by Willa Hart
“I did not see her when your brother and your uncle hauled the laundresses into the street to kill them…so where is my sister? Do you know, Sarkany? You’ve been here and you’ve not said…do you know where Huali is?” Meela asks.
Sarkany’s gaze darts around the room as though he is loath to report to Meela what he knows of Huali. The same that one of my spies has whispered to me but has not been able to confirm.
“I…I believe—” Sarkany’s voice goes softer, “I believe that she was…she was slayed,” he says.
Meela presses her hand to her mouth. “Believe? Or know? Was she slayed? Or is she alive? How do you know this? What is it that you know of my sister?” Her face crumples into more pain with each question she asks.
“I…” Sarkany closes his eyes and shakes his head. He takes a deep breath. “My precious bird, it was a mind-link into the Counsel chamber provided by Lady Alana, and in it I witnessed…we witnessed Vlissimal destroy—” He closes his eyes, nearly too weak to say it. “Meela, I’m sorry.” Sarkany walks toward her, but Meela holds up both hands halting Sarkany in his tracks.
“You witnessed what?”
“I witnessed Vlissimal slay your sister.”
“And you did nothing?”
“I was imprisoned beneath the castle. I could do nothing. I could not save her. I—”
“And Leo now rides in alliance with the man that killed my sister, and yet you still believe that Leo works for the cause of the Roya brothers?”
“Leo was imprisoned as well. Neither of us—”
“He is imprisoned no more,” Meela says. Her gaze turns to the Deuteronomy Globe. “In fact, he just helped your uncle slay Dregs, and had it not been for the Dreg uprising, something you are so quick to brush aside because we Dregs are too lazy and stupid without the help of you Eliterrati, every girl in that laundry would be dead.”
“Meela, it’s an uprising and a possible coup. What would you have me do?”
“I’d have you pick a side,” Meela says. “A side that includes me, but instead you defend the very brother that rides with your greatest enemy! You defend The Counsel that watched a helpless girl, my sister, be slayed and did nothing. You defend everything and everyone that seeks only to destroy me and everything I love, while at the same time calling me and those who have saved and protected me beasts and dogs.” Meela reaches out and grasps my hand.
Heat pulses through me. Oh yes, the Roya Princes do not know the jewel they possess in Meela or that they can lose her. No, they are so used to always getting what they want with no effort they actually have no idea how to care for a woman.
Sarkany takes a deep breath. His gaze fixes on the place where Meela’s hand rests on my arm. Rage fills Sarkany’s eyes.
Let it.
Does it burn Prince Sarkany, to see the one that you love, the one that is meant to be yours touch another? I say nothing, but I would be a liar if I didn’t acknowledge that both me and my beast take pleasure in seeing Prince Sarkany fill with rage.
I’d rip your head from your body, dog, if not for my little bird, Sarkany thinks.
And I’d take your throat from your spine if not for my betrothed, I think.
“Did you or did you not watch while Vlissimal destroyed my sister?” Meela asks again. Her voice is cold but strong.
“There was nothing I could do to save Huali,” Sarkany says. He drops his head and the muscles in his jaw flick. A wound so deep and yet it draws no blood.
“That is all I need to know,” Meela says. Her hand is off my arm and the removal of her touch leaves me wanting. She turns and walks across the room to the map table and glances down at all the known lands and armies. She picks up a piece and moves it to Ninaku.
“What do your spies say, King Rex, about the Ninaku Dregs now?”
“I’m told that they’ve developed the ability to repel the mindslay,” I say.
“What?” Sarkany turns toward me, his sadness replaced with anger. “Impossible!”
“Actually,” Taraz interrupts his brother, “not impossible. Perhaps improbable, based on the very low level of education most Dregs receive, but I’ve worked on technology that would amplify the ability of one Slayer. So in theory, inventions that prevent the ability of Mindslayers to break a Dreg mind is merely the inverse of that technology.” Taraz turns his gaze to Jix. “Is it true, Jix?” he asks. “Is it possible such technology exists within the slum”—Taraz shakes his head—“excuse me, the district?”
Jix’s gaze darts from Prince Taraz to Prince Sarkany.
“Jix, you are one of the smartest people I know, and I trust you with my life,” Meela says. “Please, you are an equal here. The Royas can do you no harm.” Meela looks pointedly at Prince Sarkany.
Jix takes a deep breath and his gaze lands on Meela. “Yes,” Jix says. “The technology has existed since before I left Ninaku, but the Engineers Guild had forbidden the production because we knew it was illegal within the Kingdom. However…” Jix pauses and glances at Prince Taraz and Prince Sarkany.
“Go on, please,” Meela says.
“But there were dissenters within the Guild that said how we should have the tech as a defense against the way the Eliterrati treat us…how they kept slaying us and binding us no matter how hard we work or follow the rules. That it seemed like there would never come a time when we would be treated as though we were human, unless we found a way to stop the Eliterrati from slaying us.”
“We must reproduce the technology,” Taraz says. “We must make certain that every Dreg has the ability to protect themselves from Slayers,” Taraz says excitedly.
“What? You would give this to every Dreg?” Sarkany asks, his voice aghast. “Then how could we protect ourselves? You do realize that Dregs within the Kingdom outnumber us three to one. The only thing that prevents them from killing every living Eliterrati is our slaying ability,” Sarkany says.
Meela lifts an eyebrow and shakes her head. “Truly, my Prince, you are full of surprises today. To hear your true beliefs emerge as to Dregs and Eliterrati and Wolveskin…it’s almost as though I’m in the presence of Prince Leo.” Meela places a wooden block representing an army in the center of Ninaku.
“Meela, I merely tell you the reality of the situation. The Dregs would kill us all.”
“I don’t believe that’s true,” Jix says. Sarkany turns to him and scowls.
“Go on, Jix,” Taraz says.
“It’s never been the desire of anyone in Ninaku, or anyone that I’ve heard talk in Ninaku, to kill Eliterrati, but it has been our desire not to be killed by Eliterrati. Those are two very different things. If anything we’ve often wished that you’d stop killing us, enslaving us, and really treating us worse than you treat your cattle and horses.”
Sarkany’s nostrils flare. It’s hard for a warrior to understand how if you outnumbered an opponent, you wouldn’t force the opponent to submit. I know, for I’m a warrior too.
“While you do not think me a Dreg, Prince Sarkany,” Meela says. “I’m much more Dreg than Eliterrati. I’ve spent all but seven years of my life in the Ninaku district, washing Eliterrati clothes and linens. I can tell you that even after watching Dreg upon Dreg be harmed and killed by your forces, all I and my fellow Dregs ever wanted was to be safe and left alone. And maybe a better meal at the end of a hard day.”
Sarkany says nothing.
“It must be difficult to understand,” Meela continues, “when everything is given to you so easily. Your life. Your freedom. Your food. Your primary position as a Prince, no matter what group you are in. You can have anything and everything that you want. What a privilege to walk around as an Eliterrati and a Prince. A privilege that you weren’t even aware that you had.”
Meela turns back to the map table. “Taraz is correct. We must recreate this technology. We must give it to every Dreg. And we must also prepare to lead our army.”
“Our army?” Sarkany asks.
“Why, yes,” Meela says, “I’m not only
the Queen of the Eliterrati, but it would seem that I am also Queen of the Dreg. And as my fated-mate, you shall lead my army. Aren’t the Eliterrati forces made up of Dregs?”
Sarkany nods. “Ninety percent. Everyone but the officers are Dreg.”
“Well then, it is my prediction that soon, very soon, Eliterrati forces shall be reduced by ninety percent.”
“You think they’ll flee?”
Meela looks into the globe. “I think they already are.”
Chapter Six
Meela
I pace in my room. Confusion and heartbreak threads through my body. I may have appeared strong and knowledgeable in the map room, but truly I am afraid and sad beyond measure. Sarkany watched Huali die and did nothing. He came to my bed, this bed, and said nothing of my sister’s death?
Huali? Huali are you…are you alive? I never called to my sister from my mind. My fear prevented it. If we’d been discovered we’d have been mindslayed. I didn’t think Huali had the gift, but then again, I never thought our mother was an Eliterrati aristocrat and our father a Wolveskin. There are many things I’ve just learned about my family. Huali?
My hands form fists. Rage pummels thorough me. Vlissimal will pay for the death of my sister.
Huali! Huali, please, are you alive?
Silence. Nothingness. I’m alone. Even with my fated-mates, I’m alone.
I drop to my knees before the fire in my room. Tears spring from my eyes. The one person, the only true link to my childhood, is gone. Torn from me. I press my hands to my chest and bend forward. Pain surges from deep within me, pain for the loss of Huali and Mama and Papa. My face crumples, and sobs rip from my chest as though I’ll break in half.
Meela…
This voice I know. This voice walks through my dreams. The White Wolf.
Go away, I think. I haven’t enough strength for this. For this prophesy. You are gone, Mama is gone, and now Huali…I can’t bear it, I can’t do what it is you say I must do.
The Goddess only gives you that which you can bear, the White Wolf whispers in my ear.
No! I yell in my mind, no—I can’t bear this. The loss of my entire family? Of everything I held dear?
You are stronger than you believe.
I don’t wish to be strong. I want to be a normal girl. I’d even return to the Laundry and fight off Drizzle if the Laundry and Ninaku were only safe. But I’ve even gotten Huali killed. And started an uprising…how many Dregs will die because of me?
How many will Dregs will live free because of you? the White Wolf asks.
I press my fingertips beneath my eyes and wipe away my tears. I must return to Ninaku. I must assume my place as Queen, and I must lead the Dregs. Even if that means battling Leo, I will. If that means battling the entire Eliterrati force, then I will. I straighten my spine. I press my hand across the silk of my gown. I’m stronger then I know. I must remain strong. I don’t know why or for whom exactly, but I do know that there is an entire district of people who’ll soon face the Eliterrati Mindslayers. It’s my duty to protect the Dregs. It’s my duty to find the Eliterrati that believed as the Roya Princes’ mother believed, that all must live peacefully together. I run my hands over my dress. I do not have time to grieve now.
I walk from my room.
Sarkany? Taraz? I send a tendril to both my fated-mates. Please meet me in the throne room. I’ve reached a decision.
There’s no response from either mind-link. They hear me, warmth of their knowledge flows through the link.
I walk down the long corridors within the Wolveskin lair. The yipping and yapping of puppies sounds through the halls. I turn the corner into the throne room and stop.
A woman with tan skin, dark brown pants, and a vest without sleeves stands beside Rex. Her long curly auburn hair drops to the middle of her back. She wears a knife strapped to her arm. All muscle and curves, there appears to be little soft about this woman. Her jaw cuts sharp to her full lips. A woman warrior in every way.
From this angle, she appears to be bent over King Rex as though she might kiss him. Powerful and stunning, her hair catches the light and is fire and gold all at once. She keeps it off her face with a braid.
Rex’s laugh breaks through their intimate mumbling.
Heat bursts through my chest.
Jealousy. An unfamiliar feeling. This woman laughs and whispers with Rex. I walk in and clear my throat.
“Ah, Meela! Come and meet Arianna. She’s the female Alpha that we spoke of. She’s returned from her high lonesome.”
Rexinald is on the King’s lap; with his puppy teeth he bites and pulls at his father’s finger while Arianna strokes his head.
Guess it’s okay to pet a Wolveskin if you are its mother.
“Yes, King Rex has told me much about you,” Arianna says. She smells of earth and sunshine and pine. She presents as a female Wolveskin that is more of a warrior than a mate.
“Our pups have grown so much,” Arianna says. “Soon they’ll choose their human form over their Wolveskin form since they will be able to run and play as humans. But right now they still choose wolf.”
Rexinald hops off his father’s lap, trots to his mother and bends down on his front paws in the universal sign for play.
“You’re simply too cute for words,” Arianna says to Rexinald and laughs. “Do we or do we not create the most brilliant pups?” Arianna calls to Rex.
“We do indeed,” he says. He lifts an eyebrow. His dark brown eyes glance toward me. I smile and refuse to be drawn into…whatever this is. Much like I have two fated-mates, it’s also come to pass that Rex has children with this Wolveskin, Arianna.
“Meela, what brings you here?”
“I…we have decisions to make,” I say. “The White Wolf has visited me again and brings instruction and news.”
Arianna glances at Rex and lifts an eyebrow.
“What is it?” I ask. “What did I say that caused the two of you to exchange that look?”
“Forgive me, Meela,” Arianna says. “But your stories of the White Wolf visiting you…well they’re difficult for me to believe. In our culture the White Wolf is elusive and doesn’t just trot in and out of a Wolveskin mind.” She tosses her head and her curls bounce around her face. “I can’t help but wonder if perhaps the White Wolf you keep seeing is a creation of your imagination.”
Irritation pulses in my chest. “I…I don’t know. All I can say is that a White Wolf appears to me and often helps me decide what I should do. When I follow the White Wolf’s direction, the correct things happen. Rex indicated that perhaps the White Wolf is my father, attempting to communicate with me.”
“Perhaps,” Arianna says. She scoops up Rexinald and pulls him close to her chest. “Well, I’ve a puppy who wants to play. You’ll excuse me while I leave all of you to continue your political games and prophesies. Tis the human way to get caught up in all that isn’t ours to control.” She turns away from Rex. “A pleasure, Meela,” she says with a tone that absolutely informs me that it’s not a pleasure for her to be here with me. The Wolveskin silver around the pupil of Arianna’s amber eyes flashes. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you.” She kisses Rexinald on the top of his head, shoots Rex a glance, and walks from the throne room holding the pup in her arms.
“I don’t think she cares for me much,” I say.
“Ah, it’s not you,” King Rex says. “Arianna doesn’t like humans. They killed her parents when she was a cub.”
“I guess we have that in common, the loss of family,” I say. I meet Rex’s gaze. I take a stiff breath. “As you keep reminding me, I’m not just human,” I say.
“No, you’re not, but you’re not completely Wolveskin either. It’s a difficult place you inhabit. Not completely human, not completely Wolveskin, not completely Eliterrati, not completely Dreg. You see why you’re so important to us all? You, Princess, provide perspective. You are a part of each and every group that will soon be at war.” King Rex stands and slowly walks down the stair
s from his throne.
His muscles ripple beneath his shirt, and it is as though with his movement, he steals the oxygen from the room. He stands in front of me, inches away, so close his body nearly touches mine. He smells of man and darkness and pure pleasure.
Heat threads through my belly.
“You are dangerous to everyone who has a stake in the status quo, and yet you’re so beautiful for one who could topple us all.” He presses his fingertip to my chin and tilts my face up toward his. He fills his thick muscled chest with a deep breath. He leans close to my ear.
My sex tightens. My nipples harden. I am wet with desire.
“I smell your scent,” he whispers in my ear. “It is the scent of my mate, my Queen, the Wolveskin that shall rule by my side. Your arousal shall give me pleasure and my pack our future cubs.” His hot breath caresses my cheek. My nipples press against the silk of my dress. My sex is wet for him. “I wish to run my hand between your legs and lick the juices from your sex. I would take you not as a Wolf but as a man, face to face, breast to breast. You have no idea even what it is I offer you. For this is a mating ritual that I’ve shared with no other.”
I lick my lips and close my eyes. Rex’s vision of me on top of him, facing him, riding his cock up and down floods my mind. My breath hitches in my chest.
“Yes, that’s exactly it,” Rex says. “I’ve never shared such a thing with anyone. To mate as a man, it’s not what we do as Wolveskin. So vulnerable in our human skin. Do you begin to understand what it is I offer you?”
My tongue licks my bottom lip. My body tingles, alive with the heat of desire for Rex.
“Yes,” I whisper out. “I see it now…what is different, how I’m different, how you want me to be someone who shares a part of you that you’ve never given to another.”
“Plus to see you change, Princess, because once you become my mate, we’ll awaken the Wolveskin that lives within you. Your beast that has not yet roamed free shall be unleashed by me.”
I swallow and can barely breathe because I want this too. I want Rex.
