Page 57 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘You speak well, Your Highness.’ They tipped their chin to me. ‘As rebels, as people without power, we’ve never had the freedom you crave. For two centuries, we’ve hid in shadows, branded as traitors, simply for wanting a better world.’

I exhaled a slight, shaky breath as I met Raine’s eyes and stood straighter.

‘You’re right too. Without unity every one of us will perish. You have my assurance we’ll join your forces.’

I hadn’t realised how tight my shoulders were till they spoke.

‘I feel we have more chance of changing this world for the better with you than the empress.’

‘Thank you,’ I signed, one of the few signs I knew, as Pablo growled, scratching my leg, and I nudged him away. ‘Thank you.’

They shook their hands. ‘I certainly prefer to deal with you than your husband.’ My breath caught at the thought of him. The way I simply missed him. Raine turned towards the door. ‘Would that be all right with you, Asmar?’

Asmar? My bruised heart pounded. A sob caught in my throat, and slowly, so slowly, I turned to the door.

‘Sorrow?’

He stood there, his expression lost within the shadows. Flames raged through my blood, stinging my lungs, flaring across my skin. Matthias took a trembling step forward as I gripped the wolf, too scared to exhale. Too scared this moment would fade, that this man was nothing more than a trick of my eyes.

In the next heartbeat, I was in his arms. The tears I’d held back coursing down my cheeks as I fell against him, my fingers grasping the remains of his filthy shirt. Kisses peppered my forehead, but his poor lips were dry, so dry. I broke away, my hands grasping his stubbled jaw, and tilted his face to take him in.

‘Gods,’ I whispered, my pulse stuttering. Shadows encased his green eyes. His eyelids shuttered as I rubbed my thumb over his chapped lips, narrowing my gaze as I peered at his pallid skin.

‘Matthias?’ His trembling hand lay against my cheek, and I leaned into it. He clutched me tighter, so tight, as though not even a god could tear us asunder.

God?

Pulling myself free, I spun about, scouring the room for Vyrus. The chance that he could remove the Vyrium, save my husband forcing me away from the arms I’d craved for so long.

‘Sorrow?’ My heart tripped as Matthias’s voice cracked when I found the shaky form of the God, his head cocked, and I crossed the room.

‘V… Hawk. I need you. I need⁠—’

A cry broke through my lips as Matthias grasped my arm.

‘Him?’ he cried as Pablo lunged, the God pulling me back as Matthias flew forward, his fist colliding with the God’s shoulder.

‘You need him? Him?’ Matthias roared, spittle flying from his snarling mouth. Raine and a group of black-clad figures dived, grasping him and holding my husband back. I shook my head, my lungs constricting as the man before me raged. ‘Who is he? You’re my wife, Sorrow. Mine!’

Vyrus cleared his throat. ‘And you think I have obsessive issues.’

I met the shattered gaze of the man I needed more than air, my heart stuttering at the creature glaring at me. He lunged, as though he wanted nothing more than to grab me. The rebels wrestled with him, one falling as Matthias lurched again and devastation struck my injured heart.

This wasn’t my husband. This was a demon, possessed by the empress. Pablo placed himself before me, jaws snapping at the puppet wearing Matthias’s skin. He didn’t even balk as the wolf snapped close to the pulse thundering in his neck.

Then Matthias slumped in the rebels’ arms, his head lolling, and I stared wide-eyed as his knees crashed against the floor.

‘I’m out of here,’ Vyrus said as the wolf settled his still-bristling form beneath my quivering fingers and the God sauntered from the room.

I swallowed as Matthias lifted his head, unable to speak. He’d always possessed an impulsive streak, but this? This wasn’t the man I’d married. The boy I’d fallen for. The green eyes I adored widened with horror, his ire spent.

‘I’m… Sorrow. I’m sorry.’ I heaved in a deep breath as his voice broke. ‘It’s… the tattoo… the fucking Vyrium…’

‘I know,’ I whispered.

His mouth worked, his eyes wide, but no words formed.

I couldn’t hear any more. Couldn’t take another poisoned dagger to my heart. I needed the damn God’s help. But would Matthias even allow him to get close? Grasping Pab, I raised my chin and walked away, my blood humming beneath my skin and shutting out the sound of my husband crying my name.