Page 129 of Wilds of Wonder
Emory sent a curious look at Aron. “How much do you remember from that whole encounter?”
He sighed. “If you’re asking if I know I’m the prince of the frost court, then yes, I do.”
Driscoll gaped at him. “You knew this whole time? And you didn’t tell us?”
Aron shrugged. “I didn’t see how it was relevant.”
“What?” Driscoll shrieked. “It is very, very relevant. You’re not just Hot Wolf Man. You’re Hot Wolf Prince. King, really. That crown belongs to you.”
“I never thought it did,” Aron said. “Or should. I thought because of what I’d become I wouldn’t make a good king. That I was too dangerous with my unpredictable shifting.” He met Driscoll’s gaze. “Then I met you. And for whatever reason, you believed in me. Not even El trusted me in my wolf form. Whenever I started to shift, we’d had a plan where she would put me to sleep until I shifted back. You didn’t fear the beast.”
Driscoll looked away, twiddling his hands. It was fun watching him squirm.
“There’s the frost queen’s husband,” Emory said. “And their son. But with you alive, you have true claim to that crown. Though it’s going to be hard explaining what happened to everyone.”
“We have proof.” I pointed to Spirit Frost’s axe. “There is a huge canyon in between the star and frost court now.”
“What if they think we did it?” Driscoll asked. “Then killed the frost queen?”
“What would be our motive?” Emory asked. “To get some random man onto the throne whom we have no allegiance to?” She shook her head. “It makes sense that the frost queen did it. It aligns with all her actions over the years. She clearly wanted to keep things from changing. It’ll be easier than you think to convince everyone.”
“Creatures will start coming over from the Wilds,” Aron said. “And they’re not adapted to this world. They might be dangerous. Misunderstood.”
Another huge problem. I rubbed my temples, and Emory pressed alight kiss to my cheek. A reminder that she was here, by my side, no matter what.
“I can help,” Annalee piped up. “Let’s do what you and Bellamy did so many years ago. Invite them to stay in the frost castle, and I can help them assimilate into society. I can show them how to survive. I can teach elementals how to interact with them.”
I looked over at her, my smile growing wide. “You know, that might just be perfect for you.”
“Then you’re hired,” Aron said. “My first official act as the unofficial king.”
Annalee was glowing. The irony of all of this was that our father would delight in knowing his daughter was working for the king of the frost court. Yet Annalee couldn’t care less. She never had cared about impressing him. She was staying true to herself like she always had. I looked over at Emory. Same as my wife. These two women on either side of me were the most inspiring I knew.
“What about you?” Aron said, looking at me. “You were the frost queen’s historical advisor. If I become king, would you be mine as well?”
I glanced over at Emory, and she smiled. “If that’s what you want, then you should do it.”
I sighed. I was tired of work ruling my life. “I think I might take a step back. Do a little treasure hunting instead.” That was when I felt most alive. When I was outside of the classroom, outside of the castle walls. “But I can think of someone who would be a much better fit.” I nodded toward Emory.
Aron’s blue eyes snapped to her. “I would be honored to have you.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said, then looked at me. “We have a lot to figure out right now.”
Branches cracked outside our little abode, and all of us stiffened as boots crunched in the snow. Emory summoned ice daggers while Annalee and I summoned our fire magic, the flames hovering over our palms.
None of us moved as a shadow stretched into the space. No one even breathed. Then a woman burst through. I tilted my head. I recognized her from before we’d fallen into the Wilds.
“Leoni!” Driscoll said, standing.
The short woman barreled into him, wrapping her arms tight around his waist. “You’re alive. Oh, thank the Seven Spirits. You’re alive.” She sobbed.
Driscoll patted her on the back. “Yep, I’m here. In the flesh.”
“I’m so sorry.” She looked up at him through teary eyes. “About what I said right before you fell into that hole. I was just upset because I thought we were becoming friends. Really good friends. Best friends, actually. And it seemed like it was so easy for you to just leave me, leave our mission. I’ve been scouring these mountains for you for weeks, and then I stumbled upon this area and saw the firelight, and I hoped—” She stopped, her chest heaving. “I think you’re my soulmate,” she burst out.
Driscoll’s eyes darted to Aron. He scratched his head. “Uh, well this is awkward. I thought you knew I was really into, um, well... penises.”
Leoni rolled her eyes. “Platonic soulmate, you idiot. Like my best friend in soulmate form, if that makes sense.”
