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THE ROYALTY OF WOLFES 23
Clear.The door opens before I get to it and a wolf is standing there, holding a wooden box.The injured stranger opens it, then turns to me.At first I don't know what that pile of metal is, but it doesn't look threatening, so I just watch as the Prince kneels and passes two rings around my ankles. He barely closes them and then I understand: they are to arrest me. He's holding me like a real prisoner!Reflexively I slap him hard across the face as he starts to stand, then move forward and try to hit him harder.The wolf in black at the door drops the wooden box and tries to hold me back, but the stranger growls a harsh sentence at him, making him back away. He himself holds me by the arms. When he speaks he's very, very close to me, and I see that his teeth are huge fangs, all of them, like a real wolf, and it's hard to admit, but it really scares me for a moment.I scream and so does he, even though neither knows what the other is saying.For a second I think the foreigner is going
THE ROYALTY OF WOLFES 24
Pontis Maari is what Mr. Tastaren said.Even in the distance I can see the high dark stone walls that seem to touch the sky. A moment of curiosity strikes me and I wonder who built it and why.I can smell the sea from here, and if I pay close attention I can hear it too, but I can't see it.We are close to the sea.The road to the capital was almost empty. A few equally closed carts, and others open, passed us. I could hear the man leading the horses greeting the others with a short sort of whistle.I don't know how long it took from the port to here. I don't even know what time of day it is. But there is still sun. A weak, squalid sun that doesn't offer much resistance to the cold wind or metal-colored clouds.I stick my hands into the thin fabric of my dress to warm them.My feet aren't so lucky, and I grumble at myself for ripping off all that hem fabric that could very well have warmed them.The trees become scarcer as we get closer to the walls until they become squares of stone
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A moment later my captor holds my chains, so I am forced to follow him and I notice that the wolves that welcomed us look at the chains with curiosity and a little annoyance.The hallways are made of stone, and there are doors and conversations everywhere.I have the impression that many people live here in the fortress.Wolves, I remember. I'm among wolves. Not people.A man appears to be leading our group, gesturing from side to side, showing things to my captor that he observes with interest. We see rooms and courtyards decorated with carved stone and flowers I don't know in vases as big as me, covered in paintings. There are hot water pools where young girls and boys of various ages dip their feet while chatting. There's also an entire wing where the smell of food simmers in the air.The guide points to the ceiling and says a bunch more things, explaining what's above us, I imagine.I would like to pay attention. I'm curious. But most of all I'm tired.I rub my eyes and hide a yaw
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I quickly sit down on the bed.The room is huge, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't that empty when I walked in, I don't know how long ago.There's just the rug on the floor and the bed.In a corner there is a lit candle next to a type of furniture that I don't recognize. It looks like a bed, as it is upholstered, but it is small and I don't think anyone can sleep there other than a child. Does it have a back support and extends to one side, perhaps to support your arm, but only one of them?All other furniture is gone. Chairs, tables, shelves, books. Everything is gone.Is this my cell now? I think furiously, feeling my breath coming out like fire through my nose.I look at my hands and feet and curse.The chains are here.I didn't used to curse back on the island, but now it seems like everything deserves a good curse.I see that the door I entered through and the windows are closed, and I would bet on them being locked too. I hug my knees and find some peace by praying a little that the
THE ROYALTY OF WOLFES 28
It's hunger and thirst, I know. Reflexively, I almost pick up the glass that the maid left on the floor near my foot, but I change my mind in time, which doesn't go unnoticed by that damned, lonely red eye that stares at me. I snort at him.The Prince frowns and his upper lip lifts a little as if he were going to growl, but he gives up with a grimace.He's trying to be as diplomatic as he can, and I think he's trying very hard to do so, although not enough to make your heart explode in your chest, I'm sorry.“Did he tell you I was that?” An Oracle? — I ask Reeina, and my throat feels raw, dry as beach sand.She consults the man first, and he nods for her to continue giving me information.— Yes. His Grace says that the guard who came to pick him up on the island knew that — the girl continues translating while he speaks. — They had been warned by informants on the mainland to stay away from that island, because there... hm... — she pauses, uneasy, but the man makes a move for her to c
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There is laughter and music.I feel an alcoholic content in the thick, hot air.A maid passes between the pools with trays of fruit and small, round bread rolls.I retreat back to the door, skittish.I think I can handle my mess a little longer, but I stand where I am when a maid approaches. She gestures to a pool further away from the others that is empty, as if she notices my embarrassment.It's just a little dirt. Come on, encourage me.Reeina has informed me before that wolves always bathe in groups, like me and my sisters. It's not like it's possible for me to do this in a private place. There are no private locations. Can I demand this? Can I ask them to build a pool just for me?My body is sacred, I think.No one should see him other than the other Handmaids of the Goddess, or a man during the fertility ritual. But none of that will happen again, will it?Conformed, I follow the maid to the distant pool.She brings me a small tray with fruit, bread, and a towel for my bath and
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I wonder if wolves have books in my language.For the first time I think that perhaps I could learn your language to occupy my days until the best moment presents itself for my plan.I need to wait until my blood stops flowing before receiving visitors, but after all, when the door finally opens, it is not the pleasant Reeina who appears, but the stranger, the Prince of wolves.I'm in bed, braiding my hair, when he walks in.His stature is even more imposing and menacing than I remembered. Maybe because he was covered in so many dark, metal-filled clothes.He looks at me and I look into that single blood-colored eye.For no reason I remember seeing him in the bathrooms. I remember his slender, strong body... and the women helping him bathe...— Follow me, Kim.The accent is strong and harsh, but firm.I swallow my surprise.- Where?The Prince looks at my legs.— There's something I want-... — he stops for a moment. — show you — the tone is more hesitant here.The possibility of leavi
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— I need your help, Kim — he confesses, even in that dry and harsh tone of voice. — I need to know who attacked my family.I open my mouth, but the Prince is faster.— I'll give you whatever you want. Even if your wish is my death. I know you hate me. I know he blames me for the loss of his people—his confession is a torrent of words that I suspect he memorized, as they are spoken in a clearer tone than the others. — If you help me find those who attacked my father and me, after I take revenge I will let you kill me and guarantee your freedom.I stand there, looking into his face.I can't say anything. My thoughts are confused.I cannot help the Wolf Prince in any way, I know that. I have no powers. I can't have visions, premonitions, anything. But if I could... if I told him who killed your father and tried to kill him... would he let me kill him? Would he hand his life into my hands after getting his revenge?It's a lie. She's lying, of course. He'll say anything to get me to agree.
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