The words of the Spirit replied in my mind then.It was your birth that was the curse.
“And the curse?” I asked, my heart in my throat.
His lip curved, eyes remaining unbothered. “We shall see what the meaning of it is. As you can see, the translation of history got lost, if not changed. What’s saying that the Spirit of light did not want the treaty broken? That it is not a curse, but a gift that the breaker will receive?”
The way he viewed me, it was as if we both were considering what I was. One thing I certainly knew, where he wasconcerned, I was no gift. I was going to be his curse and his downfall. This was the one future I fully accepted.
13
ARIANA
Ilay in a luxuriously enormous bed in the room provided for me. My hand absentmindedly found Shay and ran over her fur. Last night she found me just before I fell asleep, pawing at the door. It was a relief having her return without problems, my little tether to home, my little spy.
Light seeped in through the three massive windows in the room, a beam of it hitting Shay’s face, causing her to squint as she observed me.
“Did you have fun exploring?” I asked, and she raised her head, allowing me access to scratch under her chin. Shay’s eyes closed as she leaned her face into my hand, enjoying the moment.
In those quiet moments, I found glimmers of peace, but it never lasted. My thoughts always drifted to Erik and held, torturing me with fears of the unknown.
I will always recognize you.My heart stopped with the memory of that declaration.
I will find you and bring you back.My heart restarted.
I clung to those promises with desperation that bordered madness. Terrified of the chance that there might be a future where I never saw him again. The thought alone sent a sharp ache through my chest, a hollow pain nothing soothed.
I missed him. All of him. Not just the comfort of his arms, where I felt safest, but the way he ignited something untamable inside me. I missed his voice, the low growl that rumbled in his chest when he was angered or provoked. I even missed his insufferable need for control. The very thing I loved to defy.
And now, without him, I was adrift in the silence, haunted by the echoes of his touch, his voice—and what we still might be. If only given the chance.
Shay’s attention shifted abruptly, looking at the door to my room. In an instant, she jumped from the bed, her ears perked and eyes trained. Startled, I stood, looking toward the door just moments before a knock sounded against the wood. Quickly grabbing a robe, I made my way towards the second knock.
I opened the door and found a petite girl with short curly hair and large brown eyes standing on the other side, a tape measure in her hand.
She quickly dipped her head before turning to me once more with an enormous smile on her face. “Hi, I hope I didn’t wake you. I’m here to get some measurements. But I can come back later if that would be better?”
Her teeth were not sharp, neither were her ears.Bavadrin?
“No. Now is fine,” I said, moving aside to allow her entrance.
She stepped inside without hesitation, even as she glanced at Shay. “Cool wolf!” The girl bent down, holding out her hand for Shay to examine before running it along the wolf’s neck.
“You are not afraid?” I asked, surprised by her lack of caution.
“If she was going to harm me, then a magnificent creaturelike this one would be something to fear. But the wolf is not giving off any signs that she wants to hurt me.” The girl reached out then, brushing her fingers over Shay’s cheek. “You’re a sweet little alpha, aren’t you?”
My body tensed. “How do you know she is an alpha?”
Brown eyes flickered to me, and Shay simply tilted her head while still viewing the stranger.
“The wolf is giving off the emotional signature of an alpha,” she answered before rising to her feet. “And you are strangely suddenly giving off a nervous energy.”
“Excuse me?” I asked through clenched teeth.Tension shot through me.
This girl is a threat.
Her mouth opened to respond before snapping shut. She held up her hands. “Oh no, you’re upset. I am so sorry! I know better than to always read emotions, but I was just so curious about you and couldn’t help myself. I’ll do better, never again. Not without permission.” Suddenly she was the one nervous, shifting from one foot to the other. She stilled, only to bow. Deeply. Casting her eyes to the floor, and holding there even as she said, “Please don’t tell Clause.”
“What are you?” I asked. One sharp glance at Shay and the wolf moved to stand at my side.
