Page 31 of Of Wolves and Wives

“Do send one of my personal guards to fetch another of her mates,” Helena orders as Heath finally moves away from me.

He gives a curt nod before retreating back to the door. Silence fills the room as I stare at the food left on the table. I wait for my stomach to twist, for my head to spin, but even with the unfortunate distance between Heath and me, it never comes. It takes everything I have to not glance at him. I’m not sure Helena would appreciate that, and I don’t want to test her patience with everything.

The minutes pass slowly until I hear approaching footsteps. I frown as I wait for Peirce, hoping that it is him that appears. Despite my promise to work on forgiving Rykker, I’m not ready to face him just yet. I’m still too tender from his confession. Glancing to the door, I let out a sigh as Peirce appears. Heath gives a nod before disappearing into the hall as Peirce takes his spot, taking in the room. But he doesn’t smile as our eyes meet, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s not alone. The Grey Prince enters the room behind him. They’re followed by Lyra, who smiles widely as she comes to a stop just a little too close to the prince.

Helena rises, and I watch the clouds cover her face as she takes in Lyra standing next to her husband. It doesn’t take much to see her dislike of her, and I’m reminded of their conversation in the hall. I realize that watching her husband dote on Lyra and being careful to not mar her beauty with his cruelty can’t be a pleasant experience, and I feel for her. It’s strange to feel the tug of pity toward Helena. She’s supposed to be my enemy, I remind myself. But in that moment, hurt and anger in her eyes, it’s hard to remember that.

“I see she’s been fed,” the prince comments, his eyes flicking to me. “I’ve brought a companion for her. I’m told the two were close before the Choosing.”

“How unlike you to be so kind,” Helena replies.

The Grey Prince gives his wife a cold smile. “Lyra will be her companion. From dawn to dusk, to ensure that she’s never without a friend.”

It hits me that despite the possibility that I’m carrying his child, he doesn’t know my name. But he knows Lyra’s. My gut clenches at this. It’s just another reminder that Lyra is not the friend I thought she was. It’s clear she’s another spy of the prince’s sent to watch over me and report back to him.

“Lyra will join her on her walks,” the prince says.

“That is unnecessary. I will accompany the human myself.”

The polite smile melts from the prince’s face as he focuses on his wife. His features are sharpened by his anger as he crosses the distance between them. Helena stands tall as he stalks toward her. She looks unaffected by him, and I wish I could say the same. My heart pounds as he nears her.

“You dare argue with me over this kindness?” he growls.

“It seems unnecessary.”

With a growl, the Grey Prince lashes out. His hand connects with Helena’s cheek, sending her stumbling backward as her eyes widen with shock. He follows her, his hand closing around her throat as he drags her to him.

“Do not question me, wife.”

He tosses Helena to the side. I dig my nails into my hand to keep sitting, watching as Helena collapses onto the settee. His eyes flash as he stares down at her. But then he composes himself. A smile returns to his face as he glances toward Lyra.

“From dawn until dusk, Lyra will be at her side,” he says. “Unless I summon her to my side.”

No one makes a sound at this. It seems that Lyra is meant to keep me in life by her constant companionship. I sneak a glance at Lyra. She’s smirking as she glances at Helena, as though she’s fool enough to believe she’ll always have the prince’s favor.

“Very well,” Helena says.

She composes herself as she stands, her back to her husband. It takes her a moment to brush her anger from her eyes. Before turning, she gives me a strange look. I sense unspoken words in her gaze before she sweeps from the room. Only, I’m not sure what she meant to tell me. Other than to be wary of her husband and Lyra. I already am.

The Grey Prince nods to Lyra before following after his wife. Lyra smiles, her cheeks turning pink for a moment before she glances to me. Her face drops slightly as though reminded that she’s been tasked with watching over me. If she hopes to catch me doing something that will allow the prince to punish my men or me, she’s wasting her time.

“It’s a lovely morning for a stroll,” she tells me.

I stand reluctantly, surprised at her quickness in closing the distance between us. Taking my arm, she all but drags me from the room and toward the gardens. I barely have a moment to glance at Peirce, hoping to communicate too many things in a short glance.

16

Pierce

Ihad hoped for a moment alone with Rose. Yet, it seems that will be nearly impossible thanks to the change in circumstances. With Lyra constantly at Rose’s side, there won’t be any more moments of alone time, as I’m sure is the real reason behind her being assigned to watch Rose. That and the prince’s eagerness to find any excuse to punish us for being close to Rose. Our bond to her threatens him and his control, and I’m sure he’s none too thrilled with that.

Following Rose and Lyra through the castle halls toward the gardens, I have no choice but to listen to Lyra prattle on. She speaks about everything and nothing as she drags Rose along. I watch her, not trusting her for a moment. I’m full of wariness toward her as we step into the early morning.

Mist still clings to the garden as Lyra begins to stroll about. Not once does she pause in her talking, despite Rose’s sullen quietness. She is a stark comparison to Lyra. Not that Lyra seems to care that the conversation is one-sided or that Rose looks like she’d rather be anywhere but at her side.

Slowly, the sun fully rises and chases away the mist and warming the garden. I’m distracted when I glance toward Rose. The sun has cast her in an ethereal light, making her look less human and more angel. My chest tightens as I take her in, aware that I’m staring at her in a way that I shouldn’t be. I’ve forgotten myself too easily, I realize. Still, I don’t bother dragging my eyes away from her. Lyra’s too busy talking to notice me.

Rose glances over her shoulder, our eyes meeting. She offers me a soft smile that melts me. I nearly trip over my own feet, as though I’m a pup meeting a beautiful woman for the first time. Perhaps, I am. I’ve never met a creature quite like Rose. It doesn’t matter how many years I live or how many kingdoms I find myself in. I know I’ll never meet another like her either. The thought has me returning her smile despite Lyra at her side.

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