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When I reveal that I am Beast’s nephew, Snow pushes my shoulder. “Wait. You’re a prince?”
I turn to meet her eyes, my lips curving into a smile. “Kind of? I don’t know. Am I still a prince if the crown was given to another?”
“Yes!” everyone shouts out, amidst much laughter.
I wave my hand. “That’s neither here nor there. Finding out I’m a shifter was a much bigger shock.” The room erupts into chatter, and I wait for them to calm down. Once they do, I explain what kind of shifter. Aren demands I tell them what a handsome and fine beast he is, and I relay that to the women.
“Show us!” Runa calls out, and the other Valkyries cheer.
I throw my head back, laughing. “No one wants to see me strip down so I can shift.”
The room goes deathly still for a moment, then Kelda murmurs, “I wouldn’t mind.” The room is filled with catcalls and ribald jokes. Snow stiffens behind me. She narrows her eyes at me, a rosy flush staining her cheeks. I wink at her and then raise my arm, encouraging the others to quiet down.
“Once Beast had taught me what he could, we received a message from the Oracle, demanding my presence in the Forbidden Isles.” The sisters all listen, delighting in the tale. When I explain about Anansi and the trial I had to endure, Snow places a hand on my shoulder. The simple gesture warms my heart. Clearing my throat, I continue, relating what the Oracle had told me.
“I was then able to shift again, and quickly made my way back to the village, where Captain Hook was still waiting. It took us longer than expected to make it back to Granton, as the seas were unseasonably rough.”
Hilda rolls her eyes and snorts. “Triton and his temper. It doesn’t surprise me to hear his tantrums are continuing to plague sailors.” Linne and Thyra nod.
“And then I made my way here,” I conclude.
“We haven’t left Monarch Glen in decades,” Hilda informs me. “Your father told us of what Morana is doing to the kingdom, and we’ve heard some rumors here and there when we trade with the village at the edge of the glen. Can you tell us any more of what you’ve seen?”
“It seems the destruction is only recently making its way to the north. I witnessed a burning forest and saw a river frothy with blood. I heard tales of wild children killing passersby for coins or food and thousands making the journey to Granton and Alba to escape the wrath of the queen.”
Snow White’s hand tightens on my shoulder. “Why is she doing this?” she whispers. “Destroying the kingdom for what purpose? So she can rule over a wasteland?”
Unfortunately, no answers are forthcoming. Morana must have her reasons, even if I suspect she’s not in her right mind. She’s angry, bitter, jealous—yes. But I’ve always thought something was missing in her. Maybe she’s a knife short of a set, or perhaps her mother didn’t hug her enough as a child. It does make me wonder, though, if she has a grudge against the royal family, or against the kingdom itself.
A high-pitched ringing starts up, grating on my nerves. The women surge to their feet, running from the room. “What’s going on?” I ask, jumping up, looking around in alarm.
“Move!” Snow snaps at me, pushing me aside. “Stay here.” She races after the sisters, and I’m fast on her heels. She scoops up her quiver, throwing it over her back, and grabs her bow before dashing out the door. She quickly melts into the night, following the sisters. All eight of them vanish in the blink of an eye as if they were never here. Silence reigns supreme—only the light rustling of leaves in the cool breeze and the soft chirping of a cricket give any indication of life.
A shout goes up in the west.Let me out,Aren demands urgently. Something in his tone makes me obey, and I quickly remove my tunic and hose, tossing them over a bush next to the door. I run and leap, shifting in mid-air. When our paws hit the ground with a thud, we go still, scenting the air. Catching Snow’s scent, we lope forward, following it. This is the first time I’ve shifted since Aren made his presence known to me. Besides helping the sisters around the property and stalking Snow for the past eight weeks, I’ve also been having conversations with him, getting to know this other entity that cohabits my body.
It’s an unsettling feeling, having him take over. My consciousness, although fully aware, is suppressed while he takes the reins. He confided in me that he’s always been with me, just muted. Even when I first started shifting, he wasn’t able to make his presence known. Some shifter law, I suppose. It’s not until they meet their fated mate that they’re able to come forward as their own entity.
It must have been hell for him, trapped for over twenty years, unable to do anything but watch the world pass him by.
It was,he replies.But do not pity me. It is the way of our kind.I shut up and let him find Snow. Our mate.
Chapter 20
Snow White
Whenthealarmsounded,I reacted instinctively. Still coming to terms with having Cass around, I didn’t think twice about leaving him behind. I can hear him behind me, but I can’t think about him or his revelations now. Someone has entered into our little bubble, and we have no way of knowing if they be friend or foe.
Our cottage is miles away from the village at the edge of the glen and from any other homestead. The Valkyries explained once that they do occasionally get the random traveler passing through to Alba, but it’s rare. Having the bells ring twice in the space of two months is unheard of.
I scramble up the same tree as last time, finding it the easiest to climb and the most accommodating for perching. The moon is only a thin crescent hanging in the velvety midnight-blue sky, the stars glimmering brightly like diamonds. Their light is scant but enough to see a few feet away at a time.
Squinting my eyes, I scan the small area I can see, excitement bubbling in my veins. I live for moments like these. As a young child, I was outgoing and curious, secure in my place in the world. After Momma died and my world came crashing down, Morana and Papa taught me what terror is. I withdrew and became a timid mouse, too scared to stand up for myself. I cowered and whimpered, then escaped into the darkness.
You were weak.No. I quickly squash that line of thinking. I wasn’t weak, I was a child. I did what I had to do to survive. And that is exactly what I did.
The one upside of Cassian not taking me with him is the Valkyries. They brought me back from the brink of death and restored both my health and mental state. They taught me to not give up, how to fight, how to be strong. When it comes time to face Morana, I know I will have the strength to do so. And I have them to thank for it.
Now I love to fight. The rush, the adrenaline, the power—it makes me feel alive. There’s nothing better than sparring with the sisters, or like now, waiting with bated breath, my heart thumping in anticipation, my mind focused and clear—after so long of being trapped inside myself—ready to drop from the sky to confront whoever has encroached on our haven.
