Chapter 6
Lucy: The Threat of a Werewolf
Lucy couldn’t sleep. Something about the day ate at her, like little Shiloh or Zion gnawing on a bone.
She was certain that Lady Quinn had been looking at her with something akin to pain.
But why? She was a stranger, not only to the woman, but to most of the palace.
She’d only been to the palace once or twice, just to visit Oliver or Sebastian during school breaks.
But usually, they met in the village or in the woods near her home.
It was rare that they stayed in the palace.
So why did Lady Quinn look at her like she knew her intimately?
She sighed and swung her legs out of the bed Sebastian had offered her. “This is useless.” Her mother had always claimed that the best way to cure insomnia was a quick walk through nature. Surely, a walk through the palace gardens would allow her some hope of sleep.
She put on her soft cotton dressing gown and started for the door.
Just as she was about to open it, she paused, uncertain.
Sebastian had suggested that she remain in her room that night.
He hadn’t given her a reason, though. Surely he wasn’t still worried about his father finding about what they had once shared, was he?
Something in her stomach fluttered and she threw her shoulders back resolutely.
Even if he was still ashamed of them, she would not cower in a borrowed bedroom.
With that thought, Lucy threw open the door and stepped out into the darkened corridor.
The lamplight flickered on the walls, casting strange, malevolent shadows on the wall.
She shivered, drawing her dressing gown a little tighter around her shoulders.
For a second, she considered going back to the bedroom, but she shook her head.
She needed sleep if she was going to help Sebastian with this mission, and to get sleep, she needed to take a walk. It was the only way; she was certain.
She followed the corridor until she came to a door that she thought would lead to the gardens.
She pushed the door open and breathed in a sigh of relief as the smell of roses permeated the air.
The scent reminded her of walks with Sebastian in the days before he’d left her.
They’d often walk through the woods near Farraday, just talking and chatting.
Sometimes Sebastian would have his sketchbook and she’d have hers, and they’d spend time in the quiet, lost in creating their own masterpieces.
Other times, he’d bring Oliver, with all his magic and medical knowledge, and they’d try to force her first transformation.
And sometimes they’d just sit in the quiet afternoon sunlight and just be together. Those had been her favorite.
Lucy took a deep, shuddering breath as the memories washed over her. She missed those times. She’d missed being with Sebastian. No one had told her that when he broke things off, she’d lose both the man she loved and her best friend. No one had told her—
“Lucy… Lucy lo-lu. Where are you, sweetheart?” She shivered at the nickname. “Lucy, where are you? Don’t make me work for this, love.”
“Thaddeus?” Lucy hated how her voice shook. “Show yourself.”
The tall, brawny werewolf melted out of the darkness. “All you had to do was ask, sweetheart.” He sidled closer to her. “Didn’t I tell you I’d always come to you when you asked me to?” He ran his finger down her jaw.
“Don’t touch me,” Lucy said, scrambling away from him.
“Aw, don’t be like that, love. Is that any way to treat your future husband?” Thaddeus crooned.
“You’re not my future anything,” Lucy snapped, putting one of the rose bushes between them. Distance, she found, helped her maintain her poise and courage around the hulking werewolf. “Now, leave me alone, before I bring my knife out again, like I did this morning.”
“Ah, I was wondering if you were going to mention this morning.” Thaddeus clapped his hands together. “That was a nice trick, by the way. It really had the higher ups believe you were going to—”
“I would have if you had tested me, just like I will if you test me tonight. What do you want, Thaddeus?” Lucy asked.
A flicker of rage crossed Thaddeus’s face for a second. Then, he smoothed his features and smiled. “Fair enough. What have you told your little soldier boy?”
“Would you care to be slightly more specific? I’ve told Sebastian a good many things over the years,” Lucy said. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of someone entering the gardens.
“About the company,” Thaddeus growled, a glint of gold showing in his dark eyes. “Don’t pretend to be stupid, Lucy. It’s beneath you.”
“I haven’t told him anything. He hasn’t asked,” Lucy said evenly.
And it was true. Other than asking about how deep she’d been embedded with whoever was asking her to steal, Sebastian hadn’t asked any more questions about what she’d been doing in the town that morning.
He’d wanted to. She could see the questions in his eyes every time he looked at her.
He, of all people, knew how she felt about cheats and thieves.
But he hadn’t asked, and for that, she’d been incredibly grateful.
“See that you don’t tell him or anyone else anything,” Thaddeus warned.
“The company does not take kindly to outsiders. If they think that you’re sharing what little information you have…
well, I don’t think I have to tell you that you’d be putting yourself and your little soldier boy in grave danger. ”
“I have no intention of telling Sebastian anything about the Company,” Lucy said. “I don’t know that he’d believe me even if I told him the truth.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised. People say, do, and believe stupid things every day.
But I don’t think you’re going to do anything stupid, are you, little Lucy lo-lu?
” Thaddeus circled around the rosebush and pressed up against her.
“After all, you wouldn’t want little Shiloh’s illness to get worse?
Or your father to meet with an unfortunate accident while he’s at the shop?
And, of course, that’s to say nothing of your own pretty little neck.
” At the last word, his hand shot out and gripped her neck, squeezing hard enough to leave a distinct bruise.
“You wouldn’t want anything to happen to that, now, would you? ”
Lucy swallowed hard, trying to force air down her throat. “Of…of course not.”
Thaddeus smirked and patted her cheek with his free hand.
“That’s a good girl.” He released his hold on her.
“Now then, you’d best get some rest. You need to be at your best tomorrow, I’m sure.
Mustn’t let your little soldier boy know how useless you are, not when he’s counting on you.
And, remember, little Lucy, if you let anything slip, it won’t just be you and your family in danger.
I will kill your little soldier boy if you breathe as much as a word to him. ”
Lucy’s heart pounded in her ears. “You leave Sebastian alone. If you hurt him, I swear, I’ll—”
“Whether I put a hand on the soldier is entirely up to you, Lucy.” Thaddeus glared at her. “Keep your mouth shut, my beautiful little fool. Or there will be consequences.” With those words, he backed away from her and, in the blink of an eye, he was gone.
For a second, Lucy could only try to catch her breath. She kept her head low, trying to ignore the fear and pain in her heart.
“Are you alright, Lucy?” She started at the unfamiliar voice. Looking up, she found herself looking into the eyes of a woman who looked extraordinarily like Oliver. “I didn’t like the look of that man. He didn’t seem entirely friendly.”
“He wasn’t,” Lucy admitted. “You’re Princess Joanna, aren’t you?”
“Oliver was right. You are quick on your feet,” the young woman said with a smile. “I suspect that’s why Sebastian was so drawn to you.”
The mention of Sebastian’s name sent a ripple of fear through Lucy. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough.” Seeing Lucy’s horror, Joanna hurriedly continued, “Don’t worry, though. I won’t tell either of our gentlemen. It’s not my story to tell. And besides, I wouldn’t want to put you or your family in danger.”
Lucy nodded her thanks, then frowned. “Me and my family? What about Sebastian?”
“Sebastian can take care of himself. He always has. And he will walk through fire to protect the people in his inner circle. Including you,” Joanna warned.
Lucy offered a soft smile. “It might have been me once. Not anymore. Not since he cut me off without a word of explanation.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Sebastian I know. And I think you sell yourself short, my lady. But only time shall tell,” Joanna said. She opened her mouth to continue, but before she could, she was overtaken by harsh, wracking coughs.
“Princess?” Lucy rushed to her side and pressed her hand to her back. The princess leaned in to her touch, closing her eyes against the onslaught.
“I’m fine,” she managed to gasp. “I’ll be fine.”
“Do you need me to go get Oliver or a lady’s maid or someone?” Lucy asked.
“No, no. It’ll pass.” Joanna took a deep, shuddering breath as the coughs receded. “Thank you, though.” She leaned against the stone wall and closed her eyes.
“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?” Lucy whispered. “Whatever sickness you have, it’s getting worse.”
“Bit by bit,” Joanna agreed. “Oliver’s trying as hard as he can to stop it, but some things are beyond our power. Unless I can make it to the next Great Exchange…well, there isn’t much hope for me.”
“There must be some other way,” Lucy said.
“If there is, none of the castle physicians and healers can find it.” Joanna sighed. “Don’t worry about it. Not now. You have a lot to do and you’re going to need every ounce of courage to do it.”
“How can you possibly know that?” Lucy wondered.
“Because Oliver is a bit of a blabbermouth, at least when it comes to me.” Joanna grinned. “And because I have eyes and ears around this palace. If I could offer you a word of advice, Lucy?”
“Yes?”
“You should tell Sebastian about that man.” Joanna placed her hands on Lucy’s shoulders. “You don’t need to tell him who you were working for when you tried to steal from Oliver. For that matter, you don’t even need to tell him that the man threatened him. But he needs to know about him.”
“No. No,” Lucy said, shaking her head vehemently. “I can’t tell him about Thaddeus. I can’t risk Sebastian losing his temper. According to my father, Thaddeus’s wolf was the biggest of the pack. If he goaded Seba into a fight, it would be…well, it would be bad.”
“And that oaf trying to force you to do things you don’t want to isn’t bad?” Joanna asked.
“I can take care of myself,” Lucy said, her words sounding weak to her own ears. “I mean…”
“I know. Trust me, if half the stories the boys told me about you are true, I know that you’re a fighter.
But you don’t have to do it all on your own.
” The chime of the clock overhead seemed to emphasize her words.
Joanna cocked her head as she listened to the clanging.
“I should let you go to bed. You’ve got a big day tomorrow. ”
Lucy forced a smile. “You’re right. And you should get out of the night air.”
Joanna nodded and turned to the door. She turned back and smiled. “Good night, Lucy. And good luck”
“Good night,” Lucy replied, watching the princess leave the garden.
She took a deep breath to steady herself before she, too, moved to the garden door.
Her body sagged with weariness, but she was under no illusions.
She would not get much sleep that night.
Might as well go to the library and brush up on the ins and outs of clothing design, she decided with a sardonic smile.
At least, then, her insomnia would be productive.