The Night Prince (The Wolf King, #2)(66)

Freedom, my heartbeat urges. Freedom.

Hooves thunder against the ground behind us, and a low, rough laugh fills my ears. “You can’t escape me, love.”

Panic rises inside me. The lights from the manor fade, and the darkness creeps in. I don’t know where I’m going. Blake’s breathing rattles against my neck. He won’t last long without his wounds being tended to.

He murmurs instructions to me, and I navigate the moonlit terrain as best I can while his chest rises and falls unsteadily against my back. My thighs ache as I clench the saddle. Blake slips behind me, and he grabs my side, his fingers digging into me.

“There. Ahead.” His chin scrapes against my shoulder as he nods. “He won’t follow us there.”

A chapel comes into view on the slope of a mountain. There’s an iron fence around it, and weathered headstones jut out of the wet earth in front. I push us on through the open gates. The steel has been shaped into crescent moons and stars. I bring my horse to a halt among the graves. There’s nowhere else to go.

A rough laugh fills the air. My heart pounding, I raise my chin and turn the horse.

“Hello, Alexander,” I say.

Alexander pulls on the reins of his horse and halts on the other side of the gate. “I’ve imagined our reunion so many times. The reality is even better.” He holds out a hand, and I catch a glimpse of ink on his wrist as his dark sleeve rides up. “Come with me, love. I’ll take you home.”

I shake my head. “This is my home now, and if you think you can use me to get my father to pardon you, you’re mistaken.”

Alexander tips back his head and laughs. “Your father? Do you think I want the favor of that old fool? No. My plans for you are much sweeter, love. Come to me. I will give you glory.”

“Why don’t you come and get her, Alex?” Blake’s voice is smooth, but he grips my waist tightly beneath my cloak, like he’s afraid he’s going to fall.

Alexander’s grin widens. “Well, if it isn’t the king’s favorite pup. I missed you, Blake. I missed the sound of your screams. I dream of them, sometimes. Do you dream of me?”

My eyebrows lift. They know one another?

“Sometimes,” says Blake.

Alexander gestures his head at me. “We can share her, if you like.”

Blake laughs.

“No?” Alexander runs his hand over his shaved dark hair, then shrugs. “Fine. Another time. Bring her to the Grey Keep, if you want to have some fun. I’ve got one of our old friends there that I’d like her to meet. Before she fulfils her purpose, of course.” He turns his horse and looks over his shoulder at me. “I’ll be seeing you again very soon, love. In the meantime, I’m sending someone to visit you at Madadh-allaidh. I’ve grown very close to him over the past weeks. Make him feel welcome, won’t you?”

He rides away.

Blake slumps against me.





Chapter Thirty-Two





I’ve got one of our old friends there that I’d like her to meet. Before she fulfils her purpose, of course.

I shiver. The trees in the churchyard sway in the wind. The graves around us jut from the earth like crooked teeth. It feels as if we are miles from anywhere. Blake grunts behind me. My mind reels with questions about Alexander and his link to Blake. I have to help him first.

Do as he says. I push away the memories of Callum’s command.

“Are you conscious?” I whisper.

“Mm,” he mumbles.

His arm is like a block of ice against my torso. If I can’t heal him, we’re both going to die. I steady my racing heart. “I assume you have the antidote in your pack?”

He grunts, which I take for a yes.

“Okay.” I lead the horse toward the chapel, and stop by the arched door. There are more stars and crescent moons carved into the stone around it. This is one of Night’s chapels.

Blake’s arm is heavy as I move it to his side. He slumps as I slide onto the path. My knees buckle, and I put my hand on the side of the horse to right myself. My shoulder brushes Blake’s leg. I take a deep breath.

“Come on,” I say.

I hold out my hand, but he manages to slide down without my assistance. Dry leaves crunch beneath his boots as he lands.

“Fuck. I feel like shit.” He knocks into my shoulder as he stumbles. He puts a palm on the chapel wall and bends forward. Dark strands of hair cling to his forehead, and his skin is as pale as moonlight.

I hurry to the saddle, and root around in his pack. I pull out the black case I’ve seen him use to heal people. I turn back to him. He leans against the chapel wall with a hand clamped over his shoulder. His head is arched back against the stone, exposing his throat. Blood spills between his fingers and pools on the flagstones at his feet. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable before.

I approach him, and he slings his arm over my shoulder. My hand around his waist, I nudge open the door and lead him inside. It closes behind us.

Inside, a few rows of pews lead to a stone altar. Above it, a stained-glass window depicts a key with crescent moons in the bow. Silver moonlight shines through it and creates a puddle of faint light on the flagstones. The air is thick with must.

“Wash your hands.” Blake nods at a stone font by the entrance. I wash my hands thoroughly in the cold water while he makes his way down the aisle. I shake off the water, then hurry after him and hook an arm around his waist as he starts to stumble.