by Kat Zaccard
“I don’t know, Alice. Maybe I shouldn’t go to all of this?”
“No way, Shea. You’re my guest. Obviously you can’t come to the council meeting, but see there? There’s scheduled spa time for guests.”
“Just fill out the slip with what services you want,” added Nadia, pulling out the slip of paper.
“That does sound kind of awesome,” she admitted, scanning the list of massages, facials, and treatment options. “But I’m not going to fit in at these fancy dinners.”
I scoffed. “Do you think I do? I’m totally faking it out there.”
Shea gave me a patented eye-roll and reminded me the obvious fact that I always neglected, “Yeah, but they’re all here to see you too. You’re like the future queen and stuff.”
I laughed, feeling a tension I hadn’t realized in my gut release. I was so glad Shea was here. I just wished she could be too. I felt a little guilty for bringing her into the lion’s den, wolf’s den. Uh-oh, more puns. “Shea, I’m so glad you’re here. You don’t have to come to any of these dinners or parties if you don’t want to. But for what it’s worth, I want you to.”
“Don’t be silly, of course she’ll come.” Nadia declared things as if that made them true.
Shea smiled. “Of course I’ll come.” Suddenly, I felt worse.
“Honestly, though, you don’t have to. As much as I want you there, I can’t deny that being my friend carries real risk.” I frowned. I was torn between wanting to gather allies and wanting to push away everyone I loved in an effort to keep them safe. When my enemies attacked, those around me could suffer collateral damage. The image of Kulani’s blood-stained hair sprang to my mind, followed by the memory of Jack’s horrific howl and crazed look as he cradled his dead wife in his arms. I looked at Shea and saw the dark cloud that’d passed over my eyes reflected back in her.
“Alice, it’s not your fault.” Shea reached for my hand.
“But it is,” I whispered.
“No,” she replied firmly, gripping my hand tightly. “It’s the Queen Regent’s. She ordered the attack.”
“But Kulani—”
“No buts! Don’t you dare dishonor Kulani by blaming yourself,” argued Shea. I was speechless trying to sputter a rebuttal. “She joined the Royal Guard for a reason. And she knew the risks.”
“That’s not true!” Finally, I had something to latch on to. “She was just a patrol! She wasn’t a Royal Guard. She didn’t know the upyr were there.”
“Alice, stop. She did know. You told Jack about the first attack. They were on high-alert. And Kulani was so much more than ‘just a patrol.’ I guess it does make a difference that I had my first year at Mount Henley before I could shift. I spent a year living in awe of how the older kids could shift on the full moon. And the Slivers were like superheroes. Kulani had a helluva reputation before taking a teacher’s positions at Mount Henley.”
“It’s true,” Nadia put in. “She was a member of the Royal Guard before your mother and father’s twining. Your mother released her from duty when she realized that Jack and Kulani were true mates. She presided over their twining.”
“She did? How do you know that?” I asked Nadia. I didn’t think she’d lie, but I also knew she’d go to great lengths to keep me on track to the throne. Our families were connected; however, the Osakuras were traditionally advisors to the Luna crown.
“Alice, my mother was on the council before me, and I was being groomed for the position. My mother kept me informed on all of the palace gossip as much as the political news. When she passed, her lady’s maid helped me continue the tradition. You’d be surprised what’s overheard at a ball.”
“So my mother believed in true mates?” I didn’t know why I’d latched on to that part of the story, but it was always weird to pick up a new insight about who she’d been. It was as if I was painting a portrait of my unseen birth mother, and Nadia had just given me a new color for my palate. It was like she’d just told me there had been gold flecks in her green eyes, and suddenly, the image was a little clearer.
“It would appear so. There’re many accounts of true mates. I remember asking my mother to tell me about Jack and Kulani leaving the palace over and over again. It felt like a fairytale. Many claim to be true mates, but everyone knew it was true with Jack and Kulani. I’m not certain that my parents felt that way about each other, but I like to think they did.” It was rare for Nadia to talk about her parents, but lately, she’d been comfortable sharing with us. “I don’t know, but I remember the way they looked at each other. It was different from my friends’ parents. Maybe I’m making it up.”
“No, I believe you, Nadia.” Shea turned her empathy on Nadia. “I know true mates are real. We all saw the way Jack and Kulani were around each other.” Shea glanced at me with a worried look.
I suppressed my guilt. “They couldn’t take their eyes off of each other. That’s why they couldn’t run patrols together.” I smiled at the memory, but it quickly slipped off my face.
“Kulani was a great patrol and a powerful warrior. She knew the upyr were real. She wasn’t fooled by Headmaster Giovanni’s skepticism. She knew the risk.”
“I know you’re trying to help, but it doesn’t make it easier.”
“Seriously, Alice. You have to forgive yourself. Kulani was a warrior. Shea is right. Don’t dishonor her memory by blaming yourself. Kulani wouldn’t want that.”
I looked at my friends, grateful for their support.
“And we know the risks too,” added Shea.
“We support you for the sake of the Great Pack, not just our own,” said Nadia formally.
“True that!” Shea exclaimed. My heart still hurt, but I felt bolstered by their confidence.
Nadia and I left Shea to get dressed and went to our own rooms to get ready. Monica, the lady’s maid who was assigned to me this trip, arrived to do my hair. She tugged and pulled at my locks, trying to tame them into submission. Monica didn’t have much to say, which gave me time to ponder my conversation with Shea and Nadia.
I was glad the three of us had convened to review the strategy. Hopefully, a few of my allies would already be there tonight. I knew Liam O’Cleirigh from Scotland supported my restoration to the throne, but I didn’t know if he would agree to an annulment. Duke Aleksandr Ivanov knew of the upyr threat and was certainly more concerned about recent reports from Russia than a silly wedding. Perhaps I could garner his support through a show of strength and offer support to help his people back home? Still, I had little to offer until I turned eighteen, which was still fourteen months away.
I met Shea in the hallway, and Holly, one of the staff members I recognized, led us to the great hall. I hadn’t seen her since my last visit to the palace.
“Holly! It’s good to see you again! I thought for sure you’d be assigned to me.” My new lady’s maid was somewhat dour compared to Holly’s bright energy. It was weird enough having someone assigned to me to help me dress and do my hair. At least Holly had made it feel more like a slumber party than a status symbol.
“I apologize, Your Royal Highness, I’ve been reassigned.” Holly looked down at her feet, definitely less chatty than our last encounter.
“Oh, that’s a shame. Perhaps I should insist on your reinstatement?”
Holly skittered to a stop and turned to me. “I appreciate the offer, Your Majesty. I really do. But please, I don’t want to make trouble.”
“It’s no trouble—”
“Forgive me, Ma’am, not for you, but for me. The Queen Regent wouldn’t like me talking to you.”
“Why ever not?”
“She thinks I’m too friendly with the guests! Like I’m going to blab about her fighting with her mother or something.” Holly scowled. She glanced up wide-eyed, her cheeks suddenly pink. “That is, Ma’am, I mean…”
“It’s all right, Holly. To be honest, I like that you can be casual around me. All the pomp and circumstance is a little much,” I confessed.
H
olly grinned back at me. “If I may, Your Majesty, I like that about you too.”
I smiled, our pack sealed. “Then I’ll see what I can do.”
Holly looked nervous again.
“Don’t worry! I totally have ulterior motives of my own. And they just so happen to make the perfect excuse.”
“What’s that, Your Majesty?”
“You’re way better at hair.”
Holly’s eyes sparkled. “Well, I guess that would be okay!” She turned and led the way down the stately halls. My last stay at the Winter Palace had not improved my sense of direction inside the huge edifice. I was prepared for the opulence, but I enjoyed seeing Shea marvel at the masterpieces gracing the walls and cabinetry along the way. She didn’t even try to hide her surprise as we passed a long-believed missing DaVinci.
“Don’t worry,” I whispered to her with a nudge, “we’ll come back later and gape at everything at our leisure.”
“We better!”
“We will. I haven’t seen a fraction of it. I hear there are more paintings in storage than on the walls.”
“Adam would love it,” Shea said.
“We’ll bring him.” I smiled.
Shea grinned back and followed me into the dining hall as the butler, Mr. Lynn Dubois, announced our presence.
I smiled around the room at the milling guests who had all turned at our entrance. I searched for friendly faces as I felt the scrutiny of many eyes fall on us. Shea’s smile froze on her face, and I hoped she would follow as I made my way to Nadia and Nolan near a group in the corner.
Nadia smiled at my approach and introduced her other companions. Nadia’s younger brother Nolan flipped his long black bangs out of his hair and gave us a casual wave. I waved back at Nolan then smiled at another familiar face. “Of course you remember, his Grace, Duke Aleksandr,” Nadia said.
“Ah, Duke Aleksandr, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” The Duke cut an imposing figure, tall and muscular, with very broad shoulders. He towered over me but always treated me with the utmost respect. I’d met him at my previous council meeting and knew he was an intelligent and powerful ally. I hoped his loyalty to the Luna crown would sway his vote in my favor.
“Your Majesty, an honor as always.” The Duke bowed low over my hand, and I blushed. Noticing my cheeks redden, he couldn’t help tease me. “Still so modest, I see? Allow me to introduce my nephew and heir, Prince Anatoly of the Royal Clan Ivanov.”
Anatoly stepped forward and bowed over my hand formally. His eyes met mine as he rose, and I noticed a glint of humor in the bright hazel orbs. I had to remind myself that all werewolves had striking eyes, not just this tall, muscular teenager grinning wolfishly at me. His handsome boyish features were sure to grow into the same distinguished good looks that appeared to be a family trait. His brown hair was longer and more foppish in sharp contrast to his uncle’s close-cropped greying hair.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.” He had the same Russian accent and strong, broad build as his uncle. He released my hand and turned to Shea. “And you, Miss?”
“Shea Winterstone,” Shea said softly and bobbed an awkward curtsey.
Anatoly took Shea’s hand and bowed formally. “An honor, Miss Winterstone.”
I smiled at Aleksandr, happy to see not all royal werewolves were hung up on class divisions.
Nadia spoke up, “His Grace was just telling me that he whole-heartedly supports your claim to the throne, Your Majesty.”
It took me a second to realize Nadia was addressing me. She insisted on formality in public settings but treated me quite differently in private. On more than one occasion, I threatened to pull rank on her to her annoyance and chagrin. I saw a hint of her true self as she glared at me through the too-long pause.
“Thank you for your support, Your Grace. Can I also count on you to support the annulment of my betrothal?”
Aleksandr’s smile faltered. “Ah, Your Royal Highness, that is another matter. The Dolph family is very old and distinguished. They’re royal in their own right and it goes against custom to annul such a sacred and binding contract,” said Aleksandr while his nephew, Anatoly, looked at me curiously.
“But surely you can see the antiquated nature of such a contract. As your queen, I should hope to choose my own partner.”
“I understand that you are still new to the ways of the pack and you are, if I may say, still quite young.” Aleksandr was not the easy support I’d hoped for, but perhaps Anatoly could persuade him.
“You may not say, for I am a full council member and heir to the throne. Youth does not matter. However, duty to the Great Pack does. And are you bound to a betrothal as well, Anatoly?” I inquired innocently. Nadia looked scandalized behind me, and Anatoly stared at me in shock.
“Well, ahem, well, Your Majesty, perhaps I underestimated the rumors of discord between you and Prince Logan? Perhaps there is room to change my mind as well.”
Nadia stepped in, “As you said, Sir Aleksandr, Her Majesty is very new to our culture and may not grasp the nuance of her question. Alice is not free to make alliances while she is still betrothed.”
“Of course not; we wouldn’t want to undermine another royal family’s claim,” Aleksandr stated gruffly, winking at Nadia. I watched them take their leave. Anatoly glanced back at me with a rakish grin.
“Good grief, Alice! Can you please not start an international incident!” exclaimed Nadia. “We have enough trouble on our hands.”
“What are you talking about, Nadia?” Shea asked.
Nadia rolled her eyes at us while Nolan giggled. “Of course, you weren’t raised by wolves either.”
“That used to be considered a good thing,” joked Shea, to which I snickered.
Nadia glared at Shea then went on, “Right, and you didn’t realize that you practically offered to wed Anatoly in exchange for Aleksandr’s support for annulment.”
“What?!” Shea and I exclaimed, turning a few heads.
Nadia shushed us, and Nolan was practically crying with silent laughter. She scolded him, too, then continued, “Look, just be careful when you bring up the betrothal. It’s an old and respected tradition, even if it seems antiquated to you. Now let me handle Aleksandr. Your job is to feel out the dignitaries seated next to you. I bribed the valet for a peek at the seating chart. You will be between Princess Saanvi Basu and Kwento Balewa. Saanvi is in her fifties and known to be very traditional.” Nadia pointed out a woman wearing a beautiful yellow sari across the room. “She is likely to vote against you so just try to make a good impression. Kwento is a new delegate from Nigeria. I have no idea what his personal beliefs are, but his father formerly held the seat and was very traditional. I fear you may have your work cut out for you.”
Before I could lament or ask for more advice, Shea chimed in, “Do you know where I’m sitting?”
Nadia glanced around the room and pointed to a group of teenagers huddled together. “See that group there? They’re some of the visiting students who will be attending Mount Henley this fall. I believe at least one is royal, but most are regular students seeking refuge from the upyr.”
“Okay, so teenage not-quite-royals. I can handle that.” Shea sounded confident but she covertly shot me an “Eeep!” look.
I felt like we were breaking the huddle and wanted to put our hands in and shout “go team!” Nadia glared at my suggestion while Nolan stuck out his hand, happy to oblige. Shea giggled as she left, and I shrugged in response.
A gong rang to announce dinner, and we split up to find our seats.
As the first course came and went, I greeted my neighbors and turned to chat with Princess Saanvi. I was relieved that Nadia had outlined the proper etiquette for formal dinners, and knew that I had this one course to chat with Saanvi, before turning to Kwento for the next course.
Saanvi and I exchanged pleasantries, and then she surprised me with a personal question. “Forgive my curiosity, but what was it like to grow up a poor human and sudden
ly discover you’re a werewolf and the Lost Princess of the Great Pack?” She leaned in like a kid at the movie theatre, and I laughed as I imagined her stuffing popcorn in her mouth while hanging on my every word.
“Well, I’ll admit it was a surprise.”
“That’s the understatement of the century,” chortled Saanvi.
“It took some getting used to,” I continued.
“Ha!” guffawed Saanvi but waved for me to continue.
I told her a little bit about Mt. Henley. She smiled as I described my first shift in the woods. I explained the disbelief, the excitement, and what a total world-changing, life-altering experience it had been.
“You are fortunate you could be alone and feel your wolf call you.”
I wondered if I’d overshared. I’d been describing my first shift, which was technically a secret. I had been running in the woods, away from Shea and the panicked truth of my betrothal. My inner wolf had called to me and I’d tripped, but instead of falling, I’d shifted into my wolf. In that moment, I felt a freedom I’d never known before. Most Weres at school shift together for the first time in the arena with all the other sixteen year-olds. They took their first run as a pack under the light of the full moon. My first shift had been during the day at least a week before the moon was full. I decided not to worry and continued, “Yes, I was, and I feel lucky every time I shift. My wolf is always with me, but running with the pack is like no other feeling!”
To this, she raised her water glass and toasted the statement. “That is very true, Princess Alice. Tell me, will you be running with us tonight?” She assumed I might not yet have enough days under my belt.
I grinned. “Yes, I can shift tonight, and I can’t wait. It’s the only time I feel truly free.”
Saanvi smiled. “But surely your new status can afford certain freedoms as well?”
“True, but also many hindrances.”
“Oh?”
“Well, it’s an honor to lead my people and I’ll do my best to serve the Great Pack…” Here I paused, knowing Nadia wouldn’t approve, but not knowing how else to continue without being honest. “But I must admit some aspects of werewolf life are very foreign to me. For example, my betrothal was a complete surprise.”
