Wolf pack, p.20
Wolf Pack, page 20
“Go.”
Nothing. He shook the reins. Nothing.
He picked up the whip that lay coiled at his feet. With all his might, he brought it down on the horses’ backs. They jerked forward with a mighty charge. He barely kept the straps in his hands as his wings slammed into the seat. The wagon shook and rattled as they nearly flew down the road.
Now they were in business. This would get them to Mitera with time to spare.
Within minutes he spotted his unit. But no Jade—she’d have her arrow trained on his heart by now. He yanked on the reins and the horses shuddered to a walk, neighing and whining and tossing their tethered heads. He whistled—one high note followed by two short low ones. Jade emerged from the trees, bowstring slackened. The horses stopped, eyes spinning as the Dracos crowded around.
“We’ve got a ride to town.” Thirro’s chest puffed.
“Where’s Mordick?” Jade asked.
“He’s dead.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“The driver found him. He killed Mordick before I got there to help.”
“Mordick wouldn’t let a human get him.”
“Took him by surprise, I guess.”
Jade didn’t look convinced. He could practically feel the unit’s judgmental stares, like sticky fingers poking at him.
Thirro didn’t care. “Bodies are in the back. We’ll dump them when we find a good place. Hop in.”
“You want us to sit on corpses?” Dara asked.
“You can sit in the driver’s seat with me.” He extended a hand and pulled her to his side.
Jade huffed. With jackal grace, she leaped into the wagon’s flat bed.
Thirro fit his arm around Dara’s waist. He whipped the horses, though not as hard this time. They lunged forward, straining under the new weight. Hisses issued from behind him as his soldiers jostled and banged into each other.
He exhaled with a grin as the star-lit road to Mitera rose to meet him.
Thirty-five - Dreading
SUZA
“They will attack at dawn,” Xandra said to Suza as she flew off the roof of Laconius’s command tent. She glided low through the trees outside of the Draco Sang camp. The red-tailed hawk knew the forest well, having hidden there for months while Suza was a slave.
“How many?” Suza asked. She was across the river in Titus’s tent along with the Elysium commanders. Captain Titus sat on a low couch with his broken leg resting on a stool. Eio, Titus’s golden-maned lion, slept on the floor next to him.
“Nearly eight full units.”
Suza sucked in a sharp breath.
Titus cut off mid-sentence; she hadn’t been listening to his instructions anyway. His focus snapped to her face. The other commanders followed his gaze.
“Four thousand Dracos will attack at dawn.” Her words rippled over the room like poisonous gas.
Pelussa cleared her raspy throat. It was easy to forget the old woman was here. She melded into the shadows and rarely spoke. “Ipsum counted three thousand eight hundred and ninety-one warriors in tomorrow’s attack.”
Bit of a show-off. “They’re going to try and spread us out along the border,” Suza said. “They’ll cross in tight units and then fan quickly.”
“We’re expecting this,” Titus said, his voice a calm that seemed forced. “We’ll be ready. Commanders, let’s walk through your assignments and then go prepare your units.”
A bit of color returned to the blanched faces as they got to work. Suza was glad to be assigned to Uriah’s unit.
Twenty minutes later she trudged out of Titus’s tent with instructions to eat and sleep. Xandra glided silently through the darkness and landed on her armband. Xandra’s claws hooked into the leather, no longer worried about piercing Suza’s thin skin.
“It’s going to be a slaughter tomorrow,” Suza said.
“The humans number nearly ten thousand.”
“We can hope, Xandra. We must have some hope.” Although she didn’t feel much now.
A wolf Draco with half a human face and bright golden eyes filled her mind before the vision shifted to his fully human form. Was Ferth safe in Mitera with his mother? Did he find her? Suza ached for him. After so much pain, they had come together for one torturously brief moment—shared a kiss that still burned on her skin. She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. Would she live to hold him again? At least he was safe. She was willing to die to keep it that way. And soon she would have the chance to prove that.
Zemira crossed the path twenty yards ahead, and Suza darted to catch her. She wasn’t ready to face the night alone yet. She wasn’t ready to close her eyes and see the familiar faces of her enemy getting closer. Zemira’s panther noticed her first, training glossy black eyes on Suza.
“Hello, Opal.”
Zemira looked over her shoulder.
“Are you busy right now?”
“Not really. Shem’s at the smith. He’ll be working late into the night.”
Zemira didn’t mention her baby. Suza missed Callie so much her stomach hurt. How much worse it must be for the mother.
“Come in,” Zemira motioned to her tent.
Suza followed the lithe fighter inside. She sat in silence as Zemira checked her armor and sharpened her already-sharp blades.
“Tell me something about Cal,” Suza said.
Zemira’s hands stilled. She set down her belt but didn’t look up. “He would do anything for the people he cared about. Anything.” She rubbed her polishing cloth over a gleaming short sword. “I had been training for years when he joined our unit. Titus brought him in, as he did me and Uriah, and so many of us Draco-blooded. Cal was cocky and aggressive.” The rag stopped moving over the Dracosteel. “He had talent but was raw as fresh meat. Unskilled. He worked hard, though. We all knew he would be a great warrior. I was being petty. I didn’t like that he’d only just arrived and thought so much of himself.” She grimaced. “I played a mean prank on him.” Dark eyes got a far-off look. “Cal knew it was me, and he never said a word. He got in a wad of trouble. Titus punished him for it.”
Suza thought of Ferth’s striped back and shuddered.
“Cleaning the dungbuckets and extra training sessions. He never said a word. I felt terrible.”
Xandra shifted in her lap. Suza traced a finger down soft feathers. She wanted to ask what Zemira had done, but the sour look of regret on Zemira’s face had her voicing a different question. “He loved you, didn’t he?”
She laughed. “He might have had a bit of a crush at first. But after everything that happened, with Poe’s death, and his saving both Callie’s and my life, he became family. I miss him. Shem misses him. We all do.” She sighed. “It is hard for me to see his face on another man.”
What could Suza say to that? Would Zemira ever see Ferth as anything other than a kidnapper and killer?
The hard-jawed warrior’s eyes glistened as Zemira turned away. “I think of Cal during battle. I live for Shem. I fight for my baby. But when I kill, I kill for Cal.” Her voice was quiet, almost as if she didn’t want to be heard.
Suza wore the same tight-fitting black uniform, but Zemira looked like a fighter, all angles and sinew—hair cropped short above her ears. Suza’s long hair framed a curvy chest. She was going to war tomorrow, but she didn’t look or feel like a warrior. She wanted Cal’s bravery, Zemira’s strength.
“Cut my hair?” The words popped out.
Zemira’s eyebrows shot up.
“Short, like yours. I’m going to war tomorrow, not a party.”
The tension shook out of Zemira’s shoulders as she chuckled in surprise. “Alright, my lady. That seems like as good a way to prepare for battle as any.”
Suza smiled. She’d been forbidden to cut her hair as a slave. Now the choice was hers.
Wide-eyed, she watched the mirror as Zemira expertly cut off her hair at her shoulders. Some shorter pieces over her forehead framed her eyes. Suza’s nerves gave way to a new resolve and a new freedom.
“It’s not as short as mine.” Zemira brushed the cuttings off Suza’s shoulders. “Your hair is too beautiful to cut it all off.”
Suza ran her hands through her soft weightless locks. Loose curls flew around her head in a playful mass that tickled her neck.
“I love it.”
“Thank you for coming to see me. I should have done a better job welcoming you. I was selfish in my grief.”
Suza stood, waking Xandra and forcing the sleepy hawk to take flight. She gave Zemira a tight hug. “Thank you. Stay safe tomorrow.”
The haunting shadows hanging over camp failed to hack into Suza’s composure. She was calm as she prepared for war. She slept without nightmares.
Thirty-six - Bare
FERTH
Lyko and Rom dozed on the plush carpet. Ferth sat in front of a polished mirror, but he didn’t look at himself. His eyes were on the woman standing behind him. Mira bit on her lips as she fought through tangled curls. Ferth smiled—he did that when he focused too. She caught his gaze in the mirror. Her face relaxed, and she chuckled. She lifted a mass of hair.
“You know, son …”
Son. His chest warmed.
“Long hair is out of style.”
“You want to cut it.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Please.”
How could he say no to that giddy smile? Would he appear more human? He would look more like the clean-cut Cal—although Ferth’s features would always be sharper, rougher, wilder than his twin. “Whatever you want, Ma.” That was fun to say. Happiness bloomed across her delicate features. She pulled scissors out of her apron. “You planned this.”
She pulled a long face. “I’ll admit nothing until the job is done.”
“You probably knotted it up on purpose.”
“It worked.”
The joy on her face triggered his widest grin.
When she brought the shears down, he jumped to his feet.
“Wait. I have to wear this shirt to dinner.” He pulled it off without thinking. He was too absorbed in the comfortable connection forming with his mother. He realized his mistake the moment her gaze touched his skin. His healing wounds and lashes were angry red stripes.
In a snap, horror replaced happiness. Her golden eyes darkened. Her face paled.
In a breath, the shirt was back on, but it was too late. She sat with a thud on his stool. He carefully took the scissors out of her shaking fingers.
She gripped his hands—hard. “He did this to you. He hurt you. All those years I wasn’t there.” Gigantic tears spilled over her cheeks. “I failed you—my baby. Can you ever forgive me? Can you ever forgive me for not being there? For not protecting you?” Her voice broke into a sob, and her body trembled.
His heart cracked. He drew her to her feet and pulled her against his chest. A lifetime apart, but he could feel that this was right. This was home. “Laconius is done taking from us. Don’t give him any more. He’s done hurting you. You’ve always had my forgiveness. Now, will you stop blaming yourself?”
She cried harder.
What had he said wrong?
“And you are so good. How?”
“Thank you, but I’m not.” He pulled her out of his embrace and looked her in the eyes. “I was a captain in Mavras’s army. I was harsh and demanding, cruel even. I was feared, Mother. This punishment came because I let my slave escape.” He conjured up Suza’s beautiful face, bright green eyes and high cheekbones. Those lips he’d tasted only briefly. “Suza is free. I’d have suffered a lot more for that.”
Mira blinked, a knowing look crossing her face. “Will I get to meet her?”
Ferth couldn’t stop the grin. “I hope so.” If they lived through this. He handed Mira the scissors and sat down, shirt on.
Her silent working calmed his nerves. Sharing the truth with her had brought unexpected comfort. Chunks of brown hair fluttered to the ground. Her smile returned when she lifted his chin to face the mirror. Brown waves ended halfway down his forehead. His neck and ears were bare. He looked different. Tame.
“Very handsome,” she said.
“Thank you. You did a nice job.” Even if he wasn’t sure what he thought of his tailored look. It felt like a lie.
She moved as if to leave, hesitated, and turned back. “I had lots of practice with Cal. I cut his hair like this.”
He held his breath.
“But I know you are not Callidon. I’m not trying to turn you into him. You are my first born. My son who was lost and now is found. Do not think I wish you to replace him.”
Ferth exhaled with a shiver as relief cascaded through him. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be back with a broom, and then I’ll show you to dinner.” She halted again. “After dinner, if you are not too tired, there are some people who are anxious to meet you.”
“Yes. I would love to.”
She smiled as she slipped out the door.
Ferth sighed and ran a hand through silky short hair. Everything here was too soft, too lovely, too breakable. “Feelings are exhausting.” He needed to work some of them out.
“We’re sleeping,” Rom said.
Ferth took his shirt off and shook out the hair. He laid the linen tunic on the bed. He took off his boots and set them aside. Lyko opened one eye in his direction as he rolled up the bottoms of his pants. Ferth grinned, half-feral. Lyko shuddered to his feet as Ferth leaped. He slammed into Lyko’s side, and the wolf hit the floor.
Lyko barked.
“Shh,” Ferth said with a chuckle.
Lyko barked louder in his mind.
Ferth’s responding laughter was cut off when Rom jumped on his back. His stripes screamed.
“Low blow.” He turned and threw the gray wolf off. Lyko had escaped, and now the white wolf rammed his head into Ferth’s belly. He kept his feet until Rom leaped at his chest, adding his strength to Lyko’s. Ferth’s back slammed into the thick carpet. He flipped, catching Lyko’s legs. Lyko landed on his chest, and they rolled. Ferth came out on top, but Rom brought his open jaws down on the back of Ferth’s neck. His canines caressed his spine, sending chills along his skin.
“Point, Rom,” Ferth said.
Rom’s teeth pressed deeper. “Victory, Rom.”
“And Lyko.”
Laughing, Ferth dropped to the floor. He rolled to his back. Rom dropped next to him.
There was a knock. The door muffled her voice. “It’s Mira.”
Ferth jumped to his feet and threw the shirt over his steaming skin. “Come on in.”
She eyed the three panting creatures before sweeping the mess. Plenty of gray and white fur caught in her broom.
Ferth got a drink, put on his boots, and found his dinner jacket—a gray linen button-up Angeline had given him to wear.
“At least let us outside,” Lyko said.
“Dinner could be hours.” Ferth sure hoped not. “What if their guests go outside?”
“We’ll scare them.”
“We found a good place to hide. No one will see us out there. We’re clawing at the walls in here.” Rom lifted a paw, claws within an inch of the paint.
“You better not.”
“Please,” Rom and Lyko used in the same demanding tone.
Ferth caved. “Darius is a gracious host. Be polite. Stay hidden.”
“We like him too,” Rom said.
Ferth checked the hall before opening the outside door and sneaking them through. Two happy streaks blurred across the darkening lawn and into the trees near the wall. He would have rather joined them instead of learning human manners.
“Have fun,” Lyko said, not at all jealous.
Ferth smoothed his hair, which now took only a sweep of his hand. He followed Mira down the hall, past the kitchen, and into a well-lit ballroom. He balked. There were nearly fifty people here.
“I need to go help.” She squeezed his forearm. “Have fun, dear.” She slipped away before he could reply and tell her she sounded too much like Lyko.
Pale marble walls gleamed in the lights. An inlaid wood floor spread out at the feet of five musicians. New and interesting smells washed up from two heavy-laden tables. Could the Lammas holiday feast be grander than this?
Ferth’s attention snared on the people. The humans were beautiful. The women wore long shining dresses, some with big skirts, others with cloth that clung to their curves. The men wore jackets like his. Thank you for the suit, Angeline. He didn’t need more reasons to stand out.
Darius saw him rooted on the threshold. “Commander Ferth. Welcome.” The booming voice drew every face his direction.
Ferth squared his shoulders and strode forward. He accepted Darius’s hand. Under his breath, he said, “I didn’t expect a large party.”
“Just a few friends to welcome you to Mitera.”
Angeline overheard as she strode up. “Best way to learn is to dive in.” Laconius had said something like that before, but he had not been referring to dinner parties. Nearly Ferth’s height, she rocked forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I like the hair. You don’t look so feral.”
“I liked that about him,” Darius said.
“He still looks plenty deadly.” She winked at him. Ferth was at a loss. Was she making a joke or being serious? He was plenty deadly. She hadn’t let him bring his sword, but he had three knives on his person. All sharp and within easy reach—didn’t everyone? “But he looks smarter now, I think.” She lowered her voice. “Smile.” She turned her shoulders, opening a path from him to the crowd pressing forward. “This is Tamaria.”
Ferth forced his mouth to curve up as a woman came forward. Her lips were shockingly red, as was her dress. It clung to her body—revealing a silhouette that rolled like the Seraf foothills.
“Nice to meet you, Commander.” Her brown eyes gleamed in pleasure. She flipped unbound black hair over her bare neck. She bowed just low enough to give him a peek down her dress.
