Page 70 of A Sky of Emerald Stars

“A morbid way to first fall for one another,” I countered with a laugh. “Fitting in hindsight, I suppose. I thought falling for youwould mean softer, sweeter things, things I didn’t understand nor want. My life is dark and difficult.”

“As is mine,” Navin said.

I leaned into him in silent recognition. Knowing that truth changed things. Knowing that he walked as difficult a path as me made it easier to grapple with my feelings. Justknowinghim, at least so much more than I did when he was lying to me, made all the difference. “Human or no,” I murmured, “you and I are made of the same mettle. Even if my fur is different from your skin, you and I reflect each other in a way I never knew possible.”

Navin didn’t reply, only brushed another kiss to my neck. He lifted his head again, the mountain of Sankai-ed becoming clearer and more detailed with every breath. I wondered if some small part of him still held back from the truth of what I was. He said he was awed by my Wolf form, but... I still couldn’t help but feel like he wished I was something else. How much easier our lives would be if that was true. I didn’t dare scrutinize that seed of doubt further. I knew I wanted him and for now that would have to be enough. Whatever beasts lay ahead—human, Wolf, and monster alike—I wanted him there by my side, humming a tune meant only for my soul to hear.

Calla

Our stagnant lives of playing Queen Ingrid’s guests morphed into action at the arrival of Nero’s message. I barely registered Hector’s words of warning, only knowing we needed to get to the great hall and the messenger awaiting us. If Nero was willing to trade Ora, if there was a flicker of hope of getting my friend back, I’d have to take it.

“Easy,” Grae said from a half step behind me, rushing to keep up with my eager pace. “You might have to say no, little fox. You don’t know the conditions yet.”

Hector grunted in agreement from the rear of our trio as we raced down the corridor.

“It’sOra,” I said.

“Yes,” Grae called out behind me. “And it’sNero.”

Damn him for being so astute. Yet I didn’t stop. Our footsteps echoed through the silent castle, slowing only when we entered the great hall where a lone Silver Wolf stood. A sliver of moonlight haloed the cloaked figure as it turned to face us.

Grae sniffed the air, thunder in his voice as he said, “Evres.”

Hector hung back by the doorway, his grip tight on the hilt of his sword, as Grae and I moved closer. The sound of my boots clicking across the white tiles ricocheted off the austere and sparse expanse. I halted just before the silver carpet that ran thelength of the room to the throne, placing it like a gleaming river between us and Evres. Grae appeared at my side, looking like he wanted to shred the person in front of us with his bare hands.

Evres pulled his hood back, a cold smile on his face as he tipped his chin to us. I thanked the Moon that Grae and I were both already dressed and armed.

I considered King Nero’s new heir. Evres was just as tall as Grae, and despite him being leaner, his stance told me that he knew how to fight. The weapons on his hips were shined and gilded but used. His hair was shortly cropped, his features sharp, and his eyes were a shade of pewter that ringed his pupils like a shining eclipse. He was handsome in every sense, almost too much, an eerie mixture of pristine arrogance.

The perfect Silver Wolf, in other words.

Evres tilted his head, his fingers twitching by the hilt of his sword. “Graemon.” His voice was a deep baritone that echoed through the shadowed hall.

“Nero doesn’t seem too precious about his new heir if he sent you alone,” I said, drawing Evres’s silvery gaze.

Evres flashed a crooked smile. “Or perhaps he just has faith that you won’t kill a messenger offering to give you yourfriendback.” He had a pinched air of pretension in the way he spoke as if him becoming king one day had always been an inevitability.

“What is the meaning of this?” Ingrid blustered as she came in through a door behind the throne. “A midnight meeting between Olmdere and Damrienn conducted undermyroof without me?”

“It is a simple message.” Evres’s eyes roved the Queen up and down in a way that would have any other man thrown in the dungeons. “I didn’t want to interrupt your beauty sleep.”

Ingrid’s hair was tied up in ribbons atop her head, but she still looked regal in her fur-trimmed robe and satin slippers. She harrumphed at Evres’s statement, clearly familiar with him enough not to take offense. She perched impatiently on her ornate throne as if it were a tavern barstool. “Evres.” She covered her mouth as she yawned. “I’d ask to what do we owe this pleasure,but my guards have roused me from my sleep due to the imprudent timing of your arrival so let’s be frank: Why are you here?”

“I have a message from the King for Calla Marriel,” Evres said, lifting his dimpled chin and grinning. It clearly wasn’t lost on Queen Ingrid nor me that he said “the King” as if Nero was ruler to us all. “Apologies, Ingrid”—again, the lack of title—“I would have announced myself to you first, but I ran into an old friend.” He winked at Hector and Hector scowled back, crossing his arms over his chest. Evres looked around the room and asked, “And where is my betrothed?”

My mouth fell open for a split second in shock before the rage kicked in. “She is not your anything—” I started to shout but was silenced by Grae’s hand on my forearm, preventing me from drawing my sword and inciting a colossal incident. My mate inched closer to me, and I knew he was preparing to hold me back if necessary. Killing Evres would feel amazing for only a second but would stoke the battle fires between our courts for eternity.

“To my knowledge, the Crimson Princess is not yet betrothed,” Evres said with a casual indifference that made my blood boil. “Are you to tell me otherwise?”

“You are correct—in that she’s most certainly not betrothed toyou.She is mated to Maez Claudius,” I snapped.

“The Moon Goddess doesn’t bless pack traitors,” Evres shot back. “Whatever they had is now defunct by our laws.”

“Not bymine,” I growled.

“This wolfish spat grows tiresome,” Ingrid cut in. I glared at her, her indifference, her pomposity—both of these two needed someone to cut them down to size. I was imagining all the ways I would tear Evres apart if ever we met on the battlefield when Ingrid yawned again and asked, “What message has Nero sent?”

“His Majesty has agreed to return the human musician that harbored the traitor Calla Marriel.” Evres’s predatory eyes darted between us. “The one you’re so fond of—”

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