Page 90 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘But…’ He followed her as she danced, rare tears shining in his dark eyes. ‘The thought of her with someone else. It…’

‘This isn’t fair to her.’

‘I know.’ He stood straighter, heaving in a breath as she watched him.

‘We could all be nothing but dust and bones in the next few weeks. Can you at least give her a chance of happiness? Could you⁠—’

‘You’re right.’ He shoved his empty cup into my hand. ‘If there’s one person who deserves happiness in this world, it’s her.’

Shit, she’d be devastated. I’d hoped my words would rile something in Asher, but as he strode through the dancers, perhaps it was for the best. Skye spotted Ash weaving his way towards her and halted. Her partner tried to take her hand, but she pushed him away. Gods, the smile that lit up her face. It’d kill me to watch it crumple as Asher finally let her go. I started pressing through. As much as I wanted to take Sorrow back to our room, I was Skye’s brother and I’d be there when her world fell apart.

But then⁠—

I stopped, angering a couple who slammed into me as I barked out a laugh. Asher cupped Skye’s face, her green eyes widened as he spoke, his mouth a breath away from hers. Was he…? She nodded, her smile splitting her face as her arms wrapped round his neck and damn it…

‘He’s kissed her!’

For a few moments, I watched as my best friend and sister kissed, slow and gentle. Another pair of dancers giggled as they narrowly missed me.

I shuddered and turned away, desperate to find Sorrow and tell her.

‘Ew,’ I said, looking over the bouncing heads in search of my wife. ‘That’s my sister.’

Where had Sorrow gone? Surely the wolf had eaten his fill by now? I leapt onto a chair, gripping the column, craning my neck and searching for the most beautiful woman on all Eusis.

I huffed. She still hadn’t come back.

‘I can’t have pissed her off already,’ I said, hopping down and making my way through the revellers. ‘Can I?’

I scanned the courtyard. My gaze narrowed on the shadows leading towards a dingy pathway. It was a place I’d never been, but something tugged me towards it.

I jogged across, slowing as hissed voices – the low growl of a wolf – reached me. My pulse spiked and I raced across, my feet sliding to a halt as Sorrow called out.

‘I swear, I’ve not told Matthias anything.’

‘You sure, sweetheart?’ I’d level him for that patronising tone. ‘He knows nothing? About us? About what we are to each other?’

I stumbled, a rock slamming into my chest, driving the air from me. What we are to each other…

The fucking Deviant snorted as my fist clenched. Sorrow wouldn’t… I know she wouldn’t.

‘There’s a slight problem, though, Villente.’

Sorrow huffed. ‘Just the one?’

I hung back in the shadows as Hawk chuckled, his tone lowering. ‘I can’t trust one word you say, can I?’

‘I’m not the one deceiving an entire world.’ Her voice shook and I stepped closer, realising the wolf had stopped his growling. Did he know I was there?

‘I’ve just had a rather interesting conversation with that pretty little sister-in-law of yours?’

‘And?’

‘You weren’t lying when you said she was a little wonder, were you? We had such a giggle as she told me about how she couldn’t get you to wear any colour. Except when she put you in red.’

I furrowed my brows. Where the hell was all this going? Sorrow remained silent as her Deviant’s voice lowered so much I had to crane my neck to pick up his words.

‘And placed a ruby necklace around your neck. A necklace with a matching ring.’