39

R E Y N A

✿

I touched the sun-yellow crystal in my amulet and the golden portal in front of me whirled in the air. I looked around the small, plant-covered healing chamber, then saw the shadow of two boots under the crack in the door. It was the same soldier in front of my door who took over my watch as he did every day at this time. He liked the sharp taste of ginger, had a fondness for a soldier named Salia, and hated morning shifts. It was obvious that he would rather be in his bed at this hour than guarding the weak, shy healer werewolf in front of the healing chamber.

I could have laughed. Acting out the delirium was child's play. They were so gullible, so easy to fool.

I reached into the glowing vortex, reassured that my disappearance would go unnoticed. The next moment I had the rough, uneven sandstone floor under my bare feet. I walked through the underground hall of the tomb flanked by the wall-carved burial mounds.

"Did it work?" The fire of the torchstick lit his silhouette, which was hidden by a dark blue seal. The pulled-down hood prevented me from seeing his face.

"Yes, my abilities lasted long enough for them to set the kindergarten on fire without them noticing." I had stopped next to him in front of the mirror. My toes peeked out from under the mustard-colored fringe of my dress, almost touching the dark shadows moving beneath the surface.

"What about the pirates?"

"The fire distracted them and the attack went ahead as planned."

His knuckles turned white from the tight grip on the torch staff. "Why isn't the girl standing here?"

Small pebbles dug into the soles of my feet as I flexed my feet. "She couldn't be found."

“I delivered a lot of gold to the pirates so you could bring me the girl! Give me one reason why I shouldn't throw you in the shade!” His voice cracked.

I refused to flinch. No princess showed weakness. “She must have teleported here. She knows of the gate and that she is needed for the opening.”

Then his hand shot out from under the wide sleeve and grabbed me. He poked me in the back so I was hovering over the mirror, my nose just inches above the black, shadowed surface.

I was shaking, cold sweat running down my face as he held my hand to keep me from falling. "But! But I made a deal with them! We no longer need the services of the Shadow Order!"

"A deal?"

My forced breath fogged the mirror surface. 'Some of their pack members were kidnapped by the pirates, they want them back. They also protect Georgie at all costs. So one hand washes the other. You're helping us bring our people home after we've helped them assassinate the Ruinbringer."

He laughed and pulled me back.

After regaining my composure, I straightened my dress and straightened my hair with slightly trembling hands. “So you're traveling with me to Minkaujin. Then we'll send her north with some of our dragon warriors, while the girl stays on the island, right with us."

The thin lips under the hood curled up in his smile. "Unprotected. Very good. We kill two birds with one stone.”

"We should open the gates around New Year's, when the barriers to the underworld are weakest."

"I've already planned everything."

The shadows whirled, pressed against the pane, wanting out. The taste of the abilities they had bestowed on us was slowly fading. Soon this girl would be ours. And so did the magic it unleashed.

G E O R G I E

✿

The portal had spat us out in the middle of the narrow, winding streets of Minkaujin. I was glad we didn't have to make the long journey across the sea and have to figure out if I was going to empty my stomach and throw up like I did this morning. I still shuddered at the memory of Daemon and his gift. Blair had found out what had happened to her father after the exam this morning. She threw herself into my arms, crying, and I comforted her while secretly swearing death to Daemon. I could understand her loss, knew the throbbing, deep pain that ripped your heart out of your chest and shattered your ribs. I was only able to join the journey with the thought that Tiam was with her and would not leave her side.

I straightened the bow I had wrapped around my back as I strolled alongside Beau down the busy lanes of the Fire Isles. Red, spherical lanterns with golden symbols painted on them hung from the curved, overhanging ends of the house roofs. People were bustling about the cobbled streets, loud chatter flew around my ears from all sides. Goods were offered and sold. They yelled their prices, trying to lure customers into their shops.

“Rabbit's foot for just one piece of gold!”

“Pretty Hanfu dresses at a special price!”

Xenos was so tall and broad that he stood out from the crowd like a beacon. He ran with Arya alongside Reyna, who escorted us to the royal palace - and at a snail's pace. Every islander who spotted Reyna rushed forward, kneeling in front of her and weeping out a prayer with the relief that she had found her way back. What amazed me, however, was not the great reverence for her princess, but the lovely gestures Reyna reacted to.

She exhorted each of her people to stand up and then hugged them. With a big smile on her face, she told them how happy she was to be home and urged those who were also missing family members to bring the rest of their people back.

Although I initially disliked the beautiful islander as Beau had sorrowfully carried her into the healing room, I was now ashamed of my thoughts. She was a kind princess, the people really adored her. How could I have badmouthed her, if only in my head?

With the sun just peaking and beating down on me, making my skin sizzling in the heat, I cursed my choice of clothes. I had decided on black, tight-fitting pants and an old pink blouse. Well, I hadn't realized what the temperature of the Fire Isles actually was.

I fanned myself and matched my stride to Beau's. He made a serious face. His features were sharp and everyone gave a wide berth as soon as they met his warning gaze. His hand in mine was clawed. His wolf was not at ease surrounded by this sea of strangers who were showing us their wares and asking us to buy something from them. If I were to sense my she-wolf, I would probably feel the same way, but that's how I sniffed the air and enjoyed the novel smells of the spices that crawled up my nose. Sichuan Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, Dou Chi, Rock Candy.

I saw silks of all colors being passed around, baskets of hibiscus flowers. Then someone accidentally pushed me and I tripped. Beau jerked me against him, his arm protectively around my shoulders.

"Look out!" he snapped at the guy, who had long since disappeared, and then growled, "Wanker."

I looked up at him and had to laugh at his scowl showing his fangs while my hormones went haywire. I still couldn't believe he tagged me. "Are we feeling grumpy again today?" I stretched up and gave him a small kiss on the bearded cheek. “Look at this extraordinary city. You feel so alive, don't you? Don't you think she's adorable?"

"Chaotic would be more appropriate," he muttered, and yet I was happy to catch the tiny smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I hadn't missed how calm and thoughtful he was at certain moments. The thought was still in his mind that we didn't have much time and he would abandon himself to his wolf forever. The claws that he drew in less and less were solid proof of that.

“I think it has its charm.” I denied and again threatened to sink into the deep, green eyes when Reyna interrupted.

"And how do you like it so far? Have my people managed to cast a spell over you yet?” She brushed down her mustard yellow tight dress and nudged Beau as she walked beside him.

I suddenly wished I could bite her. I stepped closer to Beau. “To be honest, it's very different from our home. It will probably take me a good while to settle in."

"Oh yes?" Beau frowned. 'Hmm... no. I think it's wonderful. All these people, all the goods moving around and then this crowding. You almost feel ... how do you say it so beautifully? Lively."

Reyna's eyes lit up, as did her whole face, and she smiled like a stupid honey cake horse. I wanted to scratch the grin off her face. Instead, I elbowed Beau's side and muttered, "Dumbass."

I heard his harsh, hoarse laughter in my ear and felt his fingers caressing my shoulder. "What then? Are we feeling grumpy today?' he imitated me.

I gritted my teeth but kept my eyes on Reyna, who must have been Beau's next dessert.

'Don't worry my dear, you'll find your way around. I know how difficult this can be and how lonely and abandoned some can feel.” She comforted me, giving me a compassionate look as if I were a little five year old who was frail and frail. "It'll be over quickly, I promise."

Did I actually feel bad before? I gritted my teeth and suppressed the growl rising in my chest.

“Oh, Princess Nakajima! It really is you! How worried I was about you!” another resident came running towards us and stopped in front of Reyna. She looked at her with big, wet eyes and cried when Reyna took her in her arms.

“Oh, dear Princess! Oh, I was so worried about your noble highness!” I mimicked.

Beau cleared his throat and his eyes met me with amusement. His arm is still wrapped around my shoulder.

I punished him with a bitter look. "Oh, you think that's very funny, don't you?"

When the resident had recovered, Reyna turned to me. "Look what she got me." Two hibiscus rested in her palm. "This is for you." She walked around Beau and then put the pink flower in my loose hair, choosing the yellow one for herself. I wanted to rip it out of my hair and throw it at her, even though a small part of me felt bad at the thought. But she had flirted shamelessly with Beau!

With a beaming smile, Reyna was once again stopped by her folks.

"Flower. I don't even like flowers. What a stupid tradition,” I muttered, still picking my way through the crowd.

Beau, following me, threw back his head and laughed heartily.

"What?" I asked sharply.

But he couldn't recover.

I stopped. "HA-HA-HA! It's all so hilarious.” I put my hands on my hips and glared at him hostilely, but my heart was racing in my chest at the detached laugh that crept into every corner of my mind.

The hustle and bustle of the islanders surrounded us. People swarmed around Beau and I, doing business. His chest was still twitching under his silent, dying laugh. "Yes, it is indeed."

"And why, if I may ask, oh good sir?"

"Because you think you have to be jealous."

My back straightened of its own accord. “Me? Jealous? Never!"

"Oh yes, little Georgie." Green wolf eyes that shone. "You're quite possessive."

I watched the islanders scurrying around behind Beau's shoulder.

He leaned down and purred, "And it's hot as hell." His hand reached around my waist and pushed me toward him. With small stumbles I stood close to him. I felt his breath on me, inhaling his masculine, tart scent of forest and wolf.

He bit my ear. "I like it when you stretch out your claws."

I got dizzy and grabbed his arms to keep myself on my feet. The mate band burned and I rested my cheek against his, enjoying to the core being so close to him. Still, I thought about his words. I focused on my claws. Reminded me of the feeling of them pressing against my fingertips, the way they shot out.

"We should move on," I said when my hands hadn't changed. I stepped back, trying to bury the dull feeling of shame and sadness deep within me. Beau was so much a wolf, what would he say if he found out?

We caught up with Rowtag and Arrow, who had also traveled. The rest of the army would not follow until the deal was secured and the islanders kept their word.

Rowtag didn't seem to notice us, meanwhile he was busy rambling in Arrow's ears. This one, however, seemed like he wasn't even listening to his sidekick, or else he just didn't care what Rowtag had to say. Hood pulled low over his face, Arrow weaved silently through the crowd.

“That hazel hair, oh and those eyes. Ah..." Rowtag gushed. 'Brighter than the great moon when it shines in its full splendor in the night sky. We Gis have a word for such beauty; Siburah. More beautiful than the clear brilliance of a diamond.” He put his hand under his leather vest over his bare brown chest, which was painted dark blue. 'Oh, those legs! Ah, holy Gaia, I am in Heaven."

Reyna's tan, slender leg shot out from behind the slit of her dress. The mustard yellow fabric accentuated her figure in a most beguiling way. Long legs, a narrow waist, a flat stomach, all combined with a natural, beautiful face. What more could a man want?

I straightened the airy fabric of my blouse and was suddenly immensely aware of my curves. I had never had any problems with my body, nor had I ever questioned whether I was attractive enough because I found me attractive. Yes, after I moved into the Moonwater Pack, it took my body three years to recover from years of imprisonment and the malnutrition that came with it, but as soon as I hit the sweets and chocolate cake, my body settled down changed at a rapid pace. And I always saw it as a good change. Enjoying chocolate meant life, so how could an uneven tummy be a bad thing?

"You think she'd take me out on a date?" Rowtag babbled on uninhibitedly. “I mean, it's hard to resist that kind of humor paired with a manly handsome face. Except maybe she likes wolves? What do you think about that? Arrow? Arrow!” Rowtag, who had been staring at Reyna until now, sought out Arrow, only then did he register our presence. His cheeks flared briefly, but then he asked curiously, "What do you mean, Beau? Look at her, she's enchanting."

I watched Beau, waiting for his reaction. His gaze wandered to Reyna and he eyed her.

I suddenly felt tiny and insignificant, even though I knew we shared a bond. Even though I knew Beau would never cheat on me. Never. Still, I felt a knife in my chest when he didn't reply.

Rowtag continued his crush and I got fed up with it. Without further ado, I unroped myself from the trio and walked towards one of the shops. But before I yanked open the door and slipped inside, I hesitated. The shop windows looked gloomy. Dark purple curtains veiled what was hidden in the interior space. Only a glittering lettering let one guess what kind of business it was.

The path of your destiny. Find out what life has in store for you. All you have to do is ask the sphere.