Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
A weight clenches my chest. “The Hollowborn?”
He nods sadly. “As you know, the wolves of Varkhar have no wall. They patrol the Blood River in their wolf forms, keeping the Hollowborn at bay.”
My skin crawls as I remember the two men in the staircase and the way they were looking at me with their dark, deadly eyes.
“Emissaries of King Tovik and King Cassius have just left,” he says. “A deal has been struck. A treaty signed. They will extend their patrol along our northern border, keeping the Hollowborn away from the Wilderwall as our crews repair and reinforce it.”
“That’s good news then?” I say, looking at Mother who has still not looked at me. “Why is everyone so sad?”
Father picks at a piece of skin on his palm as he gains the courage to continue. “The Blood Alphas of Varkhar demand a royal hostage. Their ancient constitution requires it. A treaty sealed by wolf blood must be secured by royal blood.”
I tilt my head as I look up at him. “What does that mean?”
“Your mother and I would have filled this castle with heirs if we could have,” he says with a heavy breath. “You were a blessing, Vaela. A gift from the gods. The only one given to us. What felt like a blessing, feels like a curse now.”
“Papa?” I whisper, unable to take it anymore. I need to know what’s happening.
He wipes his hand down his face and then stiffens his broad shoulders and locks eyes with me.
“You will go live in Varkhar,” he says firmly. “You will live in the Blood Alphas’ castle. You will be the property of King Tovik and King Cassius.”
Mother sobs.
My knees weaken. I grab the desk as the energy leaves my body.
“For how long?”
He raises his chin, the loving father I’ve known all my life gone. The unflinching king has taken his place. “Forever.”
Mother runs over and wraps her arms around me, crying hot tears against my neck as she clings to me. My arms are numb and hanging at my sides in shock.
I have to go live in Varkhar?
Among those barbarous wolves?
I will be the property of King Tovik and King Cassius?
Father wraps his arms around both of us, holding us as my head spins.
“I said no,” Father says with a shaky voice. “I tried to refuse. But it’s the only way. Gods forgive me, it’s the only way.”
Tears are streaming down his anguished face.
“If we put it off any longer, the wall will fall. The Hollowborn will take over and ravage our lands, kill our people. And once they’ve taken over all of Aurevale, they’ll march on south and do the same to the Moonborne Kingdom, the Stormfur Kingdom—every kingdom from here to the Evermere Ocean. I had no choice. Gods, I’m sorry, Vaela, I had no choice. Please forgive me. Please forgive me.”
He sobs and sobs as he clings to us.
His words fill my mind. I’m the only one able to protect my kingdom. All the kingdoms.
If I stay here, they will all die—Asha, Garrick, Sylvara, Iskara, Bryndar, Harken… Every kind face and gentle soul that has helped raise me, that have kept me safe, kept me fed, kept me sheltered, made me feel loved… They all come swarming back to me now.
I have to do whatever I can to protect them. I have to do what I was born to do.
I would do anything to save them all, but for these two kind souls, sobbing in my arms… The King and Queen, my mother and father… For them, I would give my life.
“I’ll do it,” I say in a firm tone. “I’ll do it.”
Chapter Two
Vaela
“So, why are there two kings?” I ask Garrick as we ride toward the Wilderwall. It’s looming in the distance like an impassable barrier. The giant, towering border of my world. I’ve never been on the other side of that wall—never even considered it. We’re a few hours from passing through it and there’s nothing I can do now. I’m about to leave my world and enter a terrifyingly unfamiliar one.
And before I set foot into Varkhar, I want to learn as much as I can about it.
Garrick pretends like he didn’t hear me.
“Garrick,” I say a little louder. “Why do the wolf shifters have two kings?”
I huff out an angry breath when he doesn’t answer. Again.
“I’m going to be living there by the end of the day,” I snap as we ride in the carriage, heading toward our eastern border. We’re accompanied by three wagons, several soldiers, and Lark. I refused to leave without my horse. “So, you might as well tell me. I’d like to go in as prepared as I can be.”
“Fine,” he whispers. I knew I’d crack him eventually. “It’s not all wolf shifters that have two kings. In fact, the Blood Alphas of Varkhar are the only ones that I know of.”