Page 18 of A Crown of Fates

“Keera,” I say a little more firmly, “come and make yourself a plate and tell me about yourself. Anything less will make me very displeased.”

So much for taking it easy on her, but she looks as if she hasn’t eaten in a week. I’m trying not to be furious about that fact since I don’t know how this kingdom is run, but I certainly intend to find out. No member of the pack should look as frail as this one. Not for any reason.

Hell, she barely looks old enough to be working in the castle.

Keera shuffles closer to the table, her fingers twisting together and her head down as we both take our seats. With a shaking hand, she grabs a croissant and puts it on a plate.

“How old are you, Keera?” I ask, no longer interested in my food.

“Sixteen, Your Highness.”

My teeth grind together. This girl should be in school, not coming to tend to a princess.

“And what of your mother and father? Are they proud that their daughter works in the king’s castle?” I do my best to make her job sound like an accomplishment, even though this is the last place she should be right now.

She chews her next bite slowly before answering. “They, um, well, I never knew them.”

An orphaned wolf? Outrage storms through me like an uncontrollable wildfire. This is unacceptable on so many levels, yet I know this growing rage has nothing to do with Keera and everything to do with how this kingdom has been run, even before Theo took the crown.

“I’m very sorry to hear that,” I tell her gently. “Do you live here in the castle? Is that why you’ve been asked to work at such a young age?”

“No, Your Highness. I applied for the position myself and they’ve only just offered me a room.” Her fingers twist the fabric of her dress, and her voice shakes. “Today is my first day.”

I pull a harsh breath in through my nostrils, the air tearing through me like jagged blades. “And it’s going to be your last day.”

She gasps and begins to cry. “Please, Princess. Whatever I’ve done, please let me fix it. I need this job.”

I kneel before her, grabbing her hands and holding them tightly as I look up into her fearful eyes. “You haven’t doneanything wrong, Keera. It’s your king and the pack who’ve failed you. You will live here in the castle, but you won’t work unless that’s what you choose for yourself later in life. I’ll make sure you have clothes, food, and a warm bed to sleep in. Anything less is unacceptable to me, and it should be to you as well.”

Keera’s tears begin to ease and she’s silent for too many beats. I’m nearly certain she’s going to reject my offer based upon the paleness of her cheeks, but then she tries to speak and only deep, wrenching sobs escape her.

I try to ask what’s wrong, but before I get the words out, she throws her arms around me, clinging to my neck. Her cries are muffled against my shoulder, but I think she’s whispering “thank you” over and over, her voice breaking. I hold her tight, trying to pour every bit of warmth and compassion into the hug she so clearly needs.

How has this been allowed to happen? What has become of Selaris?

In that moment, I make a silent vow: Even if Theo isn’t my mate, I won’t leave this place until I know the people are safe and cared for. I won’t walk away until I’m sure that children like Keera have the support they need, the lives they deserve.

When she finally pulls back, her face is streaked with tears, but a small, fragile smile plays on her lips. “Thank you, Princess Estee,” she whispers. “You’re everything we’ve been wishing for.”

Gods, I hope she’s right, because my need to help these people isn’t something I can ignore.

“Until we find a place for you to call your own, why don’t you stay right here in my room?” She should at least be safe in here for a while.

She nibbles at her lower lip. “That’s more than I should accept.”

I offer her a friendly wink. “But you’re going to, with grace.”

I don’t want to force her to stay—it’s important that she starts making good choices for herself—and luckily it seems she doesn’t need much persuading.

Keera adds more food to her plate and nods. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’m going to go speak with King Theo.” I stand then point toward the bathroom and my wardrobe. “I’m not sure anything I have will fit you, but what’s mine is yours until we have you settled. Make yourself at home, and I’ll be back to check on you soon, okay?”

She looks up at me sweetly and sniffles. “You’re going to be the best queen to ever reign, Princess Estee.”

I rest my hand on her shoulder and smile. “We’ll see.”

There are several things I need to do this morning, and the first is finding Theo or, at minimum, his advisor Jerome. They’re about to learn what I’m not willing to put up with.

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