Page 70 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

Pablo nuzzled Matthias’s blood-streaked cheek. Groaning, he pushed the wolf away.

‘We’ve got to find the others,’ I whispered, as I brushed the hair from his eyes.

He narrowed his gaze. ‘Others?’

I nodded, helping him to stand on his shaky legs. I may have commanded the threads, but if they defied me again, I couldn’t be sure Matthias would survive another attack. I just needed distance.

Matthias staggered and the wolf left my side, slipping beneath my husband’s hand. Pressing my hand to my chest and breathing a sigh of relief to find the warmth of the ruby still nestled safely against me, we stumbled away.

And looking at the hurt and love in his eyes, I knew the man at my side was finally the boy I’d so adored.

CHAPTER 27

MATTHIAS

I wonder sometimes if my line is cursed. I cannot sit on my throne. I cannot meet my wife’s gaze. They’ve scattered my children across the continents. And I, I feel my heartbeat waver with each breath. I fear I placed too much on Matthias’s shoulders. I fear I’ve cursed my boy. Doomed his reign before he claims the crown. Visions haunt me. His death. His soul damned. And it’s all my fault.

​— ​PERSONAL JOURNALS OF KING RAUL ELMSWOOD

Visions swamped my mind. The sharp crack of a skull. Hot blood. A silent scream as Sorrow clawed at the fervent undead. I grasped blindly, desperate to stay with Sorrow, needing her to look my way just one more time. My head slammed back as Mother screamed.

Mum…

My eyes flew open, sweat coating my face. A wet tongue, hot, rough, licked my face and I turned to find a wolf, sniffing my ear. I shoved the stinking cloak away.

I dragged in a breath, fighting the crushing of my lungs. Prickles filled my body as I recalled all that had happened. Sorrow had held me up as I staggered through a nightmare. My pounding head was unable to focus on anything but the woman at my side, her wolf bumping my hip, keeping me upright. I’ve no idea how long we walked, only that my Sorrow had the ruby. The ruby my father had once gifted Mother. If I kept my eyes closed, if I remained in the dark, then it would never be true. It couldn’t be true.

Mother. A woman so fierce, so strong. Gone. I held the air in my lungs, refused to let it out, savouring the burn. She’d never wrap me in her arms again. I’d never kiss her soft hair. How would I tell Skye? Raine?

Would they blame me as I blamed myself? The final words I’d signed to Raine. Tell Mother Ifan is there. She can help him. My chest heaved.

Sorrow burrowed in closer to the crook of my neck, and I glanced down. Safe. Her soft breaths whispered against my jaw and I stilled. I daren’t exhale in case I broke this moment. I twisted, burning with the need to see her, rid my mind of the blood-soaked images. The golden light of dawn shone on her face, lighting up the perfect planes of her glowing skin. Despite the pain in my heart, I couldn’t hold back the smile as she snuggled in closer. The warmth of her body soothing my aches as though she truly was a healer.

Sleep always softened her. My Sorrow, my matching soul, wore a constant scowl. I adored the little furrows by her brows, the inferno that raged in those warm brown eyes. She burned with a rage the sun envied. But now, with her perfect mouth opened a touch, the lines about her eyes smooth and clear, she existed in a rare peace. My gaze dipped down to her lips as I recalled the effect they had on mine and shrugged against the tightness in my trousers. Gods, to think we’d only shared our bodies once. All those months when I’d fought back the urge to run to her had been pure torture. Above us, a blackbird trilled and Sorrow shuffled. The all-familiar furrow appeared on her forehead. My trembling fingers smoothed them. Her eyes cracked open, and a half-smile tugged my lips as she blinked, yet to focus.

Then the smile slid away. I’d forgotten. She was pissed at me. So very pissed. Her brown eyes locked onto mine with a flash, warning me I was about to be served my arse.

‘Sorrow. Can I just say⁠—’

Her mouth crashed against mine and I groaned, cupping her jaw, returning her warm kiss with the hunger of a man starved. Her lips, soft, always so damned soft, moved against mine. Her sweet breath, hot against my mouth. Her teeth dug into my bottom lip, tugging gently and my cock twitched. Gods, this woman.

‘Matthias.’ The sound of my name on that beautiful mouth of hers undid me. I tilted her head, dragged my teeth down the column of her neck, the corner of my mouth curling as a moan rumbled through her. I’d learnt the exact spot she adored to be kissed, just under her ear, my tongue licking, teeth biting. Her fingers drove into my hair. I moaned, my trousers growing uncomfortably tight as she gripped my waves, wrenching me back.

Her other hand snaked around my back as I grasped her body, pulled her closer, relishing her softness. My breath quickened as I traced her curves, the rounded hips, her gasp as I dug into her ass. Dragging her closer, needing her more than air, her hands slipped under my tunic. I shivered as she traced the line of my too-tight trousers, barely able to breathe as she skimmed my hip, round to my back, groaning as⁠—

‘Stupid man!’ She pulled back, her fist slamming into my chest. ‘You stupid, stupid man.’

She sat up, crossing her legs as her head crashed into her hands, heaving back sobs. I closed my eyes. I’d caused this. As much as I needed her touch to keep my pain at bay, I remained where I sat. The wolf nuzzled her cheek; his amber eyes locked on mine as he offered her the comfort I couldn’t.

‘Sorrow.’

She dropped her clenched fists as her wolf whined. With her eyes closed, she heaved in a huge breath, exhaled slowly before raising her chin and setting her gaze of steel on mine.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I said.

Heaving in a deep breath, Sorrow lifted the ruby on the blood-stained chain from her neck. Cupping it within her palms, she turned her gaze to mine.

‘You’re safe. For the time being,’ she said. Her thumb brushed the ruby and she shivered before placing it in her pocket, as though she wished to keep it secret. ‘And I’m truly safe with you now.’