Chapter 18 #2
Danger flared behind her green eyes. Even as my cheeks warmed, I wondered if I believed my own words.
She forced a smile on her face then turned towards the table, leaving me staring into the back of her head as I clenched my fists.
Cruel, harsh words demanded I speak them, but I knew once I did, whatever fragile friendship we had would be destroyed for good.
Calling Pablo, I left the library before I said something we’d both regret.
The door opened as I approached, and Skye called after me, her voice breaking. I refused to stop.
‘Sorrow, please. I’m so sorry.’
Stomping down the corridor, I ignored her.
I’d allowed myself to get too close, despite knowing Evella had no intention of blessing me with a happy ending.
If I truly liked Skye, then I should widen this rift.
Use this tiff to force her away. It was the only way to save the princess from my poison.
My fingers dug into Pab’s fur so tightly he whined, and I muttered an apology to him.
I wasted the afternoon pacing my room. The wolf wandered off, as though he recognised my need for space, only to return as the sky beyond my windows darkened.
The letter’s arrival, Asher’s clenched fists, was clearly inextricably painful for Skye and perhaps I shouldn’t have pushed. I was already regretting our harsh words, and although I wanted to protect her, a part of me ached for her smile.
Maybe I’d go see her later.
Or more likely tomorrow.
Or the next day.
Pablo nudged my hand, and I absently stroked his fur, calming my hammering pulse. I threw myself into a soft chair, glaring at a mass of cawing crows collecting on the bare branches outside my window.
Standing again – and earning a frustrated huff from the wolf – I wandered to the window ledge, and I pushed against the stiff pane. A little extra practice session was a just distraction.
I was sick of mice.
As the window opened, the biting chill of the late evening breeze struck me.
The sky was a sheet of ever-darkening slate, promising heavy rain.
I closed my eyes, breathing in the coolness, revelling in how my skin prickled and the forever rebellious tendrils of my long, dark hair carried on the breeze.
The crows let out their harsh cries and, for a few heartbeats, I focused on their calls.
The warmth of my gift spread within. Silver threads awoke, coiled through my flesh, readied themselves within my chest as I breathed in time to the caws of the crows.
The magic crept out, lulled by the corvid’s heartbeat.
It answered, eager yet placid. Then my pulse spiked and the coil retracted.
I groaned as it slammed back into my core.
I blew out a long breath. Stretched my neck; I could do this. Something seemed different, though. Shaking out my shoulders, I lifted my chin, welcoming the icy sting against my cheeks.
The crows cawed louder. Everything else slipped away as I focused solely on the sounds: ruffling feathers, claws scratching against the rough bark. My gift uncoiled once more. It was as though it relished not being under the harsh scrutiny of Glesni. The coil cracked out, and my eyes flew open.
I was focusing on the hazy form of a crow on the branch, busy preening, her midnight wing lifted high, when she froze. Her consciousness welcomed my own. I shivered as the sensation of windswept feathers ruffled across my skin. Lowering her wing, she turned her head towards me. Our eyes locked.
She didn’t cry out, nor did she panic. She tilted her head as though she sought an answer. Leaning over the ledge, I stuck my arm out of the window.
Come.
The second the instruction left my mind, she took flight and I almost leapt back, and with a few, crackling sweeps of her wings, she rested upon my arm.
She was far lighter than I expected, taking great care not to let her claws harm my flesh, though my body trembled with the shock. My breath hitched as I met her curious gaze, and the crow yaffled, jerking her head left and right.
I’ve done it! A bubble of laughter burst from me as the first icy spot of rain landed on my arm. The crow shook, but remained steady.
I wondered if I could ask her to do something else. Fly? Bring me a leaf? Maybe I could get her to fly straight into Glesni’s rooms and set all the damned mice free.
As my mouth opened, ready to give her an instruction, a pair of snarling, snapping jaws appeared on the ledge. I hissed as the crow shrieked, taking flight, narrowly avoiding the wolf as her claws sliced me in her escape.
‘Stupid dog,’ I cried, cradling my arm while the crow became a hazy dot flapping into the distance. A weak roll of thunder rumbled through the skies before rain hammered the dark earth.
I closed the window, breathless. Elated.
‘I have to tell someone,’ I said to Pablo, calling the wolf and striding towards the door.
Matthias. I had to tell Matthias. I hoped I’d be close enough to see the expression on his face when he learned I’d finally controlled my gift.
At this time of evening, Matthias usually ate a light supper in his chamber.
Asher or another of his guards kept him company.
Despite knowing this, the bloody wolf refused to turn away from the library.
The oil lamps flickered, which always had the effect of making things more tricky to see, but for some reason, the wolf picked up his pace.
‘Slow down,’ I hissed as I almost crashed into a servant laden down with a tray of food, who apologised profusely, while giving Pablo a wide berth. Maybe the wolf was sensing my glee and it made him jittery.
Or maybe he was being a prick like usual.
Whatever was going on, he seemed determined to get to the library in record time.
‘Are you sure Matthias is there?’ I asked, wincing as my elbow collided with a corner. The wolf growled, increasing his pace.
The blurred doors to the library lay ahead. It was unguarded at this late hour, probably empty. I thought of Skye and my stomach twisted. She’d have retired hours ago, back to her rooms.
It was then I noticed the two unfocused figures standing further down the corridor.
No matter how poor my sight was, I could never fail to find Matthias.
A smile hooked my mouth at the sight of his strong back, the hem of his shirt untucked, spilling over the black riding trews he wore.
Matthias crossed his arms, stretching the fabric over the muscles in his back.
My breath hitched and I wondered if I should call out. I gripped my skirts, twisting the coarse material, my mind battling with my heart, when Pablo caught the sleeve of my dress, dragging me to the library.
I tugged my arm free, glaring at the wolf.
‘He’s there,’ I whispered, butterflies fluttering around my middle. Telling Matthias my news, delighting in his reaction, was the only reason I’d left my rooms.
The wolf bowed his head, ears low, and stalked towards the library.
‘Damned dog,’ I muttered, and settling my breath, searched the corridor for any obstacles. A pain niggled at my temple, so taking a steadying breath, I headed towards Matthias.
I’d only taken two steps when a growl echoed around the corridor, and Pablo lunged out, grabbing my sleeve once more. I tried to snap my arm back, but the damned wolf was too quick, nearly toppling me over as he hauled me towards the library.
‘Sorrow?’
Goosebumps prickled across the back of my neck as my name left Matthias’s lips. The wolf snarled, his jaws clamped, as he tugged me towards the double doors.
‘Stop it,’ I shouted, twisting my arm and failing to free myself from the wolf. I knew he’d taken a dislike to Matthias, but this was a step too far.
As Pablo snarled and I swore, the air behind me changed. Looking back over my shoulder, I found my husband, his brow furrowed as I warred with the wolf. Matthias lay his warm hand on my shoulder, a shiver running through me at his gentle touch.
‘Has it gone mad?’
‘Obviously,’ I said as Pablo let go of my sleeve and grabbed my skirts instead, snarling and whining. Matthias snaked an arm around my waist as the wolf pulled harder. I thanked Evella, praying Matthias mistook my gasp as a reaction to the wolf, not him. He kicked a warning boot at Pablo.
‘No.’ I pushed Matthias away, but he clutched tighter. ‘I don’t get it. Pablo?’
The dress split as Pablo ripped through it. He set his eyes first on me, then Matthias, before snorting and flinging himself at the doors.
For a few moments, we stood together, watching the wolf, as part of me wanted nothing more than to sink back into Matthias’s arms. Then Pablo hurled himself into the doors again, letting out a quiet, pitiful whine.
‘He’ll hurt himself.’
I raced towards the wolf, first Matthias, then Asher flanking me.
With his next strike, the door gave way, opening a touch, exposing the dark interior. Surely no one was still studying at this late hour? Pablo was clawing at the door when Asher stopped, heaving in a deep sniff.
‘Smoke!’
We tore the door open further. The wolf flew through.
The king and his captain raced in, barking instructions at each other. I clung to the doorframe, begging my sight to adjust as the acrid smoke tickled the back of my throat. An orange swirl shone from one of the tables, and my heart exploded.
‘The maps!’ I cried, stumbling into the library as something heavy came down over the flames. A sharp scream rent the air.