The Wolf Prince

by Claire M Banschbach

  “You were trying to tell me that day on the battlement, weren’t you? Why didn’t you?”

  Killian tilted his head to fix Lars with one amber eye.

  Lars’s smile was filled with regret. “Not just because you didn’t want me to worry?”

  “That’s one of the reasons.”

  “You should have been able to tell me, Killi.” Lars sighed and looked out into the dark forest. “I should have paid attention—to a lot of things. Makes me wonder what I’ve missed over the years. If Rose had come to the castle asking for help, I would have found someone else to deal with it. But you would have tried to help her right away. You and Father. I’m too selfish.”

  He pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them.

  “Lars.” Killian nudged his brother’s knee with his nose.

  “No, I need to be hard on myself. You’ve always seen something in me and I want to live up to that.”

  Killian pushed up to sitting. I wish I could figure out how to tell you that you don’t have to live up to anything. You’re my brother.

  “I remember Uncle Hugo, and after he died, how Father acted whenever he was mentioned. I thought maybe if I ignored it, it wouldn’t happen to you.” Lars picked at dirt smudging his fingers. “I don’t know if Damian can help you, but if he can’t, we’ll still figure out a way to get you out of this. And help Rose while we’re at it.”

  Killian leaned against his shoulder and Lars nudged him back, wrapping an arm around him and ruffling the fur the wrong way as he released him. Killian growled in mock irritation as he shook it back in place.

  “Get some rest, Killi.” Lars pushed up to return to his pallet.

  Killian grumbled the same sentiment, heart lifting a little at the smile Lars flashed his way.

  It likely didn’t take much to figure out what Killian meant in some circumstances, but seeing Lars and Rose respond brought some hope back.

  He curled up more comfortably, one ear tracking as he located Felix’s near-silent footfalls. All worry aside, they were safer at the moment than they had been the entire trip. He shut his eyes against the thoughts of tomorrow and slept.

  Chapter 21

  Noak never thought he’d be grateful to see the stifling greenery of Celedon Forest. The pale light of early dawn drew out the varied shades of green lurking in the clustered foliage. He ignored the sight, more concerned with finding their camp and a fire and a place to prop up his aching feet.

  If I never see travel rations, deserted roads, or smell unwashed clothes again, it’ll be too soon.

  When he’d finished the task he set for himself years ago, he would focus his energy on finding somewhere to settle. Somewhere far away from plains and forests and hard travel bread. Somewhere to enjoy a world empty of faeries and their magic.

  A world where humans like him might gain new respect without faeries constantly being held up as comparison.

  Finn took the lead, taking faint trails scored through the scattered undergrowth to the camp they set up weeks ago. It took another hour of walking before he caught the tang of his magic and he pushed back the protective barrier to let them through.

  Noak spent the next few minutes inspecting the wards. The shimmering threads of his magic would be visible only to a magic user’s eyes. He ran his fingers over the rippling strands, testing the strength, and listening for any discordance in the thrumming of power. He circled the campsite, testing the wards on the ground, then reaching up to the bands that stretched above the campsite.

  He finally nodded in satisfaction. The light blue glow was untouched. No other magic had attempted to meddle with them. The faeries still have no idea where we are. The faeries were also the reason he’d not sensed his wolf since early the previous evening.

  “What’s this?” Noak paused, indicating the red-haired figure hunched against a twisted pine.

  “Caught him snooping around the wards a few days ago,” one of his men replied. “Decided to wait and see what you wanted to do with him.”

  Noak’s lip curled in disgust. The man wore the Ranger uniform. For the trouble the Rangers had caused, he might send the man back in pieces.

  But, at the moment, he had other concerns.

  He took a seat by the low fire despite the warmth of the summer morning. A pot of kaffe still simmered and he poured a mug. He still had six days until the solstice, but if the wolf didn’t reappear by the end of the day, he would have to figure a way to draw them out.

  Noak absentmindedly tapped the side of the mug, bringing the liquid to a more palatable temperature.

  As if on cue, the tracking spell prodded his consciousness. He choked on his mouthful of kaffe and spread his hands to open the window that showed the wolf.

  The creature paced the woods in the company of two humans. Their surroundings did nothing to help Noak. Every tree looked like the other to him. But if he concentrated, he could feel the wolf’s presence some distance to the north. Another figure appeared, the faint glow of magic hovering around him.

  Noak frowned. He didn’t need the shorter stature or the glow to recognize a faery. There was a sort of pious arrogance to their walk. At least one faery to contend with, then. He focused on the area the spell drew his attention to. They are heading toward us!

  “Finn!”

  The man hurried over, a bit of jerky still hanging from his hand.

  “The wolf is on the move. We strike tomorrow. I will distract the faery long enough to draw the others out. You are responsible for taking care of the young man.”

  “What about the girl?” Finn pointed to the laughing figure in the spell image.

  “The prince is the real threat.”

  Finn smiled slowly. “I’ve never killed a prince before.”

  “Don’t kill him.” Noak scowled. “After this is over, I don’t want to be hiding from a country out for revenge for killing their heir. Just make sure he can’t interfere when we trap the wolf.”

  Finn reluctantly agreed. “How are you planning on drawing them out?”

  Noak looked hard at the girl, then shifted his gaze to the meddlesome Ranger.

  “I think we have something they might want.” He pushed up to his feet and crossed to the man, nudging him with a toe. The Ranger raised his head to glare at Noak.

  Noak crouched down to eye level. “You have a daughter? Red hair, freckles, looks like she wants to be just like you?”

  Anger masked a deeper fear in the man’s blue eyes. “What’s it t’ you?”

  “She happens to be standing between me and something I need. I’ll require your help to remedy that.”

  The man spat and looked away.

  Noak wiped flecks of spittle from his face, then lunged and gripped the man’s throat.

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  He murmured a brief spell, clenching his fingers against the man’s skin. The Ranger’s voice leapt to Noak’s hand, and he pulled it away. He pulled a river stone, marked with flecks of gold, from his pocket and pressed his hand to its smooth surface. The gold absorbed the Ranger’s voice and Noak handed it to Finn.

  “I’ll give her your regards.” Noak watched as the man cursed and railed, but no sound escaped his lips. “Don’t worry. It’s not permanent. You’ll have it back tomorrow when I have my wolf.”

  Chapter 22

  “We have a fair idea of where the sorcerer is,” Damian said as he led the way down a faint forest track. The golden sunlight of midmorning filtered through the treetops to brush the ground, dispelling the lurking shadows. Killian padded at the rear of the group with Felix, nose twitching at every scent.

  “So why haven’t you attacked yet?” Lars’s hand hadn’t moved from his sword in the hours since they’d left the oak.

  “We knew he left the forest weeks ago. His camp is located near a part of the forest that houses the Nameless Ones—faeries that have fallen under the spell of dark magic. There are powerful wards set up just outside that feed off the power of the place. Adela has
been trying to find a way around the warding, or at least see what lies on the other side. Noak returned to the forest last night, so we need to draw him away.”

  Killian darted another glance at a shadow among the trees. I hate this. I’m jumpier than a pup on its first day out of the den. He started. Child. Not pup.

  “Think he’ll take t’ bait even if he knows we’re here?” Rose effortlessly swiveled her glance from side to side, tracking their surroundings, red curls dancing with the movement.

  “He went through a fair amount of trouble to curse Killian. I’d bet good steel he knows where you are.” Felix spoke up from his place in the rear.

  “Comforting.” Killian lashed his tail.

  His ears picked up a muffled chuckle from Damian.

  “We won’t go much further today. I don’t want to risk exposing you for too long. We’re close to the place Felix and I chose to trap him.”

  Four pines set in a wide square marked the next warded spot Adela had prepared for them.

  Finally. I’d rather march a full day than spend another few hours jumping at shadows.

  The knot in his stomach loosened, but Killian had resigned himself to permanent anxiety until he saw the sorcerer trapped.

  I’d even stay a wolf forever if it means he’s no longer a threat to anyone.

  He padded over to Damian, catching his attention with a low-pitched growl. Damian had not said anything when he arrived that morning and Killian had avoided asking, but he could wait no longer.

  “What do you know about my curse?”

  Damian settled against one of the pines to come to eye level with Killian. “Are you sure you want me to tell you now?”

  Killian flattened his ears. Damian spoke the language of wolves. Bad news, then.

  “The sorcerer’s spell bound itself to your family’s original curse.” Damian spoke gently, compassion in his gaze. “It is such that I cannot do anything against it. The witch knew what she was about. Only she would be able to undo the curse. As such, I don’t even know if the sorcerer could lift his spell on you.”

  Killian glanced up at him with a whine. “But the witch lived hundreds of years ago!”

  “If she had a descendent maybe, but even then…” Damian’s shrug conveyed his doubt.

  “Is—is there even a chance with the sorcerer?” Killian’s head drooped.

  “It’s possible he might be able to lift the curse. That is, if we could persuade him. Say that or his death.”

  “That seems a lot of maybes.”

  Damian’s smile didn’t hold much mirth. “I will keep searching for a way. But I understand if you wish to go your own way.”

  He couldn’t leave. Not with the sorcerer still a threat.

  “No.” Killian let out a long sigh. “Noak needs to be stopped and I can help you. But if Lars asks, killing Noak will break the curse.” Killian cocked his head back to where Lars watched them.

  “I can’t lie,” Damian said softly.

  “You don’t have to tell him the truth either. Not until we know for certain.”

  “And if nothing can be done? What then?” Damian lifted his eyebrows.

  Killian couldn’t find the will to lift his head to meet Damian’s kind gaze. He looked away, staring out into the woods. Somewhere out there, the pack ran free.

  “Then I leave. I can’t stay with my family like this. Though maybe you could find a way to give me human speech.”

  Damian’s touch ruffled his fur and comforted him. “If all else fails, then I will. But let’s not give up on those maybes just yet.”

  Killian met Damian’s eyes. “All right. But you still won’t tell Lars—or Rose?”

  “Not until we know for certain.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Whatever happens, the Creator has a plan for you, Prince Killian.” Damian ruffled his fur one last time and stood.

  Would I even keep the title if I stay a wolf? Family or not, it would be awkward to have a canine family member visit court. Better to just declare him dead or erase him from the annals.

  His eyes stung and he swiped at his muzzle with an irritated paw.

  “Killian?” Rose paused a few steps away. “We were going t’ have an early dinner. Did you need t’ hunt?”

  The bits of dried meat he’d eaten that morning hadn’t exactly been filling. Fresh meat would be good.

  “Are you all right?” Rose touched his shoulder, frowning. “What were you and Damian talking about?”

  Killian turned his nose into the wind and growled. Rose glanced at Lars and the brothers, who were deep in conversation planning the sorcerer’s capture and demise.

  “It all right if we go hunt?”

  “Yes.” Damian looked up and smiled. “The warding extends for a short distance. Just don’t go beyond the outer ring of pines.”

  She strung her bow, nodding, and followed Killian out of the small clearing. Killian found the scent of deer and eagerly set them on the trail. Deer tracks took them parallel to tall pines that grew at random intervals. Killian paused only to test the wind before padding closer to the small pool where the deer grazed.

  Rose freed an arrow from her quiver with a faint slither. The deer’s ears twitched, but it continued to eat.

  Killian crouched in the undergrowth, saliva beading his mouth as he waited. The creak of her bow sounded deafening in the quiet of the forest. The twang of the string startled the deer, but it had no chance to escape her aim.

  Killian bolted forward to make sure it fell before it escaped the boundary, and Rose hurried over with a squeal of triumph. “Been too long since I’ve had fresh venison.”

  I heartily agree. If I have to eat any more rodents, I’ll probably just starve myself.

  “Do—do you want t’ eat here and I’ll take the rest back t’ camp when you’re done?”

  He nodded gratefully, coming to nose at the handle of her sheathed knife.

  “I should probably dress it first.” She drew the knife.

  Killian had only performed the process himself a handful of times, and watched, impressed, as she completed the task with smooth efficiency. He dug a hole to bury the entrails, helping her nudge them in.

  Rose sliced healthy portions from the haunches and set them aside, indicating the rest was his. Killian attempted some decorum while feasting on the carcass, but it wasn’t easy. She gave him privacy as she wiped her hands on the grass, splashing water from the pool to clean the residual blood away. She sharpened her knife as he began to slow down.

  “Better?”

  Killian shook himself, but she showed no signs of leaving.

  “Are you all right?”

  For once, he was grateful human speech was beyond his reach.

  “Damian didn’t have good news, did he?”

  It wouldn’t have been difficult to infer, especially to a person as intuitive as Rose. He tilted his head to the side.

  “Well he, Lars, and Felix are coming up with a plan. And you already know Lars is going t’ do whatever it takes.”

  Killian growled. “That’s what concerns me.”

  “I’m a little worried about that, so I’m sure you are. I hope it’s all right you two have become a bit like family. I know it might be stupid of me, you being princes and I’m no one really, but…”

  “Rose.” His growl interrupted her, and he came closer, placing a paw on her knee. “I wouldn’t mind having a sister.”

  She flung an arm over him, squeezing with a smile. “Just wish I could do more for you.”

  He nudged her arm. You have already. Just wish I could tell you myself.

  She stood and dusted off her clothes, frowning down at the carcass. “Suppose we could just leave this here. You could eat from it tomorrow.”

  Even if another predator found it, there would be more than enough to make another meal for him. Anything but the rations or small prey that were his only options without a pack.

  Rose retrieved her portion of meat and they made their way back
to the clearing, walking side-by-side through the whispering pines.

  When they arrived, Adela had joined the others, a satchel rested over her shoulder. Killian raised his head, catching the whiff of the jumbled scents of herbs, and a sweeter scent of an ointment, similar to one used by the castle healers.

  Hopefully, no one would need it.

  Killian relaxed in the grass a short distance from the fire, his stomach comfortably full. He yawned and blinked lazily.

  “Move over.” Lars’s boot nudged his side.

  He bared his teeth but squirmed over enough to allow Lars to sit next to him. Adela knelt by the fire, helping Rose cobble together a stew, and the two faery brothers settled in on opposite sides of the fire.

  Rose began to ask questions about the faery mountain and life, which the faeries patiently answered. Lars simply sat back, arms resting atop his knees, appearing to only half hear what was said.

  Killian kicked Lars’s leg with a hind paw and his brother jolted and frowned down at him. Killian grumbled low in his chest. Lars shook his head with a faint smile and nudged his side.

  Lars engaged in the conversation after that, but Killian still saw shadows of worry cross his face. The same shadows lingered in the others’ faces as they ate. He tucked into a ball.

  Whatever happens tomorrow will happen. We have plan, and three faeries to help us. We’ll be fine. He turned his face from the reaching heat of the fire. But I wish it was over already.

  Chapter 23

  The twinkling lights of Moss grew brighter in the fading light. The small company of knights spurred their mounts to a quicker pace, and the horses, sensing the town and the possibility of a night in a stable, didn’t complain.

  The company slowed as they came into the town, hooves clopping over a dirt road molded and dried in uneven ruts from the rain a few days previous. They halted under a swinging sign that marked The Weary Wyvern.

  A stableboy dashed around to offer his services and Einar dismounted, instructing one of the knights to assist the boy with caring for all the steeds. Jonas still sat on his horse, staring up at the sign.