Page 61 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘Why…’ He took a deep breath. ‘Why exactly do you need him, Sorrow?’

Whoever had accompanied Matthias hovered on the steps. I had to watch my words. I couldn’t piss the God off now and risk him abandoning me. Us.

‘Tell me what you think, Matthias?’ My breath caught as his features came into shaky focus. Did a muscle click in his jaw?

‘Okay.’

Oh, he was going to have to drop that dark tone.

‘Let me rephrase it.’

He knelt down, the light in his eyes flickering between me and the God. A God I realised remained clutched in my embrace. Groaning, I pushed Vyrus up, battled to hold him steady.

‘Is there a reason you’re… holding this man and telling him you need him?’

I swallowed as my husband’s voice cracked at the effort he exuded in order to hold his temper in check.

‘Who is he?’

It was my turn to swallow. Why Matthias, this inebriated man currently swaying before you is Vyrus. Yes, that Vyrus and he holds the key to ridding you of that damned tattoo. I just need to sober him up and ensure you don’t kill him.

Vyrus’s eyes flew open, his head swung in Matthias’s direction, a feral grin lit up his face.

‘I’m her… pa-papa, grand pappy.’ He barked out a laugh as I let go, wincing as the back of his head slammed against the ground.

‘Hawk. We commandeered his boat.’

I tilted my head, sensing the anger roiling through Matthias.

‘You might recall how we left you in Asmar. Or were you too busy fighting my corpses?’

His harsh gaze snapped onto mine. Even in the shadows, I saw the warning flickering through. A reminder that the man I loved was possessed by another.

His fingers reached for me, hovering close to my hand. I glanced down, my own hand twitching as I instinctively moved towards him.

No. I still couldn’t trust him. And I was still pissed.

‘He’s helping, Matthias.’ Well, for the time being anyway. ‘Helping us sort this shit we’ve fallen in. A mess we could have avoided if you hadn’t gotten that tattoo.’

Vyrus let out a wet belch. Matthias grimaced as he looked down at the sprawled God.

‘And he’s…’ My heart lurched as his eyes met mine, his brows furrowed and the boy I adored was at my side once more. ‘He’s the best we’ve got?’ A half-laugh burst through my lips.

‘I hate to interrupt, but we’re already late for the meeting. Raine won’t wait.’

The darkness entered Matthias’s eyes once more and I swallowed against the dagger slicing through my chest. Standing, he held out his hand to me. I stared at it for a few moments before shaking my head, instead gripping Pablo, a low rumble roiling through him as he kept his amber gaze on Matthias. Matthias’s hand fell limply to his side, and my heart twisted to see the hem of his shirt already hanging over his hip. I still had so many questions and Hawk wouldn’t be any use to me till he’d sobered, but I wasn’t entirely sure I could trust this man. Not until that tattoo was well and truly gone. Still, giving the God’s boot a good kick, I followed my husband.

The scent of nut coffee and raised voices drew me towards the debate room where Raine had agreed to offer their support. The first rays of the sun burned through the window as everyone turned. A rebel rushed up to Matthias, presenting him with a silver band he snapped onto his wrist.

‘Evellum,’ he said, a sheepish smile on his face as I turned away from the cursed alloy. My fingers twitched, and I narrowed my gaze, glancing around the room.

Raine sat next to⁠—

I peered closer. It couldn’t be…

‘Isbeth!’ I cried. I’d wondered why the room was so cold. I rounded on Matthias, who seemed oblivious, slumping in a chair. He’d known. Why had he failed to mention his mother was here? The mother who’d forever sneered at me when she came to visit Matthias at Bronzehold. The one who’d taken me aside and warned me I wasn’t good enough for her son the last time she’d visited.

Oh, I was going to enjoy this.