To Live Among Wolves (Legends of Arcadia Book 1)

Chapter 46

“The little king?”

I swear I saw Nyx arch an eyebrow.

I turned to the sound of the howl, shaking my head. “I have several Guardians with me. I didn’t think you should be trusted.”

“Good girl,” he rumbled.

The sound of his voice in my head sent new chills down my spine.

“I try to be prepared.” I tucked my wet hair behind my ears when Ransom stepped forward, brushing his fur against my right side. He leaned against me.

Something must have caused him to second-guess our plan.

“So these conditions. What do you stand to gain out of this?” He moved his weight, tail flicking.

“No more bloodshed. There must be peace in Arcadia. And I retain my freedom.”

He snarled, flashing his teeth at me. “And if I disagree?”

I eyed Ransom. “Je kunin–”

I held my hand out. “Rauha, Ransom.”

Nyx’s shoulders relaxed. “You’ve learned the Ancient Tongue.”

It made me sick that he sounded impressed.

“A fitting thing to do as the Queen of Arcadia.”

Something moved behind Nyx. I arched my eyebrows, trying to watch without alerting him. We hadn’t discussed much of a plan with the Guardians before leaving, so I couldn’t be sure if it was one of Nyx’s allies or one of mine.

“While I appreciate the attempt at diplomacy,” The beast sighed. “I deny your conditions. And I reject you. Humans are pointless and nothing without virlukos.”

With a single leap, he crashed into me, throwing me to the ground. I slipped down the bank and sank under the river’s current like a stone.