Page 13 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

Enfys shook her head, so like Mama, and the grief I’d never faced slammed into me.

We sat silently on the floor of the empty library, Enfys’s head on my shoulder as Pablo lay his chin on her knee. I closed my eyes and breathed in my little sister. The girl I’d run from when I should have turned to her.

Pablo whined as Asher coughed from the doorway, a bright lamp held aloft, illuminating his gentle smile.

‘Is this a girls’ only event or can anyone join?’

‘Technically. Pablo’s a boy too, so I suppose you’re more than welcome, Captain.’ Enfys brushed a kiss to my forehead as she stood.

‘I grew worried when you spent an hour retrieving my queen.’ He offered his hand. For a moment, I glanced at it before reaching out and standing on trembling legs. ‘In all honesty, I’m not happy about leaving you alone in a castle where Danté gets a free run.’

I bent down and grabbed one of the books I’d thrown, wincing at the battered pages before returning it to the shelf.

‘I’ve got the wolf,’ I said, smiling as Pablo sniffed one of the tossed books.

‘And I’ve got wine and a portrait of a certain Duke that needs a few embellishments.’

‘So.’ Skye interlocked her arm with mine. ‘As much as I despise defacing a work of art, I think we’ll all find it quite cathartic to throw some daggers at it.’

‘Even I’ll say yes to that,’ said Enfys.

I scanned the discarded books. Wine had seemed like a terrible idea moments ago, but it could put a temporary gauze over those bleeding wounds of ours.

‘Let me put these away and I’ll join you,’ I said, picking up another dented book.

Asher tilted his head, his ebony coils glinting in the golden glow of his lamp. ‘And I said I’m not happy leaving you alone, my queen.’

Pablo whined.

‘I think you’ve offended him, Captain. I need… a few minutes. Honestly, if I’m not there in ten minutes, come and find me,’ I pleaded.

‘And did you think the wolf was enough last night too?’ Asher scratched the fur behind the wolf’s ear, his smile gone.

Huffing, I placed the book back on the shelf, much more carefully than I’d removed it.

‘I just need a minute… please?’

‘She’s got the wolf,’ Skye said. ‘Give her space. I’d think it’s something you’d find quite easy, Captain.’

I swung my gaze back over my shoulder at her clipped tone, narrowed my eyes. By Evella, please tell me there weren’t still issues with those two? Perhaps I’d throw them back on the boat and raise the anchor. Forcing them to share the same air might bring them closer.

‘Fine.’ He saluted, offering his arm to Enfys, who accepted with a shy smile. ‘Ten minutes, my queen. In fact, make it nine.’

Skye squeezed my fingers. ‘I’d make it eight,’ she whispered.

When the last of their chatter faded, my shoulders slumped. Pablo passed me another book, which I silently apologised to, before placing it on the shelf.

The wolf took his place under my hand. A drink was exactly what I needed right now. But we hadn’t taken more than two steps when Pablo’s head swung round, his ears pricked. I spun, my heart crashing as the faint gilded glow of a lamp receded into the gloom. I tugged his fur, the skin on my nape chilling as the glow caught my eyes through the shelves.

‘Come on,’ I whispered, not wanting to relive yesterday’s assassination attempt. ‘Let’s get⁠—’

What the fuck? The damn wolf ran towards the light, leaving me alone in the shadows with only my wayward gifts as protection.

‘Hey, boy.’

I groaned at the mariner’s husky voice. No. Not him. ‘Thought you’d all gone?’

Bristling, I grabbed my skirts with one hand, stretching the other as I took a few hesitant steps towards the wolf and the damned mariner. I had no desire to be under his scrutiny right now. What was it about him that appealed to the wolf?