Page 27 of Wolfkissed
“Here.” Bert ducks under the branches and joins us, carrying a wooden trencher and a pewter goblet. “Food for the wolf.”
“You cowardly bastard,” Kier mutters. “You were right here all this time?”
“Why, did you need someone to hold your hand as you untied the creature?” Bert shoots back.
“Fuck off. Of course not.”
Bert smirks. “Figured as much, see?”
These two are nuts, but I get a fuzzy, warm feeling whenever I think that they are at ease with me. They’d never rib one another like this in noble company. This has been my only real family: these two burly manservants and Della. It’s not like we’re close, but they’ve kept me sane. I owe that to them.
And my attention is still riveted on the unmuzzled dark fae, on his smooth cheeks, the lack of a beard so typical of his kind, and his flawless, if kind of rough, beauty.
It doesn’t matter to me. I’m not interested in male fae, male wolves, or males of any kind. I’m betrothed to be married, for all the Gods’ sakes.
Matilde’s taunts about slutty behavior are stuck in my mind, burrowing under my skin like thorns.
I’m staring at the man too much.
And should stop.
Especially when Valen jumps on Bert, tackles him for the goblet and trencher with his tied hands, and retreats to crouch against the trunk, growling. “Bones?” he snarls. “You brought me bones?”
Once more, I’m frozen in place, cold all over.
One isn’t attracted to animals,I remind myself.Untamable animals, at that. Wolves can’t be tamed, and those who thought they could keep them as pets soon found out to their detriment how wrong they were.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ROSAMUND
“Bones and scraps are good enough for a dog,” Bert says, chuckling, “right, Kier?”
I’m still frozen on the spot, staring at them, unable to move. My feet are rooted to the ground.
“I won’t be demeaned like this,” Valen says, his voice a low burr. “Untie my hands, let me eat like a person. Give me some proper food.”
“Oh, more demands? Think you have any power here? It’s bones or nothing,” Kier says. “Up to you. Don’t like them? Not hungry? Then I’ll take them away.”
Valen growls, eyes flashing under his hair, and cradles the bowl to himself. “Stay back.”
“I thought you didn’t want that food.”
“Yum,” Valen snarls. “Who doesn’t love bones?”
Bones. Oh, Gods.I finally shake myself out of my daze. “Bert,” I whisper. “Don’t do that.”
“My lady?” He looks honest-to-the-Gods bewildered, and I understand why. For so many years, he has watched me wander like a shadow, fighting to return to life. For two days now, he has watched me wither again, forced into the company of yet another monster.
And now I want him to treat that monster well.
Better, at least.
Because my heart can’t take this.
“He’s not a lost puppy,” Kier says sharply. “Or a kitten. I know you love animals, but this?—”
“I know. I know he’s not helpless. Just… let him eat and drink in peace.” Turning on my heel, not sure why my eyes are blinded by tears, I start back toward the banquet. “And then bring him to me.”
