Page 40 of Broken Kingdom

“Coralie said this was a dying world,” Juliet says, slowing as we near the edge of the water, “one phoenix shifters and dragon shifters shared a long time ago. Apparently, the dragons hate us and are willing to give out magical treats to anyone who helps them destroy the phoenix bloodline.”

“Fun,” I say, scanning the riverbed. It’s clear where the rest of the people crossed, through a shallow section just to our left, but the water is moving fast, and the riverbed is rocky.

As we step into the cold current, sharp edges dig into the bottom of my bare feet and Juliet flinches and curses beneath her breath.

“Yeah, fun. This entire thing is just…so much fun,” Juliet says, grinding to a stop with a shiver. “Hold still,” she whispers. “I’m not sure if that thing is dangerous or not.”

I follow her gaze in time to see what looks like a centipede as big as a boa constrictor slither through the water just inches from our feet. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem interested in us and moves along downstream.

Once it’s gone, Juliet and I hurry through the rest of the water and step out onto the grass not far where the rest of the refugees from the ritual are gathered.

“There you are! Thank Goddess! Over here,” Catherine shouts, waving her hand from near the front of the group where she stands beside Coralie and an unusually tall stranger. “This woman says she can open a portal. She just needs a few promises from you two.”

As Juliet and I draw closer, I get a better look at the solid, powerful-looking woman next to her. She’s wearing a red Zion pack ceremonial sash tied at the waist of her simple white dress, but I don’t recognize her.

But Coralie seems to. The glare she’s shooting the much taller woman has history in it. You don’t come to hate another person that much in just a few minutes.

It takes time and repeated offense, a fact Coralie proves as she snaps by way of introduction, “Ford, Juliet, this is Gillian, Hammer’s wife and Ophelia’s mother.”

“Former wife,” Juliet shoots back. “He’s dead now. Sorry not sorry.”

The woman’s features stiffen, but she doesn’t show any emotion in response to the news and her voice is steady when she says, “We might soon be dead, too, if we can’t come to an agreement that makes me feel comfortable opening a portal. My daughter might be able to stop one dragon, but if the rest of them decide to fight, this is over. For all of us.”

“What do you want?” I ask, at the same moment Juliet murmurs, “That’s Ophelia?”

“She doesn’t always look like that,” Catherine whispers to Juliet. “She shifted to help save you. She’s a wendigo shifter and seems like a great kid. I’d like to get her out of here before she gets jumped by more than one of those things.”

Juliet fixes her gaze on Gillian’s face. “What do you want?”

“Immunity for myself and Ophelia for assisting Hammer in his uprising,” she says, “continued royal status and all that goes with it, and a seat for Ophelia in the throne room. The three of you can rule together, as equal siblings and rightful heirs to the Zion pack.”

“All right,” Juliet says, surprising me. “I’ll negotiate immunity with Maxim, and you and Ophelia will retain your royal status. But Ophelia will only help rule as long as Ford and I are alive. If something happens to us, she forfeits her claim to an heir I’ll have named in my will.”

“But her children will still be in line for the throne,” Gillian counters.

“No dice,” Juliet shoots back. “Her branch of the family tree ends with her. If she has children, they won’t be considered royals. That way you have no motivation to hurt me or mine. That’s my final offer. Keep pushing, and I’ll have you executed for refusing a direct order from your Alpha during battle.”

“Then you die here,” Gillian says, but I can tell her resolve is starting to waver. Her daughter is still holding her own against the dragon, but just barely, and she clearly underestimated what a hardass Hammer’s first-born daughter can be.

“But you die first,” Juliet says breezily. “Now open the portal. Quickly, before I change my mind.”

Gillian clearly isn’t thrilled with the outcome of her negotiations, but after a beat, she turns to Coralie with a nod. “Draw and hold the rune of remembrance. I’ll do the rest. I’m not sure where we’ll end up on the other side, but it should be somewhere in Wyoming or close by. Once everyone is through, we’ll have about a minute to follow them before the portal vanishes.” She turns back to Juliet. “I’ll need someone to warn Ophelia that it’s time to run right before the last of us are through.”

“On it,” Catherine says, backing away toward the river again. “I’ll wait until Juliet and Ford are the only ones left. I’m assuming you’ll be at the back of the line?”

“That’s right,” Juliet confirms. “But be careful. Don’t get any closer than you have to. And watch out for weird shit in the water.”

“Will do,” Catherine says, turning to creep back across the rocky part of the riverbed as Coralie and Gillian begin to chant words in a language I can’t understand.

Surprising me again, Juliet reaches for my hand, twining her fingers through mine. She looks up, holding my gaze as she whispers, “Are you ready for this?”

Instinctively, I know she means more than getting out of here and the immediate aftermath of everything that’s happened the past few days. She means am I ready to take control of our pack, change the course of history, and do our part to make the shifter world a better place. Am I ready to navigate the tricky world of pack politics by her side, never forgetting that our loyalty is to each other above all else.

She means am I ready for the future.

Together.

“As long as it’s you and me,” I whisper for her ears only, “I’m ready for anything.”

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