Prompting me to ask, “It’s just what?”
“Don’t you think you should be taking a trip, too?” The Belfast Priest’s voice took on a wheedling tone.
“If you hop in the car now, I can show you the way to the secret kingdom before we head off tomorrow,” the old Sea King added. “You got any hiking gear?”
“No, I don’t have any hiking gear. Why would I need —” I cut myself off, realizing I probably didn’t want to know the answer to that question. “Anyway, Wild refused to give me directions himself. That tells me he doesn't want me hiding out in the secret kingdom.”
“Oh, Wild’s just being cross,” the Belfast Priest assured me. “Astrid and her mate are there as we speak. And you know, the prophecy says…”
“Yes, I know what the prophecy says, and I don’t care.”Much.
The moans I heard in the background of my last call to Wild echoed in my head. Had they truly found her? The fated queen?
"It doesn't matter," I told the two former rulers — and myself. “If they found their queen like they claimed, she’s probably already pregnant.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “Sea and Wild have been waiting a long time for her, but it's possible she can't and won't go into heat until all three kings are in place…”
Was that true?
Something weird and hopeful flickered in my chest. Until I extinguished it with a ruthless dose of reality.
"I'm not like Sea and Wild," I reminded them — and myself. "I've got morals. Modern morals and values. And no offense to you two, but I’m not keen on sharing a kidnapped mate. It wouldn't be right. No matter what’s carved into some old stone.”
Another long silence followed. But instead of trying to convince me, the Belfast Priest said, “Then, at least let us help you hide fromthis Alban person, just in case he comes back. Somewhere off the record where that Scottish oak tree won't be able to find you.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to leave the country. I’ve a company to run.”
“We’re aware," the Belfast Priest answered with a hearty laugh. "I believe it's always a good time for Norwolf.”
"Do they have Norwolf in Italy?" The old Sea King's voice took on a worried note. "Can't do without my daily pint. It's good for you, you know!"
"It is not," I assured him, rubbing at my temple. "The UK Advertising Standards Authority made us stop claiming that back in the 1960s. But don't worry yourself. Norwolf is sold everywhere on the European continent — well, everywhere but Scotland."
“Which brings us back to your new hideout," said the Belfast Priest. "And don't you worryyourselfcos' I know just the place."
Naomi
Sooo…
That was an interesting way to find out Sea’s eyes glowed bright gold.
“Get up!”
If he cared at all about what happened to a naked Wild after commanding me to stand, it didn’t show. Without waiting for me to obey, he grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. Then came the half-haul, half-stumble back to the stone circle. Once inside, he pressed one of the wolf knots, and the next thing I knew, we were standing in a cold, dark place that turned out to be the inside of the tower when the door slid open, revealing the now-empty secret kingdom field of gorgeous wildflowers — even though it was supposed to be November.
I had so many questions. Like, all the questions that had ever questioned. The part of me that had studied day and night to fulfill my dream of becoming a theoretical physicist — hey, when I Bad Wölfennite, I Bad Wölfennite hard — wanted to ask Seaeverything. About the secret kingdom. About the tower. About how any of this was even possible.
Also, indulging my love of science was a great way to not think about what had just happened with Wild outside the stone circle as we made our way toward the habitat.
Well, I tried to walk. Sea was doing this long-legged stomp, making me practically jog to keep up with him.
“So, these gods of yours — are they quantum computers? Aliens with superior tech?”
“No.” One word growled from deep within his chest.
“No, they’re not —”
“No, you can’t talk to me right now,” he corrected. “You smell like him now, and my wolf is going crazy to claim you, too… Heat Laws be damned. Your presence kept him in check. But then you ran, and now I’m back to struggling to contain him. Stay quiet, and don’t talk to me unless you want me to lose my head.”
