Page 91 of The Howling
“No. I need to know who he is so I can challenge him to single combat,” I rasp. “No one has my sister without my say so.”
“What?” Ellie says, her eyes wide.
“What?” Wynter choruses. “No, Reavely, that’snothow it works. I don’t care if you’re the king or not. Who Ellie chooses is her business, not yours.”
“I am her brother,” I say, getting into my stride. “I want to ensure her match is fruitful.”
“Reavely!” Ellie gasps, her eyes darting to where I saw the young Barghest disappear. “You’ll scare him off.”
“Ah-ha! So there is a male interested in you.” I pounce on her admission.
Wynter rolls her eyes. “You are a dirty dog, Reavely,” she says.
“A bad dog,” Ellie adds.
“I am not,” I say imperiously. “I am merely interested in my sister’s welfare, that’s all.” I give Ellie a sidelong look. “And now I won’t be too shocked when I come across you being mated to oblivion in some corner of the castle.”
“Like you were ever shocked,” Ellie retorts, although from the look on her face, I don’t think the idea had occurred to her.
I shrug and pull Wynter against me. She has the sweetest, most delicious little pouch of a belly which I like to touch as often as I can, and this time is no exception.
“Provided you don’t mind me mating my intended wherever I choose.” I press a kiss to Wynter’s lips as there is a clatter outside the great hall.
Two of my guards race in.
“Reavely, there is a Bluecap outside,” one of them pants. “He says he’s an invited guest.”
“Linton?” Wynter asks.
“I didn’t invite him,” I growl.
“I guess he turned up anyway.” Wynter laughs. “After all, he may as well see us to the end.”
“You’ll be telling me next you invited the Lambton Wyrm,” I grumble.
“Of course I did.” Wynter laughs again. “His mate has had her child and I’m dying to see them both.”
Mirth and joy dance in her eyes, and as I dip my head to kiss her, I know all of this will be worth it.
Because I have her and she has me.
WYNTER
The day is finally here. My stomach is in knots as I stare at the dress hung up from an iron hook on the stone wall.
I don’t mind admitting I’ve already thrown up once this morning, and I’m not blaming morning sickness. After all the build up, after having to fight a Faerie and bargain with the Reaper, getting married should be a walk in the park.
It is not.
Not because I don’t want to marry Reavely. I absolutely do. I’ve seen him turn from feral to a leader in such a short time. Having his family back around him has done him so much good. Admittedly, I still like to see his feral side on occasion.
“Penny for them?” Kaitlyn peers around the door. Then she’s through and has her arms around me. “It’s not too late, you know.”
“Too late for what?”
“To back out.”
I pull away from her. She has a grin a mile wide over her face, clearly pulling my leg.
