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I laid the final body down on her clean floors and felt her jubilation. The body glowed for a moment before crumbling into dust like a vampyr would. I watched, fascinated, as the remains of it swirled upwards out of an opening in the house’s roof that had suddenly appeared.
Light bathed us: light from Nina and light from the sun. Daybreak had finally come. It was the dawn of the new day.
And it was time to bring the werewolves kicking and screaming into the modern world. Now was not the time to step back into the Dark Ages but to forge ahead with new rights for everyone. As Queen, I was going to ram equality down their throats until they were sick of it.
The irony was not lost on me.
Chapter 34
With her energy restored, Nina was virtually bouncing with exuberance. Joyfully, she furnished the room I was standing in: soft fur rugs appeared on the floor, leather sofas winked into existence and a roaring fire appeared in the hearth. There were cushions on the sofas and blankets strewn around in attractive wicker baskets. A small wooden table took centre stage and some cork coasters appeared. On one of them rested a steaming cup of tea, made to my perfect milky colour. Doors appeared off the main room.
Do you like it? she asked shyly. I could feel how eager she was for my approval.
‘I love it,’ I said out loud, clapping my hands with delight. ‘It just needs some books and it will be perfect.’
Even as I spoke the words, her floor opened up and wooden bookshelves started soaring through the hole from her basement. Once the shelves were lining the walls, books flew in one by one and neatly filled them.
Okay, that was cool. I picked up my cup of tea and sipped it whilst all the books found their new homes. Once they had stopped flying and Nina had settled, I set the tea down, went to the nearest shelf and picked up the first book that caught my eye. I opened it: it was about werewolf history. Now that could certainly come in handy.
‘Nina, you’ve outdone yourself. This is absolutely wonderful,’ I enthused. ‘My only regret is that I can’t stay in here with you all day.’ I sighed wistfully. I wished the seat of power was on my lands instead of the Staffordshire’s. I could see myself whiling away many hours here.
I can relocate if you would like? she said eagerly.
I blinked. ‘You can move?’
Oh yes, she said, her tone matter of fact. I am the seat of power. I go where the ruler needs me.
Tension drained out of me. On some level I’d feared that I would need to stay here with the seat of power whilst I consolidated my position, but now I wouldn’t need to. I could move Nina and then the Council and the alphas would have to come to me where I felt safest.
‘Nina, you are amazing! I would love you to go to the Home Counties Pack for me.’
Now?
‘Well, you’d best wait until I’m out of here.’ I sighed. ‘I’m not quite done.’
Of course, my Queen. I will move once you step out, and eagerly await your return. There was a pause. Please don’t make me wait too long. I don’t like to be alone, and I won’t let another set foot in here until you say so.
My heart ached for her. ‘I know you don’t like to be alone, Nina. I promise I won’t be long.’
Thank you, my Queen.
Regretfully I placed the book back on its shelf, gave the walls a comforting pat and stepped out of my perfect home.
When I’d taken a few steps away, I turned back – and gasped with shock. Nina no longer resembled a shack; she was a beautiful wooden cabin. A tree still grew though the centre but now it felt intentional, and the cabin somehow grew out from her. I realised that the tree was Nina; it wasn’t some stray tree growing through the building, it was the building. The cabin was an extension of Nina and it looked magnificent. She’d had a major facelift.
‘You look beautiful!’ I called to her.
The house gave a slight shudder in acknowledgement and disappeared, leaving a monumental crater in its wake. Nina’s roots were long. I was so glad she wasn’t murderous because I could envisage her becoming my favourite place to be. Books and a hot drink on demand? It was my idea of heaven.
I was already missing her. I hoped my pack wouldn’t be too worried when a huge wooden cabin suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Ivy trotted up to me, looking at me with accusing eyes. I reached out to her with my magic. She was petulant – she had wanted to trample the wolves – and I stifled a smile. She was young and still very small; the only thing that would have been trampled was her.
‘I appreciate the thought,’ I said. ‘But maybe you can trample my next set of enemies?’
She nodded grudgingly but I sensed I wasn’t wholly forgiven. I patted her neck lightly. ‘Come on, Ivy, let’s go and face the music.’
Another absurd saying, Esme grouched. You cannot face music. You hear it. You do not see it.
