Page 8 of Abel

Adam finally came back to his desk and angrily slammed his hands down on the desktop.“I am serious, Abel.”Taking a moment to compose himself, Adam breathed deeply.“Look, I’m going to spell this out for you as plainly as possible.You have one week to win back your mate, marry her, and save her from the tortures that Remus has planned for her.”

Abel stared back at his father.Head tilted to the side.Was it true?Was this a setup?A royal escort would have traditionally been a brother or an uncle, but Lycaon was choosing Abel.The crazy old man was giving him one more chance to be with his daughter.“Son of a bitch.”

Adam nodded.“You’re expected in the king’s court by midday.I wouldn’t leave that insane wolf waiting.”

* * *

After a few back-channel portal jumps,Abel found himself standing before the insane king, Lycaon, a notorious monster cursed for mocking the gods.Now he sat on his platinum throne, gazing out at a nearly empty hall.The king’s long white hair framed a gaunt face covered in deep lines and wrinkles.He might look frail, but Abel knew better.Tired, maybe.Insane, most definitely.But, frail, never.This man, this werewolf, was anything but weak.It was a trick, one that Lycaon knew Abel was aware of.

“Where’s your guards and servants, old man?”Abel inquired.

“Abel, my boy, it’s good to see you.”The white-haired king waved his hand dismissively.“Blah, can’t trust anyone, they’re all out to get me.”

Abel’s tone remained dry, “I wonder why.”

“You aren’t still mad at me over that thing I did.Are you?”

“Changing me into a wolf and getting me kicked out of the Elysian Fields?”

“I’ve told you time and time again, the Oracle said you were the one.”

“I’m not here to rehash all of that, I’m here because of the invitation you sent me.”

“Invitation?Me?”

Abel pinched the bridge off his nose.“Yes, the invitation to Esme’s wedding.”

The old man looked utterly baffled.“Esme?Esme… hmmm.Wedding, you say?”

“Please focus, Lycaon.Esme, your daughter, her wedding is in a week, and you sent me an invite.”

“Esme… oh yes, Esmeralda is getting married to a fine wolf named Abel.”He leaned forward, covering the side of his mouth, and whispered, “I had a hand in it if I do say so myself.”

This was going nowhere fast.Abel snapped his fingers in front of the king’s face and summoned his wolf howl to get the man’s attention.“I’m Abel, Esmeralda is marrying Remus Carsidious.You sent for me to be her royal escort.”

Clarity entered Lycaon’s vision.“Oh my, I’ve made a mistake, haven’t I?”He rubbed his hands together, the crêpe paper skin drawing taut over his bones.Concern colored his expression.“Why didn’t it work out with you two?She loved you so much.”

Abel felt a lump form in his throat.He did his best to keep his tone even.“I messed it up, sire.I was prideful and stubborn.”

“We all are at one point or another.You will protect her while you are here, won’t you?”

“Of course, your majesty.”

The king nodded as he sat back on his throne, his eyes looked weary, and his body slumped with exhaustion.A meek young wolf hurried to Abel’s side and nodded his head towards the door.“The madness is going to take him again soon, he needs to rest.Come with me and I’ll show you your quarters.”

Abel followed the young man as the giant door to the great hall closed behind them.“Does Esme know I’m coming?”

The wolf shook his head.“The princess was not privy to this decision.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle.“The old man always has to play games.”

They walked up the staircase leading to the sleeping quarters, and the man stopped in front of the second to last door at the end of the corridor.“This is your room, sir.”

“Right next to the princess, very subtle.”

His guide cleared his throat.“The king, in one of his alert phases, wanted to make sure you understood why you were here.”He shifted uneasily.“I am to deliver the message to you in case he was too distracted during your meeting.”

Abel nodded and waved the man on.

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