MALAKAI’S POV

"Rally the archers on the parapets!" I bellowed, stepping into the main courtyard while guards scrambled across the courtyard like ants. "If anything moves in the surrounding woods—wolf, bird, or shadow—put an arrow through it!"

My hands were still stained with Kaedryn’s blood from where the edge of the step had cut his brow. The healer had taken him into the inner chamber ten minutes ago, with Clarabel refusing to leave his side, her hands clutching his small coat while the old woman worked to set his broken wrist and check his head.

My wolf was clawing at the inside of my ribs, roaring for a throat to...