A Curse of Shadows - Page 76

Estee reaches for my arm. “What is it?”

I blink several times before being able to focus on my sister’s concerned gaze. “I don’t think we died.”

Her eyes pinch together. “Uh, yeah, we did. I stabbed you and then someone did something to me. How else would we have ended up on Earth?”

“We were never meant to be on Earth, not by normal standards, anyway,” I tell her. “I don’t think we were killed. I think we were cursed. Asher mentioned something about the dagger maybe being a dark object. If he’s right, this makes sense. Plus, the elder wolf Elyn told me I had to die earlier today. That’s when I was finally able to remember more and access my wolf. I couldn’t do those things before because I wasn’t actually dead, and I don’t think you were, either. Except you must have died differently than me because you’d gotten most of your memories back already.”

“But not my wolf,” she says, rubbing her chest. “She’s still not in here. No matter how much I begged for her company while I was gone, she never appeared. It took every ounce of strength I possessed to make my claws appear before I used them against myself.”

I grab her hand and head for the door. “Elyn needs to kill you.”

Her laughter is strangled. “I’m not sure I like this idea. Maybe we get through tonight first and see what happens.”

I nudge her with my shoulder. “Is my sister afraid of the elder wolf?”

“Maybe. Or maybe the risk of dying again and not coming back is more than I’m willing to gamble at the moment.”

Grabbing her hand, I squeeze tightly. “I didn’t even think about that. You’re right. We can stick with your plan and then circle back to this death theory after we figure out how desperate our murderer might actually be. Plus, if you have your wolf, you won’t need me to console you.”

“Exactly.” Her grin widens. “Now, you just need to make sure you keep Asher blocked from your thoughts before he gets suspicious. We’re only going to get one chance at this if we actually draw the attention we’re searching for. Let’s make sure we don’t fuck it up.”

She’s right and, while the thought of keeping Asher at a distance after I only just got him back makes my stomach churn, it’s a temporary discomfort that will hopefully lead to a lifetime of peace.

Asher will understand, or so I’ll keep telling myself until tonight is over.

CHAPTER THIRTY

ASHER

Isla and Estee have been sequestered for hours in the bedroom. Despite my numerous attempts to reach Isla through our bond, each of her assurances does little to relieve the uneasiness in my heart. Yet when I’ve said as much, my mate has merely reminded me that it’s been a long, emotional day, and that she’s distracted with making sure Estee is okay.

While she’s not wrong, every instinct in me is saying to go be with her.

But that’s not possible at the moment and I wonder if Isla is taking advantage of that. Five centuries isn’t long enough for me to forget that when my mate and her sister are together, trouble has a way of following.

“The sun is setting, Your Majesty.” Malimorte’s voice breaks through my reverie as he stands at my office door, a subtle reminder of the evening’s obligations. “We should be heading out soon.”

“Where is my father?” I ask because Isla isn’t the only one I’m concerned with. After speaking with him, and also being unable to find my mother, I need to know that they’re okay.

I don’t know how I’ve missed that they’re struggling, but I know I want to fix this somehow. I know mates aren’t meant to get along for all eternity just because the fates deemed them a perfect match. So a fight between them isn’t surprising. I just don’t want to see either of them suffer if I can help.

I’ve been so wrapped up in Isla and making sure she’s protected that I’ve ignored many of my responsibilities. Not only to the pack, but to my parents. Now that answers are starting to come to us, hopefully that will all change and things can go back to normal.

Well, the new normal that will include Isla as my queen.

After all these years, the thought still makes my stomach swirl with excitement and anticipation. I never stopped loving that woman and even now, I know how lucky I am to call her mine.

I just need to make sure nobody can take her away from me again and that the pack doesn’t question our bonding.

In all the history I’ve learned, never once have I heard of two mates completing their connection like we did. Yet I know without a doubt in my mind that our bond was blessed by the gods earlier today.

The shared energy between us thrums like a live wire that brightens my mind, fills me with strength, and solidifies my resolve regarding what must be done.

“Gideon and Sosheena have already left for the pack run, my king,” Malimorte answers. “They wanted to make sure everything is perfect for your announcement tonight. Your father insisted that we not only have the standard stage set, but that flowers are brought in, along with the royal banners for the new queen.”

Well, that was kind of him. Considering his mood earlier, I didn’t expect much from him, but this is how he’s been my whole life, showing up when I need him most.

Now, I just need to go find my mate. It’s time for us to make our first appearance together as the King and Queen of Polaris.