Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Once the rain cleared, we started out again, following Freya. We did find a small pack of clothing stashed along the way, not an uncommon thing in a world of werewolves, Jamie explained, and he pulled on a pair of pants that were just a little too tight.

The shirt was out of the question, bursting at the seams the moment he pulled it over his head.

“I hope whoever’s this was wasn’t counting on these.” I said worriedly

Freya sl*pped a bangle off her wrist and left it there. “This should make up for it.”

“Thank you” Jamie nodded to Freya. “Now, near as I can tell, you’re taking us towards Ashbluff territory”

“Yes. Freya replied as she picked her way over a fallen log.

You do understand we’re at war with them?” James said.

“Which is why I decided it would be best to come to the town this way rather than in a limo. Freya snorted.

“We’re going an awful long way to get to Ashbluff. Are you sure the witch is there?” | asked

“I’m positive. Freya said.

“I just want to make sure we are able to get our business done with this witch quickly, so we can go get Margot from the council. I fretted.

“Margot’s not with the council, Freya replied. “I’m sure it was the Ashbluff Pack who attacked you. We’re going to find Margot in Ashbluff territory as well.”

I frowned at her. “No, the council took her. I’m sure of it.”

Freya shook her head. “The council isn’t bad. I wouldn’t have joined them if they were. No, it was definitely the Ashbluff Pack”

“I think you may have stars in your eyes, blinding you to the council’s true nature,” I said. remembering how they’d nearly executed me.

“Well, no b*dy of government is perfect, Freya said with a shrug. “I’m just saying I very much doubt it was the council who took her.

Jamie was silent, watching the exchange between us with a brooding expression.

I sighed. “I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

Freya nodded, and we all fell into silence.

After a time. I felt bad for shutting Freya out, no matter what our differences, so I decided to open up the conversation again. “So, what made you join the council?”

“Ashbluff Village was destroyed during the war, including my home. I joined the council after that. I was hoping well. I was hoping I could help in the effort to keep the peace. between the packs,” Freya said. “You know, make sure nothing like that ever happened again.”

I am sorry for the destruction of civilian areas” Jamie added in. “You know that is never our intention.”

“War is messy.” Freya said softly. “I know that better than anyone.”

“I’m very sorry,” Jamie responded again. He squeezed Freya’s shoulder with the hand that wasn’t holding mine.

Freya shook him off with an unreadable expression on her face. “Yes… well…”

“You don’t agree with my politics,” Jamie said. “Like the council.”

“I disagree with both your politics right now,” Freya mumbled. “I think everyone’s too eager to cut people’s heads off.”

Jamie was silent a moment, then conceded, “True”

“I mean, you defeated the Ashbluff Pack, then started executing people. No wonder they’re mad and rising up again. At the end of the war, there should always be a call for peace. Freya went on.

I couldn’t say I disagreed with her. I looked at Jamie.

Jamie’s jaw was working, his expression somewhere between angry and troubled..

“I’m sure Jamie would have been much more inclined towards peace if he still had me at the time,” I said softly, squeezing his hand.

Jamie gave a sad chuckle. “I think we can all agree that’s true.”

“My father made a terrible mistake in taking me away from you.” I felt the truth of it deeply. “He should have been happy about our marriage and kept the peace.”

“Your father is a power-hungry as shole,” Jamie grunted.

“Another thing we can all agree on,” Freya said darkly.

I wondered what made her tone so fervent. I decided it must be the destruction of her village and the other horrors of war my father had caused.

As we walked further still, Jamie blew out a long breath of frustration. “I wish we could all shift so we could move faster.”

“I’ve gotten some of my memories back,” I pointed out. “Maybe I should try? The curse could be weakening.”

Freya snorted. “Don’t bother. The bi tch cursed your wolf away. There’s nothing for you to do about it, memories or not. The curse is not weakening. Your memories have to do with the poison your family gave you wearing off, not the curse.”

I blinked while Jamie’s eyes zeroed in on Freya. “How do you know that? How can you be

so sure?”

Freya froze, then started walking double-time without answering.

Jamie let go of my hand and jogged ahead. He grabbed Freya by the back of her n*eck, and she yelped.

“Tell me…” he growled. “… how you know so much about this curse.”

I well. I mean.. any witch would know,” Freya squeaked.

She was evading Jamie’s gaze; I could see from where I was. I hurried to where they were stopped. “Jamie put her down! I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation for all of this.”

“Oh, I can think of a few,” Jamie seethed, but he released Freya.

“Now, we’re all friends here,” I said, looking into Freya’s eyes. “I know you would never do anything to hurt me. I just… are you keeping something from me. Freya?”

Freya’s chest rose and fell in quick pants. She looked from Jamie to me and back again. “Your Majesty…”

“Usually, friends only call me Your Majesty’ when they’re about to tell me bad news.” Jamie folded his arms across his bare chest.

“She said any witch would know,” I reminded Jamie calmly. “Why would you doubt that’s

true?”

Jamie stood behind me and loomed over Freya. “In all the time she was with us, did she ever research your curse? Or just try to find an answer for Margot’s nightmares?”

“L…” I thought back and realized Freya and I both had been completely focused on Margot’s nightmares. “Margot really was the priority, Jamie.”

“I agree. As well she should have been.” Jamie scowled at Freya. “But I’d think, in some of the time you had, you would have looked into breaking Isla’s curse. You just told me I had to find Ralena.

The name made me wince.

“I’m still very sorry about that,” Jamie said in a low tone to me.

“S-Stop being sorry for that. Ralena put a spell on you, I’m sure,” Freya murmured.

Jamic and I looked at each other. “Another thing witches just know?”

“You acted so out of character. She should have been found so she could explain her actions.” Freya said.

“Her actions putting a spell on me, or her actions putting a curse on Isla?” Jamie pressed. Freya swallowed. “Both?”

“I don’t believe you, Freya,” Jamie said. “I don’t believe a word that is coming out of your mouth.”

Jamie put his arms around my shoulders and pulled me away from Freya. “You were right, love. We should have gone to the council first. I don’t know what game Freya is playing-”

“You can’t!” Freya wailed. “You can’t! We need to do this! Please, please..” She gripped Jamie’s wrist. “Please, I’ll explain everything, I promise.”

“You’ve been keeping secrets from me?” I asked, wounded.

Freya bowed her head. “Yes.”