Chapter 218

Just as I start to gather the things Kane left behind – the oath box, scissors, and dagger – I hear a commotion outside. I leave the tools, but tuck the box under my arm. Something tells me it’s a bad idea to leave such a powerful magical item lying around unsupervised.

There are about two dozen wolves gathered outside, with Mario and Demi refusing to step aside so they can come inside, and they’re about ready to go to war with my guards because of it. “What’s going on?” I ask.

Mario pulls me back into the hall and closes the door behind him. “They want to swear loyalty to you.”

“To me?” I ask. “Why?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask.”

“Well--” I hesitate, unsure what to say or how to react --“maybe they just want to swear to the kingdom,” I say. “I’ll tell them to come back tomorrow, and the king can handle it.”

“No,” Mario says. “They insist they want to do it today, and…they are our wolves, I know, but I don’t think you should do it, my queen.”

“Why not?”

“I’d just feel better ab