The Mad Queen

Chapter Eighty-Five

My father ducks under the blade of another young noble. One of Leander's friends. Whilst he ducks, he slices at the boys exposed side before slamming his foot into his chest. When the boy is down, my father slams his boot again, but this time into the boys face. Blood splatters everywhere and the boy shrieks.

"Hey!" Leander shouts as his group rush over to my father and their screaming friend. "You can't do that, Matty," he grins. "Sir Prowl," he calls with a sug grin on his face. The man, who I only recognise from these visions, comes over and looks between my father and the bloody boy.

"Something wrong here?" he asks. Leander smiles.

"Are you serious? Did you not see what he did?" Sir Prowl raises an eyebrow.

"I only saw a young man use his wits and skills to beat an opponent," he replies.

"He broke his nose," Leander snaps.

"That sounds like his problem," Sir Prowl shrugs.

"My father will hear about this," Leander growls. "You'll end up dead in a ditch," he threats. Sir Prowl moves quickly, lifting Leander up by the throat and pinning him to the wall of the castle.

"Dear daddy isn't going to lift a finger," he growls. "If dear daddy finds out about this, then young Lord Matthias's father will find out about your little practical joke last night." Leander struggles and claws at the hands of Sir Prowl. "How do you think Lord Baylon will react when he finds out his son was dangled out of a window?" he asks, dropping Leander. Leander falls to the floor gasping for breath. "Be careful, boy," he growls. "You piss too many people off, and they begin to turn their heads when your victims retaliate."

Leanders's eyes fall to my father who is keeping a neutral expression. Leander grins wickedly and I see the blazing anger in his eyes. Father does not cower though, he stands tall. A little smile playing on his face.

Again, I am left wondering how these two become best friends or if they are even friends at all. If they aren't, they are very good at pretending otherwise.

The Lupine dancing freeze as Razan rushes along the balcony and almost skids as he turns to rush down the stairs. My heart is beating wildly in my chest as I see my wolf again. My eyes catch Kai's as he appears at the top of the stairs and begins to walk down. Before I can get a good look at him, Razan is upon me. I can see Nianzu, Wyatt and Zoran move to protect me but they stop as Razan's huge tongue licks my face.

"Ew," I groan as he continues to bounce in front of me and lick me. "Razan," I laugh as I stroke the fur of his face. "You aren't a pup anymore, stop it," I chuckle as another big lick slides along my cheek. Razan is definitely not a pup anymore. He is the size of Trouble, maybe even bigger. He nudges me with his face and I fall onto my back, laughing as I stroke his fur around his nose.

"Razan," a deep voice says behind him. I gulp, my throat drying as I stand slowly and my pup...wolf... turns to glare at Kai. I gulp and smile softly. Not sure how to best address this situation.

"Solavar," I say as I curtsy. Kai walks over to me and Razan steps in front of me protectively. Or most likely not wanting my attention being on Kai instead of him.

"Razan," I sigh and he lets out a low moan and nudges my face again. Seeing him again after all this time is... I can't help the small smile. Even if I am trying to stay as formal as I can. I have no idea what's happened here in the last three years. For all I know, he could have married the woman they were pushing him to wed. Still, as I look at him, I can't help the wild racing of my heart. The mask wraps around his face, his golden-green eyes shining beneath. The same neat line of dark hair still sits around his angular jaw and full lips and his dark hair is still tied in the bun. Neater this time though. His is just as tall as before... obviously Illyana. Though he looks even more muscular. Stronger. His eyes scan over me and I can't help but feel a little nervous. What if he has moved on? What if he realised that the time at the castle really was just a silly little fling? I gulp and let out a breath as he smiles. He makes a gesture with his hand and speaks in Lupine. The music starts again and the Lupine get back to dancing. Though their eyes still fall on us.