Warrior Princess Book 2

WYATT

Milly had made it clear she wanted some alone time, and I was okay with that. I figured I could use my time more effectively elsewhere.

I found myself ascending the stairs of one of the castle towers, a part of the king’s residence I’d never explored before. I’d heard that this was where she spent most of her time since Raphael’s death.

“I was wondering when you’d come looking for me.” Her voice echoed as I entered the room.

The room was a chaotic mix of books and vials, with herbs hanging in bunches from the beams and a cauldron perched on a table in the center.

Freida emerged from behind a bookcase, engrossed in a book. She gave me a quick glance before returning her attention to the pages.

“How did you know I’d come looking for you?” I asked, watching her move around the room, her back to me.

She closed the book with a snap and turned to face me. “Well, I’m guessing my son and your father talked to you and Milly about my idea of you two taking the throne—or thrones, I should say. Milly has her father’s temper, so she’s probably off venting her frustrations on something—or someone—before she comes to me. But you”—she pointed at me—“you’re more curious, more calm, calculated. You want more information.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I crossed my arms, watching as she poured two glasses of whiskey.

She handed me one without looking at me, and I accepted it silently, waiting for her to share more.

“Not at all, but I would advise you to be careful with your curiosity… It kills the cat, you know.” She winked at me, taking a sip of her drink.

She settled into a nearby chair, crossing her legs. “What do you want to know?” she asked, taking another sip.

“Who is this man everyone seems so worried about?” I asked.

She looked at me, as if deciding whether to share anything at all. She finished her drink in one gulp and stood to pour herself another.

“My father. A vile man.”

“What does he want?” I asked.

“What everyone wants, power,” she replied.

“You don’t seem to want power,” I observed.

She turned to face me again, a look of regret on her face. “I did, once upon a time,” she admitted.

She swirled her drink in her hand absentmindedly. I leaned against a nearby bench.

“I’m going to need you to start giving me some answers,” I said.

She scoffed and downed her drink again, pouring another. “Brave wolf, walking into a witch’s den making demands.”

“Your family’s lives are at stake. Doesn’t that bother you?” I snapped, slamming my drink down.

Suddenly, a blinding pain exploded in my head. I clutched my temples and sank to the floor. Freida stood over me, not even breaking a sweat.

“Do not speak to me like I am a child,” she snapped. “I have lived many lifetimes and in each one, I have lost those I loved most dear.”

I writhed on the floor until the pain subsided. Panting, I sat up slowly. Freida glared at me from her seat, still sipping her whiskey.

“Are you ready to respect your elders now?” She smirked, twirling her drink.

I glared up at her from the floor. “Are you evil?” I asked boldly, hoping she wouldn’t inflict that pain on me again.

“Yes and no.” She shrugged. “My father thinks I stole some power from him long ago. I feel I took what was mine. What I was owed. And I have kept that power safe in each lifetime, and yet in each one, I was betrayed over and over by those who are supposed to love me.”

“The twins?” I suggested, leaning against the legs of the table, sweat dripping down my brow. My head still throbbed.

“Yes, the twins.” She sipped her drink bitterly. “I thought this time would be different, this time I had Gianna. But no, just like every other lifetime, they sought him out, combined their powers, and brought him back.”

“Back? Back from where?” I asked.

“From the dead, dear. Where else?” she replied.

“Milly doesn’t want to help you,” I said.

Her gaze flicked to me over the rim of her glass. “I suspected as much. Still, it does hurt,” she admitted.

“Well, your mess has caused a lot of pain and suffering,” I pointed out.

“Hmm, I suppose it has,” she agreed.

“We’ve talked a lot and yet I feel I still know nothing,” I said.

“That’s usually how a conversation with a witch goes.” She smirked.

“Why don’t you tell us everything we need to know so we can make an informed decision?” I asked.

“Where’s the fun in that?” she replied.

“Freida, you’re asking your granddaughter to put herself in the firing line again and you’re not offering her a good enough reason as to why she should. Whatever this is between you and your father has already cost this family so much. Can you blame them for being hesitant now?”

She eyed me dangerously. “I like you,” she said.

I swallowed nervously. “Why?”

“Because of your honesty. You’re not afraid of me. Of what I could do to you,” she said.

I laughed bitterly, wiping more sweat off my brow. “Well, I’ve already watched my mate die in front of me. There’s not much more to fear after facing that.”

“Hmm, that’s true. But still, it’s refreshing to have someone speak so honestly, unafraid of the repercussions.” She smiled and downed her drink again, this time setting the glass aside.

“I am aware of the intensity of what I ask of my family. But without me, none of them would be here.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Your family doesn’t owe you anything.”

“They owe me everything!” she roared, standing up.

Stars danced around my vision as she seized control of my mind again. I fought to stand up, but Freida tightened her grip on my mind.

My legs gave out beneath me. And everything went dark.