Chapter 5

I walked down the stone path toward the quieter wing.

Then I heard Seraphina's voice.

"His Grace has changed. He's been keeping another wolf's handkerchief… Julian, do you think he's taken up with someone else. Julian, help me. Please."

They were standing with their backs almost to me.

Julian's eyes went down. "Help you how?"

"Find the She-Wolf. And kill her."

I stopped still.

Julian did not even look surprised. "Second Mate Seraphina. That's a request I cannot grant you."

His voice dropped.

"This is the last time I see you. After today, our paths do not cross. We are not the same kind of wolf anymore."

Seraphina began to cry, softly, the tears falling pretty.

"Why? Why don't you think of me even a little? Have you stopped loving me? Or is it because you've fallen for Evelyn Marchetti? She is a She-Wolf His Grace threw away."

At that, Julian stepped forward. He bent slightly and brushed the tears from her face.

His voice was gentle.

And a little tired.

"It has nothing to do with her. Seraphina — did you really think I didn't know? The first time you met, you planned it. His Grace couldn't see it. I was your mate. I know you better than anyone."

"You grew bored of me a long time ago. Didn't you? I have no rank, no title. I was never enough for you."

Seraphina went quiet.

She bit her lip. "Julian, I loved you. I did."

"But I refused to live that small."

It landed for me at last. That was why she had engineered the Alpha Guard slot for her own brother. Why she had shoved me, the wolf meant for the Crown, into Julian's hands.

I had to admit — I almost admired her.

She would do anything to get what she wanted.

They exchanged a few more sharp words and parted.

I stood in the corner, limbs heavy. Just as I was about to slip back the way I had come, someone came up beside me.

The palace attendant bent forward, voice thin.

"Mrs. Thorne. His Grace requests your presence."

Only then did I understand.

Damien had been there. The whole time. Standing just behind me. Watching every second of it.

I followed the attendant down another corridor.

Halfway there, a female attendant came jogging up.

"His Grace says he's leaving the Estate. He will not be seeing Mrs. Thorne after all."

I let out my breath.

Better not to see him.

The male attendant frowned, then asked under his breath, "Word on that wolf?"

The other nodded. "They've tracked her."

They were speaking low. Another wolf would not have caught it.

But I had always had sharp ears.

So Damien was hunting someone.

A moment later, every attendant on the path dropped to their knees.

I knelt with the rest.

Then I saw the edge of a dark cloak sweep past my face.

On the ride home, Julian and I were again in the same carriage. For some reason, his mood was lighter than it had been on the way out.

When we got down, he stepped out first. Instead of heading straight inside, he raised his hand to help me down.

There were still guards at the gate.

I thought for a moment, then took his hand.

We walked inside together. At some point the servants fell back. The world felt wide and empty, as though it held only the two of us.

At the willow tree, he stopped.

The moon was dim. He said, "Evelyn. We are mates."

I looked at him. I did not follow.

"What of it?"

He said, "Move to the main wing with me. Will you?"

He asked it as though he meant it.

I did not say yes.

I asked him to Sever the Bond instead.

But I gave him a date. Half a year from now.

By then, my youngest sister would be Marked.

Julian looked up, disbelieving. "Why? We've barely been mates a year. Evelyn — you haven't been unmoved by me. Have you?"

I didn't answer.

He wasn't wrong. He had been careful with me, thoughtful, and only days before he had poured out the spiced mead he and Seraphina had once buried together.

I wasn't made of stone. I had been moved.

But every one of those feelings had died the moment I had watched him reach up to dry Seraphina's tears.

After a long silence, he seemed almost to breathe easier.

He opened his mouth.

"I — I'll be leaving for the Northern Wastes in a few days. We—"

He didn't finish.

Peach rushed in from outside.

She had been sent out on errands and had passed the shop on her way back. "Mistress. There's trouble at the shop."

There was nothing for it. I told Julian I had business and would deal with the rest when I returned.

I rode to the shop fast.

I handled the trouble and sent everyone home. I was tired. I walked alone to the back to pour myself tea.

I had just sat down.

The candle went out.

My hand paused mid-air.

The next instant, a voice reached me, low and dangerous.

"Nora?"

"Or perhaps I should call you Mrs. Thorne."

I turned.

I saw a face I knew.

My cup fell from my hand.

"You?"

"You're Damien?"