Cloaked in Blood

by T. F. Walsh

  A smirk curled up the sides of his mouth. “You got it.”

  “There were no rules about how you could win. Cross the line with the stag. That’s what I did.”

  He shrugged. “Figured you ought to know.”

  “Appreciate it.”

  “And what about you and Selena? Are you two hitting if off?”

  Since her arrival, it was hard enough working around my own messed up emotions, let alone hers.

  “I’ll tell you once I know.” I broke into a chuckle, and goddess, it felt amazing to laugh for a change. “Anyway, how’s the vixen you’re dating? She’s from Croatia, right?”

  Vincent pushed to his feet, his mouth a straight line. “Turned out she had another two wulfkin on the side. That’s why I’ll no longer endorse long distance relationships. And get this, my mom contacted me about a lonely female in her pack. She thinks this one will be a perfect match for me. Geez, now I’m being set up on dates by my parents.”

  “Just like my father’s doing to me.”

  Vincent nodded, smirking. He was beyond suave with the ladies and was rarely without one on his arm, so it wouldn’t be long before he was hooked up again.

  “Well, I gotta go. We’re running a mock hunt with the newbies today.”

  “Wish I could join you.” More than anything, I craved to run wild in the woods.

  “You will soon.” He clapped my shoulder and retreated from the room.

  Should have guessed the rumor mill would kick in, but in the grander scheme of the situation, I didn’t give a fuck what anyone said.

  Another knock at the door had me flinching. “Enter.”

  Tibor, the head council member, strolled in. His long coat bopped around his shins, and his cane tapped the floor as he hurried closer.

  “Marcin, you’re up and about. Fantastic.”

  Instead of getting up to greet him properly, I sat there like an invalid. I swallowed my pride and said, “Still got more healing to do. So, have you given my proposal about Father any more consideration?”

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  I squared my shoulders and shuffled to the edge of the window seat, my hands gripping the frame.

  He halted a few paces in front of me and rubbed his mouth with one hand. “The council and I want you to use the boon you’ll win to set things right.”

  “What? That’s not what I had in mind.”

  “The moon goddess has given us a new opportunity to tackle our problem. You simply claim half the wulfkin packs in Europe, making you an equal to him. Every decision he makes will need your approval.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “You inevitably strip him of creating his own rules.”

  I stared at the old wulfkin’s gray hair receding at the temples, the wrinkles pulling at the edge of his eyes. “You’re afraid to go against Father. I get it. But your proposal leaves him as emperor. What makes you think he won’t block any rule changes I want to make? That’s not the answer.”

  Tibor’s cheeks reddened as his grasp tightened around the black cane. When he spoke, his voice was clipped. “What would you rather do with the boon then?

  “I’m working on that. And I appreciate your offer, but I suggest you and the council rethink your approach. After the challenge, I will call for you to band together and face Father alongside me.”

  Tibor paused, staring at the snowy scenery behind me. “Aggression isn’t always the answer. I’d think you of all wulfkin would know this.” He tottered from the room without another word.

  Fucking hell. Anyone else lining up outside with their ideas on how I should use the boon? I couldn’t take it, and in that moment, the room pressed down around me. Fresh air was a must. I climbed to my feet, using the wall for balance, and stumbled toward the door.

  Except, Barka, the pack medic, waltzed in with fresh bandages draped over her arm and a bucket of water. Her silver hair was pulled into a disheveled bun, the permanent crease on her brow somehow comforting because it never changed. “Come, we’ll make this quick, boy. Roza’s in labor.”

  “I’m fine, really. Go tend to the wulfkin about to give birth. That’s more important.”

  Barka had the blackest eyes, and when I stared into them, it felt as if I’d fallen into the abyss. At ninety-six, she should have retired, but Father kept her close for her medicinal knowledge and concoctions with herbs. “No son of the emperor will die under my watch. Now sit.”

  I hobbled to the bed, and Barka pulled a seat alongside me.

  “How’s Roza doing?” I asked.

  “Fine. She’s terrified to have the baby after hearing a tale about wulfkin not being able to shift after pregnancy. No truth in it.” She shook her head, loosening more strands from her bun. “If that were to happen, I’d easily conjure her up medicine to help.”

  “You can do that?”

  Her gaze lifted, the multitude of lines around her mouth deepening. “It’s in her head, boy. Now, lift your leg on the bed.”

  I lay back and pushed all thoughts out of my mind. After this, I was definitely heading outside.

  Even if it took me an hour to get downstairs, I had to change the scenery and get my mind focused on something else.

  • • •

  The sun warmed my cheeks as I slouched on the bench in the courtyard as Zeki crossed the yard, offering me a curt nod before vanishing indoors. Alone. Just me, the snow, and the potted plant Selena had dragged outside. Bell-shaped flowers swung in the breeze, delicate and vulnerable, a lot like Selena. Beyond those first impressions, she was strong, stubborn, and independent. Just how I remembered her and all the reasons I was attracted to her in the first place.

  Despite the chill in the air, I was burning up as if I had a fever. I peeled off my coat and set it down on the bench.

  I caught movement to my right, someone emerging from the door near the well. Purple fabric flapped around Aisha’s legs. She pulled the shawl around her shoulders tight. Without a glance my way, she ran across the yard to the doors of the foyer and vanished inside, in the same direction Zeki went.

  What was she running away from? If I had a functioning leg, I might have followed her out of pure curiosity. Instead, I might ask Vincent to keep an extra eye on her.

  A few seconds later, the door near the well creaked open again, but this time, Selena appeared, still dressed in her black ninja gear. Her gaze swept the yard until it landed on me. The slight flinch in her posture gave away her surprise to see me.

  “Not who you were expecting?” I asked.

  She scanned the area one more time before strolling my way, her hands by her side, her hips swinging deliciously. “Why aren’t you still in the bath?”

  “I was pickled and ready to come out. Anyway, you never returned.”

  Her attention dropped to her feet. “Yeah, sorry. Thought I saw Aisha in trouble in the courtyard. Sorry for running away before.”

  “Was she all right?”

  Selena nodded, but the lack of emotion in her voice told me she lied. What would it take to make her trust me?

  “Anyway, how are you feeling?” When her gaze lifted, sunlight framed her green eyes, set against her tanned skin and dark hair flowing over her shoulders.

  My wolf roused inside me. We both agreed that getting lost in her beauty might be the best for all involved. I somehow suspected this vixen wouldn’t so easily agree to run away with me again.

  “The swelling’s gone down, which is good,” I said. “It still hurts to put my weight on the foot.”

  She stared at me, her gaze narrowed, then she reached over and placed a hand on my forehead. “You’re clammy and hot. You’ve got a fever and probably shouldn’t be out here.”

  “The room was suffocating me.”

  “Know the feeling. I keep looking out into the woods from my room and wondering what it would be like to leave everything behind and go out there. To run free, chase my meals, and forget everything. Wolves have it so much easier than us.”

  “Yep. They get to b
e at one with nature. We try to balance ours with humanity. Sometimes it seems as if I don’t belong in either world.”

  We exchanged glances, and for those few seconds, we were back in Turkey, sitting on a log in the woods near her place, planning our escape. She spoke of the cabin in the forest where the only rules imposed were those dictated by the universe and her body. Me, I wanted to be anywhere she went, to protect her, love her, and make her smile every day.

  Selena leaned against the wall with her hands curled in her lap. “Do you ever wonder how things would have turned out if we had been successful running away?”

  “More times than I’d like to admit.”

  She nudged me with an elbow. “Still afraid to show your emotions?”

  “Not afraid. I prefer to save it for those moments when it really counts.”

  Her head cocked to the side, checking me out in a way that screamed disbelief. “And what if you’re so busy overanalyzing whether a situation deserves your emotions, that you miss a perfect opportunity?”

  “Well,” I reached a hand over and grazed her cheek with the back of my fingers, “I’m willing to take that risk.”

  “Your loss.” She leaned her head into my hand, her eyes closing momentarily.

  I shuffled closer on the seat and slid my fingers through her hair to the back of her head, drawing her closer. Her hair was like silken strands against my fingers. Even velvet wasn’t as smooth.

  Her eyes opened. We were inches apart. Our breaths merging into one.

  “Every day, I regret us not escaping.” I kissed her, inhaling her response because in those few seconds, only this moment mattered. Her hands glided around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. Our tongues dueled, and I sucked on her lower lip as she mewled. My wolf responded instantly, prodding to get closer, wanting to lift her in my arms and take her away from this world, to start afresh.

  She leaned into me, her mouth passionate and hungry. Unlike the kiss back in the woods, this one was real and full of raw desire. If she kissed me with such savagery, then maybe all was not lost between us.

  I wrapped her in my embrace and left a trail of pecks along the edge of her ear. “I’ve missed you.”

  She didn’t respond at first, but remained in my arms. I closed my eyes and let myself believe we were anywhere but here, just the two of us.

  Then, as if reality made a presence, she untangled herself and pulled away.

  A chill replaced where she’d been seconds earlier. Had I said something wrong?

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ...” Up on her feet, she hugged herself, and her cheeks blushed pink. “I ... I have to go.” She glanced around the yard for a moment.

  “Your sister went that way.” I pointed to the door leading to the foyer.

  Selena glanced back at me momentarily, her mouth partly open, ready to speak, her eyes begging for acceptance. Instead, she rushed to the door, vanishing as her sister had minutes earlier.

  I was alone once again, Selena’s honeysuckle scent floating around me, my lips tingling from her touch, and yet I couldn’t work out what I’d done wrong. For someone set to mate with me, and given our history, the only reason she’d run away and hold such distraught feelings behind her words was because she had no plans on going through with the ritual. And just like that, the one good thing in my life felt as if it were being ripped away.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Selena

  Two days had passed since I’d last seen Marcin. Nearly forty-eight hours since we shared a kiss, and I’d gone cold turkey on him.

  This morning, I woke up with him still in my dreams, the memory of his lips on mine, and my wolf buzzing with desperation to return to his side. But didn’t she realize that was out of the question now? The only way to stop myself from going insane with grief was to practice fighting every minute of the day and avoid the endless banquet dinners with the Hungarians. Still, my wolf pined endlessly. But deluding myself with fantasies had been a grave mistake on my part. After Father’s confession about Levin’s intention to murder us, I had no option but to focus on the upcoming battle of innocence. And to wipe Marcin from my heart because our future was never meant to be. Especially since Father now planned to mate us to other Varlac clans to strengthen his army.

  My wolf shuddered—she craved freedom—and my chest was close to splitting in half, but our hands were tied. Forget Marcin. Telling myself that a hundred times a day didn’t change a thing.

  Goddess help me, but I couldn’t stop picturing myself in his arms, drowning in his kisses. I kept seeing him naked in the bathtub. His torso, his devilish smirk, and ... I gulped. His hardness. Not even at full alertness, he looked huge. Part of me had toyed with the idea of reaching over and stroking him. Considering how things turned out, maybe I should have. And by the sexy gleam in his eyes, I suspected he’d have welcomed it.

  Anyway, from now on, my focus was on winning the boon to save the lives of my family and Turkish wulfkin everywhere. Along with Daciana. No more fluttering about after Marcin like a love-struck schoolgirl. My priority should be on uncovering exactly what challenge Levin was setting for the final tournament because I didn’t put it past him to make it impossible to win.

  I ran shaky fingers through my hair, drawing strands off my face and into a ponytail, and I wiped my cheeks dry.

  Aisha ran into the guest quarters, her eyes wide, and grabbed my wrist. “Something’s wrong with Marcin. He looks like a walking zombie.”

  “What are you talking about?” I pulled my hand free and scanned the room for my coat.

  “He looked terrible over breakfast, all pasty and sick. Someone had to escort him out. Something’s happened to him.”

  “Are you sure?” A quiver coiled through my belly.

  She nodded quickly, her hands fisted against her chest.

  My body went rigid, and my arms trembled. Without another word, I sprinted out of the room, making a beeline for Marcin’s room across the castle. At his door, I knocked in haste, my stomach crackling with torment.

  “Yeah?” Marcin’s voice was soft, wary.

  “It’s me.” I didn’t wait for a response but pushed inside.

  Marcin sat on the edge of his bed, shoulders drooped, hands on knees as he gasped for air. When he glanced up, his face was pasty and shiny with sweat. Dark patches gathered beneath his glassy eyes. “Took you a while to come see me.” His voice was croaky.

  A sudden coldness hit my core, and I rushed to him. I should have visited earlier, should have checked that the healing brew helped him, should have made an effort. “What’s going on?” I drew his hand in mine. “Come, sit by the fire.”

  “No. I’m burning up.”

  I placed a hand to his brow. His clammy skin was an inferno. A heavy sensation spiraled out of control inside me. “How’s the leg?”

  “Completely healed. The wound’s closed up too. Thanks to the brew you got from Barka, there’s no more pain. Except for this damn fever that’s getting worse. It’s draining me. My head spins out of control when I stand up.”

  I placed a hand on his neck, focusing on his galloping pulse as if he’d just run a marathon.

  “What have you been taking?”

  “Barka prescribed plenty of liquids and herbal tea. I’ll be fine, don’t fuss over me.”

  Perspiration bubbled on his upper lip as his gaze swept behind him, to an oversized backpack propped up against the bed, and then I really studied Marcin, dressed in knee-length boots, jeans, and a black snow jacket. At first, I thought it was due to his fever, but when he climbed to his feet and reached over for his bag, I realized my mistake.

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “Won’t be long.” He brushed past me, but I grabbed his wrist.

  “Is someone going with you?”

  He pulled away, and our hands pulled apart. “Like I said, I won’t be long.”

  “Then I’m coming with you.”

  He laughed but broke into a cough. “You don’t even
know where I’m going.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” I buttoned up my long coat. “Let’s go.”

  For a long moment, he studied me with a narrowed gaze. “You’re stubborn, you know that, right?”

  “What’s really going on with you?” My voice cracked.

  “I think the bacteria from the rusted bear trap has given me blood poisoning. I searched the symptoms online.”

  “So you’d rather use Internet suggestions than a real doc?” Why was he being so pigheaded?

  “You know I can’t go to a human hospital. Our medic put it down to a cold.”

  “I saw a wulfkin with sepsis die within a week because he left it untreated.” Dread clung to my insides.

  “You’re not making me feel very confident.”

  “Just saying, if you do have blood poisoning, why didn’t you come and see me or tell someone else?”

  He threaded his arms into the backpack straps. “Lots of chickweed grows in a nearby cave. It’s a weed with extraordinary healing properties, and it’s used as a blood cleanser. It has healed me before from injuries. Just need to mush it up with a few other ingredients, and it should do the trick. Our medic’s run out of chickweed, so I’m making a small trip into the forest.”

  “A cave?” After getting stuck in the dungeon back home for two days straight, I never wanted to be in a dark, confined place again. “Ask one of your pack or guards to go retrieve it.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “No. I’m doing this myself.”

  While Father would encourage me not to get involved, not to help Marcin, and to focus on bettering my chances at the challenge, I could never live with myself if I sat back and let Marcin die.

  “Tell me where this cave is. I’ll go collect it.”

  “I’m coming with you.” He headed toward the door.

  “Stop being a hero. You can’t stand straight.”

  “The cave is deep in the woods, and I don’t know how to describe the location. But I know where I’m going.”

  “This is madness, Marcin, even for you.” I weaved in front of him. “You’re getting worse and need to take it easy. Maybe someone else knows the area and can come with me? Don’t waste your energy.”