Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ESTEE
L ife is damn near perfect. After too many lifetimes of loneliness, I finally have everything back in my life that I thought I lost.
My sister is the Queen of Polaris, my parents are alive, together, and healthy, and I have my wolf.
While Isla has always been my sister, my inner animal was my first best friend. She’s been my constant companion for every day I’ve been aware of her existence and since getting her back, I’ve done my best to show her how grateful I am for her presence.
We run at sunset throughout the forest beyond our home and I let her chase all the four-legged creatures her heart desires. The hunt brings her a joy that I hope she never loses and?—
“Where are you at?” Isla’s voice sounds within my mind, cutting off my thoughts.
“Out. Why?” Something sounds off with her and I don’t like it .
It’s only been a month since she was crowned queen and if someone is already threatening the kingdom…
“I need you to come to my room.”
Shit. Something is wrong.
Sorry, Wolfie , I think. Fun time is over .
We circle back toward the castle and run until we get to the back door. When I shift back to my human form, I smooth my hands over my dark jeans and cream blouse, grateful that I’m once again living in the castle. I’ve not only taken over Isla’s room, but half her wardrobe that she didn’t want.
“Be right there,” I tell her through our connection as I bound up the stairs inside the castle.
When I get to her door, I don’t bother to knock. Being the queen’s sister means there are few protocols I’m forced to follow, and I may or may not take advantage of that a little too often.
My sister stands from the desk she shares with Asher, holding a folded piece of paper. There’s a crease between her brows as she fidgets with the note.
“What is it?” I ask, closing the door behind me.
“You’re not going to like it.” She gestures to the couch on her right.
I shrug as I take a seat, then hold my hand out. “Let me be the judge of that.”
She places the letter in my palm, then stands beside me, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as I read.
King Asher and Queen Isla of Polaris,
First, my apologies for not making an appearance at the queen’s coronation. I do hope you understand the stress I’m under having only just recently taken on my role as king without much notice.
Though that’s also the reason for my letter. I’m writing in hopes of having your cooperation in locating my future queen. As is my right as the King of Selaris, I hereby request that every unmated adult female within your kingdom be sent to my home by the end of the current moon cycle so that I may claim my mate.
Your cooperation in this matter will be rewarded with your pick of our next crop.
Please respond in kind at your earliest convenience.
Signed,
King Theo of Selaris
My eyes move from the slip of paper to Isla. “What are you going to do? This seems asinine to me. Why can’t he come here instead of forcing dozens of women to travel the seas to him?”
In fact, the longer I consider the request, the more it makes my blood boil.
Isla finally sits next to me and grabs my hand.
“Oh, hell no,” I say before she can get a word out. “I’m not going to answer that lazy king’s demands. ”
“Estee.”
My head shakes and I pull out of her grip. “Don’t Estee me. This is crazy and you know it.”
“You’re the queen’s sister,” she tells me, as if I don’t already know. “Venaris has already sent their women. If we refuse, it won’t look good for Asher and me. Worse, I can’t ask all the other unmated females in our pack to go, but not my own flesh and blood. I need you to set an example.”
So much for being thankful to be the queen’s sister.
I cross my arms and lean back on the couch. “I don’t like you right now.”
“I don’t expect you to be happy, but just know I’m grateful.” Her grin widens. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll actually find your mate.”
There’s no stopping the gag that gets caught in my throat. “If the gods think pairing me with a king too weak or capable of leaving his own kingdom in the hands of his people is a good idea, the world is doomed already.”
Isla’s chuckle echoes through the room. “Maybe, but let’s hope not. I’d like to live this life longer than a couple decades this time around.”
Yeah, her and me both. Still, I shudder at the prospect of King Theo being my mate.
No way in hell is that happening.
Thank you so much for reading A Curse of Shadows!