Page 63 of Wicked Prince of Carnage
“This is Jasira,” Naretha introduced. “We used to work together.”
“I remember you.” Sterling smiled and held out her hand to shake. “I’m Sterling.”
“Sterling’s a princess now,” Cyan chimed in. “She married Prince Winter.”
“Prince Winter?” Nareth hissed.
“It’s a long story.” Sterling sighed, then pulled Nareth to the side so only he could hear. “I know you have a life of your own. One with Jasira. She might not even want this, and same goes for you. But I’m begging you, please watch over Cyan for a little while. If something happens to me, it could be for much longer. The carriage will be taking you three to a manor in the Shaderain Court where you no longer need to hide. I have to help Winter survive so we can unite this court. Please don’t try talking me out of this.”
Nareth released a long breath. “You’re my oldest friend, Sterling. Of course I will. Besides, I’m sure Jasira will get along with him well.”
“Thank you, Nareth.”
“Oh, and take the mare. Traveling on foot won’t be fast enough.”
Sterling nodded and walked back to Cyan, placing her hands on his shoulders. “I’m going to have to part ways with you again. I can’t say for how long, but I promise that you’ll be safe with Nareth. You three will be traveling with Lijah outside of Bloodstorm.”
Lijah cleared his throat. “You can’t go back, Your Highness. Winter will have my head.”
“I’ll tell him that I slipped out of the carriage without your knowledge.”
Lijah tightened his lips, but he didn’t argue.
“I don’t want you to leave,” Cyan said, grasping her arm.
“This is bigger than us. You want the humans and wolves of the court united, don’t you? The only way for that to happen is if I make sure the prince doesn’t die.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
WINTER
Winter’s chest tightened as he watched the carriage leave with Sterling and Cyan. They were in good hands, but he still didn’t relish the thought that he wouldn’t be there if something went wrong. She had her bow, of course, which would only help in certain circumstances. What if his father caught wind of them leaving and sent a dozen wolves to drag them back? She and Lijah would only be able to take out so many…
“They’ll be all right,” Amalli said softly. “I can feel it.”
The prince scoffed.Feelingsdidn’t mean a damn thing. “Go back inside and pretend Cyan never left. Bring him food and sing to him, or whatever you usually did.”Nothingcould be suspicious if his father had a spy come sniffing around. There was already a chance that someone saw Cyan enter the carriage, but if they’d gotten lucky, it would buy him some time.
“Of course,” she agreed.
Winter shifted into wolf form and took off toward the castle until he reached the back of his father’s home to dress in the pair of trousers he’d left within one of the bushes. He didn’t go through the kitchen entrance, where meals were being prepared, but a servant’s door used for guards and deliveries.
The prince sauntered the castle halls, relaxing his facial expression into the mask he wore so well to keep anyone from seeing that anything was amiss. His mother was the one who’d taught him to do that at an early age, yet he’d used it not only against his father, buteveryone. Winter’s steps remained unhurried, his hands tucked leisurely into the pockets of his trousers. Other wolves ventured about the castle to get started on breakfast or back to their rooms after a night spent working up a sweat in someone’s bed. The prince tucked away thememory of him and Sterling in the carriage, his cock buried in her sweet heat as he fucked her from behind. He already missed her, but a wicked prince needed to stay focused on the vicious task at hand.
Winter entered his room without acknowledging anyone, the standard Prince of Carnage way. After a quick bath and change of clothing, he wolfed down the sausage and peppers a servant had left in his room. He then sat on his bed, back against the headboard, and carved pieces from a block of wood as he waited for time to pass.
The king had to die, and Winter had no problem being the one to end the bastard’s life, yet he had to be careful. Yes, he was wicked. Yes, he would become the king as soon as his father was gone. But, if he wanted the pack to follow himwithoutthe hassle of potential coups, it couldn’t look like patricide. There were too many who were loyal to his father. Most out of fear, which gave Winter an upper hand.
After a long while, he lifted the pillow Sterling had slept on the night before and inhaled her lingering apple scent. Soon, she and Cyan would be out of Bloodstorm and settled in the Shaderain Court until he could safely bring them home again.Ifhe could bring them home. There was a chance the prince would die instead of the king.
By now, Winter was certain his father was in the dining hall for his late breakfast. Valco was a creature of habit when it came to his daily routine, which meant he’d left his room ten minutes ago and would be there for at least half an hour.
Winter leapt from the mattress and stalked through the halls to his father’s bedchamber. The guard stationed outside didn’t move to stop him as he passed. He could pose a problem when Valco returned, but if Winter killed him now, suspicion would consume his father.
“Oh,” piped a maid, Elvina. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
He narrowed his eyes—she wasn’t part of his plan. “What are you doing here?”
She adjusted the silk pillows on the bed, her cheeks turning red. “I prepare the king’s bath every morning while he’s at breakfast.”
