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The majority of guards were armed with swords, daggers, spears, or bows and arrows. And those who weren’t armed were massive, some as muscular as Alaric, while others were even bulkier. One female was a head taller than me and twice as thick, but all muscle.

I would never survive this place.

My throat went dry, and my pulse skittered. My breathing turned sharper and more ragged, and a fresh wave of pain shot through my skull from my head wound. “Are—are all of these Wolven Mages?”

Reid ran a hand down his face, his expression full of irritation.

“No,” said Alaric in a tight voice. “Most of our soldiers are Draconus Mages.”

Draconus. Dragon shifters.

I wanted to ask why, but a muscle feathered in Alaric’s jaw, and he looked like he was grinding his teeth together.

It was probably better if I remained silent from now on. The last thing I wanted was for him to shift into a wolf and jump on me again.

The road ended at a large courtyard surrounding the castle. The area was filled with soldiers and castle attendants. I watched as several Mages in liveries and uniforms scurried past.

I couldn’t help but notice how busy the place was. Were they preparing for war?

Or perhaps everyone was in a frenzy because the king had just died. I had no idea what a Mage funeral entailed. Perhaps it was very involved and included a ceremonial gesture from the army.

Storms, Gran, how were you involved in all this? I wondered as dread curdled in my stomach. What the hell did you get wrapped up in?

A cramp formed in my stomach as I climbed the steps to the inner bailey, which looked like a smaller, elevated version of the outer courtyard. Another growl from my stomach betrayed just how hungry I was, and I flinched as Reid shot me a nasty look.

Alaric sighed, stopping a few steps from the top. He looked at me with a scowl. “I know you’re hungry. I promise to have a meal sent to your cell, all right?”

I placed a hand on my stomach as if I could will it to stop rumbling. “Sorry. I—I can’t control it.”

“She’s probably used to heaping meals every day,” Reid said with a snort. “Judging by the size of her, maybe even double what we eat.”

My chest seemed to cave inward, and my skin burned from the accusation in his words. My eyes closed, and the world started to spin around me.

I expected Alaric to join in, to laugh and jeer at me.

Instead, he said sharply, “Don’t be a prick, Reid.”

My eyes flew open. Alaric was glaring at Reid, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

Reid’s eyes widened as he glanced from me to Alaric. “What?”

“I said, don’t be a prick.”

Reid made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. He shot an incredulous look at Alaric, then froze at the lethal look on the captain’s face. Reid immediately straightened, his jaw tense as he muttered a stiff, “Yes, sir.”

“I can take it from here,” Alaric said, his arms still rigid. “You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, sir,” Reid repeated before turning and retreating to the courtyard.

I gaped after him for a moment, unsure of what to do. On one hand, I was grateful that Alaric had stood up for me. But on the other, my incredulity matched Reid’s. There was no reason for Alaric to be kind to me, and I wondered if he had some other motive behind it.

Alaric stood there staring after Reid's departure, his shoulders heaving with a long, slow breath.

I felt as if I should say something. “I, uh… thank you,” I mumbled.

Alaric whirled to me, his eyes flashing. “That was no favor to you, witch. I abhor nasty behavior from my soldiers regardless of whatever foul creature they come across. It was a reprimand of a subordinate’s behavior and had nothing to do with you.”

My throat closed, and I found it difficult to breathe. I shrank away from him, cheeks burning once more. I cleared my throat and muttered, “Understood.”