Page 19 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘Do you not think he’s… odd. I mean, what’s his name, Asher?’ I raised a brow. ‘Just tell me his name?’

His mouth floundered. ‘I don’t remember. But we need every ally we can muster right now, Sorrow. And your wolf adores him. He can’t be that bad.’

Asher straightened, laughing low at my scowl. I turned back as Enfys sighed at another failed attempt to bring some sort of organisation to the meeting.

I glanced towards the door, heaving out a shuddering breath. That man might be the key to unlocking my gifts’ true potential because, without guidance, I still remained a danger to those I loved.

Finally, Enfys stood, straightening her spine before these simpering fools.

‘I’d like to thank you⁠—’

My sister groaned as they shouted over her once more.

‘I have several Anomalies, Your Highness. They are yours till we⁠—’

‘I have a number of personal guards I’m willing to spare. My daughter is the same age as the prince. If you’d recall my sacrifice when they come of age⁠—’

Suddenly, every fucker in the room had a relative they wanted to bind in matrimony to either Enfys or Oskar. And every second I sat here, the Deviant got further away.

My legs twitched as the meeting dragged on. My eyes darted to the door, breath catching every time someone entered.

Fuck this. I needed to speak to that Deviant more than I needed to sit in this meeting.

Enfys’s voice died as I stood, clutching the wolf and heading to the door. ‘Excuse me,’ I lied, ‘I’m… unwell.’

I think Enfys’s brows furrowed, but I was far too intent on finding… whoever that man was. I shook my head as Asher moved to join me, ignoring his frustrated huff, recalling how the mariner quickly extinguished the glowing orb he’d conjured. If this Deviant was intent on hiding his gifts, I’d have no chance to get him to admit to his blessings with an audience.

The sun was setting beyond the lead windows as I left with my wolf, and I cursed under my breath. Where had the blessed mariner gone?

‘Find him, Pab.’ The wolf whined. By Vyrus’s balls. What was it with that man and the wolf? ‘I bloody mean it. Find him.’

Pablo lurched towards a servants’ hallway. We padded along, heading for the fork in the path I knew lay yards ahead of us. One route led to the kitchens, the other to the grounds. I readied myself to veer left, convinced the man needed some food to soak up the alcohol, but Pablo dragged me right, towards the gardens supplying the kitchens.

‘Are you sure?’ I asked him. He snapped his jaws, and I groaned. ‘Fine, but you’re hunting your own food if you’re wrong.’

Stumbling, I fell through the door, grunting at the dark step outside and cursing. Pablo licked my fingers, his way of saying sorry.

‘It’s fine,’ I said, shivering as the chill of the early evening bit my cheeks. Staring around, I tried to spot something familiar to gain my bearings. I glanced towards the path that led to the orchard and the bower beyond. My heart twisted slightly as I recalled the vision of Matthias haunting my dreams. I peered into the gloom, huffing at a low mist clinging to our legs. Perfect. I couldn’t wait to trip over whatever lurked beneath the swirling clouds. A domed building glinted in the weak dusk: a greenhouse. One a young Matthias had broken during a rock-throwing competition. A weak smile tugged the corner of my mouth. He’d laughed so hard when I told him I’d let him win that one. Dragging in a tattered breath, I blinked away the tears. I had to focus. Find the damned⁠—

‘On your own again, sweetheart?’ Even though I’d been searching for him, I leapt as the mariner’s gravely tone shattered the peace.

I glowered as a nightingale trilled in the distance. You must be polite, I reminded myself, attempting to shift my features into something more… pleasant. Pablo padded over, nuzzling the man.

‘I was looking for you. You need to explain your reason for… for sniffing me.’ I crossed my arms. ‘And I want the truth.’

‘You married an idiot.’

‘I know that.’

He rubbed the back of his neck, let out a long breath. ‘You deserve an apology, though. You know.’ He raised his palm, waved it in my general direction. ‘I’m sorry. You just reminded me.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Someone important.’

My arms loosened as his voice broke on those final words. The pain that echoed my own.

‘You still had no right to do that.’ At least he was seeking forgiveness. Perhaps I could pry some of his secrets from him?

‘And I don’t even know your name.’ I held out my hand. Above, a bird of prey let out a sharp cry. The man looked up, a swirling smile lighting up his face.

‘Hawk.’