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“He was not my pet. He trailed me and I didn't want his company. He is a wild animal and not to be trusted.”

“You jumped in the way to save me,” he said in the same tone, a serious look on his face. He looked stunned.

Noora stared at him. What did he expect her to do? Stand there while a wolf attacked a person? It had nothing to do with him it was common decency. And maybe she was selfish, he and his damned tournament was her ticket out of this Hel. If he was dead, there was no tournament to be held which meant no gold for her and Lulva.

He took a few steps forward, clearing his throat. “It was completely unnecessary, though—”

“We’re leaving.” Noora dove forward to take Lulva’s hand in hers. The girl was still eyeing the quiet wolf. Could he not have been quiet all along? It felt like he set her up with his pretentious growling.

“What?” the prince asked stunned. Noora did not answer him as she shot a glare at the white wolf, pulling Lulva after her. It was time to get out.

Chapter 21

Nikolai

Nikolai stared after Noora’s retreating form, Lulva turning her head back to look at him a few times, her young face distorted into sadness.

“Follow them,“ he told Raphael. His guard usually did not hesitate to follow his orders but at that moment he stayed where he was.

“May I offer some advice, Your Majesty?”

“No, you may not,” Nikolai snapped, turning to look at him. “You are to follow my orders. My orders only, Raphael.”

Raphael straightened at the words, his gaze narrowing slightly at the king. “The last thing Noora needs is for me to follow her, she has the right to leave if she wants to.”

“She was the one to throw her name into the cup, she decided to take part in the tournament. This is not something to do for fun, it is a contract she has signed with her name.”

“Well, maybe it would be easier for her to hold onto the contract, without you condescending her and treating her the way you do.”

Nikolai raised his chin, staring his guard down. Raphael was far more built than he was, still, he had a few more inches on him and sometimes it was not muscles a person needed to be authoritative. Because even if Raphael could decapitate their worst enemies, Nikolai was the one with the real power. A power that people would bow under.

“And how am I treating her? I brought her the girl, she has a place to stay, which is surely better than an orphanage that punishes the girls it is supposed to protect. What more does she want?”

“Respect. Your thanks—“

“Thanks for what? She knows Spike is not dangerous, look at him.” Nikolai gestured to the wolf which has now lay down, his snout propped on his front paws, his eye widened to the size of saucers.

Raphael stepped in front of the king, blocking his view of the perfectly calm animal.

“Noora is a girl who had to endure more than we can imagine, or else she would not be alarmed by any threat, no matter how small it seems. I guessed you would especially understand how it feels to always be on your guard.” He raised an eyebrow and Nikolai loathed him for his condescending tone. Or maybe for the fact that he could be right.

His fingers twitched as he tried to compose himself, drowning the upcoming memories that dared to flood his mind.

“She has disrespected me in every way she could. I accommodated her to her wishes and she still acts like all of this is a game she can get out of. I did not build an entire arena for the tournament and came up with the concept for fun.”

“And does she know that?” Raphael quipped.

Nikolai remained silent.

His jaw ticked for a few moments but Raphael already knew he won.

“This is all your fault, you know that?” Nikolai told the wolf, who now tipped his head to the side, feigning confusion.

Whatever it was the king saw in the animal’s gaze, it made him think that the jump and act of being dangerous was a deliberate move of the animal. Which was ridiculous. Animals did not understand humans and they especially did not have the cunning, to come up with deliberate plans.

“Kai.” A hand landed on his shoulder.

Nikolai flinched but still turned his head, to look at his guard. “Stop blaming the wolf and own up to your mistakes. Go pick her up and escort her to the participants’ dinner.”