Blood of the Wolf: The Crown (Mackenzie Grey Book 11), Karina Espinosa [top 10 ebook reader txt] 📗

Was it manipulation? Possibly. But sometimes we had to work with what we had.

Fenrir’s dark eyes widened slightly. “You’re lying.”

I opened the desk drawer to my right and pulled out the image of my sonogram, sliding it across the desk. The image had my name and a time stamp on it.

He didn’t reach for it, but Bobby did. The warlock smiled slightly as he took in the picture. “Congratulations, Princess.”

“Princess?” Ranulf scoffed. “She’s a—”

“It’s okay, Ranulf,” I stopped him. I knew Bobby didn’t mean it as an insult.

I looked back at Fenrir, whose eyes never left me. I could see the wheels turning in his head.

“Even with this,” Fenrir pointed to the sonogram, “you’re still willing to meet Abaddon?”

I nodded. “He threatened to enter the village if I didn’t show. I don’t have a choice. He told Ailios he wouldn’t hurt me.”

Fenrir snorted. “We know that’s a lie, little wolf.”

“I know. Which is why I would like you to be there.”

“And you trust me?” Fenrir raised a brow.

I bit my bottom lip and considered that for a moment. Did I trust the wolf god? Before I knew who he was, Fenrir saved me a couple times, but our relationship had changed since then.

“I trust you more than I do Abaddon,” I said finally.

Fenrir chuckled. “Interesting answer, little wolf.” He peered over at Raven, who stood behind him. She nodded and he turned his attention back to me. “We’ll assist you.”

“Thank you,” I said, barely containing the exhale of relief that wanted to release.

“I’m assuming your pregnancy is a secret?” Fenrir clarified.

“Yes. I’d appreciate your discretion.”

He grinned. “Anything for you, little wolf.”

His answer made me uneasy. Although it got him to help me, I’d just given Fenrir an angle he could easily use to manipulate me. Any leverage over me was a dangerous thing.

7

The next day dawned and everyone was on edge. Word had spread throughout the castle that I was going to meet with Abaddon during tonight’s full moon, so it was no surprise when I met Grayson in one of the castle’s corridors as I was exiting the council room.

“Your Majesty.” Grayson bowed, stopping before Liam and another guard who had smoothly moved in front of me.

I motioned for them to make a gap so I could face the Canadian alpha. “Grayson. What brings you this way?”

“I wanted to meet with the Council,” he stated, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair. “I want information on your mission tonight. The Summits weren’t briefed.”

“They’re in the council room.” I jabbed my thumb in their direction and then clasped my hands behind me.

He nodded but didn’t move. “Are you … are you okay, Your Majesty?” he asked hesitantly.

I frowned for a moment and then realized they hadn’t seen me since I passed out in the throne room in the middle of the Summit meeting.

I nodded. “Yes, thank you for asking. I’ve been so busy lately it seems I’ve been skipping one too many meals.” I grinned. “I guess coffee isn’t enough to sustain me, after all.”

He shifted on his feet and looked down at the ground shyly before glancing at Liam. “Make sure the Queen eats all three of her meals,” he commanded.

My eyes widened slightly at his concern, but I schooled my expression quickly and prayed Liam went on with my lie. The guards knew I was eating. They escorted me to the dining hall and watched me eat every day.

“Aye,” Liam nodded.

Grayson cleared his throat and looked my way. “We may not see eye to eye, Your Majesty, but I don’t wish you any ill will. I hope you get better soon.” He bowed before going around us and heading toward the council room.

I watched him go over my shoulder until the council room door closed behind him. Then I looked over at Liam with a smirk. “Well, wasn’t that a surprise?” I chuckled. “I guess they don’t want me dead, after all.”

Liam coughed into his hand to hide his laugh. “Of course nae, Yer Majesty. They’ve made a vow to ye. No one would dare break it.”

At least they had some sense of loyalty.

The guards kept quiet about my little white lie and we continued down the corridor through the castle until we reached Helena’s chambers. She had a cottage on the castle grounds, but since the forest wasn’t safe, she was staying inside the castle until the threat of Abaddon could be neutralized.

I didn’t want to leave tonight without saying goodbye to my grandmother first. I didn’t know what would happen, but she’d done so much for me. She deserved a proper goodbye.

I knocked on her door and after a minute, the door opened and her face lit up at the sight of me.

“Chickie!” She held out her arms, calling me over to her.

“Hey, Granny.” I went to her and gave her a gentle hug. “How are you?”

“Oh, chickie, ye don have to worry about me.” She waved off my concern. “I’ve never felt younger.”

We walked into her living room area and sat side by side on the sofa. She brought my hands over to her lap, patting them delicately.

“Ye don visit me often, hen. Is something wrong?” She frowned.

She must not have heard yet. She was very close with the staff. I assumed they would have told her. Gossip ran rampant in the castle and Helena was no stranger to it. The thought made me smile.

I shook my head. “Nothing’s wrong, Granny.” I squeezed her hands softly. “I just haven’t seen you since the ceremony, so I wanted to check in with you.”

“Well, how about we have some tea?” She went to stand. “I can have some coffee brought over for ye, chickie.”

I waved her off. “Oh no, don’t worry about it.”

She frowned. “Ye don want coffee?”

I couldn’t tell her why I couldn’t have it, but it also looked super suspicious that I didn’t want any. How do I get out of this bind?

“It’s not that, Granny,”