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

Twenty Nine: The Mountain

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."

-Edgar Allan Poe

I Wish I Knew By: Forest Blakk

Elizabeth breathed in a deep breath of cool air, reveling in the sharpness of winter and pine. It was late into the night and they'd just finished speaking with Azalea's father, the information he had shared was so overwhelming that Elizabeth had needed space to process it all. He had explained that after the ritual took place tomorrow, Azalea would take the throne and begin her rein as the Wolf Queen. She would be the alpha of all alphas. It had surprised Elizabeth how affected she was by this information until she realized they had never talked about their plans after she took the throne or even when she would take it.

Judging from Azalea's bewildered reaction, she didn't expect this to happen for many more years. She even tried to deny it, her emotions ranging from pure panic to feeling remorse, like she was somehow stealing from her father, but he wouldn't have it. Eventually she had relented and the moment he pulled her into her arms, whispering that her mother would be so proud of her, moved even Elizabeth to tears. She had to carry the exhausted girl back to her room, where she slept now.

Her train of thought led her to think of her own queendom, if you could even call it that. The corners of her mouth rose ever so slightly. Azalea was her life and despite their rocky past, this rambunctious pack of wolves would some day be her family. It was somewhat amusing to think that in a few short hours their roles would be reversed. She knew without a doubt that she was not going to go back, and neither would Camille. Her crazy sister had finally revealed herself to Azalea's father when he had breached the topic of finding a witch for the ritual.

A noise a few feet behind her drew her mind elsewhere and after a tense moment her muscles relaxed, recognizing the woman who approached. The slight hitch in her breathing said she was in a mild amount of pain, as did the limp in her right knee. Emilee came to stop beside her and a sudden moment of deja vu overcame her. Shaking it off, she reminded herself that the young woman had never been a handmaiden, only a spy.

"I hope you haven't come for a rematch. I may not have my eyesight but I assure you I am still a fine contender." Elizabeth greeted smoothly, her voice icy.

"No. I simply wanted you to know that I never had any intentions of stealing her away from you. But you must understand, I still had to fight for her."

Flexing her fingers behind her back, Elizabeth turned to face in her general direction, a heavy weight to her words. "And you must understand that under different circumstances I would not have spared your life."

She didn't respond right away, yet Elizabeth had the distinct impression that she was smiling. "I'd expect nothing less, your highness. You are as possessive as any mated male I've ever met. Besides, she wouldn't have me anyway. She was meant for you, and you alone."

"Indeed." Her footsteps crunched across the snow covered ground until they stopped beside Elizabeth, who's mind was wandering back to check on Azalea, relaxing when she found her still safely asleep.

"I know you can't see it, but it is a beautiful sky. We didn't have stars like these back at your palace."

Elizabeth's heart twinged with deep feeling, Emilee's words striking deep. She realized with startling clarity that the feeling was hope, something she had never truly felt before. Their journey was just beginning, yes, but for the first time in near a millennium, she was free to choose her own path and not the one her mother had always laid in front of her.