I was out of my mind. I was putting everything at risk. I was already in a precarious position, and now I was making it worse. Still, even knowing all of that, I knew that there was no way I could have handled things differently.
I could not shake the kiss. Her taste. The feel of her soft skin under my hands. And her lips. I wanted so much more, and I knew I would have it. I was done pretending I didn’t know what was going on between us, but I knew Coral was it. The one. She was my other half. My intended mate. Yet, accepting that reality meant life as I knew it could never be the same.
But did she want it? Would she try to fight the strongest of connections two individuals could have? If she chose to ignore destiny, we were all in trouble.
I stayed largely silent as we packed up and left the caves. I wasn’t sure who knew about the time Coral and I spent alone, but by the smile Fritz sent me as we headed down the mountain, I was pretty sure at least he knew what was going on.
We stayed close to the mountains throughout the morning, and we were in the grasslands by the time the mid-afternoon heat hit. The sun was strong, but no one complained. If we moved quickly enough, we’d be at Delvi by nightfall. No one was looking forward to another night sleeping in a cave, or worse. I wasn’t sure what was going to come from our meeting at the university, but hopefully we ended up with more answers than questions.
By late afternoon we were in territory I knew. We would come up on Titlesville soon, one of the oldest settlements in the northern part of Summer Court. I had extended family who lived there, and we had visited periodically when I was a child. It was a far cry from the southern Summer Court city I’d been raised in, but I had fond memories of those visits.
“What are you thinking about?” Coral linked her arm with mine.
I kissed her cheek. If she was linking arms she couldn’t have been that concerned with anyone seeing. If we’d been standing still it would have been impossible for me to keep my lips away from hers. “Just remembering some good times as a child.”
“Oh?” She ran her fingers over my shoulder. “Care to share?”
Even through my shirt I felt a rush from her touch. “I had cousins in Titlesville. I spent time around here.”
“Oh, that sounds nice.” She yawned and then put a hand to her mouth. “I promise that wasn’t about what you were saying.”
I laughed. “I know. We had a late night. But I haven’t told you anything about those visits, how do you know it’s nice? Just taking my word for it?”
“Having fond childhood memories sounds nice no matter what they are.” She got a faraway look in her eyes.
“You really don’t have any?” Unfortunately, I knew she might not be exaggerating. Growing up with the pressure of royalty couldn’t have be easy.
“There were some moments.” Coral unlinked her arm, but still stayed close. “There was this one time when Fritz and I snuck into the kitchens and tried to make our own mayberry pie because we wanted it, and Nana said we hadn’t been good so she wouldn’t have it made.” Coral laughed. “Let’s just say we got in a whole lot more trouble than we were in before.”
“You make a mess?” I tried to imagine a little Coral. She must have been quite a handful.
“Oh. Yes. You can say that.”
“But did it taste good? That’s what really matters when you bake.”
“Nope. It didn’t even resemble pie.” She laughed again. It was such a gorgeous and light laugh.
“I happen to make a good mayberry pie. I can make it for you one day.”
“You bake pie?” Her voice lilted.
“Yes. Why does that surprise you? Because I’m a man?”
“No. Gosh no. Our pastry chef is a man. I only mean I wouldn’t have suspected it. You are a soldier.”
I wasn’t surprised by the pastry chef comment. She was royalty and lived in the palace after all. “And you are the heir, yet you are traipsing across the land. Not everyone sticks with their roles.” And even those who do on the surface tend to buck the system in other ways.
“True. That’s true.” Normally I’d suggest we stop by to see your cousins, but—”
“No need to explain. We have things to do.” Not to mention I had not spoken to these relations in years. Showing up unannounced would come as quite the surprise.
“And no matter how low key I travel, there is bound to be someone who recognizes me.”
“As I said, there's no reason to explain.” Bringing up that story had nothing to do with wanting to make a detour. I just felt the urge to share more about myself. “There will be time for a visit another time.”
“And time for you to show off your mayberry pie skills.” She put a hand to her stomach. “That sounds amazing right about now.”
“Absolutely. But I can’t promise it will live up to your palace chef’s pies.”
“I have to agree with you there. I doubt any pie can. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be good.” She licked her bottom lip. She was torturing me. I was barely holding myself back from kissing her again.
“See now I feel like you are directly challenging me.” I turned to teasing to keep my mind where it needed to be. “But not head to head. You are sending in a ringer.”
She laughed. No matter how many times I heard it I was struck by how melodic her laugh was. “I guess that is a true assessment.”
“There’s nothing inherently wrong with a ringer as long as you own up to it.” I was making things up as I went along, and I didn’t care. Things were just easy with Coral, even if everything else was going crazy around us.
“Guys, you hear that?” Bran stopped short.
We all fell into silence and stopped walking. After a moment of dead silence I heard it. A low, and barely audible shriek.
Coral and Fritz appeared puzzled while us wolves exchanged worried looks. Being a shifter meant enhanced hearing, which really came in handy sometimes.
There was another shriek. This one a bit louder. And then another. It seemed to be evenly spaced, and the sound was definitely getting closer. The strange part was I couldn’t tell what direction it was coming from.
I didn’t want to make noise, but I needed to communicate with the others. “Bran and I should shift. Our senses are stronger when we are wolves.”
“I agree.” Bran began unbuttoning his shirt.
“You are just going to get undressed here? Like that?” Coral was looking at Bran and not me, but I assumed she meant all three of us.
“We can walk away a little.” I didn’t particularly want her first time seeing me naked to be when I was shifting and around other people.
The sound grew louder. Whatever was making the noise was getting close.
“I’m shifting too.” Preston pulled off his shirt. “Don’t forget I’m a wolf.”
“Fine.” He was young, but not far off from enlistment age. If he wanted to fight, he could fight. “But we are out of time.” I stopped worrying about my clothes. I had extras. I reached for my wolf and let it take over. My vision tunneled as I made the shift. I felt the increased power blanket me. The next shriek sounded much louder, and I knew it was coming from the east. Shifting had been the right call.
I glanced at my right to see Bran’s wolf standing right there. Preston was on my left. I made myself look back. Coral was watching me with interested eyes. I couldn’t worry about her reaction. We had to find out what was making that sound and whether it was dangerous.
Bran, Preston, and I stayed close to the others, making increasingly wider circles around them.
Because the sound was coming from the east, we moved westward, hoping and assuming the group would stay together. Fritz for his part had picked up our abandoned sacks. Although not as pressing as staying away from this potential danger, we could use any supplies we could get. Especially clothes. Running around in a towel again sounded less than ideal.
The shriek was louder and still coming from the east. We had to keep moving.
‘“Do we run?” Coral asked.
It was a good question. We had absolutely no idea what was making the awful sound, but that just made it more important we were careful with our response.
Before I could try to communicate my thoughts, something large, grey, and furry entered my peripheral vision. I felt a growl form inside; my wolf was ready to attack. The grey blur came closer, and its identity became apparent. It was a giant spider, easily double the size of my wolf. It had thick grey fur, beady yellow eyes, and eight legs that looked more like claws.
I prepared to attack. I wouldn’t let this beast get anywhere near Coral. The beast lifted one leg as something dripped from the end. Venom. I leapt higher up on the leg, biting down into the flesh. The spider cried out and shook back and forth. I held on, sinking my teeth into the leg deeper. The spider shrieked and shook wildly. This time my jaws were no match, and I flew landing off to the side. I jumped to my feet, ignoring the pain surging through my side.
I heard a howl and watched as the spider prepared to stick its claw into Preston’s side. I lunged for the spider, but it hissed and recoiled back, pulling all of its legs, including the one by Preston, back in close to its body.
I blinked, trying to understand what was happening. There was a circle of fire around the spider now. It moved one leg closer to the ring and then hissed, pulling it back.
I tore my eyes away long enough to search for a source of the fire. And there it was. Right behind me. Coral stood with her hands palm out. Flames engulfed both of them.
I was still a wolf and couldn’t talk, but my eyes found hers. They shone bright and full of power.
We didn’t want to just leave a fire burning, but there was no way we could release the spider to kill us. We debated for a short while before Coral made the decision for us. “I don’t think the fire will spread. Notice how it hasn’t grown or done anything so far? It’s not normal fire.”
“No kidding.” Preston whistled. “There is some magic mixed in there.”
“So we just leave it?” Fritz asked.
“Do you have any better ideas?” Coral frowned. “Because I don’t, and I can’t promise how long it’s going to hold since I have no idea what I did.”
“You can create fire?” Bran stared at Coral with his mouth hanging open. We’d shifted back and changed into new clothes, but he’d been surprisingly quiet during the whole thing.
“You saw what I saw.” Coral looked down at her hands. There was no fire there now. “I had no more warning than you had. But don’t we have bigger issues to concern ourselves with right now?”
“Yes, of course. I was only trying to make sense of things.” Bran rubbed his forehead. “This had been a crazy few days.”
“Have you done it before?” I asked carefully. I didn’t want her to think I was judging her at all.
“Uh, no. I never have.” She shook her head repeatedly.
“Can you do it again?” Preston asked.
“I don’t know.” She clasped her hands together and then pulled them apart. “I have no idea what’s going on. But I want to get away from that thing.” She pointed at the spider.
“I agree.” I knew the fire was magic, but no magic was indestructible. “Let’s go.”
I started moving, and the others followed. Thankfully, they understood that the more miles we put between ourselves and that spider, the better.
We continued forward for a few hours. No one spoke even though there was so much to talk about.
Preston’s stomach growled. Followed by Coral’s. And then Bran’s.
“We should stop to eat.” I wanted to keep moving, but I also knew if we pushed ourselves too hard and someone got weak we’d have even more problems. The run in with the spider was a reminder that things were far from normal.
“Sounds like a plan.” Fritz walked off toward a rock formation and stopped. “This spot looks about as good as any. Hopefully the rocks will block us.”
We answered with actions rather than words, all sitting down and unpacking what little food we had. It wasn’t much, but it would tide us over.
I tore off a piece of bread before passing the loaf to Coral who sat beside me. The cheese came in the other direction starting from Bran, and I continued passing that on.
Preston made his makeshift sandwich and let out a laugh.
“Something wrong with the food?” Fritz took a bite of his.
“Nope. Food is fine. I’m laughing because I I know what’s going on.” Preston grinned.
“In terms of what?” I asked.
“In terms of how Coral was able to create fire with her bare hands.” He grinned and broke into laughter again.
“Huh?” Coral narrowed her eyes.
“I saw this with Wren.”
“Really?” Coral groaned. “You have to bring Wren into it now?”
“You two.” He gestured to Coral and me. “Is there anything brewing?”
“Brewing?” I asked, knowing full well where this conversation was heading. I’d known it before she started creating fire out of thin air.
“Yes.” Preston pulled out his canteen. “Brewing.”
“Yes. It is.” Fritz took a sip from his own canteen.
“Fritz!” Coral yelled.
“Your gift is starting to show.” Preston was more animated than ever. “Once you mate… think of what you can do!”
“Gift.” Coral laughed nervously. “No way.”
“Coral. Stop.” Fritz put a hand on Coral’s shoulder. “You know the family history. Don’t pretend otherwise.”
“I know.” She grazed her bottom lip with her teeth. “But maybe it has nothing to do with Stafford.”
“Wait.” Bran’s eyes widened. “Are you talking about what I think you are?”
“They are destined to mate.” Preston tore off another piece of bread. “I can’t believe I was around for this to happen again.”
“How?” Bran rubbed the back of his neck. “That is crazy.”
“What’s crazy is that it took you so long to figure out.” Fritz smirked. “I knew it as soon as the two of you showed up.”
“That’s impossible.” Bran shook his head. “Absolutely impossible.”
“It’s not. He’s a wolf.” Fritz pointed to me. “She’s an heir.” He pointed to Coral. “How is that impossible?”
“Just. It’s Stafford? Really?” Bran eyed me warily.
I sat there unsure of what to say. Fritz and Preston were right. I’d already sensed it. I had felt the intensity between us, but sensing something is entirely different than acknowledging it out loud.
“Can we stop discussing my personal life and focus on other issues?” She put her canteen to her lips and then looked inside. “We only know I can create fire because a giant spider tried to kill us.”
“She’s right. What was the spider doing there in the first place? Has anyone seen a creature like that before?” I handed her my canteen.
She took it. “Thank you.”
“I’ve never seen a spider like that.” Preston shook his head. “But I’ve seen other crazy things. My guess is it got in through a chasm.”
“Always back to Wren’s chasms.” Coral sighed.
“I never should have told you Wren was creating them.” Preston frowned. “I was just trying to fill you in.”
“I’m sorry.” Coral handed me back the flask. “I really will try harder.”
“But you and Stafford?” Bran stared at Coal again.
“Stop it.” I glared at him. “That doesn’t concern anyone else.”
“Anyone else?” Fritz made a clicking noise with his tongue. “Does that mean you admit you are involved?”
“Fritz!” Coral shouted. “I am really starting to regret bringing you on this trip.”
He laughed. “You mean having me set up the meeting with my connection.”
“Ugh.” Coral put her head in her hands. “Just stop. Please.”
Fritz’s face turned serious. “Okay. I’m sorry.”
“Good.” Coral looked up from her hands. “Let’s finish eating and go.”
I needed to say something to Coral. I owed nothing to anyone else, but I owed her a response even if she wasn’t asking for one. Then again, she’d asked everyone to stop talking about it. So maybe that also meant me. I held my tongue until we were moving again. I hung back a little, and she followed suit.
“You didn’t sign up for this.” She put a hand on my arm. “I know. And I'm sorry.”
“Are you apologizing?” I tried to make sense of what she was saying.
“Yes. Believe it or not, I know how.” Her lips twisted into the bare hint of a smile.
“I’m not doubting your ability to apologize.” I wrapped my hand around hers. “I’m surprised you’d feel the need to apologize. Do you think I’m upset?”
“Yes.” Coral moved in closer to me. “I know you want control and freedom.”
“And both would be lost if we mated?”
She laughed dryly. “Is that actually a question?”
“Yes. Of course it is.” Not really, I knew it wouldn’t be the case; it was more a question of whether she actually believed it.
“You do know what being the mate of the queen entails.”
“I am aware of the responsibilities.” At least some of them. But whatever they were, that didn’t mean I’d be giving up my freedom. It would merely be a very different life than the one expected to have.
“We don’t have to…”
“You feel what I feel. I’m sure of it.” I squeezed her hand. “There is no reason to deny it.”
“Is this really where you want to be having this conversation?”
“Do you foresee a better time coming up?” The spider run-in had been a reality check. Even what should be an easy journey wasn’t.
“No,” she admitted. “I don’t.”
“I know I’m not who you would have chosen, but—”
“Wait,” she interrupted. “What? Please tell me you aren’t trying to imply I’m not happy it’s you.”
“Am I wrong?”
“Yes,” she hissed. “You are absolutely wrong.”
“Oh.” That was news to me.
“Are you happy?” Her eyes went wide. “About it?”
“I’m happy I get you.” I hoped I didn’t sound too possessive, but I wasn’t sure how else to word it.
“You aren’t happy about the power?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Weren’t you just implying I wouldn’t want all the responsibility?”
“Yes.” She shrugged. “I guess I really can’t make up my mind.”
“Nice thing is a lot of the decision was made for you.” My heart was racing. We were really having this conversation. She was really going to be my mate. “Not that you have to agree with it.”
“An heir must marry their destined mate in order to fully come into their gift and take the throne.”
“But if it wasn’t required...” I had to ask the question. “Would you still want it?”
“Yes,” she answered immediately.” I would.”
“So would I.” I kissed her lightly. “But the timeline is up to us.”
“Yes, in theory that part really is in our hands.”