Page 20 of Wolfsbane (Deadly Duet #2)

TWENTY

MOREL

My body fell to the cold stone floor as Boletus erupted in laughter. His pet, Hystrix, cracked her whip, hitting my back. I groaned, fighting back the pain.

“Morel, mighty king of darkness,” Boletus snarked, standing in front of me. “Tell me: how does it feel to lose?” He wore an arrogant smirk, smug and confident that, by kidnapping me, he had won this sick game, when, truthfully, he ensured his defeat.

I smiled, laughing up at him as Hystrix struck me again, my mouth bleeding from the sharp impact.

“Do you not understand? I have taken Grisset’s king, left it unprotected as your forces and your queen await mine on the battlefield, completely unaware.” Boletus bent down, retrieving a small knife, using the tip to force my chin upwards. “Are you such a fool to truly think you can escape me?”

“It is not I who needs to escape.”

Boletus’ smile fell as he dropped my chin and backed away, stepping up the dais and plopping down onto the throne—Hesper’s throne.

“When you were last here, I let you go, but we had a deal. Do you remember it?” I groaned, rising as I remained on my knees, my hands chained behind my back. “Well, allow me to remind you.” Boletus waved the small blade around as he spoke. “I let you go in exchange for any information on my fiancée’s whereabouts. I also agreed to leave your little kingdom of darkness be as long as you left Hellbore alone.” Boletus looked down at me, pressing his eyebrows together. “You’ve been a naughty little king, Morel. Not only did I learn you had allowed the people of Hellbore to enter your kingdom, but you were hiding my queen in the shadows. Did you really think I would not find out?” He tossed the knife, catching it as he continued to play with it. “But imagine my surprise when, on the cusp of attacking your kingdom, I learned not only did you try to keep such a thing from me, but you decided to marry my fiancée!” My muscles bulged at his words.

“Hesper is not yours! She never was!” I roared the words, fighting the chains around my wrists. “Not only is she my queen, but she is the queen of Hellbore! The true queen!”

Boletus simply smiled at my temper, adjusting his posture as he leaned forward on the throne, his head resting on his arm as he watched me.

“The only queen Hesper is is mine . You may have married her in some diluted thought that she could be yours, but you are no true king. You are an outcast. You have no title, no ancient kingdom. And once I kill you, I shall march upon your measly kingdom and claim it as my own, with Hesper at my side as my queen.”

My legs stood as I bolted towards him, Hystrix’s whip catching my leg as I stumbled. Rage and Hesper’s sacrifice pumped through my veins as I continued, only slowed by Hystrix’s interference. Boletus’ smile faded as he stood, unnerved by my new strength.

“ You —” I groaned, stepping onto the dais.

“Guards!” Boletus’ fear began to seep from him as his men rushed into the room. They tried to hold me back, but it was no use.

“Will never have my kingdom—” I groaned, baring my teeth as I stopped inches from Boletus’ face. “And you will never have Hesper.” An eerie smile formed as I stared down at him, raging with power.

Screams and shouts erupted from outside as a flood of Boletus’ men flooded the room, barring the door in absolute fear. I remained still, his guards struggling to pull me back. His eyes rose back to mine, studying me closely.

“What is happening?” he asked his men as they scattered around in a fluster.

“Hellbore is under attack!” they shouted.

“By whom?”

“An unknown army! They just appeared, flooding the horizon with darkness!” My laughter answered his question as he looked at me.

“You made one fatal mistake, Boletus.” I allowed his men to pull me back as I stepped down the dais, grinning. “She’s coming for me, and I can assure you, no one will survive her wrath.”

“Who?” Boletus demanded, pulling his sword from its sheath as Hystrix joined him.

“My wife.”