Pablo threw himself at the closed door, his claws gouging deep grooves into the wood as he snarled.
Matthias and I broke apart.
‘Pab!’ The wolf lurched at the door once more. ‘Pablo stop!’
The wolf stalked back a few steps. Drool dripped onto the floor as he bared his fangs.
‘Your wolf doesn’t trust our prince,’ Asher said.
Colour rose up my neck. I’d almost forgotten the captain had been in the room too.
‘He’s obviously an immensely good judge of character.’ Asher clapped his hands together. ‘As much as I hate to break all this cuddly lovey-dovey stuff up, I’m afraid I need to borrow my queen and get details. If we set off tomorrow, we might have a brand new untouched Vyrium mine by the end of the month.’
Matthias ran his fingers through his dark hair, a glint of hope sparking in his eyes.
‘We might just do this.’ A frantic grin split his face.
I offered him my hand before leading them back to the map to show them what Skye and I had found.
By the time the moonlight glimmered through the tall leaden windows and Matthias walked me towards my rooms, he still hadn’t let go.
Reaching the corner, where we’d separate and go to our chambers, he raised my hand, brushed his warm lips across my knuckles, and I sank against the wall.
‘Good night, my wonderful Sorrow.’
I straightened, aware of the soft grin lying on my lips.
‘We’ll be up early. Sleep well.’
Dropping my hand, he walked away. My empty arms crossed across my heaving chest, the back of my head colliding with the wall. Pablo turned towards me, tilting his head and whining. I cocked my head, desperate for the comfort of Matthias’s footsteps. But the halls were silent. I swallowed. It could be a month, more, before we’d ever have a chance to be alone.
Pablo sat down, pawed my dress as I blew out a heavy breath.
‘Fuck it,’ I said, and gripping the wolf, decided for once, I’d follow my stupid heart.
CHAPTER 28
I know Matthias is a man, a king, but Gods, sometimes I wish he were my little boy again. The child with the big green eyes and the sweetest smile. The child who’d listen! I’m aware he’s had more than one dalliance, but he turns his nose at every potential bride I find. I think you may be right, that the misguided fool is still holding out for her. I hope not. I couldn’t abide that sullen child.
— LETTER FROM QUEEN ISBETH TO HER COUSIN
‘Matthias!’ My voice echoed unanswered down the dim corridors. I blew out a long breath, a half-smile at the corner of my mouth. A thrill quivered through my veins, drowning out the stubborn voice insisting he’d still been the one to abandon me. Still the only one to strike a blow to my heart. He may have been those things, but he was also the only one to coax my scowl into a smile, to force my heart to hammer like an anvil against my ribs. The one to keep me tossing and turning all night as I recalled the heat of his kiss.
I passed a maid, her head hung low, and was about to ask her if she’d seen the king when I heard the unmistakable hushed tone of Asher.
‘But are you sure he can be trusted? Completely, wholeheartedly, without one single doubt in that over-trusting mind of yours, trusted?’
Matthias sighed. I slid into the shadows, still unable to make them out in the gloom.
‘Yes, Ash. And not just because he’s my brother.’
I pressed myself further into the wall.
‘You saw how he fought for us. I trust him as much as I trust you or any of my guards.’
‘Matthias.’ Asher’s tone darkened. ‘Don’t look at me that way. He’s said…things.’
‘Things?’
