Damn. What was the king of Asmar doing in Drufaera anyway? My heart plummeted. Had he come for Enfys?
‘Pablo,’ I hissed. He stopped snarling long enough to glance my way.
Matthias wiped drool from his tanned cheeks and released an audible breath.
‘Stupid mutt,’ he muttered.
Pablo froze, returning his amber gaze to the king.
Matthias’s guards hurtled over the ground as their king screamed. In an instant, Pablo stood between the man’s legs, snarling jaws right over Elmwood’s crotch.
I bit my thumb, failing to stifle my laughter. ‘You should apologise.’
‘I’m not apologising to a…pet!’
He swore as Pablo widened his huge jaw, exposing jagged teeth.
‘Never call Pablo a pet. He’s been my guide…since…since the accident.’ I straightened against the pain writhing in my heart.
Matthias’s face screwed up. ‘Fine, sorry. I’m sorry. You’re a…good wolf.’
I tapped Pablo’s shoulders, and he sat back, shaking his shaggy head. The guards stopped, weapons drawn. I couldn’t make out their expressions, but their awkward shuffling told me they were rather confused.
‘My king?’ one of them called out, taking a few steps forward. ‘Do you need help there?’
Matthias leapt up, swiping dust from his cloak. ‘Fine, Asher. It’s fine.’ He faced me, his brow furrowed as he studied my features.
I gripped my skirts, willing my hands to stop shaking.
‘When did you become best friends with a wolf?’ His gaze flicked to Pablo.
‘I find he’s more faithful than the friends I used to know.’ I limped back, creating more space.
‘A cane would be less trouble.’
‘But a wolf is such a conversation starter.’
If I could raise his ire, maybe he wouldn’t come so damned close, but then his face broke out in that heart-shattering grin and my traitorous heart stuttered. Swallowing, I looked away.
The approaching guard held his arm out for me. The darkest brown eyes twinkled in his black face. He flashed a grin so welcoming, I couldn’t help but smile back. Onyx braids hung down to his hips. Silver buttons shone like the new moon on his ebony uniform. He took my knuckles, squeezing my hand.
‘This must be your new bride, Matthias.’
His mistake slammed into my chest like Matthias’s arrow.
Matthias brushed more dirt from his shoulders. ‘She is,’ he replied softly. ‘Asher, this is Sorrow, my…intended. Sorrow, Captain Asher Rossing. My personal guard.’
My head swung between them, my mouth dry. Matthias? Matthias Elmswood was the king who’d bartered for my hand? Given Romero boons to throw me in his wedding bed, after he’d not only ripped my tattered heart from my chest, but stomped it into the dirt with his betrayal?
‘But––’ Gods, my voice was far too high. ‘You’re marrying Enfys!’
Matthias’s brow furrowed. ‘Enfys?’ Green eyes flicked across to Asher. ‘Why on Eusis would I marry Enfys?’
I trembled as he took a step closer, tilting his head, as a thundering growl rumbled through the wolf.
‘As long as there is breath in my body, I will not be your bride.’ Even if you are so fucking devastating you’d distract Evella.
I backed away as the king took another step towards me, suddenly far too aware of his lean form, the rise of his firm chest and the coiled muscles tensing beneath his dusty clothes.
