Page 72 of A Castle of Broken Memories

“Then you get dibs on the drumstick, my love.”

A wide grin slashed across his face, revealing rows of white pointed teeth, and I was struck by the similarity he bore in that moment to the monster who’d haunted this very hall for all those years. That nasty wolf who bit my ankle. Mariana had torn off a piece of Gregar’s leg.

Shit. He was Gregar, just smaller. Much, much smaller.

The revelation barely had time to sink in when the castle doors flew open with a resounding bang, and my heart lodged itself in my throat at the sight of my mate striding defiantly over the threshold, red cloak flapping over her bare limbs like a banner of war. She didn’t even spare the queen a second glance as her gaze met mine, a possessive growl rumbling up from her chest.

“Release him. Now.”

The queen’s lip curled into an amused sneer. “I think not. At least, not until you’ve turned over the golden harp and her treacherous brother. Then, perhaps, we can discuss…terms.” Behind her back, the prince licked his greedy lips.

Mariana’s gaze never wavered from mine. “Counter offer—you release my mate and I don’t tear your oversized face to shreds.”

The queen waved her arms around the room, where at least twenty armed giants stood at attention. While the rest of the giants had returned to their homes—the tiny villages lumped into various rooms—the queen had kept her guard on hand for this very moment. “By all means,” she purred. “Go ahead and try. But even for a werewolf, you’re outnumbered.”

The tiniest smirk tugged at the corner of Mariana’s mouth. “Am I, though?”

A wrinkle of confusion knit the queen’s brows together, but it was soon replaced by irritation. “Enough of this. If you refuse to see reason, then we’ll cut to the chase and begin feasting on your bones. Seize her!”

The responding clatter of spears was interrupted by an outcry of panic when the guards struggled to move forward. “Your Majesty,” one of them cried. “There’s something else here.”

The queen whirled around, and screamed when her crown went flying off her head. “Who’s there?”

Mariana’s grin turned feral. “My pack.” Bursting into her wolf form, she lunged at the queen’s face while hints of color flickered throughout the room. One by one the werewolves appeared out of thin air, teeth gnashing and claws flashing viciously as they battled the giants throughout the foyer hall.

I slammed my foot into the cage door, attempting to free myself so I could join them, but the thick metal remained stubbornly intact.

“Hold on,” a voice called from beneath the cage, and my eyes widened at the sight of a younger me blinking into sight. “We’re going to get you out of there.”

It couldn’t be… “Sean?” I almost choked on the name, my emotions were so thick in my throat.

His reply was equally rough. “Long time, no see, bro.”

Another face flickered into view beside him, tears streaking age-worn cheeks. “We missed you, son.”

“Dad.”

He was here.

My family, who I hadn’t seen in ten long years, was right below me.

I slammed my foot into the bars again, the need to tousle my brother’s hair and wrap my father in a long-awaited hug fueling my muscle-cramped legs.

“Jack.”

I paused my bar-bashing long enough to look down at my little brother. A vial of crimson liquid flashed in his hand. “Catch!”

The vial flew up between the bars, and I had it unstoppered within seconds, the elixir sliding down my throat with a bitter tang—troll’s blood. Not as potent as giant’s, but it still packed a strong punch. Literally. As soon as the fresh blood reached my legs, I kicked out, smashing the door straight off its hinges. The moment I dropped to the floor, I was bombarded by hugs on both sides.

“I’m so sorry, Jack,” my dad rasped, squeezing me tight. “I should have known you’d never leave like that.”

“Noah’s gonna eat shit if he ever shows his face in Mondue again,” Sean added. “Bastard skipped town when Lotte caught him sneakily torching the beanstalk the night after Mari and them ascended.” He shook his head. “Now we know why he was so against them going up in the first place.”

I pulled back at the mention of Mari’s name and the reminder that our little family reunion was taking place in the middle of a brawl. I scanned the melee and swore when I spied her wolf tangling with the queen. The giantess had Mari locked in a crushing grip, despite Mari’s claws forging bloody trenches along her arms.

The queen’s knuckles whitened while she tightened her grip around Mari’s ribcage, and the faintest whimper slipped free from Mari’s muzzle as she went limp and shifted back into human form.

I tore across the room in a rage-induced haze.