“I would if I could. You know that. The elders won’t allow it, no matter what we want.”
Slumping my shoulders, I slid back into the bed and turned away. He was right, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. “Sometimes I wish we weren’t royals. It’s an enormous weight on our shoulders that feels like it’s an ocean’s worth of water to drown us. It’s impossible, isn’t it? Maybe if she gets the talisman back?”
“One step at a time, of course.”
I reached back around to snuggle into his arms. In spite of everything else, he made me feel safe and loved. Those were always the reasons to keep coming back to him for more. We were partners, more now than ever, and we had to keep it together. Especially me.
“Rafaela?”
“Yes?” I turned to peer into Gil’s eyes. They always held me captivated. Even when I thought I couldn’t know anything more about him, he never failed to show me something new. I longed to get lost in them and forget everything that had gone wrong.
“The talisman that was stolen from Lily… we have to find it.”
“I know. I have a team already investigating it.”
“No. I mean, it’s the second one stolen from our wolf pack in the last decade. You know what it means if someone uses it against us, right?”
I frowned, sitting up as I thought about what he’d just asked.
“Yes. The owner of the talisman dies if another uses it against them. But the owner of the last stolen talisman is already dead.”
“Yes, they didn’t use it against its owner, but Lily’s still vulnerable.”
“We shouldn’t have banished her.”
“I had no choice. The person who stole it from her has something to do with my father’s death, and the elders made me.”
“Fuck the elders!” I jumped out of bed to pace the room while I seethed. “All they ever tell us is the prophecies this and the prophecies that. I’m sick of them deciding what we can and can’t do. They know nothing. The predictions were made in an older world, another time. How can they apply to us?”
“The one of the four talismans. Remember? I think the person who stole Lily’s talisman and the other one almost a decade ago is close to acquiring two more.”
“But they would have to be from the MarkTiers, from our rivals! How would we know if they are also missing two talismans? It’s not like we chat on the phone every week. They hate us.”
“As we do them.”
“This can’t be good. We need to know.”
“I’ll set up a meeting.”
“What if they refuse?”
“When have they refused? We’ve never asked before.”
“Both packs have been in a silent stalemate for as long as I can remember. The last time they were here was after Lily’s betrothal to that prince… what was his name?”
“Ephrem.”
“Right. Not since then, and you and I both know that didn’t end well at all. We haven’t heard from the MarkTiers since, except when there were scuffles in the Outlands between the guards. That’s it. Not exactly encouraging.”
“I know.” Gil lay back onto the pillows, rubbing his face. He hadn’t shaved today, and the dark circles under his eyes matched my own. The events of late must’ve worn on him, too. I’d been too preoccupied with my own worries to have noticed. My insides soured.
“We have to help her. Lily.”
“We’ll figure it out.” He nodded, sighing before covering his eyes with his arm. He needed sleep as did I. How could we ever rest again when things were so complicated? How did I even begin to help Lily out from this side of the stronghold? If she was even still alive. I hoped she was. Finding her talisman before anything more happened was a priority. If only the Elders saw it that way.
If only….
Chapter Nine
Lilliana
I wrapped my wrist, feeling a stinging burn from practicing all week long deep within the joint. I just soaked it, but the constant ache made me realize how much I missed my talisman. It had a certain amount of healing magic in it. Even though I had Ephrem’s, which was technically my original talisman, once we’d traded gems only the one stolen from me could heal my aches and complaints.
That was a major loss.
“Here.” Ephrem took my hand into his, seeing that I was having a hard time securing the bandage enough to keep it from slipping.
“I can do it,” I groaned, stubbornly relenting. I hated asking for help, but it seemed that attitude was flying out the window as of late.
“Sure. I can see you’re doing just perfect without help.” He smirked as he loosened the bandage to rewrap it. Once done, he gave my hand a sympathetic pat before turning away and grabbing his jacket. “I got something for you today.”
I perked up immediately. “You did?”
“I went to a medicinal worker I get stuff from when I’m in need of a health boost.”
My shoulders drooped. Great. He got me some healing drugs. Perfect. I was hoping for a present or something. The lackluster life here in the Outlands part of the city made me want to scream. So what if I was a pampered princess? One did not enjoy the humdrum life after knowing what could’ve been, even when it was all my fault that I was here.
“Here.” Ephrem handed me a small glass vial with a corked top. Colorless liquid sloshed within, silver in appearance.
“What is it?”
“It’s a healing potion procured from a reliable source in the forest. And I got a healing salve to rub into your sore spots.”
“Well, that’s reassuring. Drugs from mysterious peddlers who live in the woods. I’m feeling quite confident here.”
“Just drink it. You’ll feel tons better.”
“Says the person about to slip someone a roofie.”
He grinned and tossed the bandage aside. He squeezed some salve onto his palm and held it out to me.
“Here, give me your hand.”
I did as he asked and let him rub the strong-scented salve into my wrist. It smelled like tea tree oil mixed with cough syrup. I wrinkled my nose up at the stench but let him work it in until my skin was bright pink and the soreness was effectively massaged away.
I glanced up to watch him concentrate as he worked. It was oddly intimate and sent a prickle of gooseflesh up my arm. The attention relaxed me and set my insides aflutter in an unexpected way. His hands were soft yet firm and not overlarge but not small either. Neatly trimmed nails and tanned skin that could massage in just the right way were a total turn-on. I squirmed under the rush of feelings he gave me.
“How’s that?” he asked, leaning back to grab the wrap before he began rolling it over my skin.
“That was… fine.” My breathy voice gave away the dreamy state he’d left me in, so I cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
“Don’t forget to drink your roofie-infused cocktail.” He winked and stood up. I already missed his touch.
“Wait, what? Don’t make jokes like that! It’s not funny, and I won’t be drinking it now.”
Ephrem rolled his eyes as he slipped his jacket on. “Suit yourself. I’m not the one unaccustomed to hard training and bitching about every little ache and sore muscle. Besides, it was your joke to begin with.” He winked once more right before he started for the door.
“Where are you going?” I jumped to my feet and stood in the doorway, blocking his way.
“Out.”
“Why?”
“If you haven’t noticed, I don’t have room service here. There’s a thing called a grocery store where I buy food and necessities and haul them back here all by myself.”
“You can’t send your friend?”
“He’s not a golden retriever.”
I frowned. He was often leaving the apartment to run errands. Besides our training sessions in the downstairs gym, I hadn’t left the building in over a week. I was getting cabin fever.
“Can I go?”
It was his turn to frown. His features darkened at the suggestion.
/> “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Oh come on! Why not?”
“If the people who stole your talisman see you out there, they might expedite their plans for world domination.” His smile returned, but it didn’t hide his concerns. Too late. I’d already seen his concern for my safety. It sent a warm drizzle down my insides to know how protective he’d become.
“Okay. But if you see anything or find out anything, you have to tell me immediately.”
“Will do, m’lady.” He smirked and motioned toward the hall. “Can I get by now?”
“Oh.” I moved and let him pass. “And get me some Skittles.”
His face contorted at the mention of the sugary snack.
“Just one pack. Please? I have a sugar addiction,” I added, giving him a sickeningly sweet smile. “Withdrawals suck!”
“All right. Just one. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” I said. I watched him head toward the elevator before closing the door and locking all ten locks he had attached to it.
Paranoid much?
I sighed and slipped down onto the couch. I didn’t want to watch TV or do anything else really. I was tired of being held up in this prison. It wasn’t that bad, but I loved the outdoors. I knew it wasn’t safe, and he was right; if someone saw me, I could be in real danger. Not that I wasn’t already in danger with my talisman somewhere out there. Both our lives were in peril, and here I was sitting on my ass doing nothing.
This wasn’t me. I couldn’t just sit here and wait for my destiny to slam into me like a freight train. Hell no.
I peered down at the bottle of healing elixir and yanked the cork out. Downing the fluid in one swallow, I hoped it would do its magic and help my aching bones. It burned going down, like a swig of pure alcohol, making me sputter and cough. I bent over as the liquid fire spilled down my chest and across my stomach. I felt it seep down and across my skin as tiny pricks stung my entire body.
He should’ve warned me that it would be unbelievably unpleasant to ingest. Of course, he left that part out. I wouldn’t have refused it like a little wuss. It pained me to admit how so very right he’d been that I wasn’t as hard a warrior as I’d thought myself to be. In fact, I couldn’t be softer than a cotton candy puff. If I ever made it back to my pack’s stronghold, I’d hang my trainers for going so easy on me. It had done me no favors.
A moment later, the burning subsided, and I could breathe without tensing up again. Flexing my wrist, I felt a huge difference. No pain! I grinned and jumped to my feet. It was time to get busy finding that traitorous bitch so I could get my talisman back. There was no telling where she was, but I’d pick Ephrem’s brain when he got back and make him take me around the city. If the Outlands didn’t cough her up, I’d march right over to the MarkTier stronghold and find her myself.
How did I know she was there? Call it intuition, but I’d bet my left arm that she wasn’t hiding in ArcKnight territory, and it’d be beneath her to hide in the Outlands. She’d grown up a noblewoman. Plus, I bet she needed more talismans. There were only two places in the world to find them: The ArcKnight and MarkTier palaces.
I was betting on the latter.
Chapter Ten
Gil
“Where is she now?” I absent-mindedly shuffled the papers on my desk as Alec, the general of the army, stood at attention in front of me. “You placed a tracker on her, yes?”
“Yes. We tracked her to Savannah Street and then the signal died. The rains were heavy that night. We have cause to believe it damaged the tracker.”
“Didn’t you also send someone to tail her?”
Alec nodded. His face remained calm even under my questioning. He’d been First Lieutenant since I could remember and was loyal beyond words. Having me apparently doubt his abilities certainly hurt him. “Yes. She’s in the Outlands but safe. I have someone with her now.”
“Good. I want a full report on her actions as of late.”
I narrowed my eyes at the leader of the guard. The man wasn’t massive or overly bulky, but he was in excellent shape and carried more scars on his body than anyone should. He’d been nothing but absolutely faithful to the House of ArcKnight, but now that I was king, I had to assert my authority, even if it meant I wouldn’t be making any friends.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Does she have the talisman back?”
Alec shook his head. “No. She doesn’t have it back as of yet, but I know for certain she’s on the hunt for it too. So is my contact.”
“I can’t let her return without it. In fact, we need to find the talisman before she does. Tell your men to find it now or I will be sending a hunting party to kill her. If whoever took her talisman contacts her, we can’t risk letting her become compromised.”
“I understand, Your Highness.”
“Oh, and Alec?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Don’t say anything of this to Rafaela. She can’t know we’re tracking Lily. If she knew we have her location, she’d insist that I bring her back to the palace. I can’t do that until the talisman is found.”
Alec bowed, his hardened dark eyes drifted toward the ground. No amount of grinding his teeth would allow him to speak his mind to me as he had to the previous Alpha. I felt I could be a great leader one day, but as of now I was young and inexperienced. This was crippling the efficiency of the ArcKnight stronghold and of the army. I could admit that, at least to myself.
I wondered if my father would’ve let things get this bad if he’d been well enough to handle this before he died. Banishing a royal for losing their Ardent talisman was a serious matter. There should’ve been more of an investigation. I should have kept Lily in the palace until I knew more about what was going on. If I hadn’t sent her away so rashly, none of this would’ve happened. Now, whoever had the talisman could use Lilliana against the entire pack. If she were still here, she could have been watched. Now I couldn’t be certain she hadn’t already been compromised. If whoever stole the talisman had somehow contacted her, threated to use it against her, she might be persuaded to commit any number of crimes against us. Until the talisman was safe, she was a liability and could not come home.
Alec remained bent over, waiting for me to dismiss him. His barely concealed contempt didn’t make me feel any better about screwing up. Aside from Rafaela, no one had mentioned it explicitly, but I knew everyone was thinking about the prophecy. All one needed was four active Ardent talismans and they could rule the world: two from the ArcKnight and two from the MarkTier.
The mistakes were piling faster than the solutions. I dismissed Alec, and as he turned to leave, a stiff smile played about his lips. What wasn’t he telling me? I opened my mouth to call him back but stopped. If he hadn’t told me already, he wouldn’t with any further prodding. I’d have to earn his trust, and so far I was doing a piss-poor job of it.
Chapter Eleven
Lilliana
I hugged my body as I stood on the edge of the sidewalk curb. It seemed like it never stopped raining here, and the constant downpour was wearing on my nerves. I knew it had to do with some high or low pressure system, whatever, but I was tired of the gloom. Especially since it was my first day out of Ephrem’s apartment building. I was alone, but he’d set a time to meet up in an hour. He didn’t quite trust me to be on my own yet, but it was the price I had to pay to get some fresh air.
And hopefully track down Elise.
Blinking away the rain lining my lashes, I tried hard not to let the sting behind my eyes bring out the tears. Thinking of her brought too many memories, and the way things had ended had left me empty, torn and distrusting of everyone. I’d never be the same. All because of her.
I crossed the street, hoping the movement would shake her from my thoughts. I’d wandered around the city near Ephrem’s building, grabbing a few essentials at the corner market and checking out a bookstore where I’d picked up a paperback I’d been wanting to read. I hoped it would surviv
e the rain okay since I had it tucked in its plastic bag inside my coat. The icy rain chilled me to the bone even with several layers and an umbrella to keep the water off me. Still, the wind blew the water sideways, and I was now a sopping mess. I hoped whatever diner Ephrem had picked to meet me at had some decent tea or coffee. Let's not forget food. I was already starving, and I still had fifteen minutes to kill before Ephrem showed up.
Standing outside the diner, I peered through the steamed-up windows for any sign of the man. Not locating him, I groaned and turned to stare at the rain-soaked streets. Cars rushed by without regard to the spray of water they sent flying into the air. People pushed past, stepping into puddles and sending up dirty water that spotted the bottom of my pants.
I cursed under my breath and tried to avoid the edge of the sidewalk. I could wander into yet another shop that sold endless amounts of tourist junk like the one I’d just left, but I had no desire to repeat the experience of the last three stores.
“Screw it,” I muttered, hurrying toward the diner’s entrance. At least if it was busy inside, I could get us a table and some hot liquid into me before I froze to death.
Within the diner, the place was bustling. All the counter seats were taken and the waitresses moved with quicksilver speed, dropping orders on the counter, taking orders without writing them down and weaving in and out of the crowds with practiced ease. Their red and white uniforms were reminiscent of the fifties diners, and I saw that they served malts and a jukebox blasted in the corner. How anyone got their orders right was a miracle.
“How many, miss?” The hostess smiled at me as she approached. She wore the same uniform as the waitresses but sported bright red lipstick and light blue eyeshadow. Smacking her gum, she waited for me to answer as she held her hand to her hip and shoved a lock of dark blonde hair behind her ear. Her nametag read “Ruthie.”
“Oh, um… two, please?”
My lack of experience in diners was so apparent, I kept my head down as she waved me on to follow her to a booth near the rear of the restaurant.