I haven’t yet broken the news to Leisel that we’re going to have to go live with shifters because I don’t know how to. I promised her I’d protect her. I vowed it. And yet, my protection hasn’t proven to amount to anything when it comes to shifters. I’ve never felt so powerless, furious, or ashamed.
We’re both quiet until we get into our home. Then, without speaking, I get to work on our dinner. I’m in the middle of putting together sandwiches when I feel two small arms close around my waist from behind.
“Are you okay?” Leisel asks in a tentative voice.
I blink several times, looking at the ceiling and trying to control the tears that seem determined to escape.
Once I’m confident I’ll be able to keep a handle on my emotions, I turn, crouch, and wrap my arms around my little sister. Even after what I know was a terrifying experience—being alone with a room full of shifters—Leisel’s worried aboutme.She’s so kind, gentle, and caring. How will she survive if we live among mongrels?
“I’m okay, sweet girl,” I tell her, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I just got some tough news from Camden.” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “He’s issued an order for us to go back to the wolves’ capital, Kinrith, with him. It’s non-negotiable and utterly unavoidable. I—I’m so sorry, Leisel. I did my best to free us.”
She pulls back to consider me, her expression unusually somber. Chip makes a chattering noise that sounds almost consoling from her shoulder.
“Everything’s going to be different now, isn’t it?”
I open and close my mouth several times. “Yes.” Then, trying to focus on something remotely positive I add, “But we’ll be living with much better accommodations. In something resembling a palace, I think, similar to fairytales.”Except in fairytales, the Princess isn’t soulmate to the villain.
“I don’t want a fairytale,” Leisel says, her golden eyes wide and frightened. “Not if it means being with…them.”
Having nothing else to offer, I repeat, “I’m so sorry.”
“Will we be safe there?” she asks.
I consider the question before responding. On a physical level, I think so, because from my understanding mates have a primal drive to protect each other at all costs. Wolvesespeciallyturn protective with human mates, since they’re so much more fragile than fellow shifters, even when receiving strength from the bond post-consummation. Granted, Leisel and I aren’t exactly human, but we’re still more physically fragile than mythics.
On an emotional level, however, is an entirely different story. My intuition’s telling me that upcoming events will put me under more stress than I can imagine. I’m determined not to allow the stress to spill over to the young healer in my arms.
“As safe as we can hope to be,” I tell her. “I’m not a fan of shifters…but being mated to such powerful ones will give us more protection than we have here.” As much as I wish my fire had burned Camden right into a grave… “Wyatt would give his life to protect you.” If for no other reason than the bond will drive him to do so.
Leisel blinks slowly. “Will Camden protect you?”
I swallow because he’ll be the biggest danger to me possible. While Leisel’s young, and will therefore be treated according to her age, I’man adult, and I’ll be punished for my indiscretions as an adult—as Camden demonstrated tonight.
Not wanting to worry Leisel with details, I say, “Yes.”
Leisel’s hands tighten around me, and then still for a moment. “You’re hurt,” she somehow realizes and pulls back to look me over.She can sense pain too? Not just see it?A powerful healer indeed.
“I’m alright, my love.”
“Where are you hurt?” she demands.
Knowing that she won’t let this go, I murmur, “I think I might have twisted my ankle earlier. I’ll be fine by morning.”
It’s not a lie—Ididawkwardly roll my ankle when Camden was pulling me out of the dining room, but that pain’s been overshadowed by adrenaline born of fear, as well as the pain from the belting.
I feel a warmth spark in my waist and know it comes from Leisel. Before I can protest, it travels to my ass, healing the raw flesh, and then shoots down to my ankle. Within seconds, I no longer feel even a twinge of discomfort anywhere on my body.
Seeing her power at work makes my thoughts flick back to the duel earlier today. More specifically, the fact that time somehow slowed down to my benefit. That wasn’t a power stemming from me; I know that for sure, which meant it was most likely somehow a result of divine intervention. I prayed to Hecate and she responded. The question is,why?Why would the goddess of witches do that? Initially, I thought it might be to help release me from the Rockwell Pack, but that clearly isn’t the case as Camden still found out about Leisel’s and my powers. A divine being such as the goddess of magic must’ve known that would happen.
Perhaps she wanted to spare me pain or perhaps it could’ve been her intent for my powers to eventually be revealed, though that doesn’t explain her aid. Whatever the case is, it seems I’ll never know, andI certainly don’t intend to tell anyone just what occurred. After all, magical aid—whether stemming from me or not—would be classed as breaking the laws of duelum and would give Camden further grounds to take me with him.
I release a sigh and give my sister a squeeze. “Thank you, Leisel. Now let me finish making the sandwiches. We’ll pack in the morning, and then we travel to the capital of mutts.”
Chapter Twelve
Camden
“How’d yourtalkwith Sierra go?” Wyatt asks me in a teasing voice, swirling amber liquor in a tumbler.
