A Curse of Shadows - Page 80

Asher is more than my mate. He’s my best friend, my partner, the one person in all the worlds that I should be able to trust most. There’s no reason I should have to keep this plan from him.

When we’re done here, I’m going to tell him everything Estee and I spoke about. Of course, he isn’t going to like using me as bait, but I’ll remind him that I could have done this on my own, but I trust him to stand by, making sure nothing goes wrong.

That is how we’re going to figure this out, working together to make sure nobody else has to suffer as Estee and I have for so many decades.

“You’re the most stunning creature I’ve ever encountered,” Asher’s gravelly voice whispers through my mind. “I want to take you to the conservatory tonight.”

Even my wolf’s body shivers from the intensity of words, the growl weaved between them, and the thought of what may or may not happen in that glass room.

I didn’t remember what the dome section of the castle was when I first arrived, but even then, I was curious. I have to believe that’s because somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, I’ve always known where I belonged, right here in Polaris.

Staying in the conservatory on a full moons night is something we always talked about. It’s the best view of the sky in all the islands and once I was old enough to appreciate sex, I always joked with Asher that one day, we would leave our mark on every surface in that place.

Of course, while Gideon and Sosheena were king and queen, that was never possible. The fact that Asher seems to have remembered that promise made all those years ago further cements my choice not to hurt him by trying to figure any of this out on my own.

“Today is the greatest day I’ve had in over five centuries,” I tell him, wishing I could kiss him, but my wolf seems to compromise by gently nipping at his neck.

Asher’s wolf retaliates with a few nibbles of his own and soon, the pack is beginning to spread out, no longer running in formation.

I start to run in the direction of the castle but slow to a stop when Asher calls my name, his tone no longer as warm as it just was. “I need to handle something before we can be alone for the night. Would you be upset if I asked you to wait with your sister and father for a little while?”

“Of course not,” I reply, pressing my wolf head against his. “Go be king. Your mate will be just fine.”

“Gods, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you, Issie.” The rumble in his words is mixed with so much love, but also an insurmountable amount of grief.

In some ways, I want to say I had it worse, living without my wolf and my people, but at least I was ignorant to the true reason for my lack of belonging and sense of longing. Asher had to get up each day, missing half of himself and feeling as though he’d failed when he couldn’t find me.

He was left without answers, only what-ifs, and I’m astounded by his ability to have taken on being Alpha King and not only keeping Polaris safe, but making this place feel more like home than it ever has.

“I love you and I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you more than all the moons and stars in all the worlds, Isla Blackwood.”

We’re already close enough back to the castle that I see the treeline and beyond that, the lights that were set up around the stage. Shifters are still gathered there, those who didn’t run for whatever reasons they have.

I assume that’s where I’ll find my father and Estee, so I head in that direction, promising Asher that I’ll be fine on my own for the short run back as he heads farther back into the forest.

I should have asked him what was going on, but I’m sure if it were important, then he would have told me.

Following the trees, I trot forward until my wolf spots something off. Our eyes narrow, peering into the shadows. Is that…a wolf pup?

There’s a set of paws sticking out from under a tree branch, but they’re not moving and my heart pounds. Please don’t let this pup be seriously injured.

Glancing around, I listen for any wolves nearby, but it’s just me and the young one. What the hell? How could a mother have left her child?

I shift back to my human form, moving quickly as I lift my dress so it doesn’t snag on the fallen foliage. I listen for the pup’s breathing and it’s shallow. Carefully, as not to cause any further pain, I lift the branch, tossing it away with ease.

Interesting. He’s on his back, but he still should have been able to wiggle free even if part of the tree fell on him. My fingers stroke his head. “Hey, little buddy. I need you to wake up.”

Tomorrow, we need to figure out when I’ll be able to mind speak with the pack like Asher does, because this would be much easier if I could talk to the boy’s consciousness right now.

Instead, I lift his three-foot-long body up into my arms and cradle him to my chest. A few drops of blood smear along the top of my dress, yet that isn’t what makes me tense.

It’s the sinister growl coming from the shadows.

“Asher,” I call urgently to him through our mind link. “Get back here now.”

His fear pours into me. “I’m coming for you, love.”