Page 66 of Wicked Prince of Carnage
Winter let out a loud, exasperated sigh. “I killed him.” When Rawling simply stared at the prince, he went on, “It appears that my father fell in the bathing chamber, hit his head, and drowned. My wolf simply reacted and the guard was in the way. See for yourself.”
Rawling’s gaze narrowed on Sterling’s bow, his claws remaining extended. “Why is she in the king’s bedchamber with a bow?”
“Because I allowed it. Harm her, and I’ll tear out your throat,” Winter ground out, baring his fangs. “I’m your king now. Your only choice is to bow down to me and accept me as your king, or you’ll suffer the same fate as my father.”
Rawling’s nostrils flared, and he slipped into the bathing chamber, seeming to need to confirm for himself that the king was indeed dead. He came out a moment later, his jaw clenched. Sterling was prepared to lift her bow to release an arrow into his chest if General Rawling didn’t accept Winter as his king.However, Rawling knelt before Winter and bowed his head. “You are my alpha.”
“Tell the pack the guard killed the king and that I slaughtered my father’s killer.” Winter grinned. “We wouldn’t want to shame my poor father with tales of how he died from clumsiness.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Rawling lifted his head and stood, then left the room.
“I don’t think he believes you. Do you trust that he won’t gather the pack and come after you?” Sterling asked, still gripping the bow.
“Trust is a strong word. He’ll be loyal—it’s his only choice. The general loves his family and knows that is a weakness.” Winter’s gaze held Sterling’s, his face softening. “And now that I have one, I’m beginning to understand why.” Her heart palpitated in a way it never had, and before she could say anything, he added, “Now, I’m sending you to Shaderain to be with your brother. You muststaythere until I call on you. My rule depends on this.”
Sterling dragged in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine, but don’t die, or I’ll locate a sorceress to hunt down your spirit before you can sail to the After.”
He smirked. “Mmm, and what would you do with my spirit?”
“Just hope you never have to find that out.” She smiled.
Sterling remained for two weeks at the manor in the Shaderain Court where Winter had sent her to wait for him to send word. Cyan and Jasira had dusted the home while Lijah and Nareth repaired the window and chopped firewood. Sterling hunted but didn’t stray too far from the manor in case things weren’t goingwell for Winter and the wolves decided to revolt against him instead of bowing down.
The land was flat with not a single mountain in sight, only a forest, fields, and a vegetable garden that Cyan was in awe of. As her brother prepared a vegetable stew in the kitchen with Jasira and Nareth, Sterling sat outside with Lijah, sharpening her arrowheads against a stone. She peered up at the sky, then toward the gravel path leading through the forest and back into Bloodstorm.
“What if the pack turns on him?” Sterling whispered, not meaning to utter the words aloud.
Lijah raked a hand through his thick hair and drank from a glass of water. “They could. But most aren’t as vicious as Valco was, and they fear Prince Winter. They’ll bow down to him. Bloodstorm’s future depends on it.”
Sterling studied Lijah, wondering if he would’ve torn into her grandmother eight years ago. Of course he would’ve at the prince’s request, and she would’ve hunted him down just as she had the other wolves. But she was glad she never had to.
“Do you fear Winter?” she asked.
He chuckled softly. “No, I’m on his good side and plan to keep it that way.”
Sterling smiled and peered toward the trees once more. The sun was beginning to make its descent, so she tucked the arrowheads away in her satchel to finish sharpening them tomorrow. Before she turned to take rest inside the manor, she caught sight of an ivory wolf running toward them.
Sterling stilled and snatched her bow from the ground.
“It’s only Amalli,” Lijah said, and Sterling released a breath. She’d never seen the woman in her wolf form, the animal’s coat beautiful, the color of a flawless snow.
When Amalli drew closer, she shifted, her body bare except for a large satchel tied around her curvy waist. Her chest heavedas she unfastened the leather strap. “That was a long journey, but it was worth it.”
Sterling bit her lip. “Where’s Winter?”
“That’s coming soon enough. I need some clothing first.”
Lijah tore his tunic over his head and tossed it to Amalli. Setting the satchel on the ground, she pulled the fabric on, and the hem fell to her thighs. She then opened her bag, riffling through its contents. “I better not have lost it on the way,” Amalli mumbled.
Sterling was losing patience, her heart thumping rapidly. “Lost what? Is Winter all right?”
“Of course. He’s settling in just fine at the castle, but he asked me to bring you this.” Amalli stood and handed Sterling a crinkled cream envelope with a green and brown wax seal.
With shaky fingers, she snapped the seal and drew out a folded letter. She scanned the handwriting, the elegant cursive, then started reading in earnest.
Sterling,
We were both forced to mate each other. I know you never would’ve chosen me otherwise, but now I’m choosing you. I want you as my mate. If you feel the same way, if you want to be my queen, then come to my manor during the next full moon. If you decide this life isn’t what you want, then I’ll let you go. You can be free of me to do whatever you wish. But, if you do come, wear this.
