Page 55 of The Howling
“I have confirmation your friend and Gloriana are safe. They are…”
I pluck Wynter away from her before she can say any more, giving her my best Barghest glare.
“They’re in Ashwinton,” she says, confusion running over her face, “and Gloriana has set up a bakery. Kaitlyn is helping her.”
“Kaitlyn did love to bake,” Wynter says happily. “Thank you so much for checking on them for me.”
“You have friends? You must invite them!” my mother cries.
“The wedding’s happening then,” the Hedley Kow says to Wynter.
“With bells on,” Wynter murmurs.
The creature gives me a long, knowing stare, and then her face splits into a wide grin.
“Tell me, Mistress Lorelei, what do you have planned for these lovebirds?” she says. “I’m sure it will be a wedding fit for a prince.”
I watch Wynter’s mouth fall open. The Hedley Kow might not have dropped me in it about one aspect I’ve yet to broach with my mate, but she’s managed to make my day significantly harder.
“Prince?” Wynter rounds on me.
“Not Prince, not anymore, dear.” My mother lifts her head from where she’s clearly discussing her plans with the Hedley Kow. “You well know, with your father gone, you become king.”
Wynter takes one look at me, and she walks away without a word, through the door into the Duegar’s domain. It closes with a horribly final click behind her.
“One of these days, Mother…” I growl under my breath.
“You’ll kill me?” she trills. “Too late, Reavely. I’m already dead, and she was going to find out sooner or later.”
“I won’t have to kill you,” I turn my gaze on the Hedley Kow. “But I’ll know where to send the Reaper next.”
WYNTER
Ican’t…I just can’t…
I’ve got used to the idea of being Reavely’s mate. I’ve got used to the idea of marriage, more so since I met his family.
But now, apparently, Reavely is Yeaveringroyalty. What does that even mean? How can he have kept this from me…another thing which seems to have slipped his mind, along with his ghostly family and pact with the Reaper.
I feel as lost as I did when I first arrived here in the Yeavering, before I met Kaitlyn and Gloriana. When all I saw were Faerie, who would make faces, poke and prod me, then, on seeing my tattoos, pronounce meunfit. Until Lord Guyzance grinned at me, enough to make me feel queasy, and took me back to his fortress.
I spent every day, until the day Reavely kidnapped me, wondering when I’d end up at his tender mercies. Finding myself suddenly thrust into an entirely new world again…it’s been a rush.
I’ve yet to see one of the Duegar. The little creatures are invisible and only choose to reveal themselves when they want tobe seen. Which means as I walk through the kitchens, there are signs of life but no way of knowing what is causing it.
I make my way through to the kitchen gardens which sit in a sunny position on a terrace above the rest of the castle. Unlike the rose garden, which, because Lorelei can’t physically tend to it, remains as barren as ever, here the Duegar have created a fragrant hideaway, filled with edible plants and buzzing insects.
I find a small, secluded seat and sink into it.
Reavely is aking? I curl my legs up under me and try to process everything.
“He didn’t lie to you, if that’s what you were thinking?” A soft voice has me looking up from my hands.
A slim. transparent female Barghest hovers in front of me. Reavely’s youngest sister, far too young for the fate which befell her, is wringing her hands.
“I wasn’t thinking that, Ellie,” I say.
“He means well.” She takes a sort of seat next to me, pulling at her spectral tail. “He’s never been much good with…females.”
