Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Vaela
“So, why are there two kings?” I ask Garrick as we ride toward the Wilderwall.
It’s looming in the distance like an impassable barrier.
The giant, towering border of my world. I’ve never been on the other side of that wall—never even considered it.
We’re a few hours from passing through it and there’s nothing I can do now.
I’m about to leave my world and enter a terrifyingly unfamiliar one.
And before I set foot into Varkhar, I want to learn as much as I can about it.
Garrick pretends like he didn’t hear me.
“Garrick,” I say a little louder. “Why do the wolf shifters have two kings?”
I huff out an angry breath when he doesn’t answer. Again.
“I’m going to be living there by the end of the day,” I snap as we ride in the carriage, heading toward our eastern border. We’re accompanied by three wagons, several soldiers, and Lark. I refused to leave without my horse. “So, you might as well tell me. I’d like to go in as prepared as I can be.”
“Fine,” he whispers. I knew I’d crack him eventually. “It’s not all wolf shifters that have two kings. In fact, the Blood Alphas of Varkhar are the only ones that I know of.”
“But why two?”
“Varkhar has no wall to protect them, as you know,” he says. “They are exposed to the Hollowborn. Their wolf warriors patrol their borders every night, of course, but it’s still a very dangerous place to be.”
He realizes what he says and turns to me at once. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s fine, Garrick,” I say, forcing out a smile. “Please, go on.”
“They have two kings in case one falls,” he says. “Wolf shifters aren’t like humans. A lack of leadership can be a very dangerous thing for a pack. And with a duty as deadly as the Blood Alphas have, they take no chances.”
“But don’t they argue? What if they fight?”
He shakes his head. “The chosen pair are bonded like brothers. It’s a very unique relationship. They act as one. They share dominance and have no jealousy or sole ambition. Their souls are tied to one another just like a shifter’s soul is tied to his mate.”
I look off into the distance at the approaching wall. I always thought the idea of shifters and their mates was so romantic. Being that devoted to each other… I shiver at the thought.
“But what about their mates?” I ask him. “What if the two queens argue or start to dislike each other?”
Garrick’s face goes red. He doesn’t want to say it.
“Garrick,” I say. “I’m about to live there. Please tell me.”
“Yes, Princess.” He takes a deep breath. “That is not an issue because there is only one queen.”
“One queen for both of them?”
He nods.
“But how do they decide who gets the queen and who doesn’t?”
His cheeks get even redder. “They… share the queen.”
“Share the queen?” I shout loud enough for the driver to turn around. “What?”
“I know it’s not what we’re used to,” he quickly says, “but the Blood Alphas think of themselves as one soul. You are right that two queens would likely create hierarchy and division. So, they share one queen instead.”
Now my cheeks are getting red as I imagine the implications of that.
“They are a backward, barbarous species,” Garrick says with a hint of disgust. Again, he realizes what he just said and tries to take it back. “But I’m sure you’ll get on fine.”
“Yeah,” I say, my heart pounding.
“If I can give a word of advice, Princess,” he whispers. “Stay away from them all. Stay out of sight. Like a quiet little mouse. Stay in your room and don’t leave unless you have to.”
“Okay, Garrick,” I whisper back. “I will.”
I’ll be invisible. I’ll make them forget I’m even there. I’ll do that until… forever.
That word echoes in my head.
I’ll be there… forever.
We pass through the Wilderwall and I’m immediately struck by the intense poverty when we travel through the first village.
Young boys and girls in their dirty rags and bare feet follow our wagons.
They’re not wearing much, but they look healthy enough and have smiles on their faces as they tease and taunt the soldiers in the rear.
“Where are their clothes?” I ask Garrick as I watch the kids dart away, laughing as a soldier shouts at them.
“These are simple creatures,” Garrick says, not showing the least bit of curiosity.
“They change from their human skin to their wolf skins as easily as you change from your riding clothes to your dining dress. They have no need for silks from Greyvale or dresses from Fallowhaven. I doubt if they even cook their meat. These savages probably eat it raw off the bone. Oh, but… I’m sure they’ll have a chef familiar… with human food.”
I just ignore him and watch the children. I gasp when a little girl bursts into a small wolf and darts off into the forest. Just like that? It was as easy as that?
A few of the rambunctious boys start tossing pebbles at the rear guard, laughing at the pinging sound the stones make on his metal armor. The guard draws his sword in warning and turns toward the boys.
“Hey!” I shout, leaping out of the carriage before it comes to a stop. “Sheath that sword at once!”
“Princess!” Garrick shouts, leaping after me.
I’m already charging to the back of the party, about to tear the guard a new one. He’s smarter than he looks and quickly sheaths his sword.
“I was only rearing to scare them is all,” he says as I stare him down. “Sorry, Princess.”
The girls and boys watch me curiously. They may look strange to me in their tattered rags, but I must look like a character from a fairy tale in my pink dress, silk shoes, and ribbons in my blonde hair. They openly gawk at me in wonder.
“They’re just playing,” I say as I head over to the wagon. I’d like to give them some sweets, but when I pull back the tarp, I see that the wagon is full of jewels and gold coins. I gasp as I quickly cover it again.
“Here, Princess,” Garrick says, reaching into the second wagon and giving me a loaf of fresh bread. It’s still warm from the bakery.
The kids rush over as I walk up to them, breaking off bits of bread. Dirty hands grab and fight as I hand portions out, making sure everyone gets a piece. They devour it in seconds and watch me in awe as I wave and then head back to the carriage.
“Why are the wagons filled with jewels and gold?” I ask Garrick when we’re rolling toward the Blood Alphas’ castle once again.
“Guards are expensive,” he says. “And your father needs the whole northern border secured for three years at least. Three wagons such as these will be rolling into Varkhar once every season.”
I hope some of it trickles down to those kids back there and all of the other villages in the kingdom. I just hope the pair of kings aren’t totally selfish and keep it all for themselves.
But any man who can share his queen with another can’t be inherently selfish.
I’m curious about these Blood Alphas. I think about them the whole way to the castle.
I’d like to see them.
From a distance of course.
Royalty or not, they’re still barbarous creatures and not fit to be around a distinguished, civilized princess like myself.