Page 33 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘G… guards.’

I smirked as Danté’s voice cracked. ‘Guards!’

‘Wait,’ Enfys called. I couldn’t even spare her a glance as I focused on the boy king and the man whispering lies in his ear. ‘Sorrow? What’s happened?’

I sent out a thread of silver, my gut clenching as, for a heartbeat, the ribbon became a wisp, escaping my grip. The matriarch of the murder, a crow who’d lost one of her eyes, settled upon my shoulder. A reminder to the enemy of what lurked within the wolf queen.

‘I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news, Duke Lommond.’

I struggled to suppress my smile as he stood, raising his trembling, stubbled chin. I’d have to be mindful of that stubble when I punched the fucker.

‘The Anomaly you sent to kill me?’ Gasps erupted behind me. ‘Dead. Eviscerated.’ I cocked my head; a happiness I hadn’t felt in forever swept through me as his face paled. ‘Gone.’

The duke’s mouth worked, panic rippled through his brown eyes as Oskar turned between me and the duke. It was still impossible to read the boy’s expression, but I had to know if the order for my death had come from Romero’s heir.

‘I…’ Danté barked out a laugh, his eyes darting around the room as Asher settled his hand against my arm. ‘I sent no Anomaly. I’d nev⁠—’

‘Are you truly that stupid?’ I shifted my gaze to Pablo for a second, who padded slowly towards the duke, his hackles high, drool spilling from his snarling fangs. ‘You bound my wrists with Evellum. Locked me in the crypt and left me with an Anomaly stealing every last gasp of air from my lungs. Apparently, all at the bequest of Prince Oskar.’

My shattered gaze connected with my brother’s, my skin crawling as he met me with a blank mask so reminiscent of his father.

Asher gripped his sword, shifting his stance so he stood before me. Enfys rushed before her brother, her hand thrown up to protect him. Did she suspect the accusation to be true?

Enfys rounded on Danté. ‘I should have exiled you the moment I laid my eyes on you.’

The duke’s jaw ticked, so violently even I saw it, but there was still some semblance of sense in the creature as he held her gaze.

‘If I could explain⁠—’

‘No.’ My sister reached back. For a moment, I regarded her steady palm before unclenching my fist and threading my fingers through hers. With her other hand, she took hold of our brother, her stare boring into the duke. ‘You’ve forever been a simpering, self-serving waste of human flesh. My father, Evella bless him, may have accepted your sycophantic breed of flattery in his ear, but believe me, your grace, I will not.’

Danté’s eyes darkened before he bowed. ‘Apologies, Your High⁠—’

‘Your grease-riddled words will not work on me, Lommond.’

As Enfys spoke, her hand gripping mine, I sent a message to the crows. Slowly, deliberately, they flew down on near-silent wings. Settled their dark claws on the throne. Oskar shuddered as one rested upon his shoulder. Each set of beady dark eyes trained upon the duke. ‘Even now, you’re determined to turn my brother against his sisters. My reign will be short – my path lies within the halls of Evella’s convents – but I will not entertain the likes of you within my court, pouring your lies and anger into Oskar’s young mind. He’s my brother, and one day he’ll be my king.’

I glanced towards the rafters, praying Mama could see the queen her golden-haired daughter had become.

‘And he will lead with integrity, honesty, empathy and, above all, kindness. As these are attributes you are sorely lacking, I have no choice but to strip you of your diplomatic duties and banish you to your lands.’

I turned my good eye to my sister. ‘We could always strip him of his lands?’

Or his life. No one would miss him.

His glare snapped onto me, and a wide smile spread across my face as his burned with anger and shame.

Enfys shook her head. ‘As I said, kindness. I believe the Lommonds have suffered enough over the last decade.’ I bristled, recalling how his older brother had fallen in with Raul. One of the few titled rebels to be executed. ‘But if you attempt to meddle with the crown again, I will not hesitate to heed my sister’s advice.’

Danté’s face shook. He inclined his head, voice breaking as he spoke. ‘As you wish, Your Highness. I’m eternally grateful for your… benevolence.’

He avoided my eyes as he straightened his spine and strode down the steps towards the door.

‘And Danté,’ Enfys called. ‘The truth, please. Was… was Oskar implicated?’

The child stiffened as Danté turned. Whatever emotion lay on his face was lost to me at this distance.

‘Not at all. I feel your sister misheard me.’