‘Yes, but beforeandafter that, I lived here, and I know these passageways.’ He took my hand, one foot hovering over the path to the right. ‘So who do you trust more, Sorrow? Me, or the oversized rug?’
Letting out an exasperated sigh, I lay my hand on Pab’s back, following him.
‘It’s his nose against your memory.’ I looked back over my shoulder. ‘Sorry.’
‘You will be when we’ve got to come all the way back.’
Clinging to Pab, I shimmied through the narrow corridors, past dark oak beams, till the wolf stopped by a small wooden door set low down.
Matthias knelt down, tilting his head as he examined it.
‘Fine,’ he said. ‘The wolf wins.’
He lay his ear against the door, his hair tumbling over his eyes. I swept it back, where it stayed for a few moments, before flopping back down. Catching my fingers in his hand, he brushed a kiss to the tips.
‘I missed you,’ he whispered.
My breath caught as I met his gaze. As the wolf licked Matthias’s cheek, I wondered if we’d ever have the peace to simply get to know each other again. I bit my fist to stifle the laughter as he shoved the wolf away, and Pablo lay his great paw on the king’s shoulder and licked his ear.
‘Call your wolf off,’ he whispered.
‘He likes you.’ I tugged Pab’s fur and the wolf huffed, before laying his chin on my shoulder.
Matthias grabbed the wooden handle and twisted, shuffling through the small gap. ‘Wait here.’
‘She’s my sister,’ I argued, softly batting away a moth as it fluttered towards the light slipping through the gap.
‘And you’ve got the strength to lift her through?’
I folded my arms, my nose wrinkling. ‘Fine, but be quick.’
Matthias kissed me, before disappearing, Pablo whining at the door. My heart thundered. Each breath lasted a lifetime, till hushed voices approached and the door swung open. I expelled a long breath as Enfys finally scrambled towards me.
Hauling her through, our arms wrapped around each other, tears pricking the backs of my eyes. Matthias dragged himself through easily, closing the door behind them. For a man who’d been half starved in the dungeons, he’d appeared togainstrength. I narrowed my gaze. Had he actually put on bulk?
‘Where are you getting this energy from, Elmswood?’ I asked.
‘I’ve found my impending execution highly motivating. Come on,’ he said, ‘we’ll have plenty of time to talk later.’
Enfys laced her fingers through mine as we crept along, and I squeezed back. We approached the crossroads and Matthias glanced back over his shoulder, a rogue grin playing on his lips, when Pablo howled and leapt up, smashing his paws into Matthias’s shoulders and dragging him to the floor. White sparks erupted against the stone wall where Matthias’s neck had been only a heartbeat earlier. Pablo rose swiftly, leaping at the shadowy figure blocking the passage. Matthias was on his feet, sword raised before I’d had time to drag in a breath. I cried as Pablo yelped, his body slamming into the wall. It was clear who’d found us.
‘I knew you’d come for her. Always got to be the great hero, haven’t you?’
Matthias raised his sword towards his brother.
‘Couldn’t leave her shackled to you, could I? That’s a fate worse than death.’
Pablo stood on shaking legs, relief flooding my chest as he limped towards me, his eyes locked on a smirking Ifan.
‘And a fate you’ll soon be accustomed to, brother.’
Ifan lunged, but Matthias blocked his strike with a crash, bronze sparks flying. Enfys and I stepped back; Pab growled as Ifan swiftly gained ground, forcing Matthias to retreat. I’d seen Ifan fight. Matthias was fierce, but he didn’t stand a chance. My only defence was the wolf, and Ifan had already hurt him twice. Swords crashed, Matthias roared, lunging at Ifan, who twisted, his grunts drowning out Pablo’s snarls. The hilt of Ifan’s sword slammed into his brother’s hip.
A pain sliced through my temple as Matthias crashed to the floor, rolling over and up again in a heartbeat. If I didn’t stop this, I’d lose Matthias again. Damn, why was I so useless witha sword? Then I realised I didn’t need a weapon. I’d been born one.
‘Why?’ Matthias cried, adjusting his grip. ‘Why would you turn on us?’
Ifan snorted. ‘You’re worse than father. We’ll lose it all if we blindly follow you. At least this way I’ll keep hold of something.’
