Queen of the Lycan, Karina Espinosa [accelerated reader books .TXT] 📗

the future.” I snorted lightly, thinking about my dormant oracle abilities. If I knew how to use them, maybe I could know his future. “But you have a great talent, William. It would be a shame if it went to waste.”

He glanced down at his hands and then at me. “Where would I be stationed?”

“You’d be on my detail. I’m trying to build a solid team and I want you to train them.”

His brows furrowed as he took in what I just said. Until the words came out of my mouth, I didn’t even know that was what I wanted him to do. But if he was as skilled as others said and that he had demonstrated in front of me, then I wanted the other guards protecting me to be just as skilled as he was. Honestly, William could have taken me down easily that day we fought. I just got lucky. But the one punch he got in nearly undid me.

“I don know, Yer Majesty.” He scratched the back of his head as he thought through my proposal. “I heard what happened at yer coronation. Ye have yer hands full.”

“Which is why I need the best,” I urged. I narrowed my eyes at him and sighed. “I tend to fight my own battles, as you’ve come to realize, so I’m really not asking for much. You won’t be jumping in front of bullets for me.”

William rubbed his hands over his thighs as one leg bounced erratically. “What makes ye different from the others? With all due respect, Yer Majesty, my grandda does nae like ye.”

I laughed. “I know, and I don’t like your grandfather, either. He’s stuck in his ways and I’m all about change, William. I want the best for the Lycan—all the Lycan—not just the males. I’m an equal opportunist and some people don’t like that.” I shrugged. “I have a lot of enemies because of it, and I’m okay with that because I know what I’m doing is right. This is a pivotal moment for our people. A lot of things need to change around here, and I’m hoping you can be a part of it.”

William blew out a breath and chuckled. “That’s quite a speech, Yer Majesty. Ye really think ye can change the Lycan?” He raised a skeptical brow.

I nodded firmly. “I’m willing to try.”

“I want something better for my mam,” he said softly, avoiding my eyes. Something in his demeanor told me it had something to do with Jacob.

I lifted my chin. “I can help you. Whatever it is that she wants, consider it done.”

He snorted disbelievingly. “Ye want me to join that bad?”

“Yes … but I also want to help a fellow luna whom I assume is stuck in a lifestyle she doesn’t want.”

His mouth twisted to the side and he nodded. “Fine, Yer Majesty, I’ll join the Queen’s Guard.”

I grinned. “Perfect! You can put your notice in at work and come to the South Tower once you’re done at the blacksmith. I’ll let Ranulf know to expect you.”

I trudged back to the Queen’s chamber with just enough energy left to collapse in bed. My body ached and I was sweating profusely. Peeling off my shirt, I tossed it over the bed. I was glad Bash was already fast asleep, because I didn’t want to alarm him. I honestly didn’t know what was wrong with me. If I’d been poisoned, I needed to see someone soon before I got worse. Performing my duties would only get more difficult if my health declined.

Kicking my shoes off, I curled in on myself and fell asleep on top of the covers, my overheated body way too hot to climb underneath them.

My sleep was restless. All night long, I tossed and turned, waking up the next morning in a pool of sweat. I didn’t feel any better than I had the night before. If anything, I felt worse. I didn’t know how I didn’t wake Bash with all my flopping back and forth, or how he didn’t feel anything through the bond.

What the hell was going on?

Someone knocked at the door and I didn’t have the energy to call out for them to enter. I barely had enough strength to lift my head off the pillow. My eyes were blurry, and it felt as if I was drifting in a fog. The bedroom door opened and Ranulf poked his head in.

He took one look at me and shouted, “Yer Majesty!” Bash jerked awake. Ranulf darted toward my side of the bed and placed a cool hand to my forehead. “Yer burning up,” he stated flatly. “How long have ye been like this?”

Bash turned to face us and quickly sat up. “What’s wrong?” His expression fell and I knew he felt guilty for not catching on sooner.

“I think I must have a cold or the flu,” I mumbled breathlessly.

“That’s impossible; Lycan cannae get human illnesses,” Ranulf grunted as he pushed me gently back on the bed. “I’m calling Dr. Harris and the warlock to come see ye. Yer nae getting out of bed.” He pointed at me to stay put before leaving the room.

He didn’t have to tell me twice. I didn’t think I could move even if I wanted to. My body ached all over and all I could do was wrap my arms around myself and hold on.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Mackenzie?” Bash whispered as he brushed a lock of damp hair away from my sticky face.

“I thought I could sleep it off,” I muttered. “But now I think I’ve been poisoned. I think … maybe Fenrir’s claws were laced with something.”

“That’s how long you’ve been sick?” Bash asked, hurt and confusion clear on his face. I knew what he was thinking. If I was really that sick, why didn’t he feel it through our bond? I wondered the same thing.

“It’s okay, Bash.” I attempted to lift my hand and caress his face, but my arm went limp and fell back