“It’s the least we can do, Princess,” she responded shyly, clasping her hands in front of her. “Ye have changed so much for us. Whatever ye need, know ye can count on us.”
I didn’t know what to say or how to react. I didn’t feel like I’d done much, and certainly not enough to warrant such admiration. I didn’t feel like I deserved it, but as I looked at the admiration shining in her eyes, I wanted to deserve it.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Layla,” she answered excitedly.
I nodded. “Thank you, Layla, and please tell the others how much I appreciate them. I won’t forget your kindness.”
She reached out to touch my hand. “Anything for ye, Princess.” With that, she backed away and was quickly swallowed by the crowd.
Ranulf’s hand landed on my shoulder, catching my attention and alerting me to the fact that he had been watching my interaction with Layla. He pulled me back to the fold and I stumbled back with my bouquet of flowers cradled in my arms, feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy. Interspersed throughout the crowd I saw lunas; I waved to each one, and in return they smiled widely at me. I knew it made their day that I singled them out and was struck again by the immense responsibility resting on my shoulders. I wanted to know more about them: what they were doing, how their lives had changed, or if it had. But now wasn’t the time or place.
Alexander wrapped an arm around me and leaned down to my ear. “Ye have many admirers, Mackenzie.”
I snorted. “I’m sure I have just as many enemies, too.” I knew for a fact that many of the male Lycans weren’t too happy about the changes.
“You’d be surprised. The village has adjusted quite nicely.”
Alexander’s words surprised me and I snapped my neck in his direction. “Really?” I asked, shocked.
He nodded. “Aye. We’ve had more trouble with outside packs than in the village.”
Well, that was definitely an interesting tidbit. Maybe that was why the lunas looked so happy and well-adjusted. Things weren’t so bad here. That admission actually made me feel a little better.
Alexander and I posed for a few more pictures and he answered a couple of questions about my upcoming coronation before we announced our departure.
The King’s Guard moved smoothly into position around us, making a path through the crowd and back toward the castle. They started their march and we walked between the growing crowd, waving at everyone as we went, Ranulf bringing up the rear. Suddenly Liam, one of the King’s Guards, held up a fist, bringing us all to a screeching halt.
“What’s going on?” Ranulf barked as he darted around me toward the front of the group.
Alexander reached for my hand and held it tightly as we waited for confirmation that everything was okay. I looked over at him slowly and saw the worry in his gaze. I was just about to open my mouth to tell him not to worry when an arrow struck him in the chest. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion after that. I dropped the bouquet of flowers in my other hand and struggled to catch him as he fell.
“Alexander!” I yelled as we toppled to the ground. I peered around us frantically, my gaze looking everywhere and nowhere at once. My ears were clogged and a shrill whine was all I could hear as I struggled to process all that was going on around me. When I looked down at Alexander’s frightened face, the world caught up and I finally screamed. “Help!”
The guards swarmed in and closed ranks on us once they realized we were under attack. Most of them lunged into half shifts, while others shifted into full wolves, their hair bristling. I cradled Alexander in my arms as he gasped for air, his eyes blinking rapidly as the hand that wore the MacCoinnich ring tried to reach the arrow embedded in his chest.
“Don’t move, Alexander, please,” I cried, not knowing what to do. “You can’t die! Please don’t die,” I whispered, searching the area for the threat and feeling utterly helpless.
Complete pandemonium reigned. Shrieks and shouts from the villagers came from all sides and I couldn’t concentrate on a single thing … not when it took every scrap of willpower I possessed not to freak out.
“Mac-Mackenzie,” Alexander choked out.
I hiccupped on a cry. “Shh,” I whispered. “Save your energy.” I brushed the unruly curl off his forehead and fought to remain positive.
“M-My room,” he grimaced. “Ch-Check my room. T-The ring.”
“What? Please, Alexander, don’t talk. You’re going to be okay!”
Just then, Ranulf came barreling toward us and dropped down beside Alexander, picking him up as if he was as light as a feather and cradling him in his arms. “I got ye, Yer Highness.” He cradled him in his arms. The old guard gave me a determined look and commanded, “Come on, Princess. Run, and don’t you dare stop.”
Without waiting to see if I followed, Ranulf started running with Alexander in his arms. I followed beside him with an army of wolves flanking us for protection. We weren’t far from the castle, but we still had to get there without getting hit by the seemingly unending volley of arrows that continued to rain from the sky.
We galloped at full speed and were only a quarter mile from the castle when I glanced up at the sky to see where the arrows were coming from.
That was when I saw them.
Flying women.
I stumbled and dropped to my knees, peeling my skin on the rocks, and Liam reached down and hauled me up to my feet without losing his stride. I renewed my efforts and ran like hell.
These women weren’t every day, run-of-the-mill ladies; they had wings like birds—or angels. I’d never seen anything like it before in my life. They were covered in shining armor like warriors from another era. What the hell were they?
We reached the bridge that led to the castle
