Lycan King

hidden and he feared her madness that was causing her memory loss was incurable.

He growled at his remaining guard, Nolan. 'What is it? And it better not be bad news.'

'There is a visitor at the front gate. She says it's imperative she speaks with you, Your Highness.'

'Tell her to go away,' he commanded.

'I told her you were busy, but she refuses to leave.'

'Who is she?'

Nolan frowned. 'She wouldn't give me her name and I couldn't see her face. She is covered from head to toe in a black garment.'

'Is she as mad as our guest? The sun is strong today.' Drago released an exasperated breath. 'Damnation! Has all my staff lost their competencies? First Hesta and now you?'

'Forgive me, Your Highness, but she is very persistent. She said she would camp at the door and would not leave until she saw you.'

Drago frowned irritably, his ire now directed at the faceless woman. 'Does she want coin? Give it to her! I have no time for this.'

'Nay, Your Highness, she said it is not charity she seeks.'

'Damn her.' He'd better see her and be done with her. He rose abruptly from his throne and glowered at his guard. 'I'll give the wench one minute and then you can escort her off the castle grounds by force if necessary.'

'Aye, Your Highness.'

With Nolan following him brusquely at his side, Drago strode from the Great Hall down a corridor to the main entrance. He nodded at his two guards flanking the doors. Nolan opened one of the massive doors and Drago stared at the woman facing him. He frowned, trying to see her face. Nolan was right. She was completely covered. He furrowed his brow, wondering what kind of person cloaked herself under this blistering sun.

'Your Highness,' she greeted. 'Thank you for seeing me.'

Even though her voice was calm, he detected a thread of annoyance beneath it. He deepened his frown. 'What is your name?'

'Eve.'

'And what is so important you wanted to see me about, Eve?'

'May I come inside?' She paused. 'I don't like the sun.'

That was evident, he thought, trying to see past the dark hood covering her face. He stepped aside and she entered his main hall. Her scent drifted around him and he stiffened violently, clenching his jaw. His animal's response to her feminine essence brought an involuntary rush of heat in his loins. His blood stirred and he cursed his aroused wolf.

'I'm here to take my daughter away,' she began without preamble, turning towards him as she pushed back the dark hood covering her head. 'I believe she is your prisoner.' She removed her black cloak and flung it on the back of a chair.

Shocked, he flared his nostrils and inhaled sharply. It wasn't her words that stunned him--it was her face. She was a great beauty, with long, dark hair and blue eyes, but even that wasn't what had him transfixed. It was her skin. It had an ethereal glow that looked almost other worldly. He tore his gaze from her face and looked down at her attire. She was dressed in tight, black warrior garb with weapons attached to her waist and legs, which included daggers, a gilded sword and wooden stakes. By the Gods, was she ready for battle? He narrowed his gaze on her face.

Her piercing, blue eyes held him captive and for a moment, he felt bewitched. 'Katya is your daughter,' he said slowly, unable to see any resemblance. Remarkably, this woman didn't even seem old enough to have a full grown daughter. She looked barely older than his son who was away on his honeymoon.

'She is.'

'You are mistaken, Eve. Katya is hardly a prisoner. She has her own chambers and is free to walk the grounds.'

Her mouth tensed. 'My daughter walks the grounds with royal guards, Your Highness and you post a guard at her chamber door. As I said, she is your prisoner.' She pursed her lips. 'Where is she? I wish to see her now. You have no right to keep her here. She has committed no crime.'

He stiffened in response to her tone. She sounded like she was issuing an order and he didn't take orders from anyone. 'When was the last time you saw her?'

'Two years ago.'

'Do you know what's become of her since then?'

'Yes,' she replied as she tugged off her gloves and tossed them on her cloak that was slung over the chair. 'She was bitten and turned by a werewolf two years ago. Since then, Balkathan has kept her prisoner in his harem. She escaped his lair a few weeks ago, travelled to your kingdom and you have kept her here against her will since then.' She raised a delicately winged brow. 'Will that do, Your Highness?'

A flash of annoyance coursed through his veins. Great beauty or not, her arrogance was beginning to irritate the hell out of him. More astounding was she mentioned the word werewolf as though she mentioned the weather. There was no fear on her face, no alarm, nothing. He stared at her expression and couldn't believe how composed she appeared.

'Do you know your daughter is not well? She is quite mad and suffers memory loss. We have been trying to help her.'

'By locking her up? Do you think herbs, oils and teas are going to cure her?'