Unbidden, the sensation of his fingertips running down my arms and wrists, settling on my hands, crosses my mind. I’m back in that dark tent on my first night here. My skin puckers.
There’s a gentleness to him. But also a hunger. And a darkness that is equal measures intriguing and terrifying.
CHAPTER 15
The meat is distributedamong the pack one tiny strip at a time. Children are brought up first with their parents hovering over their shoulders. But the adults don’t take any. They return to their places in the greater circles to wait until it is their turn to come up to eat.
I didn’t think there were that many people in the pack until I see how quickly what little food there is goes. I grab the strap of my satchel at my shoulder tightly, thinking of what little rations I still have inside. Evander could’ve taken them when he had possession of my effects. But he didn’t. I glance up at him, and then back to the line.
He mistakes the look. “It’ll be our turn soon. We’ll go up following the knights and other alpha, with Conri.”
“And Aurora?”
“Conri has decided that she won’t be allowed to leave her tent while we are in camp, save for when we’re moving from place to place.”
“I see.” A frown tugs at my lips. I suspect the moment he’s back to their permanent settlement, he’ll have shackles fashioned for her. We’ll have to leave before then. Which means,no matter how badly I want to dip into the supplies, I must preserve what rations we have. “Why is there so little food?”
“Have you seen any game on these plains?” Evander asks. I shake my head. Nor have I seen any of the hallmarks that larger game would need for life—like regular watering holes or a variety of animals in the food chain. “There used to be many animals—elk, bison, others…but the ancestral packs hunted them to extinction. They burned and deforested the lands of their enemies to starve them. Those early days of fighting and destroying without care for each other or our lands was part of what prompted Bewulf to unite the packs. It worked, for a time. Until it didn’t and everything went back to the way it was. Now we survive on the scraps left behind by our forefathers.”
Conri was telling the truth, I realize, when he spoke of venturing into the Natural World to seek more fertile land for his people. I tuck the information away, unsure of how I want to process it yet.
“Is all of Midscape barren like this?” I ask, thinking of what else Conri said—about not being able to venture past his borders for fear of the Elf King and vampir.
Evander shakes his head. “There are mountains to the south, southwest of here where the vampir live, forests beneath them that have always been contested territory between us and the vampir, and more land farther west. But the lykin have long demanded that others stay out of our misty plains and hills so we do the same for them.”
“Much like the early treaties between lykin and the witches.” I think of the barrier.
He nods. “Our turn for food.”
The conversation ends as we approach the central fire. Meat is cut from bone with deft skill to ensure nothing goes to waste, and handed to me raw. I can see why Aurora grew weary of meat…and why she’d want it well cooked were she to have it.
“I think she would prefer it seared.” Conri steals my thought, reaching around me to take the meat and skewer it on a long dagger. I am caught between his arms as he moves, dagger flashing in the firelight right in front of my face. I wonder if it is intended as a threat, because that’s the message I gather.
“Thank you,” I say politely as he holds it out to the fire, Evander taking a step back to give him room.
“You are most welcome.” Conri singes it for only a few seconds, bringing it back before me. He plucks the meat off the dagger point with his free hand, holding it in front of my face. “Eat, my future queen.”
Stomach churning, I force myself to take a bite from his hand. Everyone is watching him feed me this chewy, gamey strip of meat. It is a show for my benefit and theirs. A display of ownership.
I barely resist the urge to push him away. The dagger still near my throat is good motivation. I swallow down the meat and with it my pride. Fortunately my cape seems to be protecting me from his charm, for now. But I’ll need to act like it isn’t if I want to have any hope of keeping it on my shoulders.
“My future king.” I tilt my head back with a languid smile, pausing to admire him. As though he is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld. Sad thing is, he could be…were it not for the disgusting nature he hides underneath his handsome face. “Have you brought food for Aurora yet?”
“Not yet, my love.” He leans down and kisses the exposed part of my neck lightly. The touch stirs me in a way I do not wish for. Words, and looks, my cape might be able to protect me from…but touches? Especially skin-to-skin ones? I am already ablaze. He will turn me into a puddle with another peck if I’m not careful. “Though I feel I have a hunger for something other than food now. I shall send someone?—”
“No,” I say quickly. Perhaps a little too forced. But I had to overcome the haze that was overtaking me. I brace myself as I turn to face him and dare to rest my hand on his upper thigh. The contact doesn’t affect me. I’m not sure if it’s because I initiated, or because there is the cloth of his trousers between our skin. Something to test in the coming days and hours. “She needs to see you. We shall have time later. Do what must be done for the spirit that looks after the great pack.”
Conri smiles sweetly and kisses my forehead. Elation surges through me as he says, “You will be a good queen, looking after our kin so attentively. Very well, I’ll see what Aurora needs, and then return to you.”
He steps away and my chest is straining against my shirt underneath my cape. I am near breathless, just from that. Ready to beg for sweet release. Aurora was right…I can’t go to him tonight without some kind of relief. Even my cape wasn’t enough.
“See to it that she is ready in my tent within the hour,” Conri commands Evander.
“Of course, my king.” Evander bows his head.
Conri takes a strip of meat in hand and walks off. The absence of the wolf king prompts the pack to relax, the thrall of his presence leaving them. Some wander off; others choose to lounge by the bonfire. Many shoot me wary and angry looks.
Have him, I want to scream.Old gods, take him from me and Aurora; we do not want him!But no one will. Because they can’t. We have been claimed by the king and there is nothing any of them can do to change it.
