AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He holds out his hand. “On my honor, I vow that I will not betray you,” he says.
Fox-Shifters are known for their sly cunning, but something about this one gives me pause. He appears sincere, and I scent no deception as he speaks, but I cannot be entirely sure.
His eyes dart to Luna, asleep in my arms. “If you truly want to protect her, you have to trust someone,” he says. “There are too many who hunt you for you to do all of this alone.”
I clench my jaw. He is right. I narrow my eyes. “Know this. If you betray me, and she is hurt because of it. I will hunt you to the ends of the earth and I will not stop until one of us is dead.”
“And I thought Pig-Shifters and Fae were dramatic.” He arches a brow, and then extends his hand again.
This time, I take it, giving it a firm shake.
CHAPTER18
LUNA
When I wake in the morning, I’m completely surrounded by warmth. Opening my eyes, I notice a large fluffy black tail draped over me like a blanket and I’m nestled into Malak’s side. Yawning, I stretch out and then snuggle into his thick fur.
He gently nuzzles me with his snout. His piercing green eyes search mine. “Good morning, my beautiful Luna.”
I smile a moment before something catches my eye off to the side. Instinctively, I recoil against Malak before I realize it’s Renard coming in the doorway, in his fox form.
He shifts instantly and offers me a bright smile. “Good morning.” He gestures to the fireplace and the meat roasting on the spit. “I’ve taken the liberty of catching our breakfast. It should be ready momentarily.” His gaze shifts to Mal. “There are no signs of any hunters nearby.” He grins. “And I caught a bit of good luck.”
“What was it?” I ask.
“I ran across a forest sprite,” he says. “She gave me the name of someone in Barrywick who can help me locate the enchanted tower.”
I smile. “I wish you success then.”
He dips his chin. “Thank you.”
As we sit down to breakfast, he hands me a small pouch. “What is this?”
When I take it from him, the pouch is heavy and I immediately recognize the weight of the coins inside it.
He looks at me and Malak. “To cross into the Vale, you’ll have to go through Bridgemore,” he says. “There is an inn called the Sleepy Dragon. It is on this side of the border, and is known for its… discretion given the right amount of coin, of course.”
He winks, and Malak growls low in his chest. “I did not say we were traveling to the Vale.”
“You didn’t have to,” he quips. “I am well aware that you are the newly appointed Lord of the Vale, Prince Malak.” He arches a brow. “I do not believe there is a soul in Cambryn who did not hear of your victory against the Trolls. And I could have pretended to not know the truth of your destination, but I would not forgive myself if I did not help any way that I could.”
“Why does it matter to you?” Mal asks.
“Because I believe in the balance,” he replies solemnly.
“What is that?” I ask.
His reflective orange eyes shift to me. “The scales of good and evil,” he explains. “All actions have consequences. Every choice we make is weighed in the grand scheme of things.”
“I don’t understand,” I admit.
“Those who choose good—who make the choice to help others—they will one day be repaid in kind.” He pauses. “The seer that told me of my destiny and started me on this quest… she granted me this boon because I offered her food when she was disguised as a pauper.”
“Why did you do it?”
He frowns. “Why would anyone allow another to starve if they had the means to help them?”
I smile. It is the right answer, and one that tells me he is a good person. I had already suspected as much, but this simply confirms it for me.
