82

“Stay here,” he said. “I’ll announce my return to the city and dispel the rest of the Daybreak guards. It won’t be long.”

Again, I nodded. All I could think was: we did it. It’s over.

For now.

He kissed me again briefly, then with some reluctance stepped away. “Kodan!” he said. “With me.”

Side by side, Kodan and Elias each took one of Rodthar’s back legs. They hauled his body toward the doors and then out of the throne room, out to the gates of the manor. I intuitively knew what they would do then: they’d drag the body out of the manor and leave it dropped at the front doors, so all the Daybreak wolves would know of Rodthar’s death.

“Deal with this,” Ealric said to the remaining guards, gesturing at the duchess’ body.

Fina rushed to my side. “Are you all right?” she asked. Her eyes were wide and concerned. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m okay,” I said, offering her a small smile. “Really.”

“Come,” she said, “let’s go to the kitchens, get you something hot to drink while the king sorts out the details tonight.”

“Okay,” I said. That sounded nice. A cup of tea, maybe a bite to eat—anything to kill the time and settle my nerves while I waited for Elias.

Fina took my upper arm gently, ready to guide me to the kitchen, when Ealric said, “Wait.”

I paused and looked over my shoulder.

“Can I speak with you for a moment, Reyna?” he asked.

Fina raised her eyebrows.

“It’s okay,” I said to Fina. “You go ahead.”

“I’ll have something sent to your room.” As always, she said it like a promise, and I nodded gratefully. Ealric guided me out of the throne room and through the back doors, to the hallway behind the dais—away from the mess of blood and the soldiers cleaning up the bodies. I followed him to a small balcony overlooking the woods behind the manor. It was nearly dawn, and the sky was turning gray with the approaching sunrise. The air was chilly, and I shivered a little as sweat cooled on my skin. But the crisp air felt good in my lungs, and the familiar tree line grounded me.

Ealric leaned his elbows on the balcony railing and looked over the horizon. “You must understand,” he said, “I never knew about you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“When your mother was…” He swallowed. “When she left Starcrest, I didn’t know she was pregnant. I’m not sure if she did, either.” He turned and looked at me, his blue eyes hard with determination. “If I had known, I would’ve come for you. I want you to know that.”

I said nothing. My heart clenched at his words. What would that have been like, I wondered? If someone had swept in and taken me away from Daybreak when I was still just a girl? If I had grown up in Starcrest? Would I be the woman I was today? Would I have been a part of the Choice? Would I have ever met Elias?

It was pointless to imagine the possibilities. Even trying to picture that life was too much for my exhausted mind to grasp.

“I hope we can have some kind of relationship now,” he said. “I know you and Adora are close. Almost like sisters.”

The word hung in the air between us. Sisters. She really was my sister. Before, I’d thought maybe, possibly, we were distantly related. But it was just an idle dream. Half-sisters. It felt unreal.

“So I hope—”

“Lord Ealric,” I said, “I— I can’t have this conversation right now.”

He straightened up. “Of course, your Highness. I don’t know what I--”

I held up my hand, cutting him off again. “I— It’s not that I don’t want that. Just. I need some time.”

“Certainly,” he said.

A sonorous howl rang through the night. It was Elias, sounding his cry to all the wolves still present in Efra, announcing his return and his victory. Kodan’s howl joined his, and then more and more wolfsongs rang in beautiful unison. The sound sent goosebumps racing up my arms to my nape, and I longed to shift and join them.

“The king is back,” Ealric said with a grin. “Come, I’ll escort you to your chambers.”

27

E

alric left me with a bow at the entrance to my chambers. To my relief, our quarters were miraculously undisturbed—kept just as we’d left them.

Amity and Rue were there, waiting in the room, with a meal covered on the small table. My heart soared when I saw them as I close the door behind me.

“Your Highness,” Amity said, moving to sweep into a curtsy.

I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around them both, pulling them both into a hug. Rue squeaked in surprise.

“Thank the gods you’re all right,” I said.

“We were so worried about you,” Amity said. “Word traveled that Elias returned, but we didn’t know—it’s been so awful here with Daybreak taking control.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m so sorry. So much has happened.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Rue said. “We’re just glad you’re home safe.”

I pulled away and smiled softly, but gratefully, at the girls.

“Lady Fina had a meal sent up,” Amity said, “and there’s a hot bath in the ensuite, and—”

“Thank you,” I said. “Please go get some rest.”

“But, Your Highness, you’ve just returned!” Rue said.

“I know,” I said. “The king will be here soon, too. I’m sure you heard him.”

They both nodded.

“Thank you for taking care of the quarters,” I said.

The girls curtsied, and then with some reluctance, left me alone in the big room. I was relieved to see they were okay, and just as relieved to have a moment of privacy.

I managed to eat a few bites of the hot soup the girls had left for me, then padded into the ensuite and cleaned up as best I could, before sinking into the hot bath the girls had left for me. It was strange to be back in my quarters, alone, in the quiet. The bath reminded me uncomfortably of the chambers in Draunar’s cave, so I didn’t soak for long. I changed into soft linen lounge clothes, and returned to the soup, sipping at the broth as I gazed out the window toward the brightening sky.