“They’ve become expert hunters?” I ventured.
“Experts atsurviving. And at relying on each other andonlyeach other. I know these men and, while they have many good qualities, marriage, especially to someone in your situation, might be more than either you or they can handle right now. I respect them, but what lives inside them is harsh and hungry.”
His words chilled me to the core. TheseCimmeriansweren’t just princes. They weren’t just dhampirs, either, or warriors. They were monsters that hunted monsters.
And one of them might be my husband.
The thought made dread pool in my gut.
Please, I prayed silently,let it be someone else from King Lucian’s court. Anyone but a Cimmerian!
“If you find yourself in a bind withwhicheverson you get, don’t hesitate to reach out.” In King Julian’s face, I saw both warning and sympathy. “We’ll do what we can to help you.”
The promise was a lifeline, offered with a sincerity that softened the edges of my fear. I nodded with a grateful smile.
“Even if there’s nothing you can do, I’m grateful for the offer.”
“As you said, your mother was part of the Royal pack, which means you are, too. That gives me some leverage.”
“But I’m not a shifter,” I admitted. “I don’t have a wolf spirit.”
“That doesn’t matter. You’re still under my protection.”
As I thought about that, Queen Lilah sat up and grinned, looking wide awake now.
“Another thing you don’t have to worry about is Josslyn. I thought of the perfect couple to be her parents. What do you think, Julian?” Her eyes clouded over in a way that told me they were mindlinking.
“Definitely,” the king agreed with a grave nod. “She’ll be more loved and protected than you can imagine, Miss Bell.”
“All of her papers are in a folder in her diaper bag. Her birth certificate, her immunization record—”
“I give you my solemn vow as king and alpha that she’ll be well taken care of. The parents Lilah has in mind truly are perfect for her. I swear on the moon that she is going to a good home.” He didn’tsmile, but his eyes were warm and understanding. “You can lay this burden down. Your papa would be proud of you for protecting your baby sister so well.”
Swallowing hard, I kissed Josslyn’s forehead to hide how wet my eyes suddenly were as relief washed over me like a cool breeze on a late summer’s day.
“Well, now that one of your contracted conditions is met, we might be able to help with another one,” King Julian said. “The dire pup’s mental state is concerning, and I don’t like his physical condition any better. If you leave him here, we have skilled elders and healers who can work with him. ”
As if understanding the king, which maybe hedid, Brumous leapt up on the couch and nestled against me, but was careful of both my bad arm and Josslyn. His whole body was tense, his striking blue eyes full of fear and pleading, his heart thundering hard and fast.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, but he stays with me. I can take better care of him now that we’re away fromher.”
King Julian leaned forward, his own blue eyes narrowing as he studied Brumous, who let out a high-pitched whine and huddled even closer, hiding his face in the crook of my neck as if he were afraid someone would snatch him away.
“Dire wolves are not to be trifled with, Miss Bell. They grow into enormous, powerful creatures, even bigger than alpha wolves. And what will your new husband say when you show up with him in tow?”
“He’ll say the same thing you would if it had been me,” Queen Lilah laughed. “And Brumous is part of her contract with Arabesque, right, Miss Bell?”
“That’s right.” I faced King Julian with my chin raised. “I can’t leave him. Iwon’tleave him. Brummy needs me, and I need him. Even if my, um, myhusbanddisapproves, I’ll find a way. I’ll take care of him, no matter what.”
“Just remember that dires are known for their aggression, and that instinct may grow stronger as he does. Then again, after what he’s endured at Arabesque’s hands, nothing is certain. Maybe he won’t even get any bigger. How old is he?”
“I don’t know. Arabesque brought him home two months ago, and he was half his current size. I think maybe he had just been weaned.”
“Julian, see if Onyx can talk to him,” the queen suggested. “Do you think he’s capable of answering, Miss Bell?”
“Sorry, I don’t know that, either,” I admitted. “Every once in a while, I picture him replying, but that’s just in my imagination. I’ve never heard him say anything.”
“What about his name?” she asked.
