로그인I stopped chewing. The meat was still in my mouth, but I couldn't bring myself to swallow it. "What?" Enyo looked up again. "His Majesty was greatly angered, or so I have heard. I cannot say what offence brought such punishment upon them."I remembered Elric marching through the courtyard with his armed warriors. The execution. Those had been Wakefield survivors?I put the meat down and pushed myself to my feet, sending the stool scraping against the floor. "Are you telling me Valdman executed Azalea's people?""Princess, I beseech you to guard your tongue.""What the hell is wrong with that madman?" I demanded. "He destroyed their pack, dragged them here as slaves, and now he's killing the people who survived?"Enyo rose, glancing towards the door. "Please, speak not of His Majesty in such a manner. Should another hear you...""Fuck your king!" My voice rose, and I didn't bother lowering it. I'd seen what life was like for prisoners in this kingdom. I knew how badly the slaves were
Helena's POVI bit my lip as Enyo pressed the herbal paste against my back, fighting the urge to cry out when it touched the raw marks Cade's whip had left behind.How much longer was I supposed to endure being treated like this?The herbs stung at first, but the pain gradually dulled, allowing me to loosen my clenched fingers. Enyo finished tending to the bruises from Virelia's treatment, secured the bandages, then picked up an old dress from the stool beside us. The material was faded but freshly washed, and after everything I'd been through, I was grateful to have something decent to wear."What has truly befallen your wolf, Princess?" Enyo asked as she handed me the dress. "Word has spread throughout the kingdom that you have been cursed."I slipped the dress over my head, taking care not to let the material scrape against my bandages."I still have my wolf," I replied. "There's nothing wrong with her."Enyo watched as I adjusted the clothing. "Then why does she not mend your woun
I climbed from the water, and Cade accompanied me without another word.He took a thick linen cloth from the side table and began drying my body. His fingers moved like he had performed the task countless times, though the marks upon his throat had grown darker.When he had dried me, he clapped his hands.Two servants entered bearing my garments. They bowed before us and surrendered the clothing to him.Cade dressed me in my dark tunic and leather garments before settling the heavy cloak upon my shoulders. The servants bowed once more and withdrew, shutting my chamber door behind them.I turned towards him. “Have my horse saddled.”Cade inclined his head. “Whither does Your Majesty intend to ride?”“To the seer. I shall have her examine this cursed bond once more. Let her swear before the gods that the Wakefield Lass is indeed my mate.”Cade raised his gaze towards me. “My king, your beast has recognised her wolf. Such a bond bears the decree of fate.”“Perhaps he is driven by naught
Valdman's POV“Mate.”The cursed word scraped against my tongue like rusted iron.“Mate. Mate. Mate.”My beast had plagued me with that infernal declaration since the bond awakened. I pressed my palms against the sides of my alveus, my fingers digging into its carved surface as my beast continued his torment.Had the thirteen years I spent among the Rogues not satisfied the gods? Must I now suffer the indignity of being commanded by the creature dwelling within my own flesh?‘You shall have no such Lass,’ I warned him. ‘Cease this torment, lest I find cause to curse the day we shared a soul.’My beast snarled, and the same wretched declaration returned.A roar broke from my chest.I seized the golden goblet resting beside my alveus and hurled it against the wall. The vessel struck the stone with a resounding clang, spilling wine across its surface.The three maidens washing my body recoiled at once. Their hands withdrew from my skin, and they huddled together, trembling as they stared
Enyo gestured towards the passage, and I leaned out just far enough to see who was approaching.Elric was marching through the courtyard with a group of armed warriors.They carried swords and spears, their armour making metallic sounds as they walked. Nobody was chatting or looking around. They moved together, following Elric with the sort of determination that made me wonder if they were preparing for battle.I drew back behind the pillar. "What's going on? Why does Elric have all those warriors with him?""I cannot say," Enyo whispered. "But I fear there may be an execution. I must learn what has occurred."An execution?I looked towards the passage, trying to work out who might have angered Valdman so badly to warrant a procession of armed men. Elric wasn't exactly known for his kindness, and the sight of him leading those warriors made me reluctant to investigate.Enyo waited until the footsteps had faded before gaping at me. "Remain here, Princess. Let no one discover you. I sha
"What the hell are you doing naked?"I pointed at the men standing behind the scholar, trying to keep my attention on their faces when the man in front of me was displaying something I had absolutely no desire to see."And why are they here? What's going on?"None of them spoke. They continued staring at me, and the way their eyes travelled over my bandaged body made me wish I could pull the entire rug over myself.I needed to get out of this room, but the only door was behind those men. Maybe I could distract them by screaming that there was a snake somewhere. If they looked away, I might have a chance to slip past them.I almost laughed at my own stupidity.A snake? Against werewolves?These idiots could probably snap one in half without breaking a sweat. I was dealing with creatures who could overpower ordinary humans without trying, and my brilliant escape plan involved frightening them with a reptile.I scratched the back of my head and managed a strained smile while looking arou







