Page 130 of The Wolf Queen’s Curse

“I don’t believe it. I’m a werewolf’s daughter who can’t change forms. A witch’s daughter who can barely cast compared to you. You say I’m powerful, but I don’t feel it.”

I’m trying to seem uncertain, as if I honestly doubt my worth. I’m channeling that part of me that does doubt it. Not that being unable to change into a wolf makes me lesser, and I cast very well for my age. But if this is to work, I need to start setting up a story, one where I’m exactly what she expects. A confused girl, buffeted by trauma, holding fast to the man who showed her kindness. A girl who doesn’t know her own worth, and therefore can be shown it. Can be wooed.

“What has he done to you?” Beryl murmurs. “What have they all done to you? That Alpha. Your father. Even your mother and aunt, dousing your light.”

I square my shoulders. “No one has done anything to me,” I say, injecting too much denial into the words. A brittle shell she can easily shatter, exposing my soft belly.

“I’m done with the werewolves,” she says. “All I want is to bring my granddaughter home.”

I blink, as if tears prickle my eyes. “But I need to know he’ll be safe. That all the werewolves will be safe. Whatever you think of him, he was kind to me. He’s a good man.”

“Perhaps, but I’m going to show you a world where good isn’t enough. I understand your concerns, though. If you come with me, you have my word that I will not come after any of the British Packs again. If they stay away—if your false husband doesn’t take you back—I will consider the debt paid.”

“I need a blood oath.”

A deep sigh, as if I’m being unreasonable, but she holds out her hand and casts a spell to split the palm open. Then I remove my little knife and do the same.

“I need you to swear that you absolve the Albion Pack of all debts to your cabal,” I say. “Debts incurred by anyone in it, past or present. You will let the Pack rebuild, and you will not interfere with that or hurt anyone in any British Pack and absolutely will not retaliate against Bishop in any way.”

“Without secondary cause,” she adds. “If they come for you, I have cause.”

I nod. “Add that in. Also, it must be an oath on behalf of yourself and the cabal.”

She makes the promise. If I go with her and no werewolf tries to take me back, they are safe from the Levine Cabal.

“I need to speak to—” I begin.

“No.”

I fight the urge to glare and say calmly, “Julius and Ann. I was going to say Julius and Ann. I understand I can’t speak to Bishop. But Julius must convey the message. Bishop needs to know that I did this of my own free will and…” I swallow. “Not to expect me back.”

She releases only Julius. Then she steps away as he blurts, “You can’t do this, Cordelia.”

“I already did.”

Julius grips my elbow and whispers, “He will tear a hole in the world to find you.”

I meet his gaze. “Then you need to make sure he doesn’t.”

Julius growls, and I take his hand. “I know that’s a terrible burden to put on you, but you also know this is for the best.”

“He—”

“It’s done. You heard the oath. He can’t come after me.”

Another growl.

I squeeze his hand as I turn to face him, my back to Beryl. I cast a quick privacy spell. “I’m going to do something and you need to listen to what I say, and act as if I mean it.”

I snap the spell. Then I hold out the crown. “Tell Bishop that I can’t take this.”

“Don’t—”

“It’s not mine. It’s his. I need to find my own crown.”

“Damn it, Cordelia, this is going to kill—”

“It won’t.”