LOGINI covered my eyes again and didn’t even hear him change. One moment I was hugging a wolf, and the next, my arm rested around the warm skin of his broad shoulders. He kissed me in no hurry and stood up, lifting me in his arms without breaking our kiss.
“I heard some alarming rumors today,” he said, making me stand in front of the fireplace.
“Let me guess. A small vampire loose in the castle, disguised as one of the service women?”
He chuckled,
As soon as we were alone, Marla grabbed my hand again and dragged me toward the double doors at the end of the gallery.We stopped at the threshold and she made me face her, smoothing my sleeves and fixing the ribbons of my dress. She met my eyes with a brief nod, gave me an encouraging smile and knocked on the door.A young woman in a pretty blue dress opened it and invited us in with a smile."Her Majesty is waiting for you," she said. "Follow me, please."The queen's quarters were vast and open, like several rooms converted into a single one. They were full of windows, letting in daylight and the spring breeze, with marble floors and white walls, decorated with bright, light-colored tapestries.The Luna Queen waited for us in the center of that wide hall, standing straight despite her cane. She wore a simple bright blue dress, her long hair loose down her back, very white and limp.I recognized the features the princess had inherited, regular and balanced, beautiful, as calm as the
"Wake up, my love. The clans are already arriving."The wolf's accent revealed an unusual anxiety.He was already up, and judging by the sounds, he was getting dressed in a hurry. I turned to him and reached for the ribbon by pure instinct, as it had loosened again while I slept."Good morning, my lord," I murmured, retying it. "Go then. Have a good day.""Maybe I can't come tonight, or tomorrow.""I didn't think the party would last all night..."My frown made him lean down to kiss my forehead."Unless you don't mind me coming late," he said."Of course I don't mind.""Then of course I'll come, but don't wait up for me. A good luck kiss?"I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him with that same intensity of his that was contagious."Go and shine, my lord. Don't let anyone outshine you.""You too," he whispered against my lips. "I love you, my little one.""And I love you, my lord."Like on many other mornings, he pulled away from me with a disgruntled growl, and I waited for him
We sighed at the same time and chuckled.“It’s easier to roll in prickles while hunting deer, isn’t it.”He held me, trying to smile, and nodded against my forehead.“All the more because my mate bathes me like no one else can.”“Don’t remind me. I’ll make you confess why you let another woman bathe you. And leave the wok unfinished.”“Would you rather I roll belly up for them and let them touch me like you do?”I bit his neck, growling. He held me even tighter with a heartfelt sigh.“It’s not only physical pleasure, my love,” he whispered. “I wish you would believe it.”“It’s easier this way,” I muttered. “When you talk to me like this and give me a chance to better understand your life, your world. When you trust me. When you treat me like I’m you peer, even though we’ll never be equals.&rd
“You knew it? How come? Didn’t you use the healers’ oil?”“Your laughter. Bet somebody made a good joke, because all of you were laughing out loud.” I smiled, recalling that moment. “I recognized you from the hallway.”“Darn! I’m so sorry, my love. It must’ve been hard for you.”“The cooks saved me. Now they spoil me like I’m their child, if you believe it. But you must be careful, my lord. I think the Alpha suspects what’s going on. And after last night, the Gamma and his wife suspect too.”I handed him the ribbon, because I wanted to be in his arms.“Thank you,” he muttered, covering my eyes gently. “Thank you for still trusting in me.”“It’s silly,” I grumbled. “All of you look exactly the same.”“Really?” he whispered in my ear. “And how do you tell Brenan from his
Waking up in his arms only made me cry again. I curled up by his chest, my face against his warm skin. He caressed my bruised cheeks and held me without a word, kissing my hair.“Your sister is right, my lord,” I muttered with a shaky voice. “This can’t go on like this.”“I understand,” he replied, his voice oozing bitterness. “You want to leave.”“I want you to make up your mind, my lord. All this is cause by your hesitation.”“Make up my mind? What do you mean?”I touched him below his collarbone.“Haven’t you find your mate?”“Of course I have! It’s you!”“Then why you don’t have the tattoo of the mated wolves?”He took in a shaky breath and I fought to keep his emotions from moving me.“If you really mean to make me your wife, you could easily prove it. We can get engaged un
I managed to keep from hitting my face with my own knees, but I felt the blood dripping down from my nose. I shook my head, stunned, and didn’t hurry to stand up.“Have you gone crazy?” she bellowed, coming to stand before me. “Why did you let them see you? Do you think they’re stupid? You made me lie to my sister!”“I didn’t make you do anything,” I grunted, still fallen at her feet, the blood from my nose dripping on my dress and the thick rug.“What?” she cried.I looked up at her, not bothering to wipe the blood or my angry tears away. She could do whatever she wanted.“Nobody is above the law of the Dale,” I replied bitterly. “Don’t blame me because you and your brother believe you are. You’re the ones dragging us all into this mess o lies. Me, your own children, even the Luna queen!”She stepped back like I had slapped her, a dangerous
“Nice show you put on,” Teah scolded me the minute we walked into her place. “Are you crazy? Thank God she intervened in your behalf. Else the whole village would’ve jumped on you!”“The princess,” I murmured. “Her eyes.”“Oh, yes, and her hair. I know. Nothing as blatant as you, but anyway strikin
The village square was surrounded by torches burning in the winter night. Nobody cared about the cruel cold frosting the thick layer of snow on the streets, and the cleared stone floor of the square around the well. Everybody in the village, myself included, had worn all the warm clothes and cloaks
I didn’t have a choice, so I told Teah what had transpired in the woods. However, I was wise enough to leave out the part about watching the Alpha change and swim in the nude. I knew that if she ever found out, she wouldn’t spare my life like the wolf had done.I think the only thing that spared me
I knew what he was seeing and smelling: the very image of his sworn enemies.Never minding my own tears, I forced my shaky hands to undo the collar of my dress. I pulled it open, closed my eyes and let my head back, offering my throat as the only sign I could think of to show him I knew my life was







