Chapter 4

Nora promptly returned to the courtyard, not wanting to keep so many Burghards waiting. She knew they would be curious of their new queen and she preferred not to agitate anyone so early in her new role.

The sun was out, and she felt overly warm in her change of clothes. The riding outfit clung to her body, but was made of a stretchy material so she could easily move. It would help her better tolerate the journey on horseback. Loose clothing, especially dresses, could be hazardous when moving fast through wooded lands.

Nora stopped near her father and felt Kellan’s gaze on her. Her lips went into a thin line when she noticed where he was looking.

It was standard, she supposed, for him to be interested in his bride, knowing he now had certain indelible rights to her body. She, too, was guilty of ogling her spouse but she had tried to be discreet. He need not be so obvious about it, particularly in the presence of her father.

Kellan forced his eyes away from his mate’s full breasts, knowing he had been caught. Nora did not seem appreciative of his attention, not that he could blame her.

A high-born lady of Gwydion would never sanction such objectifications in public. She would expect civil regard for her person. Wolves in similar positions demanded respect, but were much less puritanical with their bodies.

What she did not realize was that his wolf’s gaze was proprietary in nature, not the lustful regard of some randy lad. Nora needed to learn his culture. It would help her to discern his behaviors for what they were.

Even through her thick clothing, he could see the shape of her ample chest. Which meant others could, as well. He wanted to throw his riding cloak over her and scream “Mine!”

She wasn’t marked with his scent yet and his wolf would be more skittish than normal until it had the opportunity to rub against Nora, or, preferably, to claim her fully. His men knew better than to approach her, but Kellan’s wolf was illogical when it came to its mate.

Nora was also wearing riding breeches and tall black riding boots. She moved gracefully and confidently in them, which told him she was accustomed to wearing such apparel.

He had never seen a Gwydion female in riding breeches, not once in all his years. His wife was practical in nature. Kellan found he liked that about Nora. He liked it a lot.

He assumed most brides wanted to be the picture of femininity on their wedding day. The breeches were more masculine, but far more appropriate for the long ride home. They hugged her body perfectly, showing off her toned legs and backside. He couldn’t wait to remove them.

Nora was saying a tearful goodbye to her family while Kellan and Foley waited with her horse. Kellan had been told she was an excellent rider and he was glad Ghost had been the first thing he ever gave her.

When he and Foley had left to fetch their horses that day, five years ago, he had wanted to give her something meaningful, something symbolic. Foley suggested jewelry, but Kellan wanted to gift Nora with joy. Once he saw the white and grey horse, saw the gentleness of its manner, he knew it was to be hers.

Nora walked to her new husband, eyes red and watery. Even in her sadness, her eyes were beautiful. One green, one blue. One elemental. One wolf.

The universe was not subtle in this. He wondered if she ever gave any thought as to why her eyes were those two specific colors. He loved her eyes, but did not like the redness he was seeing in them right now.

Kellan kissed her forehead and whispered, “You will see them soon. I promise,” before helping her mount her horse.

He turned to bid farewell to Edward, his friend, now his new father-in-law. They shook hands and clasped shoulders as they always did.

Kellan was over 200 years older than Edward. The idea they were now related, that Edward would be the grandfather of Kellan’s children, put a twitch in the corner of his lips.

He turned his head to the forest to hide his humor when he remembered something he and his men had noticed on their way here.

“Edward,” Kellan said, “you may want to have scouts explore the woods. We caught the faintest scent of demon on the way in. I know you trade with them, but I didn’t think they came this far into Gwydion.”

Edward’s eyes widened. “They don’t. I will look into it immediately. Thank you.”

Nora’s eyes found Evelyn’s. Evelyn, true to form, gave nothing away but her smile. She winked and pretended she had not heard Kellan’s remark. Nora wanted to speak to her, but knew Kellan and her father would ask questions.

Kellan nodded then mounted his steed in one smooth motion. Two clicks of his tongue and they were on their way.

Ghost easily fell in stride beside Kellan’s horse, so perfectly timed it looked as if they’d rehearsed. Nora kept her eyes forward, focusing on the road ahead, refusing to look back.

The king and his bride rode side-by-side in the middle of the long train. Once they were through town and had more space, the wolves changed formation. At least ten rode on either side of the royal couple, the rest in front and behind.

Mara was on a horse, not far behind them. Her grey head under a heavy cloak. She had been noticeably absent the entire day. Nora speculated Mara was fretting over moving away from her home. Then another thought struck her.

“I thought when you and your men approached this morning, you were in the lead. Do you usually alter where you ride?”

Kellan reached over and squeezed Nora’s hand in a reassuring gesture. “I do usually take the lead. But I have my mate with me today. And, as you are aware, Imperium is not the same as it once was.”

Nora tilted her head, thinking on his words. “I’m not sure I understand.”

Kellan gave her an appraising look, questioning what her father had or had not been telling her. He did not want to scare Nora, but he assumed she knew the reason Kellan had agreed to an arranged marriage in the first place.

“The forests in the Northlands are dying. We haven’t been able to figure out why. This means the animals within are losing area. Some of them are large predators and have become more aggressive in their fight for food. I will not take any chances with you.”

Nora had all but forgotten why her father had originally agreed to Eden being married off to the Wolf King. Nor had she thought about the implications for safety aside from the Burghards’ food supply.

Her father did not typically discuss the more delicate and serious matters of the state with anyone other than his most-trusted advisor—Nora’s grandfather. Occasionally he would include Eden, as she was the oldest and first in line for the throne, but never Nora.

It wasn’t a trust issue. He’d never made her feel untrustworthy. He was always trying to shield her. She hoped life would be different in Burghard.

Her early years were a never-ending battle with her own body and being treated as if she was made of glass. Her most recent years were spent in preparation for leaving Gwydion to become the Northland Queen—and how to survive it.

Nora wasn’t the same as her sisters, who easily manipulated the elements around them, using them to perform tasks and make life easier. She was quite the opposite, in fact.

She feared Kellan was not gaining what he had hoped for. His people would not be getting their savior, at least not in Nora.

“Kellan?”

“Yes, my love?”

An unexpected thrill shot through Nora at his words. Though, she wished he wouldn’t speak to her with such endearments. It was misleading.

He could hardly love her, having only ever spoken a few sentences to her. He didn’t know Nora enough to love her. He didn’t know her at all. Still, she felt badly for him, for his thinking he was gaining something.

“I am sorry,” she apologized.

“Whatever for?”

“I am sorry I cannot heal your forest. I fear your people will be disappointed with whom you have chosen. I know that was why you wanted Eden. And I,” she chose her next words carefully as she knew he could smell a lie, “I am not magical like Eden and Evelyn. I lack their … talents.”

Kellan did his best to curb his anger at her words. How could she possibly think she would be a disappointment to him or his people in any capacity? He was perplexed how she could come to believe such drivel.

Mates were preordained. The love automatic and unconditional. He would need to educate her, and soon, on the way of the wolf.

“Nora, there was no choice. You are my mate, my other half. You are the one destiny chose for me. As for your magic, or the reaction of the Burghards, I am not bothered. Wolves know the importance of a true mate match. And your father has other elementals looking into the situation with the forest. Do not worry yourself.”

Nora’s heart took another hit at the reminder she was not his choice. Talk of destiny was poetic on the surface, but she could be any nameless, faceless being and he would still have chosen her—would need to so he could have offspring.

Mara taught Nora that wolves could only have children with their mates or with whomever they had imprinted.

Being positive was not in Nora’s nature. Her temper was quick. She often focused on the negative instead of the positive, especially in her current situation.

Occasionally, she discovered too much about the world and events before they happened. Not that she could see very much in her visions, or even see them clearly. But when she was struck with one, it was most often something undesirable, such as someone falling ill. Or worse.

She felt her only working power was quite useless. It burdened her with dread knowing some of the future, but not enough to piece things together.

She never had enough information to stop any of the events from occurring. Nora wanted to know why the Goddess would bestow a power she was incapable of wielding.

Usually, she preferred to know nothing. However, in this moment, Nora wished with all she was that a vision would show her if she would someday find love with Kellan. The kind she read about in several of the books he had given her.

She wanted to focus on the positive, to be open to a loving marriage, even if it took time to get there. A horseback ride through the wilderness with her new people was an unlikely place to figure it all out.

Nora decided not to say anything and instead concentrated on her immediate surroundings. It was a beautiful day and the sounds of songbirds in the nearby trees were cheerful, helping to drive out some of the gloom in her head.

She listened to the creatures’ songs, accompanied with the sounds of the horses’ hooves and slow breezes moving through the trees. It was all unexpectedly soft in volume.

“It’s like a symphony,” Kellan commented.

Nora turned to him.

“Can wolves read minds?” she asked.

His eyes crinkled at the corners and a single dimple appeared on his left cheek.

“No. You cocked your head to listen and your posture relaxed. You like the sounds of the forest.”

“So you can read minds.”

The woods echoed with Kellan’s distinctive laugh. Nora couldn’t stop her mouth from stretching, as well. His merriment was contagious.

“Ah, Nora. The return trip will be so much more enjoyable with you riding by my side.”

Nora bowed her head, hiding her reddened cheeks. How did he do that? She was in trouble if he could do such things with only his words and a smile.

Her body flamed, remembering one dream in particular. He’d held her down and kissed her thighs before …

“Tell me about your life, Nora,” Kellan said, bringing her back to the present.

Nora cleared her throat, gathering her wits. Yes, she should be safe from daydreaming with such a dull topic.

“What would you like to know?”

“Everything.”

Her eyes sparkled. “You don’t ask for much, do you?”

“I cannot help it. Wolves are curious.”

“Fair enough.”

Nora told him about life in Gwydion. There wasn’t much to tell, but she did often visit the market and explore the woods.

She spoke fondly of her sisters and her father. She tried to keep it upbeat, so she avoided the topic of her mother. Kellan listened intently, asking questions here and there, but never prying.

For quite a distance, Nora’s and Kellan’s voices were the only ones she heard over the background serenade of the forest.

Nora was impressed by how quiet the Burghards were. It must have been dreadfully boring to ride hours upon hours, hardly speaking. She and Kellan spoke mainly about her life since the day he left. Not exactly a riveting tale to tell, or hear.

Conversation with Kellan flowed easily, and, for that, Nora was grateful. He seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, like she was an equal.

For the first time in her life, she wasn’t being treated or talked to as the youngest sister, the one enduring her family’s constant worry. Her father and sisters meant well, but they were always wary of upsetting Nora or draining her energies. They kept her close and safeguarded her from the world.

Their attentions got worse the closer this day came. They were annoying at best, smothering at worst.

Nora, while feeling woefully unprepared to be a queen, enjoyed this first taste of freedom away from home. She smiled and continued answering her new husband’s questions.

Kellan smiled in return. He especially loved hearing her voice alter slightly when she spoke about the days when a package would arrive for her. She was appreciative and almost shy about admitting which gifts she liked best.

Nora was adamant that she kept every piece of jewelry he had given her. She feared he would assume she had given them away with many of the other presents.

Nora assured him she had never considered giving away something precious, such as the bracelet on her wrist. Kellan seemed to sit up a little straighter in the saddle when she mentioned it.

“It pleases me to see that on your wrist, Nora. It was my mother’s, and her mother’s before.”

“Then I am glad I wore it today, if it is something of value to you.”

Kellan beamed. “I would have sent more, but I did not want to overwhelm you.”

“You sent plenty. You were beyond generous, Kellan. You didn’t have to do any of it.”

“Yes, I did. I wanted you to know that … well, that I was thinking of you, Nora. Only you.”

Butterflies danced inside her belly and Nora’s face flushed for the hundredth time. At this rate, her husband might think he’d married a tomato.

Kellan liked it when he brought color to her cheeks. It seemed so easy to make her blush. He would count the hours until he could see if the rest of her body reddened in such a manner.

He decided to not push her too much, not here where they had no privacy. He let their chatter taper off as they meandered through the forest.

Eventually, Nora understood why the men were so quiet. She had never ridden this far, and it took a toll on her energies. She had spent time in the woods early this morning, trying to ensure she could make the journey.

Luckily, Castle Burghard was not far from the Temple of Sanctus Femina, which was in the center of Imperium. The wolves preferred to stay near the border as a defense strategy. They had other dwellings and towns throughout the kingdom, but the ruling family had always resided in the castle.

The demons also kept near the border. They traded with the Burghards and the Gwydions, so it was more convenient to remain close. The three kingdoms exchanged goods and services often.

Despite the convenience aspect, Edward told Nora the demons moved close to the border because of the powerful draw of Sanctus Femina. The land was blessed and held untold power. The demons were attracted to that power.

As for the Prajna, no one knew exactly where the ruling family was housed. It was rumored they were now on the coast, as far away from the shared borders as one could get.

The only time Nora’s father had seen any of the vampires was during gatherings at the temple. Even then, it was only the king or one or two of his representatives. He seemed to be the only ruler to travel without a guard.

Nora lost herself in her thoughts as they traversed through the heavily wooded and hilly terrain. It seemed they were constantly moving in a serpentine pattern, avoiding downed trees, hidden ravines, and a plethora of thorny bushes.

She was thankful it was summer, and the hazards could be easily avoided. Making this trek in the snow would be dangerous. She mentioned it to Kellan, concerned over whether or not she would be able to see her family during the winter months.

“There is a road, easily traveled, to the west. But it is a much longer journey because it goes around most of the woodlands. It would require us to make camp and I refuse to have you sleeping in a tent this night.”

“Oh,” was all she could manage, thinking about a wedding night in a tent, surrounded by wolves with near-perfect hearing.

Kellan inwardly laughed, not wanting to cause his mate any further embarrassment. She obviously wasn’t comfortable with the turn in conversation. Once more, he decided to let their dialogue die.

It wasn’t easy. There was so much he wanted to know of his mate. It was his job to see to her each and every need. The more he knew of her, the easier he could make that happen.

As the hours passed, Nora began to slump further into her saddle. Her legs ached, her back was tired, and she hadn’t the energy to speak. But she refused to be viewed as weak and kept quiet about her ailments.

Kellan had his men pick up the pace when he saw his wife starting to fatigue. It was counterintuitive to his need to take care of Nora by letting her rest, but he wanted to get her to the safety of their home as quickly as possible.

It was nearly midnight by the time they reached Castle Burghard. It was too dark for Kellan to point out all the things he wanted to show her. He would be patient. They had a lifetime to explore these lands.

Knowing they would be arriving late and his mate would be tired, he had asked his people to keep their distance. He hoped Nora wasn’t expecting a grand reception tonight. From the looks of her, he knew he had made the right decision.

Nora yawned into her hand. He could smell her exhaustion. He was impressed with her resilience. Not once had she complained during the journey. Yes, fate had paired him well.

Kellan guided Nora’s horse to the base of the stairs below the main doors of the castle, which were already open, waiting in welcome for their new queen. He dismounted and came around to the far side of Ghost, petting her head.

“You’ve taken good care of your mistress, Ghost. Now let me carry your burden. Take a rest.”

Nora smiled sleepily at how Kellan spoke to her horse. She appreciated his love of animals. Though, it came as no surprise, considering the spirit of a wolf resided somewhere inside him.

“So, I am a burden already?” Nora teased, too sleepy to monitor what came out of her mouth.

She wasn’t sure if acting so informally was acceptable now they had arrived, but her body was about to give out and she simply could not temper her words. She would worry about acting like a queen tomorrow.

Kellan chuckled and shook his head as he reached for Nora, anxious to have her in his arms.

“Never. I simply wanted to comfort your horse. Come here, sweet wife.”

She had trouble swinging her leg over Ghost’s back. Nora winced as her body protested her movements. She had been in the same position for far too long and she could barely keep her eyes open.

Once she could bring her leg around, Nora tried to steady herself so she didn’t fall. She immediately felt Kellan’s hand on her hip. He must have noticed she was about to collapse.

Nora let herself slide down into Kellan’s waiting arms. He had one arm under her legs while the other supported her back. Normally, she would refuse being handled in such a manner. Tonight, she didn’t have the energy.

“Wait!” Mara shouted from her horse. “Her tonic. She must have it.”

Kellan refrained from rolling his eyes at the woman. Why his mate would need a governess at the age of twenty was beyond him.

Edward had informed Kellan that Mara would act as a handmaiden and companion, not a governess. Kellan wasn’t so sure Mara agreed with her new role.

“Not tonight. My wife needs to rest.”

“But—”

“No,” was his only response before turning his back on her. He would not tolerate argument.

Kellan carried his bride up the steps and across the threshold of the castle. The tension in his body, the tautness that had taken residence inside him for five long years, began to ease. His mate was finally home.

He looked down at Nora, wanting to say the right words to mark the occasion. But his beautiful wife was sound asleep.

Instead of being disappointed the marriage would not be consummated on the eve of their union, Kellan was delighted Nora felt safe enough to fall asleep in his arms. He kissed her forehead and carried her deeper into the castle.