Page 65 of King of Death

The air around the palace staff grew more frantic and hushed as I approached the rose garden. They were whispering to each other, and a small group were hovering outside of the garden door until they saw me approaching and scattered after dipping into deep bows.

I was still barefoot, I realised as I stepped outside onto gritty stone that was already hot in the morning sun. The air was always dry and dusty here, but sweet and fragrant. Usually, the only sounds were those of bees and crickets and the occasional birdsong. It was why I loved it here so much.

This morning, all I could hear was overexcited chatter coming from deeper in the garden, past the maze of stone walls. More staff were hovering, like this was entertainment for them, and my temper momentarily spilled over.

“Don’t stand there and gawk,” I snapped, making them jump. “Get back to work.”

Lonan wasn’t a fucking spectacle for them to stare at. I didn’t know what had prompted him to shift into the wolf, when I knew he’d been so worried about what would happen to his leg, and I didn’t know why he was out here, but there was obviously a reason why he wasn’t shifting back. Panic streaked through me, making me break into a run.

I skidded to a stop when I rounded a wall and saw the cluster of guards pointing their weapons at a large black shape backed into a corner.

Something shattered just a little inside me as I took in the wolf—the huge body, the black fur, those eerie solid-black eyes. I hadn’t seen him like this for so long.

This was the creature that had given me comfort when I was all alone in that cottage on unseelie, still grieving for my parents, scared of what was going to happen to me, confused and angry.

This was who I’d cried to, spoken to, told things. Before I’d even known it was him, Lonan had been my only true friend for a long time.

I jolted back to reality when I realised that his hackles were raised, a low, shuddery growl vibrating from his throat and his sharp teeth bared as he eyed the guards with threatening distrust. He was huddled back into the corner of two walls, rose thorns catching on his thick black fur. He kept shifting to keep his balance, hopping unsteadily on his single back leg.

A hoarse sound left me before I could stop it. My poor Lonan.

The moment he spotted me, his black eyes snapping to my face, he let out a plaintive whine.

“Get away from him.” I rushed forward as the guards looked back at me. When none of them moved, I snarled, “Get the fuck away from him.”

They started stepping back uncertainly, exchanging wary glances as I knelt in front of Lonan and cupped his muzzle in my hands. He was panting in distress, but he dragged a paw over my knee and snuffled at my inner wrist.

“Luad…” one of the guards began.

“Everyone leave.” I could hear that none of them moved at the order, so after a few seconds of silence, I barked, “Everyone leave now.”

As boots shuffled over dusty stone, I pressed a kiss to the top of Lonan’s snout. “Are you okay?”

He whined, pawing at my knee again, rough tongue darting out to lick my chin.

“That thing is fucking enormous,” I heard one of the guards mutter. “Is it… the king’s pet?”

“Is it the unseelie?” another asked curiously. “But I thought he turned into a—”

“Go,” I snapped, peering back to glare at them. Once they’d started hurrying away, I turned back to Lonan. “Are you worried about shifting back?” I whispered. “Is that why you haven’t?”

He whined again.

“I’ve sent for Gillie,” I told him, trying to keep my tone calm and reassuring. “He and Nua are on their way.” I swallowed, my voice growing hoarse. “Are you in pain? Is the… the leg…”

Lonan jerked his snout to the side, which I knew meant no. Breathing a tiny sigh of relief, I smoothed a hand through the thick fur on his neck. “I know you don’t like eating or drinking in this form, but do you need some water? It’s hot out here.”

He indicated no again, then crept further out from the corner so he could rest his snout on my shoulder, tucking it into my neck and snuffling at my hair. I swallowed thickly, wrapping my arms around his upper body and burying my face in his fur. The musky, smoky scent took me back to the cottage, to sitting outside with him every night, sharing with him all the things I couldn’t share with anyone else. Feeling the bulk of his heavy body leaning against my side, giving me warmth and comfort.

God, I’d missed him like this.

“I love you,” I whispered into his fur.

For a few moments, I allowed myself to imagine that we were back in the cottage on the edge of unseelie. Sitting outside together in the dark with him as the wolf, or dozing in a patch of sun on the bed while he was the cat, or lounging in front of the fire on the rug while he was in his usual form, talking and eating, part of us always touching. Our hands linked together. My head on his chest. His fingers in my hair.

It had all been simple then. Blissful ignorance. Sometimes I wanted that back.

“Ash?”

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