Page 102 of Wolf's Bane
She failed.
They burst into laughter.
“Do you think that was an antique?” she asked.
“I think the entire house heard,” he replied. Reaching out, he plucked a feather from her hair. “I expect they’ll be knocking down the door any moment.”
“They knew what they were about when they put us in this room, far away from everything.” Solenne extricated herself from the tangle mess of the collapsed bed and wrapped herself in a blanket. “I think my bed’s big enough for two.”
“Remember when your mama almost caught us in bed?” Moonlight pooled on the floor and the ruined bed, highlighting her husband’s features. He licked his lips.
“I remember shoving you into the wardrobe and Mama acting as if she couldn’t hear you.” Solenne remembered the day well. They had done nothing more than exchange a few shy kisses, but Amalie and Godwin forbade them from being alone together in a bedroom. At the time, Solenne had been indignant. She had spent her entire childhood under blanket forts with Alek and in slumber parties, whispering stories to each other late into the night. The idea that they weretoo oldfor such behavior chafed, even if it were true.
“She said the ghosts were unusually active for that time of day,” Alek said.
They grinned at the memory.
Wrapped in blankets, they snuck through the house. Floorboards creaked and they couldn’t fight their shared mirth.
A fire crackling in the fireplace warmed Solenne’s bedroom. A pitcher of cold water and a basket of sweet rolls waited on the bureau, along with a note from Luis reminding them to hydrate and keep the noise down. “Decent people have to work in the morning,” she read, setting the note down on the bureau.
“He’s not wrong. Eat. Drink. I’m not done with you.” A wicked grin spread on his face and she shivered in anticipation.
She dropped the blanket. “Come to bed, love.”
Epilogue
Charlotte
Boxon
Vervain Hall
Solenne and Alekstayed the winter in Snowmelt. She had been reluctant to leave Boxon Hill, but her father insisted. Luis was more than capable, and he had a fresh recruit in Jase—surprising everyone—to help.
After a few weeks to recuperate from the events of the wedding, they held a rather bizarre funeral for a stuffed werewolf. Adding to the bizarreness, Godwin presented Charlotte’s father with the ashes. Apparently, the werewolf had been great-uncle Tristan.
From Solenne’s letters, the description of the Hardwick House and Snowmelt, they were forced to stay the winter. Solenne never complained in their many letters, stating that the grounds held many useful and interesting medicinal plants. They returned to Boxon in the spring, just as Luis and Miles left for the West Lands on the other side of the mountains.
Charlotte remained the mistress of Chambers’ farm, despite the best efforts of her sister-in-law to contest the legality of the union and, thus, inheritance in court. She might not have been married long enough for the ink to dry on the license, but she was legally married to Lionel Chambers, and he left no will. Why would he, when he lacked the humility to imagine his own mortality?
She felt there was a witty comment to be made about death caring not for hubris, but the simple matter was that Lionel felt himself unstoppable. Going through his private papers, Charlotte learned that when he was still newly enlisted in the military, he received the bite from his commanding officer. The presence of his master—she loathed that word—and military discipline kept the young wolf under control. Together they hunted creatures like themselves and looted the relics of old hunter families.
Alek had read the papers, too. Something like recognition flared in his eyes, but whatever connection he made, he kept it to himself.
Married and made a wealthy widow on the same day, Charlotte struggled with her new responsibilities and her new social position. Everyone in the village had an opinion, which they freely traded with each other. The vile accusations Mrs. Parkell flung against Charlotte in court—all of which the broadsheets published—did not help. She struggled to maintain a soft heart. Mrs. Parkell and Jase were just as betrayed by Lionel as she. In that spirit, she continued the allowance Lionel established for the pair and offered to cover Jase’s university tuition and expenses.
He declined, having decided that he wanted to hunt monsters. He had known Lionel’s secret for some time and had been forced to be his uncle’s minion to protect his mother. Frankly, Charlotte could not imagine Lattice Parkell needing protection from anything. The woman was a force unto herself.
A year and a day later, Luis and Miles returned from the West Lands.
The man who climbed off his horse and strode across the courtyard was not the unsure young man who left. Time and the trial of the journey had changed Luis in more than physical appearance, but that had changed considerably, as well. His frame had filled out with thick, solid muscle, and exposure to the elements turned his complexion a golden tan.
Luis moved with confidence, and Charlotte hesitated to know exactly how many skirmishes had tested him along the way. Miles appeared equally worn, but he beamed at Luis like he hung the stars.
The entire household and then some had gathered in the courtyard to welcome the returning travelers. Godwin paced impatiently. Charlotte, who had spotted Luis and Miles on the road, had dashed through the woods with the news of their return. Sweat clung to the small of her back, and she did her best to mop up her brow.
Solenne gripped Alek’s hand, and Charlotte averted her eyes, ignoring the pangs of jealousy.
