Page 131 of Settle Down, Princess

The red haze in my eyes caught alight, burning just like the tall stands of wheat. I caught glimpses of cruel grins and screams of pain, my eyes whipping from side to side, cataloguing each one of these interlopers’ sins, right before I saw her.

She wasn’t my Jessalyn. Her hair was brown where Jess’ was blond, her form the softer one from bearing children, but that didn’t matter right now. Some brute was holding a squirming woman against his chest, his teeth flashing in the sunlight as he grinned at her discomfort, using the grip he had upon her to tear her blouse in two.

No, I thought furiously, too easily able to see the fucking king doing the same to my Jess. No.

“No!” I shouted, my voice echoing all over the town, silencing villagers and Mattenite soldiers everywhere, forcing every head to turn my way. “Look,” I roared. “Look long and hard at me, you bastards, because I am your death.”

“We are their death, brother.”

Every wolf shifter from the garrison was armed and ready for battle, I could see that from the flash of their eyes, their fangs. Some of the enemy soldiers turned tail and ran the moment they saw us, but enough gripped their weapons tighter, which made me grin fiercely.

“We’re with you.” The commander appeared at my shoulder. “I’m sorry for my role in this mess. We never should’ve…” He mastered himself swiftly, this human, and for that I respected him. “We need to keep them safe. All of them…”

“You think of your family,” I said. “So do we. That’s what this is about. Join me and we will protect all of Khean, including your families.”

“Now you’re gonna get it,” one of the village men said, rising to his feet and brandishing his pitchfork.

“Drive these usurpers out!” I barked before launching myself forward.

Chapter 76

“What the hell has my brother got me into now?” Desiree said with a long suffering sigh I knew well. If I had any doubts about her being Roan’s sister, I had none now, because her irritation with the man was a twin of my own.

“We—” I started to say.

“Another poisoning.” Selene nodded to us, ostensibly focused on the postulants who were still distributing parcels to the many women clustered around the water pump.

“Well, that went well last time. Do I ask one of my sisters to take on the care of my children and crippled husband now or later?” Desiree snapped. I blinked, not having thought of the possibility when we discussed poisoning the king last night. “Or will the Guild take on their care, turning my daughters into whores and my sons into thieves?”

“You will be safe.” Selene said the words with complete calm and certainty. “As you said, you stay clear of my father’s gambling dens and whorehouses. There is no blood debt to be paid.”

Desiree’s mouth opened, closed and then she let out a long sigh, shaking her head, before saying, “So what do I—?”

“Desiree!”

I knew that masculine voice. My whole body stiffened, my heart feeling like it began to race from a standing start. My head turned in his direction without meaning to, catching the way Roan’s eyes widened at the sight of the three of us, right before he frowned and marched over.

“Jessalyn…”

He’d sighed my name so many ways, from a sad thing, to one of frustrated desire, or one satisfied. I shifted restlessly, almost able to feel the rasp of his stubble between my legs, right before my brows jerked down.

“What’re you doing here?” Apparently I didn’t answer quickly enough, so he turned to Selene. “You’re supposed to be keeping my girl safe.”

“My girl?” Desiree’s eyebrow jerked up as she looked me over much more closely. A small smile formed. “Gods, you haven’t saddled yourself with this idiot, have you?” We all glanced over her shoulder as Arik and Silas appeared shortly after. “Or them? Is that how it works, being pack—?”

“Enough of that.” Roan let out a huff of breath. “Selene Corvus talking to my sister is not something that gladdens my heart.”

“I speak to all of your sisters regularly while performing my duties as sister of the temple.”

If Selene meant that to be reassuring, it wasn’t. Her green eyed gaze had all of Silas’ quiet intent and just a little more. A deadly intent that had Roan blustering.

“All of them…?” He reached out and hooked an arm around Desiree’s waist, dragging her behind him. “Desi, what did I tell you about frequenting Guild establishments?”

“Not to, a rule that me and Bill have followed scrupulously.” Desiree wriggled to get free, managing it by thumping her brother on the back. She flicked her hands down her immaculate apron and frowned as she stepped free of Roan. “But that means nothing when you used your connections…” She shot Silas a dark look. “To get me a job in the castle kitchens. It pays better than anything I’ve ever had before, keeps a roof over our heads and lets you send your wages to the other girls, but…”

“But every good turn requires repayment.” Silas was the complete opposite to his sister, with no sense of calm, only scorched frustration. He nodded to his sister. “Father has you enacting his plan?”

“So he filled you in?” Selene’s voice took on an arch tone. “Good, then I won’t have to waste time explaining.” Her gaze flicked around the square, taking in the decaying architecture and the dingy streets. When she saw none of the king’s agents lurking in doorways, she continued. “Father needed those poisons delivered and now they are within the city walls, it's time to put the plan into place.”

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