Page 86 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘I’m not sure what Chronicles you’ve been reading, Villente, but I’m not famed for my benevolence.’

He pulled himself free, placed his hand on Pablo’s head.

‘I haven’t shared tales of your bloodline as a way of reaching out. You wanted to know why I chose you. Why your own heart still beats even though you know my name.’ He walked to the door and I clenched my fists; fought the urge to call the prick every name under the sun he’d created. ‘Now you know. Chastity kept it a secret for a reason, Villente. What do you think will happen to you if people know you carry my blood? Leave me alone, unless you have my heart, or suddenly you’ll find a bunch of Sisters at your door with pitchforks and torches. You might survive, but what about Enfys? Your little turd of a brother?’ He moved further away. ‘Congratulations, by the way.’

With that, he closed the door and a lone tear tracked down my cheek. Clutching Pablo, I heaved in a huge breath. I still kept my powerful secret. I still had the ruby and control over Matthias.

Only with the empress owning half of the ruby, was this tiny fragment enough to secure the man I loved and keep him safe from her control?

CHAPTER 32

SORROW

King Phillip III Thorne became a laughing stock after he bought Katherine. The fool had truly believed he’d bought himself a Villente. Imagine his horror when Romero turned sixteen and still hadn’t emerged. The realisation he’d tied his line to a bastard Anomaly!

​— ​A BRIEF MODERN HISTORY OF DRUFAERA, VISCOUNTESS ARINNA VILLENTE

‘Bad wolf,’ I said, turning from my reflection as Pablo spat the ravaged garland onto the floor moments after Skye had slipped from the room where she’d helped dress me. ‘You’re supposed to be my sweet, little bridesmaid.’

He opened his mouth, a soggy, bedraggled daisy slipping from his tongue in response. He sneezed on the flower crown, his steady gaze on mine, and I huffed a laugh, turning back to the dressing table mirror and blowing out a long breath at the swirling reflection.

‘What are you doing, Sorrow Elmswood?’ I could almost hear Glesni’s chuckle, see the thin line of her lips as her beady eyes bored into mine. She always had a way of glimpsing whatever secrets I concealed beneath my armour.

Distracting myself, you damned woman. I reached up, pushing a stray lock behind my ear and tracing the blurry mass of lavender amongst the gypsophila and oversized daisies crowning my head. Pretending that Hawk – Vyrus – is a rather powerful Deviant with more gifts than sense and not the actual God of Vengeance, who’s also apparently my great-great- whatever grandfather. A God I’ve made a deal with to find his shattered heart, which I’ve hidden in this drawer, and he’ll possibly destroy everyone I love if he finds out. Everyone believes the empress is bringing him back to destroy us when he’s already here. Oh, and I carry the blood of Evella, but even with that, I’m still not balancing. My gifts are nothing but curses. And my unruly threads have inadvertently led to the death of my mother-in-law.

But I do have Matthias back. We’re still smitten and I’m going to make the most of every moment we’re granted in this fragile world.

Vyrus had vanished as soon as I’d stormed from that room. The heart he’d spent eternity searching for was finally within his grasp. All he had to do was destroy the empress. I glared at my reflection. As long as I kept this fragment, maintained my hold on Matthias till we’d neutralised the threat of the empress and could give Vyrus his whole heart again, all would be fine. Our goal was the same: to destroy the empress. How could we fail with the God of Vengeance standing within our numbers?

I stood back, twirling slightly, a little smile sliding across my face. Amala had presented us with what seemed to be a thousand dresses. The cream gown I wore was one of them. Skye’s face had turned grey at the sight. It was too simple, too plain for a queen. Maybe, I’d said. But it’s perfect for me. The v-neckline sat just above my breasts. Floating short sleeves reminded me of butterfly wings when I twirled, as the few layers of satin and lace spun like snowflakes. I stopped my twirl as a stab of guilt twisted my guts. Before lunch tomorrow, everyone would reconvene. Monarchs, rebels, the clergy, even the gods-awful hunters would come together to decide how we’d prevent the empress from summoning Vyrus.

I snorted as the twist expanded, flooding my senses. Vyrus was already here, the words of The Chronicles warning us he wore our skin and walked amongst us more true than we’d ever dared imagine.

And I couldn’t tell a single soul.

Not even my husband.

I straightened at a rapid knock at the door. They wouldn’t believe me anyway. I cast all thoughts of the God aside. Tonight, I’d marry the man I loved… again.

‘Come in.’

The door opened a crack.

‘Looks like we arrived just in time.’ A blurred mix of blonde hair and blue silks crept through the gloom.

‘Enfys!’

She swept in. I dragged her into me, her slim arms clutching me tight enough to bruise my ribs, before I heard a little sniff behind her.

‘And Oskar…’

‘Our brother has something to say,’ she said, breaking apart as Pablo clawed at her, demanding some of her attention. ‘Don’t you, Oskar?’

These dark candlelit rooms were a nightmare. I could barely see him in the shadows.

The child approached. The grey eyes of his father stared at me from features that were wholly Mama. A twist of resentment sparked in my chest as he held out his pale hand.

‘Congratulations, Sorrow.’ He flicked his gaze to Enfys, who nodded at him. ‘And sorry… sorry for all the fuss.’