Page 21 of Wolfkissed
“Ah, yes, the sword.”
“I’ll also require some extra provisions for the journey.”
“Provisions ?”
“Yes. I’ll need more men, strong men, and extra-sturdy chains and ropes.”
“Men?” He smirks. “You have your bodyguard. I can’t risk more people for your sake.”
A chill silence falls over the garden. I suppose that was cold even for my haters.
“My marriage will bring you privileges,” I bite out. “The least you can do is send me safely to my husband.”
He scoffs, but shrugs. “As you wish. You will have two more bodyguards for the journey. And your chains and ropes, for whatever you have in mind. Am I allowed to play now, or did you need anything else?”
“No, play your games. I have more important things to do.” Turning on my heel, I drag Valen and the two manservants behind me and start toward the long tables.
Truth is, I don’t know where I’m going.
I hear Stepmother hiss as I go, “Why do you let her speak to you like that? She’s nobody. You’re the master of this house.”
“She won’t be here for much longer,” he says. “Don’t worry your pretty head over her. She poses no threat to us.”
I keep going, blindly trampling grass and flowers, my mouth trembling. Leaving. Yeah, leaving may be the best thing that ever happened to me.
No matter what.
Someone behind me howls like a wolf, and it’s not Valen. Laughter echoes.
I stop and scream silently at the sky.
Then I head for my favorite tree and duck under its thick foliage to compose myself.
Only, I’m not alone. I have no privacy. Not anymore. The chain may be linked to Valen’s collar, but the other end is in my hand, and I might as well be the one collared and leashed.
CHAPTER NINE
ROSAMUND
I pace under the tree canopy while Valen sits down on the roots, leaning back against the trunk. Bert and Kier stand, arms folded, looking uncomfortable.
“You can go,” I tell them. “Go to the banquet. I’ll be fine.”
“But, my lady.” Kier frowns and nods at Valen. “The wolf.”
“Right… right.” That’s stupid of me, letting my guard down. It was only this morning that I had to be coaxed out of bed and made to bathe, dress, and eat, and face my nightmare.
A nightmare who is now sitting quietly on top of the roots, long legs stretched in front of him, torn boots and torn pants showing patches of bloody skin, and?—
“We’ll tie him to the tree,” Bert says and starts toward Valen. “With ropes?—”
“Not a step closer,” Valen snarls.
“I’ll show you what demands will get you,” Bert snarls right back, “you beastly?—”
“Bert,” I say. “Wait.”
“But…my lady.” He glares at me. “This is what I’m here for. To protect you.”
