Page 38

I DREAMED OF FIRE.

Flames everywhere. The Beast was there, cutting through the crackling heat, coming for me through the fire. He reached me. Sparks popped and lifted off me when he touched me. And then he suddenly burst into flame.

I woke strangling on a scream. For several moments I sat upright, gasping, gulping back sobs. I looked to my window, and the faint purpling sky foreshadowing the emerging day.

With a shuddering breath, I flung back the coverlet and dressed myself. A maid soon arrived, carrying a tray. I ate a hasty breakfast of bread, cheese, and fruit. I forced the food down, not knowing when I would next eat, if they would even bother to feed me. None of the border warriors would be kindly disposed toward me. Perhaps in time I would gain their respect and trust. Of course, that would only happen if Lord Dryhten treated me with kindness and respect. They would take their cues from him. Not the most reassuring thought. His eyes had burned with such anger once my veil had been removed and he clapped eyes on me.

I sat before the dressing mirror, my feet tapping anxiously as my hair was separated into several braids and then wound around my head in a coronet. As soon as the maid was finished, I bounded from the bench, knowing I had little time.

“My lady,” she cried, confirming this suspicion. “You’re expected downstairs straight away.”

“See that my bag is sent down. I will be there soon.”

I couldn’t leave without saying good-bye to Alise. I didn’t know when I would see her again. If ever. My last moments with herwould not be in front of an audience. I swallowed thickly. I would be in the Borderlands, and she would be elsewhere, married to some distant king or prince. Perhaps even across an ocean. This could be our last time together.

“But they insisted on leaving at first light!”

I sent a quick glance at the murky dawn floating through the window of my bedchamber.

“I will hurry,” I promised. “Make my excuses.”

She called out after me, but her exact words were lost. I was already out the door and hastening down the corridor.

I made a beeline for Alise’s chamber. She was not an early riser, and I was confident I would catch her still in bed.

I was wrong. A maid was tidying the room.

“Princess Alise?” I demanded. “Where did she go?”

“I believe she went to the kennels, my lady.”

The kennels.

I winced. My least favorite place. I hesitated only a moment before stiffening my spine and rushing through the mostly empty palace. For Alise, I could endure it.

Only a few servants were up and about, stirring the fire awake in the Great Hall’s hearth. I emerged into the bracing air outside. For Alise, I would brave the kennels.

Down the winding path, past the outdoor kitchen and stables I went. The wolves were housed in the farthest building in the exterior courtyard, closest to the postern gate, away from the heaviest traffic. The capricious beasts were not placed in proximity of the horses.

They were restless this morning. I could hear them prowling in their cages. As I advanced, they grew more agitated, louder, yipping and whining, scratching and pawing at the walls. It was always that way. The wolves did not like me. I tried not to take it too personally. They didn’t like many humans. Except for their keepers, of course, and the rare individual.

Once upon a time, wolves had been instrumental in the Threshing for their skill in hunting dragons. Wolves hunted much lessthreatening game now. Time had lifted the threat of dragons. These days, King Hamlin and his nobles kept the wolves for sport.

Wolves were still used in the distant outposts, helping in the waging of war in the outer regions of the kingdom. I could only assume the border lords kept them, too.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside the kennels, peering down the shadowed middle aisle for a glimpse of Alise. She was one of the rare individuals. The beasts adored her. She was as natural with them as any of the keepers tasked with their care.

They didn’t attack humans. Not unless directed to do so. At least that was what their keepers always assured me when I ventured too close to the kennels and the wolves started foaming at the mouth. Only desperation to see Alise could bring me here. They were deadly, feral, brutal animals, and I had never been able to view them as pets, as Alise did.

“Alise?” I whispered loudly.

As soon as I spoke, the already charged air exploded. Every wolf came alive—barking, howling, snarling—jolted awake by the sound of my voice.

They wanted to tear me apart. This moment only confirmed the rightness of my instinct to stay away from them. And yet here I was now.

The wolves nearest me could actually see me through the bars of their kennels, and it sent them over the edge. They charged the bars, flinging their considerable weight against the iron with no thought to hurting themselves. They were relentless in their need to reach me, to tear me apart.

There was a sickening crack as a giant gray wolf to my right hurled himself against his cage. He yelped in pain, but that did not stop him. With his front leg dangling unnaturally, he kept coming, wild eyes crazed and rolling, fixed on me, mouth foaming, spittle flying. I jumped back, which only brought me closer to the kennel on my left. A she-wolf shoved her snapping muzzle between the bars at me.