Page 68 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

“I’m no fool, boy,” Brutus says, puffing out his chest.“She's nothing but a witch who has attacked our gracious king.”

Rowan laughs from my other side.“Wow, Brute.” The shortened use of Brutus’ name sends his face into a deep red flush, which I thoroughly enjoy seeing.“Apparently you need a history lesson.”

Shepherd cuts in before Rowan can anger Brutus further.“She is Valko’s daughter and therefore the king’s niece. If you try to take her now, you will start a war between our kingdoms, and I doubt evenyouhave the authority to make such a decision.”

Brutus’ face turns even redder, almost purple with anger, which makes me want to laugh, but I keep my face neutral as my arm burns from holding my bow so taut.“If King Cadogan dies, there will already be a war.” He points a finger at me.“And you’ll be the first to die.”

“Run along now, Brutus,” I say, knowing it will enrage him further.“I’m sure Cadogan is missing his favorite pet.”

The Winter Kingdom guards all exchange a look, as if they’re waiting for their commander to erupt in a fit of rage, but Brutus steps back, never taking his eyes off me. I hold his gaze as they turn away and retreat through the trees, back to the Northlands. I relax the grip on my bow and exhale swiftly, reaching up to wipe a bead of sweat from my brow.

Shepherd levels me with looks of curiosity and a hint of distrust.

Rowan shakes his head, but smiles widely, letting out a low whistle.“Damn, Amberheart. Have you got some explaining to do...”

Chapter Thirty-one

We manage to get the arrow out of Shepherd’s shoulder without doing any real damage, and he assures me that it will heal quickly thanks to his supernatural blood. Lyker and Ekko stay behind to track the Winter Kingdom soldiers and make sure they actually leave, before catching back up to us later.

We continue down the road and I tell them of my first few weeks in the Eastlands and my eventual capture by Brutus. I don’t mention Finn by name, only that a Skysworn warrior from the Northlands and I traveled together until we were intercepted and I learned of his order to turn me in. I tell them how that same warrior helped me escape from the Winter Kingdom and about my few days spent in the Blest Quarter. I leave out the part about theGolden Oneprophecy, not wanting to incite any further curiosity. Shepherd and Rowan listen intently, asking a clarifying question here and there until we’re caught up to the present.

“Why would the aengel help you escape if he’s from the Winter Kingdom?” Rowan asks, his brows bunched together.

“We were… close. Friends.” Heat blooms in my cheeks, but I ignore Rowan’s knowing grin and go on.“But he lied to me about being sent to find me. I thought we just met by happenstance, but he knew who I was from the beginning, even though I gave him a pseudonym.”

“So he felt guilty,” Shepherd says, a hint of a question in his voice.

I shrug.“I don’t know. But he saved my life. More than once.” I realize that if Finn hadn’t been present in the garden with Xavier, or when the Rovern came after me, or at the castle in Viaria, my life would look very different. Regardless of his betrayal, I’m grateful he was there.

“You should’ve told us that Brutus was tracking you.” Shepherd shakes his head, and I can’t help but feel like he’s disappointed in me. It’s not a feeling I enjoy, and I imagine it’s part of what makes him a good alpha. It’s almost instinctual towantto please him.

“I thought I lost them once I stepped into the Blest Quarter,” I say, feeling guilty that Shepherd got injured because of my ignorance.“I’m sorry, I should’ve told you that there was a possibility they would try to find me.”

Shepherd gives me a nod, accepting my apology, and then drops the subject.

“You looked pretty comfortable with that bow,” Rowan says, one eyebrow raised.“No offense, but I sort of thought it was just an embellishment.”

I quirk an eyebrow.“A closeted sexist, are you?”

Rowan smiles apologetically and holds his hands up.“I mean, we didn’t actually see you shoot it, so maybe it is just for show.” He winks at me playfully.

I roll my eyes.“Let’s hope I don’t have reason to use it. But if I do, I look forward to proving you wrong, Row.” His nickname just slips out, and his eyes flash with surprise. Still, he smiles at me affectionately, the warm look reminding me of Killian. My heart squeezes, but the homesickness has lessened since I started traveling with the pack.

We fall into an easy silence as we travel throughout the afternoon until we make it to Drumholt, a larger town full of people with dark skin and light eyes, reminding me of Felix.

We check into an inn there, the owner welcoming us with a huge grin and a belly laugh. I surmise that the pack must stay here often enough on their various missions to be worthy of such a warm reception, and we get checked into our respective rooms. Lyker and Ekko have shifted back into their human forms and will share a room, while Shepherd and Rowan will share another. I, as the alpha informed me, will get my own private room as the honored guest of the king. I rolled my eyes at that, but I'm appreciative of the privacy nonetheless.

We eat dinner all together in the tap room; roasted pork and summer squash and a hearty glass of ale to wash it down. We chat easily, and I honestly feel comfortable around the pack, like they’ve accepted me as one of their own without so much as a second thought.

“Do you always travel in twos?” I ask Lyker, who hasn’t spoken to me much. I don’t sense any hostility from him, but there is a bit of wariness as he meets my eyes across the sticky wooden table.

He swallows the bite of pork in his mouth and answers me.“Usually. When we scout ahead like we did today, or track someone. When we’re not escorting anyone though, we all tend to shift into wolf form and run a little more wild.” He smiles at me shyly, his dark brown eyes sparkling in the candlelight. I nod and smile back at him.

“You should show Lyker and Ekko the thought-speaking thing,” Rowan says enthusiastically, nudging me with his elbow from my left. Both their eyes widen a bit with surprise, and I cut Rowan a look.“What?”

“Fine,” I say, resigned to try again. The bar is pretty loud, with lots of people talking and laughing, but I close my eyes and try to find Lyker’s mind.

The more I try to thought-speak, the more I’ve realized that each person's mind has its own individual sound, like their body’s signature melody. Just like someone has a specific scent, their sound is just as unique. After some deep breathing and tuning out all the cacophony going on around me, I find him. Lyker’s sound is deep and rich, like a cello. I open my eyes and watch him.Lyker?

---