Page 28 of Merciless Is My Crown

“Thank you.” Her lips tightened and she leaned closer. “Did you eat anything?” She rolled her eyes. “Of course you didn’t, so I took the liberty of packing something for you.”

Anaria searched through her saddle bags and pulled out a hunk of dried meat wrapped in a hunk of bread. I paused even though it smelled delicious. “Don’t worry, this is far better than that gods-awful stuff you had last night.” Her lips quirked as she pressed the food into my hand. “Promise.”

This girl was going to kill me. Fucking kill me.

“Anaria, I must apologize for what happened earlier.”

“No.” She shook her head sternly. “We’re not doing this right now. I’ve already said my goodbyes, so tell Raz and Zor whatever you must to send them on their way, then we head for the tunnels. The sooner we’re out of Caladrius, the better.”

I understood exactly how she felt.

I couldn’t wait to put this godsforsaken realm behind us.

Not that the Barrens were any better, but this fucking castle was filled with ghosts I needed to purge from my soul.

But that purge had begun last night when Anaria had taken my arm, stood beside me, and told her mother—and the entire room—she trusted me. No one had ever defended me so fiercely, except for Julian, and something in my chest had snapped.

Now all these ghosts…they could go rot for all I cared.

I ate the food Anaria gave me in three bites then led my mount over to where Raziel and Zor waited. “Good luck.” I shook Raz’s outstretched hand, then offered mine to Zorander. I half thought the pompous arse would ignore me, but he finally took it, yanking me close enough Anaria wouldn’t overhear him.

“You hurt her, I’ll put you in the ground, wolf. I swear to the fucking gods, I will.”

“I’m not going to hurt her. I had a nightmare, won’t happen again.”

“She’s the only thing that matters in all of this.”

I glared at him. “You think I don’t know that? I’ll get her to Nightcairn and then to the Barrens. Dane can make our introductions to their priestess. If that meeting doesn’t go as planned…well, I’ll kill anyone who poses a threat, then take her back home. We’ll wait for you there.”

I couldn’t describe what saying those words—take her back home—did to me.

I treasured every moment I’d ever shared with Anaria—even the worst ones—but something about having my wife under my roof appealed to my wolf in ways that would make me keeping my hands off her impossible.

“Five days. I expect Torin’s dragon friend won’t be up for traveling, but if he’s alive and we manage to get him free, I’ll send Raz ahead so you know we’re coming.”

Zor dropped his voice. “If you haven’t heard from us in ten days, take her to Nightcairn. She’s safer there than anywhere else. I don’t trust Torin or Adele.”

I sucked in a breath. “I know. I won’t let anything happen to her, Zor. If I don’t see you again…” My voice trailed off as I realized this could, very possibly, be the last time I ever saw either of them.

If that was true…

“If I don’t see you again, I’m taking Anaria across the sea to the Ascher Islands.” I squared my shoulders, letting this morning’s bullshite slide off. “I have enough money to keep her safe for centuries, to keep us hidden where no one will find us. Tristan and I won’t leave her. She’ll be safe, Zor.”

“That’s all I’m asking. I let her down once before, I won’t fail her again.” This time when he took my hand, his grip was firm, his eyes free of judgment. “We’ll see you in five days in the Barrens. Gods help us both.”

12

ANARIA

Torin took Zor’s arm and they were gone, sending a shockwave of feelings through me.

Panic, because this was all happening too fast.

Anger, because no sooner than we were together, fate always tore us apart.

And gods, what if this was the last time I saw them? What if all those things I’d never spoken aloud never got to be said?

When Raz raised his hand in farewell and disappeared a second later, I almost vomited. Then Simon shifted into his owl form, wings beating hard as he rose above the trees. I watched until he was a tiny speck against the sky, then followed Tristan and Adele down the narrow, rocky path, trying to ignore the deadly drop on one side.

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