The wolf bowed his head, ears low, and stalked towards the library.
‘Damned dog,’ I muttered, and settling my breath, searched the corridor for any obstacles. A pain niggled at my temple, so taking a steadying breath, I headed towards Matthias.
I’d only taken two steps when a growl echoed around the corridor, and Pablo lunged out, grabbing my sleeve once more. I tried to snap my arm back, but the damned wolf was too quick, nearly toppling me over as he hauled me towards the library.
‘Sorrow?’
Goosebumps prickled across the back of my neck as my name left Matthias’s lips. The wolf snarled, his jaws clamped, as he tugged me towards the double doors.
‘Stop it,’ I shouted, twisting my arm and failing to free myself from the wolf. I knew he’d taken a dislike to Matthias, but this was a step too far.
As Pablo snarled and I swore, the air behind me changed. Looking back over my shoulder, I found my husband, his brow furrowed as I warred with the wolf. Matthias lay his warm hand on my shoulder, a shiver running through me at his gentle touch.
‘Has it gone mad?’
‘Obviously,’ I said as Pablo let go of my sleeve and grabbed my skirts instead, snarling and whining. Matthias snaked an arm around my waist as the wolf pulled harder. I thanked Evella, praying Matthias mistook my gasp as a reaction to the wolf, not him. He kicked a warning boot at Pablo.
‘No.’ I pushed Matthias away, but he clutched tighter. ‘I don’t get it. Pablo?’
The dress split as Pablo ripped through it. He set his eyes first on me, then Matthias, before snorting and flinging himself at the doors.
For a few moments, we stood together, watching the wolf, as part of me wanted nothing more than to sink back into Matthias’s arms. Then Pablo hurled himself into the doors again, letting out a quiet, pitiful whine.
‘He’ll hurt himself.’
I raced towards the wolf, first Matthias, then Asher flanking me.
With his next strike, the door gave way, opening a touch, exposing the dark interior. Surely no one was still studying at this late hour? Pablo was clawing at the door when Asher stopped, heaving in a deep sniff.
‘Smoke!’
We tore the door open further. The wolf flew through.
The king and his captain raced in, barking instructions at each other. I clung to the doorframe, begging my sight to adjust as the acrid smoke tickled the back of my throat. An orange swirl shone from one of the tables, and my heart exploded.
‘The maps!’ I cried, stumbling into the library as something heavy came down over the flames. A sharp scream rent the air.
‘Skye?’ Matthias cried out for his sister as the library was enveloped with darkness. Pablo snarled, growling, and my heart hammered as I tried to make sense of what was happening. When Matthias called for the lamps, a figure ran past from the corridor. Probably a guard or servant summoned by the chaos. Skye hacked, and as the first lamp was lit I looked in the direction of the coughing. Through the flickering light, Pablo dragged a figure in a light blue gown towards the door. I fell to the floor crawling and reaching out for her as another few lamps illuminated the library.
‘It’s killing her,’ Asher cried, drawing his blade and tearing over to Skye.
‘He’s saving her,’ I shouted, dragging Pablo away from Skye and pulling him towards me.
Asher’s sword clattered on the parquet floor as he cradled Skye. Blurry servants flung open the windows, the frosty breeze scattering my papers, and Pablo sneezed before pulling himselffree from me, snapping at the pages dancing through the smoky library.
Matthias held out his hand to help me stand, but I shook my head. The heel of my boot caught on the torn hem of my dress as I rose, and the fabric split wider.
‘Are you okay?’ Matthias frowned as he scoured my face. ‘Did you fall? Do you?—’
He stopped as his eyes tracked over my scowl and the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.
Pablo grabbed a sheet of paper, bounding over and dropping it at my feet.
‘I think,’ I said, ‘you should be more concerned about your sister.’
His brows rose in surprise as he spun about. Helping Skye to sit, Matthias pulled his sister into his chest where she sat wide-eyed, the realisation of what had happened settling on her. He ran his hands through her hair before placing a kiss on the top of her head.
‘How are you?’ Asher’s trembling lips paled; his hands bounced before him as though he were unsure where to place them.
