Page 17 of Spar of Hearts

She whimpered. Her paws hurt. Her tummy hurt. And she was still hungry. Clattering hooves made her jump to all fours, but it was already too late. Dozens of hooves clacked around and above her. They were so loud, so fast! She tried to scurry back to the bush, but smashed her nose right into a horse’s leg, forcing her back into the flurry of hooves.

Papa! Papa! Papa, help! Anya barked, but it only startled the horses. The steeds reared up, slamming their hooves into her flank, her belly, her head, and her neck, until a final kick sent her skidding across the stone. Weak cries eked out of her muzzle as she limped back to the bushes. Her body rattled with fear. There were so many hooves. So many. So many. So many. She swiped her tongue across her muzzle, tasting metallic blood. Her ears began to ring. The ache in her flank and tummy grew to a throb.

She collapsed under the peonies, eyes drooping shut. A nap. She wanted a nap. She would nap here, and Papa would find her. He’d…he’d find her.

“How did she get out?!”

“She must have squeezed between the fencing. She’s just a child, Isabella. She’ll learn to control her instincts.”

“She almost died, Adrian! She almost died following her instincts! What if she had shifted right then and there for the whole capital to see!?”

“But she didn’t—”

“But she could have! And you know! You know the Supreme is stark raving mad! What do you think will happen if he finds out Anya can shift?”

“Isabella, this is not the answer.”

“Then tell me! Tell me, Adrian! What do you propose?”

Mother’s heightened tone jolted Anya awake. Pain shot through her flank as she staggered to her paws. Wood completely surrounded her, with five metal bars obscuring her view of the room. Her room. She spotted the wooden blocks still strewn on the carpet from yesterday. Those weren’t very fun as a wolf, but lots of fun as a girl. She pushed her nose into the bars, but they didn’t give. Was she stuck? Was this a game? Like hide and seek?

“Let me think—”

That was Papa’s voice! It must be a game! He only played with her when she was a wolf when mother wasn’t watching. This time they would all play! All of them! Together!

Mother! Papa! Anya barked. Mother bristled and stared at her, but Papa immediately ran over and knelt in front of her.

“Oh, Anya, sweetheart, I am so sorry, let me—” Papa’s fingers trembled over the bars. His hair was messy, and a shadow of fuzz covered his face.

“Stop.” Mother cleared her throat the moment his fingers met a bar. Mother strode over and glared down at Anya from above. Anya’s blood ran cold.

“You will be staying in there until you come to your senses. Your human senses.”

What? Why? Why? Why? Why? The words escaped in panicked whines as Anya forced her nose between the bars and shoved her paws out.

Papa was out there. Her bed, her blankets, her toys, her dinner—

“Quiet!” Mother snapped. Anya tucked her tail and shrank to the back of the crate, whimpering softly. “Shift back into the little girl we love. Now. I know you understand me.”

They don’t love me like this? Anya cocked her head and looked at Papa. Tears wet his eyes as he looked away. Maybe this was part of the game. But if it was, she didn’t want him to cry anymore. Games were supposed to be fun. So she tried her hardest to think human thoughts. Fingers. Toes. Two legs. Two hands. But every time she opened her eyes, she was greeted by golden paws with black pads.

“It is time for us to go, Adrian. We will check on her tomorrow.”

Tomorrow? Tomorrow? Tomorrow? Anya barked. Papa rose to his feet and followed Mother toward the door. He wouldn’t look at her. Why wouldn’t he look at her?

Come back! Come back! Anya yipped. The heavy doors thudded behind Papa.

The sun disappeared over the sea beyond her window, giving way to the moon she loved. She cried to it for help until her lungs gave out, but the silver moon only stared between the bars.

I don’t want to play anymore.

I…I don’t want to play…

I don’t…

I don’t…

Chapter 8