The hunter swore. He tossed his bow aside and raced towards us. Pablo wrenched me forward, leaping to meet the hunter, but my fingers still curled around his pelt. I slammed into the ground, grunting as the air crashed from my lungs. Glancing up, I groaned. Hunter and wolf circled each other, but at least he no longer held his bow. Now he was weaponless, I considered letting the wolf maul him.
Ignoring how my leg buckled, I stood, hobbling as the two spun. The hunter stretched his arms wide, a thick fur cloak billowing, as he placed his tall frame between the wolf and me.
‘You’re sure he’s safe?’
I laughed at the high pitch betraying his brave stance. Before I could answer, the wolf flew, and I cried out as something silver flashed in the hunter’s hand. A dagger! A dagger aimed for the wolf’s exposed flank.
I threw myself before the hunter, biting back pain, braced for the blade slicing my side when Pablo crashed next to me.
The hunter stopped a breath away. For a moment, his solid chest heaved against mine, his sweet scent, intoxicating and calm, swarmed my senses. Shivers rippled through me despite the warmth radiating from him. My breath caught as I becamefar too aware of his broad shoulders, his athletic build. I shook my head. Why was I so easily distracted by the moron desperate to spill my wolf’s blood? I raised my fists, ready to smash them into the square jaw peeking out of his hood.
‘He…’ His breath thrummed against my fists as they froze before him. I peered into the shadows, trying to discern his features. ‘He was defending you?’
‘Have you actually listened to a word I’ve said?’
Dropping my fists, I stepped back, desperate to create some space between us. My injured ankle gave way and I slumped forward, colliding with the hunter’s solid chest. The dagger clattered to the ground as his gloved hands grabbed my waist, tucking me in. Grunting, I wriggled, wanting to break free, but it only made him grip tighter.
Somehow, I fell against him, his strangely tender touch eliciting a soft gasp from my lips. His hands swept across my back, tugging me closer, our bodies flush as I inhaled sharply. Gods, my pulse thundered, a matching rhythm to the heart pounding against my flushed cheek. My trembling hands reached around his strong neck, acting on an instinct I seemed incapable of fighting. The damned hunter’s breath whispered against the side of my face, and I found myself consumed with the desire to see the man’s features.
I looked up, desperate to tug his hood down and discover who this infuriating creature was. The stranger called to me in a way that made me furrow my brows. My mind screamed to push him away, but with a sigh, I closed my eyes, leaned into the comfort of his warmth and sank into his arms. It was as if I knew each swell and curve of his body like my own, the unmistakable beat of his heart that echoed mine. I wrinkled my nose, the familiar lavender scent enveloping me…
My eyes widened. Gods, no.
‘Sorrow?’
I hauled myself out of the man’s grip, my head snapping up as my name left his lips.
‘Can you stand? Do you need help?’
My blood chilled as recognition flooded me. His voice was deeper than the last time I’d heard it. How had I not realised? This would-be wolf killer was no hunter.
Shaking myself free, I placed my trembling hand on a growling Pablo as the man removed his hood.
I barked out a laugh past the shattering within my chest. Not a hunter, but my future brother-in-law. My half-sister’s betrothed. My…
‘Matthias?’ I whispered his name as the moon unravelled herself from a layer of cloud, illuminating the face hidden within the shadow. All the heat his embrace had poured into me cooled. I blinked at the damned spots, my heart hammering, as his features came into shaky focus. My breath hitched as the boy I’d adored hid within the king standing close enough to hold. An ache cracked in my chest as I realised that would be the last time I’d ever be cradled in his arms.
A nervous smile crept across his face, before splitting into the one I’d craved more than air.
Matthias held my gaze. Were his eyes an even deeper shade of green or was it the lack of light? They were still ringed with the thick dark lashes I’d been so envious of. I traced him, tracking the changes of manhood; the angles of his face shone in the silvery light. His straight nose with the little up curve at the end I’d itched to draw as a child. The dimple in his square jaw. Of course he’d be more handsome than ever, while I quite literally looked like I’d been dragged through the mud by a fierce beast.
Gods, what was I doing? Why should I care what he thought of me? None of it mattered. He belonged to Enfys. I raised my chin, anything to claw my way out of the pain threatening to drown me.
‘You…you didn’t recognise me?’ he said.
I flinched at his words, slamming my hands against his firm chest, shoving him back.
‘Of course not,’ I cried. ‘You haven’t bothered with me in eight years. I’m surprised you even remember my name.’
I clenched my shaking fists. Gods, I wanted nothing more than to shove him again. Keep shoving till I sent him back to Asmar.
Pablo’s snarling increased as Matthias raised his palms in surrender. His eyes flicked between me and the wolf. His smile was gone.
‘Sorrow. I’m so sorry. I didn’t?—’
Pablo cut him off. The wolf lunged, forcing him backwards until they landed in a heap on the ground.
The wolf pinned the king of Asmar to the ground. His massive paws crushed Matthias’s shoulders. I faced the carriage where the shadowy forms of the guards turned our way. With the threat of the diafol gone, Matthias and I drew their attention. I took a moment to settle my breathing. Regain something of my composure and ensure Matthias bloody Elmswood had no idea the effect he had on my pulse.
