Red and Her Wolf (Kingdom, #3)

Miriam flew to Ese’s side and nodded forcefully. “I’ve had a vision, Galeta. ‘Tis true. Tonight’s actions will determine the fate of our brethren for an eternity. The Heartsong must not be killed. Nor can the black wolf.”


Danika felt suddenly useless. She’d never seen such a forceful side to her friend and did not know what to do. Though she was infinitely grateful there’d be no killing tonight. She turned toward the blond girl, still suspended in time--huddled under her red hood--poor thing, such a tragedy to befall one so young. Her life would never be the same.

A muscle in Galeta’s jaw ticked. “Malvena will surely know otherwise. The Heartsong is no longer hidden. If we do not kill the wolves and the girl, word will spread. The girl’s identity has now been exposed. We must kill her in order to cast a new body for the Heartsong.”

The sparks shooting off Jana’s body were now pinging off the walls of the room.

The black wolf lifted his nose, sniffed the air, and then with a low growl fell to his belly. A blinding white light encased his body, flaring so bright that Danika had to shield her eyes as tears stung the corners.

When the light faded, a man, long and lean and thickly muscled with shaggy black hair, jumped to his feet. Galeta’s gaze roamed the length of him, slowly, methodically, taking in all the twisted cords and muscles of his body.

T’was common knowledge Galeta loved men. And this one was a sight beyond most.

“What do you want, black wolf?” she sneered finally.

His chiseled jaw set into a tight frown. “Ye speak of killing me. And yet ye saw my truth, ye know I meant the girl no harm. Can ye not guess why?”

Miriam flitted to his shoulder, lightly tapping it. “Ye are Violet’s mate,” she said softly.

Danika gasped. Could the night get any stranger? “But…but, he works for Malvena.”

He looked at her, with eyes hollow and flat, more animal than human. “Yes, for the sake of my starving clan, I did. She offered to feed us, I had no choice. But I could never harm my mate.”

Danika looked at the girl.

But she was so young.

Or perhaps not. A youthful face in Kingdom was no indication of age. Danika should know.

Miriam nodded. “He does not mean he’s mated her yet, did ye not notice on the vision what happened when he saw her, Danika?”

Danika scratched her jaw, remembering vaguely the flattening of fur around his neck when he’d first gazed at Violet. “She will not want you,” Dani told him, “surely you know that.”

“It matters not,” he growled, “she is mine.”

Galeta lifted her hands. “She belongs to me, black.”

“The name is Ewan of the clan Black Foot,” his rich throaty burr made Danika’s heart quiver. Aside from the small crook to the bridge of the man’s nose, he was the most magnificent creature she’d ever beheld.

“It matters not at all to me,” Galeta shook her head, blue ringlets bobbed attractively around her head. “What does matter is that you are now a problem. You cannot return to Malvena, and it seems we cannot kill you. So we are at an impasse. Though,” her lips curled, exposing glinting baby fangs, “I hear it’s quite hard to kill one of you. Perhaps the Jabberwocky would like a bit of sport later.”

“Give him to Danika!” Miriam cried.

Danika’s eyes widened. “Miriam,” she squeaked. What in the bloody hell was the matter with her friend?

Miriam nodded, never glancing Danika’s way. “She’s always going on about the reformation of the bad boys. The big bad wolf is as bad as they come, no? Give him to her.”

“I cannot be given to anyone,” Ewan thundered, nude body twitching with barely suppressed rage.

“Mir,” Dani squeaked again. “Are you mad? Shut up, now. I couldn’t possibly hope to hide him from Malvena’s spies.”

“Have you ever switched forms in front of the Black fairy, Ewan?” Miriam asked, still ignoring Danika’s protestations.

Galeta and Esmeralda peered on in thoughtful silence. Danika jumped when a bolt of Jana’s power rushed past her bare legs, singing the hair off, and making her yelp from the immediate flare of pain.

In all the commotion of secrets exposed she’d forgotten the power bubbling like brew behind her. The cottage was in grave danger of imploding, and yet--she looked around--no one else seemed to notice.

“We should leave. Quickly,” Danika whispered.

“Nay,” Ewan said with a swift shake of his head, drowning out Danika’s words, “I’m much more dangerous in wolf form.”

Danika’s pulse fluttered.

“Galeta,” Miriam turned back to the ghostly image of their Mistress, “it is perfect. Danika can keep him hidden, if he keeps his nose clean.”

Galeta nodded. “And the red wolf, what of him?”

“I’ll supply him with new memories.” Esmeralda stepped in, laying a silencing hand on Mir’s shoulder. “I’ll make it so that he believes he killed not only Jana, but the black as well.”

Galeta narrowed her eyes. “And the Heartsong? She must not be discovered again.”

“Give her to me.”