddenly self-consciousness as I stepped up beside Caleb and Edrick’s fiancée’s.

This was the first time I had seen them. They were beautiful, of course, made even more so by their flowing gowns and intricate hairstyles. Everything about them was composed and regal but also fierce and dangerous as they placed the crowns on their betrothed’s heads. If Caleb or Edrick won the succession battle, then either of these women would certainly make fine queens.

And then there was me. Still skinnier and paler than they were, and a little too clumsy with my movements.

I stepped forward, trying not to trip over the hem of my dress. Ember had brought it to me this morning; it was a deep, midnight blue, embroidered with silver thread in intricate patterns that shimmered a little as I moved.

Walking in dresses like this was nothing for me—I’d done it a thousand times on the runway, in six-inch heels no less—but today, I felt like a fresh baby deer staggering around on spindly legs.

As for my hair, it was braided and pinned up, with a few loose strands framing my face. Ember had done her best to make me look the part, to match the beauty of the other two women, but I didn’t really feel like I fit in. Even with a little bit of a tan and the slightest bit of muscle forming on my body.

Neil knelt down in front of me, his head bowed slightly. The sight was enough to send a shiver down my back—I had once been at his feet, the threat of execution looming over me. And now he was at mine.

For a brief moment, I felt… powerful. And when he glanced up at me beneath his brows, I couldn’t help but feel a burst of attraction toward him, too. But I squashed both feelings down.

I gently lowered the flower crown over his midnight hair, my fingers trembling more than I would have liked to admit. Then, crouching slightly, I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.

His skin was warm beneath my lips, and the rough texture of his stubble made my heart race. When I pulled back, his gaze hadn’t left mine. There was something fierce and familiar in his stormy eyes, and for a moment, I felt my wolf stir excitedly.

And for a split second, I could feel his wolf, too. There was a glint in his eyes, a flash of something primal behind that dark blue. It sent a thrill through me. This was my mate, and the sight of him made my wolf roil beneath my skin.

But as quickly as it had come, it was gone, and his gaze returned to the floor. I quickly realized I had been lingering longer than the other fiancées and everyone’s eyes had turned to me. My face heated, and I quickly scurried away, joining the other two women off to the side.

The ceremony ended soon after that, and the warriors began to file out, preparing for their journey.

I watched as Neil joined his brothers and the guards, my heart twisting slightly at the thought of him riding into battle. I knew he was more than capable, that he’d likely faced worse threats in his life, and that all three of the guards would be there by his side, but still…

Before I could talk myself out of it, I hurried over to him, pulling a small sachet out of the hidden pocket in my skirt and clutching it in my hand. Caleb glanced up at me as I passed, his lips curling a little at the sight, but he said nothing. I ignored him, holding my chin high.

“Neil,” I called out softly, catching his attention just as he was adjusting his armor.

He turned, his brows raising in mild surprise. “Need something?”

I hesitated, suddenly feeling foolish. “I made this for you,” I said, holding out the sachet like a child holding out a bunch of dandelions, roots and all. “It’s… just some herbs and flowers. A good luck charm.”

For a moment, he just looked at it, his expression unreadable. But then, slowly, he nodded and stepped forward. “Thank you.”

Suddenly, he took it—not the sachet, but my hand. My traitorous heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest as he lifted the sachet to his nose, inhaling its scent while I still held it.

“Smells nice,” he said.

I felt like I was going to pass out. Especially when he took the sachet from my fingers and tucked it into the front of his leather cuirass, right over his heart. “I’ll keep it close.”

“You’d better,” I said without thinking. Then, still without thinking, I pressed my hand over his heart. His eyes widened a little, and suddenly, his hand was covering mine—pushing it more firmly against his armor.

The warmth of his hand over mine, the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm—it was almost too much to bear. Goddess, what was happening to me?

I swallowed, struggling to find my voice. “Just… come back, okay?”

He nodded. “I promise I will come back. Do not worry.”

I wanted to give him some sort of snarky quip, tell him that I wasn’t worried about him but rather the guards, or maybe even that I only wanted him to come back so we could fulfill our pact. But I couldn’t. I just stood there, dumb and mute, my eyes like saucers as I stared at him.

Finally, he released me and stepped back. He jerked his chin toward the castle. “Stay in your room. I’ll be back first thing in the morning. As for Hannah…” He shook his head, looking a little amused. “Just avoid her. She is not stupid enough to try anything with you. And Ember will keep an eye on you.”

I pursed my lips, not feeling so sure about that, but didn’t argue. I had told him about the knife I had seen in her hands last night and the death-glare she had given me. And I felt even more vulnerable now; but at least Ember was staying behind, so I wasn’t entirely alone.

With that, he mounted his horse and rode off with his brothers, the other warriors, and the three guards. Castor waved to me over his shoulder as they rode off.

I stood there, watching them until they disappeared from sight. A knot of worry coiled around my stomach as their horses faded over the horizon.

That night, as I lay in bed, sleep eluded me. It wasn’t even that I feared for myself. All I could picture was Neil being gutted clean through with a rogue’s giant claw, or perhaps his throat being gorged open by a pair of fangs. Ember, somehow, was fast asleep on the chaise, which she’d dragged over to the far wall. I envied her ability to sleep.

Eventually, I gave up on trying to sleep and quietly slipped out so as not to wake her. I made my way down to the kitchen, hoping a cup of tea might help settle my nerves.

I brewed my tea in silence, then poured it into a cup, taking the teapot with me as well, and began to make my way back to my room.

But as I rounded a corner, something hard slammed into me and pinned me against the wall. My tea spilled, the hot liquid splashing against my hand, but I barely noticed the pain.

Because there, standing just inches away from me, was Hannah.

Before I could react, she pressed a knife to my throat.

“I ought to cut you for real this time…”