Morning dew settles on the grass surrounding my sleeping mat. I sit up and stretch, smiling at Boots when he raises his head to look at me. Ferris still sleeps on the other side of the fire, which has now burned down to little more than embers.
MacKenna, back in his wolf form already, sits with his back to me, watching the trees.
Birds chirp softly as the world comes awake, though the sun has yet to crest over the mountains. It’s barely morning, but I’m wide awake. Aurum is mere hours away, which means, by lunch, I’ll be standing face-to-face with Julius.
Murdering fucking bastard. I move my blanket aside and stand, stretching as I do. Since Ferris is still sleeping, I set out to gather some kindling for our fire. We may be eating dried meat and bread for breakfast, but I’d much rather do it near a warm fire.
As I approach MacKenna, I place my hand on the top of his head, and he looks up at me. “Going to grab some firewood.” He drops his head in a nod, but, to my surprise, doesn’t follow.
Quietly, I make my way into the trees, stepping over logs and jumping crevices until I spot some twigs just ahead. After today, we’ll head back to the Shadow Lands and prepare for our journey into the swamps.
These days without Merrick have been far more difficult to manage than I ever would have thought. Especially since I didn’t want to marry him in the first place. I guess I hadn’t realized just how much a part of my routine he’d become until he was gone.
A branch cracks, and my head whips up. I drop the kindling in my arms as a man emerges from the trees. Chest covered in dirt and scratches, he remains a few yards away from me. My gaze travels over his massive form, from powerful legs to obsidian and silver hair that falls to his shoulders.
“Merrick?” I choke out his name, terrified I might be dreaming.
He doesn’t speak as he rushes toward me. I do the same, meeting him in the middle. His hands go to my hair as he slams his mouth down on mine. In a mess of tongue and teeth, he devours me, warming my body from the inside out.
I grip his shoulders and then wrap both arms around his neck as he lifts and presses me against a tree. His lips leave mine, and he trails kisses over my throat. I arch my head back, exposing more of my flesh as a soft moan leaves my lips. His hands slide up my legs, calloused fingers caressing my skin. Pushing my skirts up, he positions himself between my legs and drives into me.
My body fills, and he drops his face to the hollow of my throat and breathes deeply. “You are my serenity,” he says softly.
“And you are mine,” I whisper.
Merrick growls before slamming into me at a furious pace. I’m helpless to do anything but cling to him, so damned happy to see him that I cannot even be bothered to care that Ferris or MacKenna could stumble upon us at any moment.
I see stars as my release consumes me. Merrick swallows my cry when he takes my lips again, not letting up even the slightest.
He pumps into me. Over and over again until he comes. He stills, remaining inside of me, and I can hear nothing but our combined ragged breathing.
“Fuck, I missed you,” he whispers against my lips before capturing them again.
He lets me slide down his body until my feet hit the ground. I maintain my hold on the tree, though, thanks to legs that might as well be made of jelly. “I missed you, too. Are you okay? Where have you been?”
“Following you,” he replies. “We’d better check in with Ferris and MacKenna. Then you can tell me why in the fuck you’re on your way to Aurum.”
“Clothes, nephew,” Ferris says as he tosses a pair of trousers and a white shirt to Merrick the moment we step out of the trees. MacKenna’s wolf snorts in agreement.
My cheeks heat. Did they hear us? “You brought his clothes?”
Ferris offers me a shrug. “I had a feeling his beast would trail us, so I asked Lea to grab me some just in case.”
“You didn’t tell me that.”
“Why would I get your hopes up? You had enough on your plate, and I didn’t want you constantly watching the trees, hoping he’d show.”
Merrick dresses quickly. Once he’s fully clothed—boots and all—he crosses his arms and stares at me. “Explain.”
“The king sent me a message,” I tell him. “Demanding my presence to negotiate the terms of a peaceful resolution.”
“And you couldn’t wait for me?”
“We had no idea when you’d be back.” I cross my arms too, angry that he’s frustrated with me. “There was no other option. He gave us four days to arrive or he was going to take it as an act of war.”
“Motherfucker,” Merrick snarls.
“Exactly.”
“What was your plan then?” Merrick questions. “To plead our case? How were you going to keep from getting yourself captured? Ferris and MacKenna are hardly enough force to get you the fuck out of Aurum if Julius sends his army after you.”
I swallow hard, biting back my anger. “My plan is to convince him that going to war with the Shadow Lands is a mistake. That we could come to a peaceful resolution, even if it meant promising him that as soon as I am pregnant, I will tell him. That alone would have gotten me out of there.”
Merrick’s glare is molten. “If you’re lucky, it would have gotten you out of there,” he snarls.
“There weren’t any other options. I need time. We need time. That way, we can get to the Feral Swamps and then Viridia.”
Merrick goes completely rigid. “Why would you go into the Feral Swamps?”
“We think the witch that cursed you might be there,” Ferris offers.
My husband’s gaze never leaves my face. “You cannot go into the Feral Swamps.”
“We cannot live with your curse being this unpredictable,” I argue back.
“I got used to it once; we can get used to it again. The Feral Swamps are off limits.”
Crossing the distance between us. I press my palm to his chest. Merrick closes his eyes and inhales deeply. “You have no idea what it was like for me. Not knowing what happened to you. This curse has to end, Merrick. Why would you not want to do everything to fix it?”
“The Feral Swamps earned their name, Beta. The men who reside there make your king look like a child. People who venture into those swamps never return.”
“Which makes that the perfect place for the witch, wouldn’t you agree?”
A muscle in his jaw flexes, his gaze hardening.
“Merrick, you killed Devrona.”
“I know,” he growls.
“Then you can understand how important it is that we fix this. I want a future with you. A life with joy and children.” I place both hands on his chest. “Please, we have to do this.”
He lets out a breath. “You’re a stubborn woman.”
“A stubborn woman willing to do whatever it takes to free you.”
“If she’s not there?” he questions. “What then?”
“We look in the kingdoms. I’m not stopping until I find her, Merrick.”
Merrick reaches out and cups my cheek. “You are too good for me, Beta.” Before I can respond, he withdraws his hand. “Fine. First, we deal with your king. Did you bring my sword?”
“Of course.” I gesture to Boots’s saddle set aside by the base of a tree.
“Then let’s get this over with.”
The impressive stone wall around the kingdom of Aurum comes into view, and dread settles in the pit of my stomach. This place that was once my home is so unfamiliar to me now, an unwelcome sight on the horizon.
Behind me, Merrick sits, his arm around my waist as I lean back against him. I know with him, MacKenna, and Ferris, I’ll be fine. But that does nothing to curb the anxiety building within me. I’m about to face a monster.
A murderer.
A man I plan on killing before the coming snow of winter melts and makes way for the flowers of spring.
Beside us, MacKenna’s wolf struts, his movements completely confident.
The gates are wide open but guarded by men in armor, though they pay us no mind as we enter the city amidst dozens of others traveling in and out. The horses’ hooves click against the stone path, and I take note of the shopkeepers lining the way. They smile and wave at us, holding up trinkets and baubles they hope will put food on the table for their families.
Everyone here knows the taxes are so steep. Over fifty percent of what they make will line the pockets of the king. I take a deep breath and force my attention to the castle looming ahead.
I spent more than half my time sitting in those huge towers, looking down on a world I would have given anything to return to. Even if it meant starving to death.
“Are you all right, Beta?” Merrick whispers in my ear.
“I’ll be fine.”
“No one will touch you,” he tells me.
I glance over my shoulder at him, letting myself get lost for a heartbeat in his deep golden gaze. “I know.” Nerves dancing in my belly, I turn back around. “Where were you? When you were gone. Did anything happen?”
“Nothing worth mentioning,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “I ran. Far and fast. Then came back because my beast—like me—cannot fathom being far from you.”
“But you were far. I didn’t see you.”
“My beta, I never stray far from you.”
“Next time, make that known.”
Merrick grunts in response. Ahead, the secondary gate that blocks the city from the castle comes into view, and a guard steps forward, holding his hand up and requesting us to stop.
The man gets closer. Then he looks up and grins at me. “Princess Kiya. So nice to see you return,” he says.
“Lewis,” I reply. While I don’t know the guard well, he was never one to delight in tormenting me. So that’s something. “We’re here to see my father.”
“Of course. He’ll be delighted to see you.” But that was always Lewis’s problem. He refuses to see Julius for the snake he is. He steps to the side and gestures for us to continue as the gate is opened.
I exchange a glance with Ferris as the three of us ride through the gate and into a much quieter area of the kingdom. Sprawling rose gardens are maintained here, beautiful blooms in varying shades of crimson. These are the only remnants of the late queen that remain, and I believe it’s more for show than anything.
After all, if the people see this, they still believe their king to be grieving.
People love a love story. Even if it’s nothing more than a mask.
Huge doors are pulled open, and the king steps outside. Wearing black riding pants and a crimson shirt, his casual appearance is yet more proof of the coming war. The only time I’ve ever seen him not dressed in his royal robes is when Aurum and Viridia were at war over the boundary line. A line Aurum now holds firm.
Merrick and Ferris stop our horses just before the king. MacKenna remains beside his uncle, golden eyes watching, while Merrick swings his leg over and climbs off before he reaches up and pulls me down. We offer Ferris the lead and then turn toward the king. With each step closer, my heart rate increases. Merrick’s hand gently squeezes mine, but I barely feel it.
The king’s voice slithers over me like poison on my flesh. “Kiya, I was so worried you would not show.”
“I’m sure you were,” I reply. The images of Bonnie and Ezra pop into my mind, so I take a deep breath. Vengeance will be had. But not on this day. “I very nearly chose not to after all you’ve done.” I speak loudly. Clearly. So everyone around might hear, should they only lend an ear.
I need them to know I am not a captive of my husband but rather a victim of my father.
“You have a lot of nerve to send such a threatening message to me mere days after you left two dead bodies on my land,” Merrick says, his tone so sharp it might have been a weapon all its own.
“Bonnie and Ezra were preparing to poison me on the orders of your wife,” he replies, shifting his glare to me. “Their deaths, while regrettable, were necessary.”
“You are lying,” I snarl.
Merrick holds my hand firmly, keeping me in place at his side.
The king grins. “Lying? I think not. I found her attempting to slip something into my food. Perhaps you did not order her to do it, but, my dear daughter, I assure you she was planning on it.” He clears his throat. “Shall we go inside? Discuss things further?”
“No,” Merrick replies. “We will speak out here.”
The king looks frustrated but nods. “Very well. Then we shall remain out here and discuss the terms of your surrender.”
“There will be no surrender,” Merrick replies.
The king cocks his head to the side, studying us. “Oh? You do not wish to resolve this peacefully then?”
“There is nothing to resolve,” Merrick replies. “We had a deal. I handle your barbarians, you grant me your daughter’s hand in marriage. I handled your barbarians, and you sent two men into my home, both of whom attacked my wife.”
“So you admit that Pallgard and Barclay arrived.”
“They did. Where they tried to rape my wife. She was merely defending herself when Pallgard found himself impaled on her dagger.”
Julius’s cheeks flush as he turns to me. “You killed him then.”
“I did.”
“And Barclay? Did you handle him as well?”
“Oh no.” Merrick smiles, a savage grin that has the king taking a single, calculated step back. “I handled Barclay much in the same way I handled your barbarians.”
“You killed two of my people.”
“And you killed two of mine,” I reply.
The king glares at me. “They belonged to me. Not you.”
“They were people who belonged to no one,” I snap.
Something soft brushes my hand, and I look down as MacKenna takes a seat at my side.
“How sweet, you have a pet.”
“You and I both know he’s not my pet,” I tell him.
The king grins. “Then we are on the same page.” He turns to Merrick. “We can settle this peacefully if you give me what I want. No more blood has to be spilled. No more death suffered by either of us.”
“And what is it you want?” Merrick demands.
“An heir. Someone who will lead my kingdom with the same strength as I have.”
“It seems to me you should be finding a new queen,” Merrick tells him. “Not starting a war.”
“I can have no more children. Therefore, I am counting on my daughter to produce one. The child will be raised well and want for nothing.”
Knowing this is what he wanted and having him speak it so candidly, out here in the open, are two very different things. My body vibrates with the force of my anger. My rage. “You expect me to hand over my child?”
“Yes. You can give me what I’ve never had. A child with otherworldly abilities,” he adds with a whisper. “And we both know it.”
“You stand here and require my child, threaten me with war should I not obey your command. Yet you seem to forget why you came to me in the first place.” Merrick releases my hand and steps closer. The guards on either side of Julius move in as well, but I know they’re no match for Merrick. Not now, not ever.
“And you seem to forget who is the true power of this realm. Just because I didn’t see a point in sacrificing my men to the swamps doesn’t mean I couldn’t have dealt with them. In fact, I chose not to because doing so meant granting you my daughter, whom I needed to give me an heir.”
“Listen to me carefully. I, too, would like to avoid bloodshed. But I will not be bullied into handing over my child. Should you choose to attack, you will be met with the same force that has kept the Shadow Lands safe since we first took these lands from Aurum centuries ago.”
“If you do not plan on negotiating, why come here at all?” Julius snaps. His frustration is palpable.
Merrick glares at him, their height difference forcing my husband to look down on the king. “So I could look you in the eyes and tell you that, if you come for my future child, my wife, or my home, you will not survive it. The Shadow Lands, though, they will remain as they always have. Untouched by selfish men and powerless kings. I suggest you choose wisely, Your Highness. The lives of your men depend on it.” Merrick turns on his heel and grabs my hand as he pulls me down the steps.
I don’t spare Julius another glance until Merrick helps me onto Boots’s back. The king glares at me, his murderous expression nothing compared to the anger in my heart. He may have the bigger army, but he fights for power.
I fight for my life and the lives of those I’ve grown to love. And that alone gives me the upper hand.
Merrick turns Boots and nudges him into a trot. We gallop down the street past the vendors, Ferris directly behind us, MacKenna at our side.
It’s not until we’re safely outside the main gates that Merrick slows Boots to a walk. Ferris falls into step beside us.
“Were we not there to slow the war?” Merrick’s uncle demands. “Instead, you goaded him!”
“He was expecting us to bow down to him,” Merrick replies. “What I did was remind him that he is not the biggest motherfucker in the realm.”
“Except he is,” Ferries replies, clearly frustrated. “We needed time. Now we’ll be lucky if he doesn’t launch a full-out attack on us within the hour!”
“Julius will stew on it for a while,” I tell them both. “Because Merrick’s show of force will make him second guess the strength he believes we have.”
Ferris lets it go, and silence once again takes over. My mind is reeling, going over the mere minutes we spent in Julius’s presence, to what I know must now be done. And if I’m wrong and the king doesn’t reconsider, we will lose.
Merrick leans down and presses a kiss to the side of my throat. His beard scrapes against my skin, and I shiver, leaning back into him. Then, he whispers, “I will not allow anyone to touch what is ours, Mate. Not even a fucking king.”