Page 99 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

Vyrus.

‘Where the fuck is my wife?’ I grabbed him, ignoring the flames sparking in his eyes, slamming him against a tree. He barked out a laugh as I shoved him again. God or not, if he’d hurt a single hair on her head, I’d destroy him and that heart he was so desperate for.

He pushed me away, spread his arms wide as I tried to tear over to him again.

‘I was hoping you’d have the answer to that, little king.’

I clutched my head as his voice rang against my skull, only realising Raine, Asher and Skye had arrived as the ringing settled.

Asher stepped before me, his hand on the hilt of his sword, totally unaware he faced down Vyrus.

‘Her wolf was following her scent,’ he said as the God turned his dark eyes onto my captain. ‘And now he’s stopped.’

Vyrus’s brows flew up, a grin curled on his lips. ‘No shit, Captain. I wonder how that empress took over Asmar when it’s teeming with such intelligence?’

In the next heartbeat, the point of Asher’s sword hovered before the God’s throat. He raised his hands higher, the wild grin on his face chilling my bones.

‘Asher…’ My captain glanced back over his shoulder, a warning flashing in his eyes. If I wanted to find Sorrow, I had to keep my cool. The wolf nudged my hip; his eyes locked onto the God with intent. If there was any chance Vyrus had hurt Sorrow, then it would be the wolf’s teeth wrapped around his throat. ‘Lower your blade, Captain.’

His hand wavered. ‘Lower my⁠—’

‘Now. Captain.’

The blade swung back to his side. But fury shone in my friend’s eyes as I approached the God. I had to keep my temper in check if I wanted to find my wife.

‘I apologise for my captain’s actions,’ I said, ignoring Asher’s snort as I raised my chin. ‘But he’s fiercely loyal to Sorrow. We’re all desperate to find her. Make sure she’s safe. Is there any chance you know what’s happened to her?’

My hands flexed by my side. A part of me echoed Asher’s intentions, but a rash king, acting without thought, could lead to me losing the one thing that made my heart beat. The God crossed his arms, tilted his head in Pablo’s direction.

‘Unfortunately, little king, I’ve lost her trail here.’ I swallowed against the shuddering panic. ‘But him?’ He inclined his chin towards Pablo. ‘That wolf has been trying to tell me about the other scents.’

‘Other scents?’ Asher’s hand tightened on his sword as the God’s gaze flicked his way.

‘The other prince. The Elmswood, who reeks of decay⁠—’

Skye gasped. ‘Ifan.’

If Ifan were here, then⁠—

‘And the one who took your throne, little king.’

‘The empress?’ I breathed.

Vyrus’s mouth settled in a thin line.

My knees buckled. I turned, shock lay on Skye’s face as she signed to Raine, who paled at the news.

Asher furrowed his brow, looking between Vyrus and the wolf. ‘Did he…?’

‘The empress has Sorrow?’ Raine signed, their movements jagged and rapid. ‘A powerful Deviant and half of Vyrus’s heart?’

‘My heart.’

Everyone clutched their heads, even Raine, as the God decided he’d had enough of hiding, his voice blasting painfully through our minds. Vyrus gripped his brown shirt, pulling open the buttons. I grimaced. A cavity sat open in his chest. Blood glistened and within…

Within lay a ruby. Half the size of my fist, pounding as though it were as real as mine. Skye cried out as the rolling in our heads abated. The God buttoned his shirt once more, set his determined gaze on mine and closed the gap between us.

His hand snapped out, and grasping my arm, he spun me around. Asher tried to leap forward, crying as he slammed into an invisible wall. Skye swore, straining against the unseen barrier as she tried to claw her way to me. Pulling up my shirt, his palm skimmed the flesh of my back. There was a moment of intense pressure, then relief, forcing a huge exhale from my lips. The God let me go and I turned about, the flecks of shining bronze, silver and emerald that had been poisoning me under my skin danced through the air.