The Wolf Queen (The Queen's Slave, Book 2)

Twenty One: Infinite

"I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom."

-Edgar Allan Poe

Grand Piano By: Niki Minaj

My chest felt tight as I stood just outside the entrance to the mineshaft. I was surrounded by Elijah, Camille, Jacob and Elizabeth but my eyes only found her. I forced my chin up and swallowed hard as she approached, the emotion in her eyes before she wrapped me in her arms caused my breath to catch. My wolf keened in agony. I knew it was a temporary separation, but our bodies weren't designed to be apart. Dread wrapped my heart in an unforgiving vise. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong, that we should stay together. I tried to force the strange sensation out of my mind before she felt it, but at the slight narrowing of her eyes I knew I hadn't been successful. I plastered on a smile that I knew she could see right through and pressed my mouth to hers. Her warm lips tasted like salt and as we pulled back she wiped my eyes, her palms tenderly cupping my face.

"I will be back for you." Her voice was a low promise as she searched my face intently, memorizing every detail. I could see myself inside her mind's eye as she stored away a few memories, pictures of me lining the thick barrier around her thoughts. I blinked back more tears and tried to smile reassuringly despite the stone in my stomach. "I will always be back for you."

I didn't trust myself to speak so I just nodded my head, my eyelids fluttering closed as she kissed me tenderly. My body molded to hers like clay that has yet to be shaped, my fingers bunching in the front of her dark green jacket as the kiss deepened. She kissed me so passionately that my lungs screamed for air and my body flashed hot and cold when we finally pulled apart. "A little something to remember me by." She gently teased as she tucked a piece of hair back from my face, her own cheeks flushed. I laughed half-heartedly, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. Camille caught my gaze from over her shoulder and tilted her head, her lovely features looking almost pained.

Elizabeth let me go to her, only tensing when the witch wrapped me in her arms while rubbing my back soothingly. I'd grown quite close to her these last few weeks, despite our rocky beginning. "I always wanted a little sister." She murmured into my ear, leaning back as I blinked away more tears. Her unusual gaze looked a little shiny and I jerked when she pressed something into the palm of my hand. Glancing down I gasped at the sight of the beautiful amulet. Wrapped in vines of gold filigree, the ruby red stone the middle pulsed with light and no doubt a bit of power. A thinly braided cord was hooked through a ring at the top. "I have imbued the stone with a bit of my own power. Wear it around your neck at all times and if you are ever in any danger, or unable reach Elizabeth, touch the stone, open your mind and reach for me. I will hear you."

I could sense Elizabeth's surprise as I thanked Camille, pulling her into a rough hug. My breath caught as she explained the magnitude of such a gift and what it meant. "She has claimed you as her own and as part of the royal family by gifting you with a piece of her power. She will protect you until the day she dies." My mind whirled around her words as I thanked Camille, her deft fingers tying the amulet around my neck. I gently touched the center of it and heat immediately shot through me along with Camille's distinctly spicy scent. Elijah inclined his head when I met his eyes, a frowning Jacob leaning against the wall beside him.