Chapter 36
MATTHIAS
Have we cast aside all The Chronicles have taught us? Are we to deny Vyrus? Risk his ire on the entire world based on the whims of a king? The promises of a dead queen? I guarantee you this: if you deny Vyrus the soul of the bastard princess, you’ll condemn this world. Just wait and see.
— ABBOT EIRIULF’S STATEMENT TO THE ALLIANCE
A tongue, warm and rough, worked its way along my neck and a lazy smile hooked up my mouth, memories of last night flooding my mind.
The beauty of Sorrow’s body beneath mine, those delicious sounds her plump lips made.
The weak light attempting to pierce the gloom told my half-open eyes it was still early.
My arm wrapped around her, the fur she’d covered those perfect breasts with, and I shuffled closer.
We could still steal some time together before we faced the burdens of reality.
Warmth pooled way down inside as the heat of her body radiated across my pebbled skin.
A moan broke through my lips as she nuzzled my ear. Her snout, so wet, so warm—
Snout?
My eyes flew open, neck twisted and the fucking wolf licked my face.
‘Eugh,’ I screeched, leaping up and throwing a pillow over my bare crotch as I stared down at the oversized rug, who’d stolen my side of the bed. The damn thing smirked, smirked, before stretching out his front legs, ensuring I got a good eyeful of his thick, sharp claws.
‘You’d make a fine cloak,’ I said as he snapped those massive jaws and leapt from the bed.
I blew out a long breath as I backed away. Throwing on my trousers, I narrowed my gaze at the chair.
‘Didn’t Sorrow leave her dress here?’ The wolf padded over, his claws scraping against the floor as he cocked his head.
A sharp ache contorted my guts. Where the hell was Sorrow?
Her wedding dress remained in a heap where I’d thrown it last night, but the dress she’d laid out for today?
I’d no concerns about her leaving me behind; she was more than capable of looking out for herself.
But the wolf?
I met his amber gaze as he stalked towards the door, the great muscles beneath his shoulders tightening with each step.
My guts rolled as I crossed to the dress, shaking it out even as I knew Mother’s ring wasn’t there.
Swearing, I tore open the drawers, throwing the meagre contents aside.
Nothing. The wolf snarled, pawing the door.
Shit. She’d gone. I grabbed my boots, throwing a shirt over my shoulders, and threw open the door.
The wolf prowled alongside as we navigated the corridors of The Alliance. I’d never seen so many bodies in this place. The fear of the empress created bonds as frail as cobwebs between those who’d only harboured hate until recently. Sarus, tall and elegant in her teal dress, waved.
‘Matthias! Enfys and I have—’
‘Sorry. Have you seen Sorrow?’ I asked, glancing over her shoulder to where my sister and Asher approached, hand in hand.
‘Sorrow?’ Her brows furrowed. ‘You’ve lost your wife already?’ Her laugh died as she noted my worry.
Asher fixed his jaw as he let go of Skye. He sighed. ‘And what, my king, did you do this time?’
‘Nothing…’ I think. Last night had been everything I’d ever imagined my wedding night to be. No, more. Pablo whined and Asher’s eyes widened.
‘I’m sure she’s fine,’ Skye said, wringing her hands despite her calm tone. ‘I bet she went to get breakfast.’
‘Without Pab?’ Asher asked, and we all turned to the wolf, his head low, nostrils flaring.
Sarus shook her head. ‘I’ve just come from the halls. I broke my fast with Enfys and Cai. She wasn’t there.’
I stared around, flexing my fists and half-expecting her to turn a corner, a scowl on her face to see how worried we were. But the knot writhing in my stomach told me that wasn’t the case.
I tugged the wolf’s fur. ‘Time to show me how useful you are, rug. Where is she?’
We turned, and Oskar, the babe Romero chose over his wife, squealed as the wolf came face to face with the pale prince.
Skye placed him back on his feet as I nodded and stepped past the boy. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘But we’re looking for Sorrow. We’ll—’
‘She’s out there.’ We all spun as the boy pointed to the double doors leading outside.
‘Alone?’ Asher asked harshly, and the boy glared at him with a look far too reminiscent of his father.
‘No.’ His grey eyes widened as he looked at the wolf again. ‘I thought it was funny she didn’t have’ – he waved his hand at Pablo – ‘him. But she was with King Cai, so I didn’t—’
‘Cai?’ Sarus interrupted. ‘She can’t have been. I’ve been with him since dawn. And Enfys.’
Oskar narrowed his eyes. ‘It was Cai. I’m not stupid. Or blind.’
Anger filled my chest till Sarus turned him about.
‘Oskar,’ she said, ‘this is important. Are you sure it was Sorrow?’
‘Yes.’ Tears filled his grey eyes. ‘They walked straight past me. Didn’t even say hello. I thought… well, she can’t see me, can she? But Cai? I wondered if I’d done something wrong, because he always says hello.’
I turned as a sharp tap on my shoulder caught my attention. Raine stood there, a questioning look on their face. My shoulders slumped as the panic spread through me, but perhaps I’d need their help. Sighing, I signed as quickly as I could. The second I spelled Cai’s name, Raine grabbed my arm.
‘Cai is there, eating breakfast.’ They pointed back to where the dining halls lay.
The wolf snapped at the corner of my untucked shirt.
We’d both had enough of this. We could spend all day getting the truth, but the twist in my guts told me I had to find her.
I signed quickly for Raine to follow and, with everyone on our heels, we tore away from The Alliance.
The wolf flew through the grounds. Despite how my boots thundered over the damp leaves, he kept halting, glaring over his shoulder, before tearing off again. Sarus had remained behind, her shouts about keeping Oskar safe lost to the crashing of my heart.
My lungs burned, but I wouldn’t slow. Couldn’t.
Not when every part of me screamed that Sorrow needed me.
I almost slammed into the wolf as I skidded to a stop, his flanks heaving as hard as my own as he lowered his head.
I looked up, stood straighter. Curled my fists as I stormed towards the figure stood within the shade of the trees.
Vyrus.
‘Where the fuck is my wife?’ I grabbed him, ignoring the flames sparking in his eyes, slamming him against a tree. He barked out a laugh as I shoved him again. God or not, if he’d hurt a single hair on her head, I’d destroy him and that heart he was so desperate for.
He pushed me away, spread his arms wide as I tried to tear over to him again.
‘I was hoping you’d have the answer to that, little king.’
I clutched my head as his voice rang against my skull, only realising Raine, Asher and Skye had arrived as the ringing settled.
Asher stepped before me, his hand on the hilt of his sword, totally unaware he faced down Vyrus.
‘Her wolf was following her scent,’ he said as the God turned his dark eyes onto my captain. ‘And now he’s stopped.’
Vyrus’s brows flew up, a grin curled on his lips. ‘No shit, Captain. I wonder how that empress took over Asmar when it’s teeming with such intelligence?’
In the next heartbeat, the point of Asher’s sword hovered before the God’s throat. He raised his hands higher, the wild grin on his face chilling my bones.
‘Asher…’ My captain glanced back over his shoulder, a warning flashing in his eyes.
If I wanted to find Sorrow, I had to keep my cool.
The wolf nudged my hip; his eyes locked onto the God with intent.
If there was any chance Vyrus had hurt Sorrow, then it would be the wolf’s teeth wrapped around his throat. ‘Lower your blade, Captain.’
His hand wavered. ‘Lower my—’
‘Now. Captain.’
The blade swung back to his side. But fury shone in my friend’s eyes as I approached the God. I had to keep my temper in check if I wanted to find my wife.
‘I apologise for my captain’s actions,’ I said, ignoring Asher’s snort as I raised my chin. ‘But he’s fiercely loyal to Sorrow. We’re all desperate to find her. Make sure she’s safe. Is there any chance you know what’s happened to her?’
My hands flexed by my side. A part of me echoed Asher’s intentions, but a rash king, acting without thought, could lead to me losing the one thing that made my heart beat. The God crossed his arms, tilted his head in Pablo’s direction.
‘Unfortunately, little king, I’ve lost her trail here.’ I swallowed against the shuddering panic. ‘But him?’ He inclined his chin towards Pablo. ‘That wolf has been trying to tell me about the other scents.’
‘Other scents?’ Asher’s hand tightened on his sword as the God’s gaze flicked his way.
‘The other prince. The Elmswood, who reeks of decay—’
Skye gasped. ‘Ifan.’
If Ifan were here, then—
‘And the one who took your throne, little king.’
‘The empress?’ I breathed.
Vyrus’s mouth settled in a thin line.
My knees buckled. I turned, shock lay on Skye’s face as she signed to Raine, who paled at the news.
Asher furrowed his brow, looking between Vyrus and the wolf. ‘Did he…?’
‘The empress has Sorrow?’ Raine signed, their movements jagged and rapid. ‘A powerful Deviant and half of Vyrus’s heart?’
‘My heart.’
Everyone clutched their heads, even Raine, as the God decided he’d had enough of hiding, his voice blasting painfully through our minds. Vyrus gripped his brown shirt, pulling open the buttons. I grimaced. A cavity sat open in his chest. Blood glistened and within…
Within lay a ruby. Half the size of my fist, pounding as though it were as real as mine. Skye cried out as the rolling in our heads abated. The God buttoned his shirt once more, set his determined gaze on mine and closed the gap between us.
His hand snapped out, and grasping my arm, he spun me around.
Asher tried to leap forward, crying as he slammed into an invisible wall.
Skye swore, straining against the unseen barrier as she tried to claw her way to me.
Pulling up my shirt, his palm skimmed the flesh of my back.
There was a moment of intense pressure, then relief, forcing a huge exhale from my lips.
The God let me go and I turned about, the flecks of shining bronze, silver and emerald that had been poisoning me under my skin danced through the air.
‘The Vyrium?’ I breathed as Vyrus nodded.
‘Can’t have my little king being a liability when we take the empress on, can we?’ His nostrils flared. ‘You’ve just won yourself one fierce ally, little king.’