42
Beside me, Voran shifted on his feet—his first movement since entering the throne room via that hidden door behind us.
But I couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t look away from my friend.
In a gown of emerald silk, a black cloak dusted with snow falling from her slim shoulders, Moongold’s princess walked between the rows of wolves with her chin high and her hands folded before her.
“How the goddess has chosen to bless us,” said the king. “Two princesses brightening the gloom of our ancient home.”
Celestine didn’t look at me. She halted a healthy distance from the stone dais and lowered into a deep curtsy. “Thank you for seeing me, Majesty.”
“My curiosity is untamable, I fear.” Raxon came close to crooning. “As I’m sure you’re well aware that your father has recently apologized for colluding with our enemy.” His grin was fiendish. “Handsomely.”
Gold.
Of course Raxon had already taken advantage of my father’s treachery. He’d had Moongold fill his own coffers with the gold my father had hinged his plans on.
“Indeed, I am aware, and I’m here to further apologize on his behalf.” Celestine straightened. “By being Princess Ayla’s companion.”
My chest both warmed and tightened. Tears threatened to drench my eyes. I closed them.
Celestine had heard about my capture, and she’d immediately thrown herself to the wolves for me.
“Companion,” Raxon repeated, as if he’d never heard such a word.
I opened my eyes as Celestine nodded once.
Raxon’s slow assessment of my friend concluded with a frown.
“Princess Ayla will soon be wed, and she therefore has no need of a companion.” Rubbing his thumb over his rings, he looked at the wolves lining the windowless wall.
His green eyes caught on a spectacle-wearing male at the very end. “But Ruvus the Runt does.”
Celestine followed the king’s gaze to the male with white-blond hair and gold eyes, and she retreated a step.
A wolf.
Chuckles and huffs arose.
“It’s past time my Master of Truth received proper compensation for his impassioned and ingenious work.” Grinning, Raxon said, “Come forward, Ruvus. Claim your incredibly alluring reward.”
Ruvus took three long strides to stand several feet before his king—and away from Celestine.
He didn’t so much as glance at the princess.
Although he wasn’t as large as the other wolves in the room, Ruvus was just as tall.
A ruby-encrusted brooch—a dagger—secured his black furred cloak.
Beneath his spectacles, golden lashes framed his golden gaze.
His plump lips curled gently at either end.
Perpetually so, I surmised, as his sharp and almost pretty features remained expressionless.
Despite his appearance and being called a runt, behind that veneer lurked a wolf. An interrogator who did this king’s bidding. Without hesitation and with zeal, according to the king’s proclamation.
“My king.” I stepped forward. “If Princess Celestine is not permitted to spend time with me, then I would be most grateful if she could simply leave.”
Celestine shot me a glower.
I ignored it and looked at the king.
Raxon smiled derisively at me before pursing his lips at my friend.
“Ayla, if Princess Celestine wishes to visit with you, then this is how she can do that.” He raised a finger.
“If I send her home, it will not be before taking further compensation for her parents’ foolishness.
” With a terrifying grin, he swept his gaze over Celestine. “And for her intrusion.”
Horrified, I blurted, “But—”
“I accept,” Celestine said. “And with pleasure, Majesty.”
I gaped at her.
She gave Raxon a smile that seemed utterly genuine and a brief curtsy.
Amused, Raxon raised a brow at Celestine, then looked at me. “Ruvus.” Without taking his eyes from me, he said, “Escort your new jewel to your quarters.”
Ruvus turned to the princess. As she smiled at him, his tensing jaw and thinning lips broke his blank expression. He quickly fixed it and marched to the throne room doors, furred cloak sailing behind him.
Celestine shrugged at me, then hurried after him.
Wolves murmured and chuckled in their wake.
Raxon slouched on his throne and sighed. Something like true contentment lightened his emerald gaze as he stared at the doors to the throne room. But it lasted only a moment before he snapped, “You’re all dismissed.”
Wolves flooded the ground floor.
I slipped into the shadows provided by the second, Dusk clutched tight against my chest. A sea of darkness, their uniforms and height made it impossible to see anything.
But that wolf—Ruvus—perhaps he was here.
From somewhere behind me, Theela called for me. I ignored her and Dusk’s grumbling and hurried past guards stationed before the foyer. Talking quietly about an unsettled debt, they paid their surroundings no mind.
I searched for an emerald gown. For white-blond hair.
But it was dark silver that caught my eye.
Ahead, wolves parted as a large figure prowled between them toward the other hall at the front of the palace. Though others had silver hair, none had a silver that dark. And I knew him. Knew the way he moved. His physique.
His scent.
I didn’t think. I came close to running, jostling Dusk. She dug her claws into my arm—hard enough to ruin my velvet sleeve. I didn’t care, and I didn’t care about whatever his intent had been at the archives. Right now, all I cared about was finding my friend.
Once I’d cleared the wolves eyeing me, I hissed, “Voran.”
He’d heard me. With his heightened hearing, he’d likely heard my footsteps long before I’d entered the hall behind him.
But he didn’t so much as slow.
Frowning, I spoke loudly. “Voran, please wait. I need your help. I need to find out where that commander has taken Celest—”
He stopped so suddenly that I almost ran into his back.
Turning, he drawled, “A bird who pesters a beast never fares well.” He gazed at me down the bridge of his strong nose as if I were a rodent. As if I weren’t someone he’d all but begged to kiss mere moons ago. “So do yourself a favor and fuck off.”
I blinked and retreated a step.
His lips curved, then he vanished into the dim.
A moment or maybe a minute later, a door boomed closed. Dusk craned her neck back, her gold eyes bright. They roamed my face, then the dark that had swallowed the prince.