He hadn’t stopped grumbling since we landed in the forest almost an hour ago—without Zienna.
“I’m sure she had a reason?—”
“I don’t fucking care. She’s been trying to push me to reconcile with my family since she showed up at the wedding. This was another attempt at that.”
“She said she loved you when she let go of my hand, I think she’s trying to be a good sister.”
“Did I ask for your opinion?” He brushed past me, his shoulder bumping into mine.
I grabbed his arm, pulling him back so he was facing me. I shoved my knee into his groin, causing him to fold inward.
He groaned as he glared at me.
“Whatever the fuck is going on with you, it needs to stop. If you’re going to treat me like shit, I will not hesitate to leave your sorry ass here with no way back but to face whatever demons you’ve been avoiding for years now.”
“Luce—” he croaked.
“I’m not finished, shut up unless you want me to knee you again.”
He closed his lips, his eyes softer than they had been in days. “We all have our ghosts, but we don’t use them as anexcuse to act like an asshole to the people who care about us. You are no exception, Nico. Now, are you ready to remove the stick from your ass and continue like a normal fucking idiot or am I leaving you here?”
“I’m sorry.” He sighed, his shoulders dropping. “It’s just—being here—knowing I’m going to have to see—to talk to my family for the first time in years—since—” He shuttered. “It’s setting me on edge, I’m not ready to deal with this shit yet. Without Zienna there as a buffer…”
“You don’t have to deal with this shit today, but you still have to be a civil fucking person. You can deal with whatever it is with your family when you’re ready, but today you have to see them. You’re not doing this for you, you’re doing this for Lennox and Luka, for Lethenia. Your High Queen gave you a job, remember?”
“Okay.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Remember, I’m here with you.” If anyone knew anything about family drama, it was me. And my mother was the queen of ignoring it.
He gave me a small smile. “That means a lot, I hope you know that.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” I looped my arm through his. “Now, lead the way.”
Nico’s steps slowed, but he kept his mouth shut the rest of the way to where his family’s pack resided. He stopped when a clearing through the trees came into view, smoke billowing up from between the branches of the trees.
I rested a hand on his broad shoulder. “You can do this. I’m here, right by your side the entire time.” I had no idea what had occurred between Nico and his family, but I would stand by his side regardless. I didn’t owe them anything, but Nico had been there for me, whether Iwanted him to be or not more times than I cared to admit.
And he was my friend, I think that’s what we were at least. I assumed that’s what he called us, not that I cared enough to ask.
He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “I can do this,” he said before continuing into the clearing.
Wolves were milling around the small village, wandering about the secluded space. The trees had been thinned out, but a few still remained, spread throughout the small village. All the dwellings were made of stones, looking like dens of various sizes with their domed roofs. Younglings were scattered around, playing and chasing after one another, ducking in and out of the dens as their laughter filtered through the air.
With every step we took into the village, more eyes drew in our direction. Even the children stopped at the sight of Nico, their eyes going wide with recognition. I assumed his look was as recognizable here as it was everywhere else.
Murmurs grew as we continued, Nico’s name whispered between the wolves.
“Nico.” His spine straightened, his footsteps halting as he turned his head toward the female voice calling to him. “Nico, is that you?”
A well-aged female rose from her crouch on the ground, a horde of children surrounding her. Her brown hair had streaks of silver in it and was braided down her back. Her eyes were the same shade of brown as Zienna’s, a perfect complement to her caramel skin.
Nico’s voice was rough in his throat, “Grandmother.” He dipped his chin, continuing before she could. “I’m here on royal business, who’s the head of the pack today?”
Disappointment flooded his grandmother’s features; she took a deep breath before raising her chin. “I am the elder in charge today, everyone else is out.”
“When will they be back?”
“They’re visiting another pack, they will be back in the morning.”
