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BLOOD OF THE WOLF

MACKENZIE GREY: THE CROWN #2

KARINA ESPINOSA
Copyright © 2021 by Karina Espinosa
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without
written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a
book review.

Cover design by © Christian Bentulan

Edited by Stacy Sanford

Copyright 2021 by Karina Espinosa

ISBN-13: 9798504516967
ASIN: B093YNQ2VY
To all the moms.
 CONTENTS

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18

About the Author

Also by Karina Espinosa
About the Author
 1

T he rain poured down, weighing down my wool coat and making

it hard to see through the dense forest. I relied mainly on
Shadow’s senses to guide me through Caledonian Forest as we ran.
Branches whipped against my face and the rain soaked my skin and
hair, plastering it against my skin. My heart pounded in my chest and
I breathed heavily as we bounded out of the tree line and into an
open pasture. The night sky illuminated the field, the moon and
stars guiding the way. I grabbed the hood from the hoodie pinned
underneath my wool coat and placed it over my head, then snapped
the reins to make Shadow run toward the cabin.
I looked around to make sure we weren’t being followed, but the
only thing I could hear was the blood pumping in my ears and the
thunderous rain. Shadow ran faster with every snap of the reins,
sensing my urgency and feeding off my fear.
As we approached the cabin, we skidded to a stop and I jumped
off Shadow. I took the reins and latched them to the nearest
wooden post, patting Shadow on the side. “I’ll be back,” I
murmured, licking my lips and tasting the rain. I hiccupped on a cry
and rested my head against Shadow’s until I collected myself. My
tears mixed with the rain.
I sprinted to the front door of the cabin and ripped off my hood,
banging on the door with a closed fist.
 All the lights inside were off, and I worried Lucian wasn’t home.
He wouldn’t be asleep at this hour, so either he wasn’t home and
was somewhere in the village or … I don’t know.
I banged on the door even harder, making the glass in the
windows rattle. I let out a little cry and bit my bottom lip, trying to
swallow back the noise. I looked behind me to make sure my guards
or Bash hadn’t followed me out of the castle when suddenly the
front door swung open and the porch light flicked on.
I gasped and stumbled backward, turning to stare at who stood
before me. My chest heaved from the adrenaline rush of running
from the castle all the way here in secret.
He frowned, standing before me dressed in black, silk pajamas
and a matching robe. His blond hair was tied at the nape of his
neck. He held onto the door as he watched me, dripping wet on his
Welcome doormat.
“I need your help!” I gasped. “I’m … I …” I looked around for the
right answer, but I couldn’t find it. All I felt was desperation. I’d
never felt so scared before in my life. “Lucian … I’m pregnant.”
His dark eyes widened as they sized me up and down and then
he released a long breath. “Well … this is déjà vu all over again.” He
opened the door wider. “Come, Pet, it’s pouring outside. Get in.”
I hurried inside and wrapped my arms around my midsection as I
entered Lucian’s small living room. The door closed behind me with
a click as the lock was engaged, and Lucian walked to the sofa and
grabbed the afghan that was resting on the back. Unfolding it, he
wrapped it around me and tucked it under my chin.
“Why would you come running here in this weather in your …
condition, Pet?” he asked kindly as he walked to the kitchen.
I followed him, feeling wretched and miserable. “I had nowhere
else to go,” I sniffled. Lucian started boiling water in a tea pot. “I
don’t want tea,” I grimaced. “Give me coffee.”
He grunted. “Coffee? While pregnant? Sorry, Pet, I don’t have
decaf.”
“Decaf?” I scoffed. “What kind of blasphemy is that?”
Lucian peered over his shoulder at me in shock. “You’re having
tea. That’s final. You need to warm up. You’re shivering like a
chihuahua.”
I growled in response, but it didn’t sound as tough as it should.
When Lucian was done, he set me down at the small dining table
and poured me a cup of chamomile tea. I wrapped my hands around
the cup to warm myself but didn’t raise it to my lips.
Lucian sat across from me and sighed. “Why are you here, Pet?”
“I – I can’t do this, Lucian. I can’t have a baby!” I wailed.
His eyes widened slightly and he cleared his throat. “You know …
your mum came to me in the middle of the night too, running from
someone. I never figured out who, but she came to me on a rainy
night to tell me she was pregnant with you and asked me to help
her. But even in the midst of her trials, not once did she want to get
rid of you.” He glared at me. “All she thought about was how she
could protect you.”
I gritted my teeth. “Don’t compare me to Adaline! She wasn’t
Queen! She didn’t have hundreds of enemies!”
Lucian tilted his head. “No, she didn’t have hundreds of enemies
—she had one, and it cost your mother her life.”
“That should be answer enough,” I growled.
“So, you’re only trying to protect yourself?” Lucian scoffed.
I rolled my eyes and slammed my palm on the table, making the
cup of tea rattle in its delicate bone china saucer with hand painted
pink roses. “No! I’m protecting the future heir to the MacCoinnich
line! It won’t survive! If I give birth to this child, I’ll only do more
damage,” I sighed, slumping back in my seat.
“You don’t know that, Pet,” Lucian whispered. “You are the
ultimate protector. If anyone can protect that child, it’s you.”
A single tear slid down my face and I wiped it away roughly. “I
can barely protect myself.”
Lucian pursed his lips. “Does Sebastian know?”
I shook my head. “I found out tonight, but I’m pretty sure he
knows something.”
He frowned. “Why do you say that?”
“When I ate the nightshade at our ceremony, my vision was of a
teenager … He looked so much like Bash, except … he had gray
eyes. I didn’t put it together until I found out I was pregnant. I’m
sure Bash had a similar vision.”
“You can’t hide this from him, Pet. You must tell him!” Lucian
leaned forward. “You’re not alone. Sebastian will protect you and
that child with his life,” he whispered.
I covered my face with my hands and took deep breaths as I
processed his words and the implications this decision would have
on our future. Lucian was right; I didn’t have to do this alone. I had
Bash, but Bash was biased. No matter how much danger there was,
he’d still want this baby. His dream was to have a large, boisterous
family. With this child, he would get everything he ever wanted.
Except, this was my nightmare come true. In my life, a child
would be nothing but a weakness. They were vulnerable, and I
would be destroyed if I couldn’t protect them. I had to put the Lycan
first, and with a child I wouldn’t be able to do that.
“Pet …” Lucian reached for my trembling hand across the table. I
peered up at him. “Don’t make any rash decisions. Talk to him
before you do anything. I’ll help you; you know I’d do anything for
you, Pet, but be smart about this. This is the heir to the MacCoinnich
line. It must be protected at all costs … even if it’s from you.”
I jerked back and snatched my hand away from him, furrowing
my brows at his ominous tone. “You would really go against me?”
“If it means protecting that baby … yes. Some things are bigger
than you, Pet.”
I narrowed my eyes and swallowed as I processed his words.
Was this bigger than me? Ophelia sure thought it was. Now Lucian.
No matter where I turned, there was someone there to protect this
unborn child.
I tried to look at the positives, at how I could keep this baby
safe, but the enemies in the dark kept clouding my vision. It just
seemed utterly and completely impossible.
“There’s something else I haven’t told you,” I muttered. “And it
might just change your tune.”
“What is it, Pet?” he asked carefully.
I looked at my hands and then up at Lucian with glassy eyes.
“We’re not the only ones who know about the baby. Abaddon knows.
That’s what he’s after. He’s after the baby.”
Slowly, Lucian’s eyes widened until he fell back in his chair. An
unsettling quiet descended over the room. That was a complete
game changer and he knew it.
“He sent me a wedding gift,” I continued. “It was a rattle with a
little note that basically said he’s coming for me and the baby.
Knowing that, do you still think I can protect it?” I raised a
challenging brow.
Lucian calmly took a sip of his tea and frowned. “That doesn’t
make sense, Pet. What would a demon want with a baby?”
I was about to answer, but my voice caught in my throat when I
realized it must be because of the fae magic in my blood. What was
going on inside me because of the baby? I couldn’t tell Lucian about
that part. Not now, at least. I needed to speak with Ophelia. She
must have more information.
“I – I don’t know,” I mumbled.
“Listen to me, Pet. First thing in the morning, you must tell
Sebastian and Alexander. You need medical attention. A lycan
pregnancy is not easy, and you will need help that I cannot give you
—”
I shook my head adamantly, my eyes wild. “No! If I do that,
people will find out!”
Lucian snapped back, “You’ll eventually start to show! Even if you
try to hide it, they’ll find out in a couple of months!”
“Fuck.”
Lucian got up from his chair and came around the table to squat
beside me, grabbing my hands. “Everything will be fine, Pet. Trust
me. This happened for a reason. We may not know why just yet, but
I am convinced there is a reason. You are meant to be a mother and
you will be an amazing one, but you need to have some confidence
in yourself and trust that you can protect this child. You’re Mackenzie
Grey! There’s nothing you cannot do.”
I snorted. “I’m not invincible, Luce. A baby might just be the one
thing that can defeat me.”
Lucian smirked. “I think this baby will make you stronger than
ever. There’s nothing a mother won’t do for her child. You’ll move
mountains.”
I looked down at my abdomen that was covered by a damp
hoodie and placed my hand over it. Whomever was in there was
special, so much so, he had a damn demon chasing it before he was
even born. Even Ophelia said he would be the greatest leader the
Lycan would ever know. He already had his own prophecy. His
destiny was huge, and it was my responsibility to protect him. Could
I live up to the task?
Lucian patted my hand reassuringly. “Go back to the castle. The
forest is not safe, Pet, especially for you,” Lucian said. “Go home.
Rest. And speak with Sebastian in the morning.”
I clutched my abdomen and bit my lip as I nodded. We stood at
the same time and Lucian walked me to the door. I flipped my hood
over my head and prepared to leave.
“Don’t fret, Pet. Everything will be okay.”
“Thank you, Luce,” I muttered as he opened the door and I
stepped outside.
Without looking back, I headed for the wooden post where
Shadow was secured and unwrapped the reins with trembling hands.
I climbed onto Shadow and motioned him around to head toward
the forest. Instead of a run, we started off in a trot. I was not in a
rush to return to the castle.
 2

B y the time I walked across the drawbridge to the castle, a light

drizzle was all that was left from the previous deluge. Two
guards standing at their post were about to deny me entrance when
they saw my face. Startled, they glanced at one another in confusion
before hastily letting me in. I heard them report my entrance
through the radio, but I didn’t have the energy to care about the
repercussions of my escape from the castle.
My Converse sneakers made squishy noises as they sloshed onto
the pristine marble floor as I headed towards the grand staircase
that led to my chamber. Guards were posted all along the way, but
they were eerily quiet as I dragged myself upstairs.
When I reached the corridor that led to the Royal Wing, William
was pacing outside the door, waiting for me. He ran a hand through
his buzz cut hair and scratched at his scalp in frustration. He wasn’t
on duty tonight, but when the other guards realized I was gone they
must have woken him up.
“Yer Majesty!” He stormed over to me, meeting me halfway.
“Where have ye been? It was storming tonight! How could ye go out
there like that?”
I was deflated and tired and lacked the energy to argue or
explain my actions. I just wanted to go to bed. But I knew that
would be impossible.
 Heavy boots sounded behind me, getting louder and louder with
each booming step. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.
“Ye have a lot of explaining to do, Yer Majesty!” Ranulf shouted
from the end of the corridor.
I tightened my hands into fists to keep from crying. Right now,
all I wanted was Bash. I didn’t want to speak to anyone else.
Ranulf grabbed my arm and whirled me around, throwing my
hood back. “And yer dressed like a commoner!”
I rolled my eyes. “That should be the least of your worries.” I
ripped my arm from him.
“What the hell were ye thinking, Yer Majesty? It’s dangerous out
there! Especially for ye!” Ranulf yelled.
I knew he was right, especially after receiving that package from
Abaddon, but I couldn’t sit still. After opening it, I hid it in the closet
right away. Once we’d spent a respectable amount of time at the
reception for our mating ceremony, Bash and I went to sleep, but I
couldn’t even close my eyes. Hours went by and sleep never came. I
knew I had to do something, anything, but the only thing I could
think to do was to reach out to the only one I knew I could count on
in times of peril … Lucian. He always told me to go to his cottage if I
was ever in trouble, and right now, I was in a lot of trouble. Except I
didn’t get the response I expected.
“I don’t answer to you,” I growled.
Ranulf’s expression darkened. “Ye may nae answer to me,
Princess, but my job is to protect ye! So right now, ye will answer
me!”
“Ranulf!” William gasped, taking hold of my arm lightly and
pulling me back. “The Queen should probably get cleaned up and
get some rest. We can talk afterward.”
Ranulf’s glare was unmoving as we stared each other down.
“Double the guards around the Queen. I don want her going
anywhere.” Without another word, he spun on his heels and stormed
away.
“Come on, Yer Majesty, let’s get ye some dry clothes.” William
was gentle as he ushered me into the Royal Wing.
 We entered the common area and there were guards all around.
Apparently, William was ten steps ahead of Ranulf. He’d already
doubled the guards.
“William?” I turned to the guard and stopped him mid-step. “I
need a favor.”
“Anything, Yer Majesty.”
“I need the guards gone,” I said.
“Anything but that,” he said dryly.
I sighed. “I promise I’m not going anywhere; I just need to
speak to Bash without any prying ears. What I need to tell him is
extremely private. No one can know.”
William’s face tightened. “Yer Majesty, I cannae leave ye
unguarded. Ranulf will have my head.”
I bit my lip as I thought about it for a moment. “Then … you stay
behind. Only you. But what you hear, you cannot repeat.”
William frowned, not liking the idea whatsoever. “Ye know I
would never betray yer trust, Yer Majesty.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“Very well,” William grunted and turned to the guards. “All right,
lads, let’s give the Queen some privacy. Head down to the foyer. I’ll
come get ye in a moment.”
“Aye,” they all agreed and started to exit the Royal Wing.
William turned to me. “I’ll be right outside in the corridor, just in
case anyone decides to come upstairs. If ye need anything—”
“Thank you, William.” I patted him on the shoulder. He was the
last to exit the common room.
I took a deep breath before running my hands through my wet
hair. I shook out my hands and approached the double doors that
led to the Queen’s private chambers. I turned the handles and
opened the doors, stepping inside.
I expected Bash to be sound asleep, but instead he was sitting
on the edge of the bed in the dark room with only a small lamp
turned on. He wore a pair of cotton pajama pants and nothing else.
His hands were clasped between his legs and his head hung to his
chest. He was waiting for me.
“Bash …” I whispered.
 “It’s late, Mackenzie, just come to bed.”
He sounded so disappointed and defeated. It was the last thing I
wanted to do to him, especially on the night of our mating
ceremony.
“Bash … please, look at me,” I pleaded.
His shoulders slumped and he sighed heavily before lifting his
head and staring at me with cold blue eyes.
“I—”
“Do you know why I’m awake?” he cut me off. I shook my head
with wide eyes, unable to say a word. “Your fear woke me up. It was
bone chilling. I’ve never felt you like that before.”
I rode through the forest in the middle of the night fueled on
pure adrenaline. I never expected it to be fear as well. I guess I was
scared. This whole situation scared me to death.
I walked over to Bash and knelt before him, placing my hands on
his knees. “I’ll explain everything, I promise, just … don’t look at me
like that. Don’t look at me with those dead eyes.”
Bash threw his head back and looked up at the ceiling. “I can’t
keep doing this, Mackenzie,” he whispered.
My heart started to beat erratically and my breathing quickened.
I forced myself to blink back tears and gripped the cloth of his pants
to get his attention. “Please, just listen to me, Bash—”
His head fell forward and he looked at me. “What now,
Mackenzie? You’re going to apologize and promise you’ll never do it
again, but you will! You—”
“I’m pregnant!” I cried.
He choked on what he was about to say and stared at me with
wide eyes, frozen in place.
“I – I found out tonight, after the ceremony. When I got back up
here, I found a package from Abaddon … it was a baby rattle. He
knows. The baby is what he’s after, Bash. That’s what he’s looking
for!”
“That—that’s not possible,” he murmured. “You’re on birth
control.”
“I think it has something to do with the fae magic in my blood,” I
sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. “I don’t know, I’m just
guessing here. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what it is at this
point, because the damage is done.”
“Damage?” Bash choked out. “Is it really that horrible of an idea
to have a child with me?”
I dropped my forehead on his knee and exhaled. “That’s not
what I’m saying,” I muttered. “Don’t take my words out of context. I
said a lot of stuff just now and that’s what you focused on?” I raised
my head to stare at him.
“You’ve never wanted children, Mackenzie. What am I supposed
to think?”
Shivering in my wet clothes, I slumped back on my heels, my
hands dropping to my thighs. I realized that no matter what I said, it
wouldn’t change the fact that I didn’t want children. He knew that.
I’d made it painstakingly clear from day one.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like children. I did. If the situation was
different, I wouldn’t mind starting a family, but the life we led wasn’t
meant for a settled down life like that. I didn’t know how much
clearer I could make it. Even before I was made Queen, I had
enemies. Now I had even more. It seemed never ending.
“What do you plan to do, Mackenzie? Alexander won’t let you get
rid of the heir to the throne,” he said angrily.
My eyes blurred with unshed tears and my bottom lip wobbled as
I realized my choices were no longer mine. The thought alone made
me chuckle a bit. It was such an oxymoron. I spent so many years
fighting for my freedom, for the freedom of lunas and lone wolves,
just to lose my freedom in the end. It made me feel like a hypocrite.
Like everything I’d done was a lie. I fought so hard for everyone
else, but I couldn’t even fight for myself.
Bash dropped down to the floor beside me and knelt, taking my
hands in his. “Listen to me, Mackenzie. We can do this. I know what
you’re worried about, but together we can protect this baby. Have
some faith! Don’t give up so quickly. I know you’re scared, but being
scared is a good sign. It means you care, and you know the
importance of what you’re about to do. So don’t give in to those
thoughts and don’t do anything crazy. Stay with me. Please,” he
pleaded.
 I felt completely numb. I didn’t know if it was from riding in the
rain and still being in wet clothes, or from the impossibility of the
situation, but I couldn’t feel a thing.
Lucian told me he would protect this baby, even if it was from
me. Bash was ready to lay down his life for his child. And there I
was, ready to throw in the towel. I was such a coward. I was scared.
Terrified, even. How the hell could I raise a lycan baby?
What was I going to do? Send the kid off to public school in the
human world? Or should I let him be raised by the Lycan? Both
thoughts sounded absurd to me and impossible. But was it?
I turned my head and stared my mate and husband straight in
the eyes. “If we do this, no one can know … at least not right now.
This baby has to stay a secret as long as possible.”
“We have to tell Alexander,” Bash amended.
I nodded. “Of course. We’ll tell Alexander and Ranulf, but no one
else. The more people who know, the more dangerous it is.”
“Wait,” Bash stopped me. “We should tell Dr. Harris. You need to
be checked out as soon as possible. We need to know how far along
you are.”
I bit my lip, contemplating whether it was okay to tell the doc. I
didn’t know him all that well, but he seemed okay. Even so, a lot of
people seemed okay and turned out not to be, so I didn’t want to go
off first impressions. But Bash was right; I needed to see a doctor. I
hadn’t been feeling well lately and this might be why.
“Okay, we’ll have Ranulf make an appointment with Dr. Harris on
the low. William is the only guard keeping watch and he’s probably
hearing our conversation now, so he can be the only guard to
accompany us. No other guards,” I insisted.
“Fine. Let’s call Alexander and Ranulf—”
“It’s the middle of the night!” I screeched, stopping him as he
was about to stand. “We can discuss this later at a decent hour.”
Bash shook his head. “This is too important to wait. Especially if
you’ve already received a threat from Abaddon. They must be told
now.”
I didn’t stop him when he strode out of our bedroom to ask
William to call Ranulf and bring both him and Alexander to our
chambers.
This was going to be a long night.

B ash and I were in the common room when Ranulf and Alexander
walked in together. Ranulf was all geared up as if he never went to
sleep, while Alexander was wearing a robe over his striped pajamas.
“What is so important that it needs to be addressed in the wee
hours of the morning?” Ranulf grumbled.
“Have a seat.” Bash motioned to the sofa across from us and
Alexander went to sit while Ranulf stayed standing, crossing his
arms over his chest.
Alexander’s gray eyes traveled to me and he took in my drenched
hoodie and long wool coat. Definitely not nightwear. “What’s wrong,
darling?”
I ran a trembling hand over my wet, knotted hair and took a
deep breath. “I learned something last night … from Ophelia.”
“Did you learn what the demon is after?” Ranulf asked with a
raised brow.
I shook my head. “I found that out from Abaddon himself.” Both
their eyes widened. “He sent me a package … here to the castle.”
“What does he want?” Ranulf demanded, taking a step toward
us.
“What did Ophelia say?” Alexander asked gently.
I pressed my lips together for a quick pause. “They were the
same thing. Ophelia told me something I have, and Abaddon told
me he wants it.”
“Well?” Ranulf urged.
I looked over at Bash for reassurance and he nodded, smiling for
me to keep going. He reached over and squeezed my hand
comfortingly, not letting go. My eyes went back to Alexander and
Ranulf, who alternated between patience and annoyance as they
waited for me to respond. I took a deep breath.
“I’m pregnant.”
 A hush fell over the room and it felt as if everyone held their
breaths. Bash never once let me go as we faced them and waited for
a reply, a reaction, anything in response to what I just said.
“Yer what?” Alexander whispered, looking stunned.
“I’m pregnant … with child … bun in the oven … knocked up … I
don’t know how else to say it.” I swallowed loudly. “Are … are you
mad?” I winced.
“Mad?” Alexander let out a boisterous laugh. “I’m bloody
ecstatic!”
I jerked back as he jumped up from his seat and ran over to me,
engulfing me in a huge hug.
“This is such a relief, darling,” he whispered in my ear and
squeezed me tightly. When Alexander pulled back, his eyes were
glossy. “The family line continues.”
I didn’t feel an ounce of relief whatsoever.
“We have nae had any little ones running around the castle in a
long time,” Alexander beamed. “Oh, this is wonderful! We can—”
“We can’t tell anyone,” I interrupted. “At least not right now. It’s
too dangerous.”
“Is the baby what the demon wants?” Ranulf asked shrewdly.
“Yes,” Bash answered. “He sent her a package with a baby rattle
and this note.” He handed everything over to Ranulf, who took it and
looked over the note.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.
The first trimester is always the hardest.
-A”
Ranulf read the note aloud and tossed it back in the box. “He’s
threatening ye.”
“I figured,” I muttered. Then I decided to bite the bullet and tell
them the rest. “There’s something else you don’t know about me.”
“What is it?” Ranulf asked cautiously.
“Before I left New York City, I made a deal with the fae. In
exchange for their help in certain matters, I gave them … a vial of
my blood.”
“What?!” Alexander shouted. “Tell me ye did nae!”
“Oh, she did,” Bash grunted.
 Charging ahead, I continued, “They found fae magic in my blood.
That’s why I didn’t want Dr. Harris running any blood tests on me.”
Ranulf exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. “Hells bells, Yer
Majesty, what else have ye been keeping from us?”
“Nothing, I promise, that’s it.” I held up my hand to swear I was
being truthful. “I don’t know if the two things are related, but they
just might be.”
Alexander shrugged. “We’ll have to talk to Dr. Harris to find out.
We must be able to tell him, darling. Ye have to see a doctor.”
I nodded. “Bash and I already discussed it. We’re okay with
letting Dr. Harris know, as long as he doesn’t tell anyone.”
“Very well.” Alexander turned to Ranulf. “Make an appointment
for first thing in the morning with Dr. Harris. I want his earliest
appointment. Better yet, tell him to clear his schedule for the whole
day. We need his undivided attention.”
“Other people need to see the doctor, too,” I grumbled. “It’s not
fair—”
Alexander glared at me. “Ye and the baby are the main priority of
the entire Lycan race.”
I huffed but didn’t argue. There was no point. He would insist on
the appointment regardless of my protests.
For the rest of the night, we discussed how to handle the
situation going forward. To say I didn’t get any sleep would be an
understatement.
 3

T he next morning, I showered and changed into clean clothes,

tossing the rain-soaked clothes that were now dry and stiff into
the hamper. Escorted by the Queen’s Guard, I was taken to the
dining room where breakfast was waiting for me. I was famished. A
huge, steaming mug of coffee awaited and I nearly tripped as I
raced to the head of the table to reach it. I needed caffeine pronto. I
was running on no sleep and needed something to keep me awake.
When I plopped down on the chair with two guards behind me, I
grabbed the massive mug and took a big gulp—spitting it out
immediately. The coffee flew out all over my breakfast and the
dining table in front of me.
“Yer Majesty, are ye okay?” The guards rushed over to me as
coffee dripped down my chin and onto my shirt.
“What – what the hell is this?” I asked, staring ahead, unblinking.
“Can someone ask the kitchen why I was given decaf, and how in
the world they even have decaf? I told them it was forbidden!” I
shouted as I slammed the coffee mug on the table, coffee sloshing
over the rim, sure I looked like a mad woman.
I knew I was being ridiculous, but I was in the middle of an
existential crisis. I hadn’t slept in over thirty-six hours, there was a
tiny human growing inside me, and I needed the elixir of life as soon
as possible or I might start to cry.
 “Aye, Yer Majesty.” One of the guards bowed and sprinted out of
the dining hall through the back door that led to the kitchen.
After a few minutes, the guard returned with a luna from the
kitchen. She bowed before me and asked, “Is there a problem, Yer
Majesty?”
I tried to calm my racing heart. “Why was I given decaf?” I said
as calmly as possible. I didn’t want to be rude. I wasn’t that type of
Queen. Especially not over coffee. I couldn’t be.
She worried her hands in front of her apron and nodded a couple
times in understanding. “King Alexander came to the kitchen at
dawn during prep and told us under no circumstances were we to
give ye regular coffee. No matter what ye say. And if ye won’t drink
the decaf, we’re to give ye tea.”
My jaw dropped and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I
couldn’t drink coffee. That was what they were saying. I felt like a
smoker who had just been told they couldn’t smoke for nine months.
This was absurd. How would I survive?
My hands trembled with the need for my morning drink and I
looked down at my soggy breakfast that I’d destroyed by spitting
gross coffee all over it. I wasn’t even hungry anymore.
“I’m so sorry, Yer Majesty.” She bowed and excused herself
before leaving the dining hall.
“Yer Majesty, would you like the kitchen to make ye another
breakfast?” one guard asked.
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine,” I answered mindlessly. “I’m not
hungry anymore.” I pushed back my chair and stood to leave,
tossing the napkin onto the table. I needed to have a word with
Alexander. This was not okay.
I stormed out of the dining hall, my guards hustling to follow me
out. I didn’t need to go far, because halfway down the corridor,
Alexander was coming toward me, most likely on his way to eat
breakfast.
“You!” I shouted, pointing a finger at him.
He pointed at himself in confusion and then realization dawned
on him and he chuckled. “Nae a very good brekie, I suppose.”
“You think this is funny?” I scoffed.
 Alexander walked toward me and grabbed my upper arms.
“Darling, ye know ye cannae drink coffee right now.” He looked
around the corridor at the guards and then back at me, widening his
eyes for me to catch his drift.
The baby.
I couldn’t have coffee because of the damn baby. At least not
regular coffee. And maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t an
obsessive coffee drinker. I couldn’t be trusted to just have one cup a
day. This would be torture! Absolute torture. There was no way I
would survive this. I needed something to replace the caffeine.
“Alexander, I need …” my voice trembled.
“I know, darling. I’m working on it.” He smiled softly. “We’ll figure
something out, but for now, no coffee.” He squeezed my arms and
then let me go. “Come on, we need to get ye to yer appointment.”
Alexander hooked my arm in his and led me down the corridor
toward the main foyer of the castle where Ranulf, Bash, and William
were already waiting.
“The rest of ye are relieved from yer duties for the day,” Ranulf
dismissed the guards. They looked at one another in confusion and
then nodded before departing. “We’ve briefed William on what’s
going on,” Ranulf added for my benefit.
“Okay. Did you make the appointment with Dr. Harris?” I asked.
“First thing this morning,” he confirmed. “Now let’s go. He’s
waiting for us.”
Bash took my hand and we followed Ranulf and Alexander, while
William took the rear as we exited the castle. Crossing the
drawbridge, we waved to the guards on duty and I saw the
questions in their eyes. Where were the Queen’s guards?
“Aren’t we making it a little too obvious that something’s up?” I
whispered to Bash once we entered the village. “I never travel
alone.”
“Technically, you’re not alone,” Bash whispered back.
“You know what I mean,” I deadpanned.
He smiled down at me. “I know, but this is a necessary
precaution.” Bash released my hand and wrapped an arm around
me. “I know the timing is bad, but I’m really excited.”
 I snorted. “I bet you are. You’re not the one going through the
trauma and body dysmorphia.”
Bash threw his head back in laughter. “Body dysmorphia?
Seriously, Mackenzie? What else are you going to come up with?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, I’ll tell you as they come to me.”
Bash leaned down and pressed his lips to my ear, sending shivers
down my spine. “You’re going to love her.”
Her?
“You mean him?” I corrected.
He shook his head. “It’s a girl.”
I frowned. “No it’s not.”
He stopped walking, making William bump into him. “Yes, it is. I
saw her,” he said.
I looked back at him. He was completely serious.
“When?” I raised a brow and crossed my arms over my chest.
“During the mating ceremony, when we took the nightshade. It
was a girl.”
William cleared his throat. “Ye may nae want to have this
discussion in the middle of the road.”
“I saw a boy!” I whisper yelled. “He was a teenager and he
looked just like you! Unfortunately …” I muttered the last part. “But
he had my eyes. It’s definitely a boy.”
“Excuse me?” William tried again.
“I’m telling you, Mackenzie, it was a girl. She had your eyes, too
—”
“I’m not fuckin’ having twins!” I threw my hands in the air. “Or
I’m warning you, I will quit this right now.”
“Are you kidding me, Mackenzie?” Bash scoffed. “You can’t just
quit. That’s not how this works!”
“Oy!” William barked, startling both me and Bash into silence.
“Hells bells,” he sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Ye cannae
have this discussion in the middle of town! Now hurry along!”
I looked around the cobblestoned street, but no one was really
paying us any attention. It was still too early in the morning, so
there was hardly anyone out anyway.
“Are ye two done?” Ranulf grunted from up the road.
 I snatched Bash’s hand and hauled him forward, hurrying to
catch up with Alexander and Ranulf. I was unbelievably stressed out
and it wasn’t even eight a.m.! I just needed this day to be over.
When we arrived at the doctor’s office, it was dark and quiet, not
even a receptionist at the front desk. They really cleared it out for
the day.
Alexander pressed the bell on the desk and we waited a few
seconds before Dr. Harris walked out from the back.
Dr. Daniel Harris was middle aged with sandy brown hair, wearing
pressed khakis, a tucked-in polo shirt, and boat shoes. But what
made him different from most lycan in Sheunta Village was that he
was American.
With a bright smile on his face, Dr. Harris greeted us. “Welcome
to my office! What brings you in?”
Ranulf cleared his throat. “Well, as I told ye on the phone, this is
a matter of the upmost importance and confidentiality. What we tell
ye and what we learn today must nae be spoken to anyone else. Do
ye understand?”
Dr. Harris turned serious. “I understand.” His gaze traveled to
me. “Your Majesty, are you well?”
I laughed awkwardly. “Debatable.”
Bash glared at me. “She’s fine. Perfect, actually. Just in a …
situation.”
“Okay … which is?” Dr. Harris looked at everyone individually
before his eyes landed on me with a questioning stare.
“She’s pregnant,” Alexander answered. “But no one can know for
now.”
Dr. Harris’s eyes fell to my abdomen and then turned to
Alexander. “May I ask why this must be kept a secret? Depending on
how far along she is, she’ll start to show and it won’t be able to be
kept under wraps. I don’t know what you expect of me.”
I sighed heavily. “We don’t expect anything other than your
medical expertise and discretion,” I said. “Treat me to the best of
your ability and keep it a secret. That’s all we need from you.”
Dr. Harris nodded. “That I can do.” He motioned me toward the
door that led to the examination rooms. “Let’s see how the baby is
doing.”
I followed the doctor down the hall. Alexander and Ranulf stayed
behind while Bash went with me. We walked down a hallway with
several doors on either side until we reached the end. Dr. Harris
opened the door and handed me a cup.
“First, we need you to take a pregnancy test to confirm you’re
pregnant. Pee in this cup for me. Here’s the bathroom. When you’re
done, Sebastian and I will be in the first triage room down the hall
to your left. Take your time.”
I took the plastic cup from the doctor and shuffled inside the
bathroom. It was probably smart to take a test and not depend on
visions from Ophelia. For all I knew, I could be perfectly fine, and I
just made a big stink for nothing. For the first time in the last
twenty-four hours, I felt a sliver of hope. Maybe I wasn’t actually
pregnant.
After a moment of stage fright knowing the others were in the
room waiting for me and knew what I was doing, I finally finished in
the bathroom and washed my hands before exiting the small room.
With a paper towel wrapped around the cup, I carried it to the triage
room where they were waiting.
I entered the room and handed the cup to Dr. Harris who took it
and left, leaving me and Bash alone.
“Are you okay?” Bash asked as I took a seat on the only chair
available.
“I think for the first time in my life … I’m praying,” I mumbled.
Bash squatted in front of me, placing his hands on my knees.
“Praying for what?” he whispered.
“Praying I’m not pregnant.”
He pursed his lips before nodding in understanding. “Everything
happens for a reason, Mackenzie. If you’re not, then no harm done.
But if you are, there’s a reason for it and you can’t deviate from the
course you’re on.”
“I mean, I can,” I said sarcastically.
He rolled his eyes. “But you shouldn’t. There’s a purpose for
everything, and this might be your purpose.”
 I glowered at him. “You’re saying my one, true purpose in life is
to have a child? Don’t get on my bad side, Sebastian Steel, I’m not
in the mood.”
He sighed. “That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it. You
know you’re more than that. You’ve proven that tenfold.”
Before I could issue a retort, Dr. Harris returned, leaving the door
open since no one else was in the office besides our immediate
circle.
“Well, I can confirm you are indeed pregnant.”
I sucked in a breath and bit my lip to keep from groaning. Bash
squeezed my knees before standing beside me.
“What now?” he asked the doctor.
“I’ll check her blood pressure and temperature. The basics first,
and then we’ll do an ultrasound to see how far along you are. When
was your last menstrual cycle, and have you had any symptoms? I
know you haven’t been feeling well.”
I nodded. “The first week of last month, and I’ve been weak with
a lot of dizzy spells,” I said as he placed the blood pressure cuff on
my arm. He placed a plastic, disposable thermometer in my mouth
and we waited.
“Those are all normal signs,” Dr. Harris said. “Especially for
lycans. When lunas are pregnant, it saps a lot of their strength.” The
thermometer beeped and he removed it from my mouth.
“As Queen, I can’t be weak,” I quickly said. “I need to be at full
strength.”
Dr. Harris removed the cuff and took note of my blood pressure
and temperature. “Nothing can be done about that, Your Majesty.
That’s just a side effect for lunas. Typically, lunas never worried
about it because they were never in any positions of power, but
times have changed.”
“Don’t worry, Mackenzie, you’ll be protected,” Bash tried to
reassure me.
My head whipped up to him. “How am I supposed to fight the
Summit if I’m not at a hundred percent? What about Abaddon? Now
I’m a liability!”
 “Stress is not good for the baby,” Dr. Harris chided gently. “And
you’re in a very stressful position. May I suggest temporarily
delegating some of your duties during your pregnancy?”
I didn’t answer. I sat sullenly as the doctor jotted down my
height and weight, answering basic questions about my medical
history. When we were done, we switched rooms to get the
sonogram. After changing into a thin cloth gown, I laid on the bed
next to the ultrasound machine.
I closed my eyes and waited, not wanting to look at anything. I
could feel Bash’s presence on my other side as he held my hand,
waiting anxiously. His anxiousness pulsed through me, which made it
hard to keep my eyes closed.
I felt something cold on my stomach that made goosebumps
raise all over my skin. The doctor spread a thick gob of gel around
my abdomen and suddenly there was a whooshing sound coming
from the ultrasound machine.
“If you look here,” Dr. Harris spoke, “that’s the baby. From the
size, you’re about eight weeks along.”
“It looks like a bean,” Bash said with amazement.
Dr. Harris laughed. “Around the tenth week you’ll see the baby
start to form into something more recognizable, but it’s a process.
She has forty weeks to get there.”
“Mackenzie, open your eyes,” Bash whispered.
I shook my head. “No.”
“Damnit, just look!”
He turned my head forcefully and I cracked one eye open,
coming face to face with the screen. Just like Bash said, it appeared
to be a little bean. That was what was inside me. It wasn’t even fully
formed yet.
“When will we know the gender?” Bash asked.
“Around eighteen to twenty-one weeks,” Dr. Harris said. “You still
have a bit to go before you find out.”
Bash grinned. “I know it’s a girl,” he murmured.
I growled and ripped my hand from his. “I told you it’s a boy!”
I knew what I saw. I wasn’t crazy. That kid looked just like a
teenaged version of Bash. They could have been twins. But those
eyes were unmistakably MacCoinnich eyes.
“There’s not two beans, right?” I asked the doctor urgently.
Dr. Harris laughed. “From what I can see, it’s just one baby.”
Oh, thank God.

W e sat in the waiting room with Alexander and Ranulf as they plied
Bash with a million questions, waiting for Dr. Harris to emerge from
the back. William stood guard outside the doctor’s office. After a
couple minutes, the doc came out with a brown paper bag in hand.
“All right, Your Majesty.” He dug inside the bag and pulled out a
pill bottle. “These are prenatal vitamins, and you need to start taking
them today. I ripped off the label so no one will know what they are,
but it’s very important that you take them.” He placed them back in
the bag and pulled out a picture. “Here’s the first image of your
baby.” He handed me the black and white sonogram, but Alexander
took it from him first.
“Darling, can ye believe it?” he said in awe.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, it’s wonderful. Put it back in the
bag.” I grabbed the bag from the doc and motioned for Alexander to
put it in.
“Typically, I would just see you in four weeks for a routine check-
up, but since this is such a unique situation, I want to see you in two
weeks,” Dr. Harris said. “Remember Your Majesty, you must stay
stress-free.”
I nodded and handed the bag to Bash. After the doc told
everyone what I could and couldn’t eat, we left the office. I was
understandably cranky. I wasn’t one to be told what to eat, but I
had to remember it was for the baby. Well, me too, but mainly for
the baby.
I stepped outside and inhaled a deep breath, taking in the fresh,
crisp air. I looked to the north where I saw the Highland mountains
in the far distance and was reminded how everything had changed
in just a few months. It wasn’t so long ago that I was in New York
City, working for the Supernatural Investigative Unit, or the SIU. My
dream job. And now I was here. It all felt so unreal.
“Mackenzie?” Bash nudged me. “Come on, you have a meeting
with the Queen’s Council.” He took my hand and we started walking
toward the castle.
 4

I n slacks and a loose sweater, I walked into the council room

where everyone was waiting for me. I took my seat at the head
of the table, everyone remaining standing until I was seated, and I
motioned for them to do the same.
In addition to Bash, Alexander, and Ranulf, the rest of my
Queen’s Council included Junior from the Johannesburg Pack in
South Africa, Maria from the Barcelona Pack in Spain, and Rowan,
the granddaughter of Jacob, an ex-Council member. Ranulf
recommended three of his closest allies to bring my council to nine,
and I’d reserved the tenth seat for Ailios. Ten was the minimum I
needed, but I could always include more.
“Welcome, Yer Majesty,” Ranulf said to my left. “This will be our
first official meeting as the new Queen’s Council.”
I nodded. “I hope you’ve all gotten situated and that you enjoyed
the ceremony last night. Unfortunately, the fun is over and now it’s
time to get to work.”
Junior cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, what do you want us to
do first? Because I have some concerns.”
I chuckled. “I bet you do. Trust me, Junior, I haven’t forgotten
about you, but remember this is day one. Rome wasn’t built in a
day.” It was funny telling him that, when not so many years ago I
was demanding change from Alexander overnight.
 “You formed this council, but you’re already at war with the
Summits,” Junior insisted. “We’re already at a disadvantage.”
“Is that a problem?” I raised a brow.
He smirked. “I never said it was.”
I smiled broadly. “I thought not. You’ve gone head-to-head with
the European Summit many times over the years. This should be no
different.” I looked around the table, pausing on each face for
several long moments. “Both Summits have a combined goal to
dethrone me.” Everyone gasped.
“Can they do that?” Rowan asked, leaning her petite frame
forward on the table.
I shrugged. “With probable cause, they might. But I’m not going
to give them any reasons. Right now their goal is to reverse
Alexander’s law for the lunas. We need to stop them.”
Maria slammed her fist on the table. “You’re the Queen! How can
they undo the law?”
I sighed. “That’s why I got rid of the old Council and made my
own. I need to be able to trust you all, and we need to have the
same goals in mind, at least when it comes to the lunas. I refuse to
take away their freedom.”
Junior leaned back in his chair and crossed his broad arms over
his chest. “Can you replace the Summit alphas?”
“That’s an option I’ve already threatened them with, but making
it stick would be a nightmare. There are too many of them to
replace at once, and I’m not sure I want the headache.”
“We need to secure the law,” Alexander chimed in. “I admit, I
made it too broad and it’s flimsy. I was in a rush when I did it.”
“It’s not your fault.” I held up a hand. “But strengthening the law
is our best option.”
“We also need a female alpha,” Rowan suggested. “Once we
have a luna in the summit, it will make things easier.”
I pursed my lips. “While that’s ideal, that also takes time.”
“A lycan doesn’t become alpha overnight. It’s a process,” Bash
said. “But that’s definitely a goal we can have for the future. Maybe
we can even start prepping someone now.”
“Sterling?” I looked at Bash for confirmation.
 He shook his head “She’s a great captain, but she’s not a leader.
We have to find someone outside our circle.”
I motioned to Ranulf. “Make note. I want alphas to nominate
their best lunas. Just one from each pack.”
“That’s a lot to take on, Yer Majesty,” Ranulf noted. “Ye have
enough on yer plate right now,” he said meaningfully.
“I know, but this is important. We should start preparing a luna
to become alpha. It will only strengthen our laws,” I said. “Alexander,
can you provide me with a brief that details the law? Reword it so
it’s stronger. I don’t want any loopholes.”
He nodded. “Aye.”
“Good. Now, to be brutally honest, the Summits aren’t the only
enemies we have at the moment.” I exhaled loudly. “There’s a
demon loose in Caledonian Forest.”
“What?” they all yelled.
I held up a hand to quiet them. “It’s after me because it believes
I have something it wants, although we don’t know what it is just
yet. The Summits might use this as an opportunity to dethrone me,
so be prepared.”
“There are demons?” Maria asked, shocked.
“We’ve seen them in South Africa,” Junior said, unfazed by the
news. “Usually demons are after a soul.”
My eyes widened at his revelation. “Excuse me?”
He nodded. “Demons make deals in exchange for a soul. They
don’t care much for humans, and rarely visit our plane unless they’re
here to collect.”
I looked to Bash, and for the first time I saw genuine fear in his
eyes. We’d never made any deals with a demon, or with anyone,
except with the fae. My brows furrowed as I thought about that
deal. Was there a loophole? Did I promise something I shouldn’t
have? What did I do?
“Are ye sure about that?” Alexander tried to clarify.
“Those are our legends,” Junior answered nonchalantly and then
turned to me. “You must have made a deal with a demon and now
he’s coming for your soul.”
 No. He wasn’t after my soul. He was after my baby’s soul.

R ight after the council meeting , I let the others filter out until Bash
and I were the only ones left in the council room. After that
bombshell Junior dropped, my mind was racing with possibilities.
“You know what this means … if—” Bash started.
I put my pointer finger to my lips. “Shh,” I quieted him and
pointed to the door, motioning to the guards posted outside. “We’re
not alone.”
He nodded in understanding. “This means trouble,” he ultimately
said.
I snorted. “When am I ever not surrounded by trouble? It should
be my middle name.”
Bash stood and stretched his arms in the air. “Come on. The
others are waiting for us.”
I stood and followed him out of the council room as guards
escorted us down the corridor and upstairs toward the guest wing.
When we reached that side of the castle, Bash knocked on one of
the doors and waited.
After a few moments, the door opened and Jackson stood at the
threshold. “Hey, man!” he beamed as he did a handshake and a half
hug with Bash. His chocolate colored eyes sparkled excitedly at the
sight of us. Jackson opened the door wider, letting us in as our
guards stayed outside.
“Hey, Jack!” I hugged him and he squeezed me back just as
tightly. Something he couldn’t do yesterday after the ceremony.
There were so many rules on how to behave in the Queen’s
presence and how familiar you could be in public. I hated it. I
wanted my friends to still be themselves when they were around
me.
“Hey, Kenz.” He ruffled my hair affectionately. “Amy is just
finishing getting ready, and Ollie’s packing up.”
 I sighed. “I wish you guys could stay longer.” But another part of
me was happy they were leaving and getting away from the
oncoming threat that was Abaddon. They had enough worries in
New York City. They didn’t need to tack on my troubles, too.
“Yeah, you sure you can’t stay an extra day or two?” Bash asked.
I could hear the plea in his voice even if Jackson couldn’t. Bash
missed his friend. He missed his old life. I hated that I took that
away from him.
“Nah, man, unfortunately I have to get back to the Pack. You
know how it is.” Jackson chuckled and lightly punched Bash on the
shoulder. “My dad’s on my ass for every little thing. I have to make
sure I’m minding my P’s and Q’s.”
Damn that Charles. Of course he was making it difficult for
Jackson. Knowing he was being that hateful and spiteful to his own
son made me sick.
“Just say the word, Jackson, and I’ll set him straight,” I growled.
He laughed it off good naturedly. “Don’t worry about it, Kenz. I
can handle my father.”
“Is that my bestie I hear?” Amy yelled from one of the bedrooms
before coming out. “Kenzie!” Amy pushed past Bash, almost
knocking him over and grabbed me in a bear hug.
“It’s like I’m not even here,” Bash mumbled.
I laughed as I squeezed her back. “Thank you for coming, Aims.
I wish you didn’t have to go.”
Amy pulled away and smiled brightly at me. “Have no fear, I’m
already planning a trip back.”
“Good,” I nodded. “I miss Gray’s Papayas,” I groaned.
She sighed. “I go there every weekend just for you, babe. If I’ve
gained weight the next time you see me, you’ll know why.” She
looked pointedly at me. “Watching TV without you isn’t the same.
Jackson asks a lot of questions during shows and it’s so annoying.”
She rolled her green eyes.
Jackson scoffed, “I’m trying to follow the storyline!”
Amy snapped her fingers. “Keep up, babe!”
I jerked my thumb in Bash’s direction. “At least he watches with
you. This one over here only wants to watch police procedurals and
legal dramas. I was watching so much Law & Order: SVU before we
left New York, I was starting to get scared roaming the streets at
night. And I’m a damn wolf!”
Amy giggled, while Bash pushed me lightly. “Don’t exaggerate,
Mackenzie,” he said dryly. “You’re lucky we have no time to watch TV
now.”
I huffed. “You see the abuse I must endure?” I said to Amy and
shook my head. “Anyway, how are the lunas treating you?”
Jackson cleared his throat. “I handled that.”
I laughed. “You better have.”
“Lunas nowadays ain’t easy,” he grumbled, scratching the back of
his head when I glared at him. He smacked Bash on the chest.
“Come on, help me out.”
Bash held up his hands in surrender. “Oh, no, man. You’re on
your own with that one.”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “No loyalty.”
The four of us laughed and for a moment, it felt like old times.
When it died out, Jackson turned somber eyes to me and said, “He
would have been so happy for you, Kenz.”
Jonah.
I bit my lip and looked down at my hands, nodding. “Yeah, I
think so,” I whispered.
“He would have,” Bash reassured me. “In the end, he only
wanted to see you happy.”
I gave them a weak smile that I hoped conveyed what I wanted
them to believe—that I was happy. But was I really? Was I happy
with Bash? Yes. Absolutely. I didn’t regret that decision for a second.
I didn’t even need to blink to respond to that. But was I happy as
Queen? That question was a little harder to answer. For now, I was
undecided.
The door to one of the other guest rooms opened and Ollie
walked out with his suitcase. When he saw me, his eyes lit up. It
was obvious he hadn’t expected to see me before he left.
“Kenz!” he muttered. “What are you doing here?” Approaching
me in three large strides, he lifted me up into a massive hug. Ollie
was huge, towering over all of us at six feet, five inches.
 I grinned. “I just wanted to say bye before you left,” I answered
as he set me down on my feet. “Can’t your little sister do that?”
He shrugged. “I just thought you’d be busy, that’s all.” That
comment made my cheeks rosy with embarrassment. We didn’t talk
as much as we used to, and I always used the excuse that I was
busy. Even when he was away in the Army, he always made time for
me. Always. It made me feel shitty.
Picking up on my mood, Bash chimed in, “She made sure to
make time.”
Ollie nodded, accepting that comment and turning to me with a
bright smile. “So when are you coming to visit? Mom and Dad have
been asking about you.”
With Abaddon on the loose and a baby on the way, I couldn’t go
anywhere any time soon. That thought alone pissed me off. Not so
much about the baby part. I was confident my parents would be as
happy as Alexander was. But I was angry about Abaddon.
A demon was after the soul of my unborn child. How the hell did
that happen?

A fter we sent J ackson , Amy, and Ollie off, I headed straight for my
bedroom to change clothes. In a pair of jeans, Converse sneakers,
and a sweater that was two sizes too big, I got ready to head for the
stables.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Bash interrupted me as I
prepared a backpack.
“You heard Junior,” I said mindlessly. “A deal was made with a
demon for a soul. The only deal I’ve made is with the fae. That
means I have to see Angus to figure out what the hell he did.”
Bash grabbed my arm and stopped me. “You’re not going to Loch
Lomond. Not in your condition.”
I peered up at him. “I can’t just sit around and do nothing, Bash.
The fae did something to me and I have to find out what it was!”
 “And what if Abaddon is just waiting for you to step foot into
Caledonian? You’d be serving yourself up to him on a silver platter.
You’d be delivering our child!”
I snatched my arm from him. “No one is taking anything from
me,” I gritted between my teeth.
“The guards will follow you. After you sneaked out, your security
detail has doubled. There’s no escaping them,” he countered.
“I’ll take William. With him by my side, you can rest easy if the
others stay behind.”
Bash growled and ran his hands through his hair. “Damnit,
Mackenzie! The two of you aren’t enough! You’ve seen what
Abaddon can do!”
I rubbed the sides of my head as I felt a tension headache
coming. “Bash, I understand why you’re worried, but you should
know by now that I’m not the type to sit around and wait for others
to take all the risks. I need to do things so I can figure this out,
because if this is my fault, I—” I couldn’t even finish my sentence.
If this is my fault, I’ll never forgive myself.
“You can’t think like that anymore, Mackenzie. It’s not just you
and me anymore.”
My head lowered as my eyes fell to my abdomen and I
subconsciously touched my stomach. I knew he was right, but it was
a hard pill to swallow. I lived my life recklessly because I only had
me to worry about. Then Bash came along, and while I was still
reckless, I wasn’t as bad. Now it wasn’t an option.
“Come with me,” I muttered. “I have to go, Bash, but I’d feel
better if you were there. Please, just come with me.”
His jaw ticked as he took a moment to think about my offer
before nodding. “Fine. But any sign of trouble, and we’re heading
back to the castle. I’m not putting my child at risk.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
After packing a bag, I slipped it on and hurried to tell William
what I wanted to do. Once we ditched my guards, the three of us
headed to the rear of the castle and crossed the drawbridge that led
to the expansive green field that took us to the entrance of
Caledonian Forest. A winding, worn path through the trees opened
up to the stables. Bash and William headed to the tack room while I
made a beeline straight for Shadow.
“Hey there, buddy,” I whispered as I ran my hand through his
black mane. “I know you’re probably tired, but I need you to take
me somewhere.” Shadow responded with a neigh and nodded, lifting
his front legs up and down.
The stable boys brought Shadow out and saddled him, prepping
him for me to ride. When they were done, I climbed on and steered
him toward where the others were waiting on me.
“Ready?” I asked.
“I’ll go first, and Sebastian, ye take the rear, aye?” William
suggested.
“Sounds good,” Bash agreed.
William led the way and I followed him into the forest while Bash
followed closely behind me. We rode in a single file line with nothing
but the sound of horse hooves against the dirt path and our heavy
breathing. The forest was unusually quiet. You couldn’t even hear
the birds or the wind.
“Something doesn’t feel right,” Bash said after fifteen minutes of
riding. “We’re alone—too alone.”
“Aye,” William muttered. “The forest has been cleared. By whom,
is the question.”
“We all know by whom …” I whispered.
“That’s all the reason we need to head back, Mackenzie,” Bash
warned. “It’s not safe.”
“Not before I see Angus,” I answered stubbornly.
We continued to ride in silence, but I could feel Bash fuming
behind me. His anxiety poured out of him and made my skin itchy.
He was nervous, and I wondered if this was the same way he felt
whenever he sensed my anxiety through our bond.
After twenty minutes more, we emerged from the forest and
onto the shoreline of Loch Lomond. The temperature had fallen and
the wind gusted forcefully. Dismounting and tying our horses to the
trees nearest the shore, we walked down toward the loch. While
Bash and William stayed a few feet behind me, I squatted down just
as the water ran up toward me. I placed my hand in the water, and
with my free hand I extended a claw on my pointer finger and sliced
open my palm. Blood dripped into the water.
“Angus, if you’re around … I need to speak to you,” I whispered
into the stillness of the loch.
I could have entered the fae realm and searched for him, but I
didn’t feel like doing that because I knew it would take longer. This
way, whatever creatures on the other side of the Fae realm could
sense my presence, hear my message, and pass it along. Now we
just had to wait.
“Yer Majesty … how can ye do that?” William asked from behind
me.
“Because of this.” I peered over my shoulder and pulled my
sweater down to expose my shoulder and the fae tattoo on the back
of it.
“Is that a fae tattoo?” he gasped.
“Yes.” I explained that the mark gave me access to the Fae realm
without requiring a fae escort. I thought about the other tattoo on
my hip; the one that protected me from any malicious magic. That
one had saved my life countless times, right up until the moment it
was burned off me. I still had the scar.
“Wow, I’ve never seen one before.” He cleared his throat before
cautiously asking, “Yer Majesty, what happened to yer back?”
“Mind your business,” Bash growled as I covered my shoulder.
“Easy, Bash, it’s an innocent question. I’d be curious, too.” I bit
my lip. “I was tortured by some vampires and didn’t have the
opportunity to shift in time, so now I’m left with the reminder.”
There was a pause before he choked out, “And King Alexander
allowed it?”
I smiled. “I handled it.”
I stood and wiped my wet, bloody hand on my jeans. It wasn’t
the most ladylike mannerism, but right now I didn’t care. I would
change clothes once I returned to the castle.
“We might be here for a while,” Bash said as he plopped down on
the ground. “Sit down, Mackenzie, you shouldn’t exert yourself.”
I rolled my eyes. “All I’ve done is sit. Let me stand a little.”
“Yer Majesty—”
 William was cut off by a sudden whoosh of water that made us
all turn in the direction of the loch. We watched in quiet awe as the
water split in half, opening the doorway to the Fae realm. In the
center of the loch, Angus exited from the wall of water and began
walking toward us.
Bash stood quickly and we waited until he was just a couple feet
away from us. William stood protectively in front of me.
“Mackenzie MacCoinnich, what a pleasure to be summoned by
you so suddenly,” Angus said coldly, his lavender eyes scrutinizing
my every move and twitch. His blindingly white hair was long and
straight, with his pointed ears poking out on the sides. His
expression was stoned faced as ever.
“Angus,” I greeted him. “I’m guessing this isn’t much of a
surprise.”
He gave me a fake smile. “No. Not at all.”
I tried to step forward angrily, but William stopped me. “What did
you do?” I demanded. “What deal did you strike?”
He tilted his head like a robot. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t play stupid!” Bash yelled, pushing past me. “We know
about the demon, Angus. Now tell us what you’ve done.”
Angus’s delicate hand fluttered to his chest. “I believe you have
me confused with someone else. I haven’t done anything.”
“You son of a bitch!” I shouted. When I tried to run toward him,
William grabbed me by my mid-section and hauled me back. I didn’t
realize how angry I was until that moment.
Angus’s lavender eyes widened slightly in shock. “I don’t
understand your anger, Mackenzie MacCoinnich.”
“You double crossed her!” Bash accused. “What kind of loophole
was in that deal she made with you?”
His brows furrowed in confusion and then straightened in
understanding. “You believe I sold your soul to Abaddon?”
“How do ye know about Abaddon?” William asked as he held me
back.
“The birds talk,” Angus smirked. “Where do you think they’ve all
gone?”
The Fae realm.
 “How do we know you didn’t sell her soul? You asked for her
blood,” Bash asked.
Angus nodded. “I did, but that’s all. There is no loophole in our
bargain, and no ulterior motive. I wish you no harm.” He looked me
straight in the eyes. “What you might want to do is look into your
own family history.”
I frowned and relaxed in William’s arms. “What’s that supposed
to mean?”
“Figure it out yourself,” Angus said as he slipped his hands into
his pant pockets. “Heed my warning, Mackenzie MacCoinnich:
Abaddon will come to collect. You are a rarity to him, and a deal was
struck. Demons do not go back on their word. Unless you can offer
him something better …” he trailed off.
It wasn’t me he was after, but rather the tiny human inside me.
But I couldn’t tell Angus the truth. What the hell was going on?
Angus took a step toward me and leaned in to whisper in my ear.
“Careful of the monsters under your bed, Mackenzie MacCoinnich.”
A shiver skittered down my spine as I glared into his cold
lavender eyes. I couldn’t ask for his help because that would be
another favor, even though I was pretty sure that was what he was
hoping for, another favor. I refused to do it. I’d figure it out on my
own.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I muttered, my face grim.
He smirked. “Some monsters look just like you,” he said.
“Beware. It’s the only free advice you’ll get from me.”
“Are you trying to say the demon looks just like me? Like a
human?” I hurriedly said.
Angus shrugged. “If that’s how you want to take it, Mackenzie
MacCoinnich.”
I growled. “Speak properly! I don’t like games!”
He chuckled. “My job is to forewarn you. You must do the rest.”
He tilted his head. “Don’t you have the gift of foresight?”
I scowled. If I could see the damn future, I wouldn’t have come
to him in the first place. Obviously.
“You’re a bastard. You would see me die before helping me,” I
growled.
 Angus snorted. “Is that what you think, Mackenzie MacCoinnich?
I have more at stake in this than you know. I won’t let you die. At
least not yet.”
Not yet. Meaning there would come a time when he would
dispose of me, or he just wouldn’t give a shit.
“Is that a threat?” Bash snarled.
“On the contrary, young prince,” Angus said, his lavender eyes
never looking away from mine. “It’s a promise.”
Infuriated by his cavalier attitude, Bash pushed Angus, making
the fae stumble back. For the first time since I met him, he laughed.
That son of a bitch laughed. He found my misery entertaining.
Angus winked. “You know where to find me. When the time is
right, call me.” With that, he turned and headed back toward the
loch, toward the entrance of the Fae realm.
After he disappeared and the water calmed into a peaceful body
of water once more, I dropped to the ground and fisted the soil.
Angus knew more than he was telling. He claimed he had more at
stake than I realized. What did that mean?
“Don’t do what I know you’re thinking,” Bash said as he squatted
beside me. He ran his hand up and down my back soothingly. “It’s
not worth making a deal with the devil.”
“What do ye think he meant by looking into yer family history?”
William asked.
“Isn’t it obvious?” I muttered. “If it wasn’t Angus who made the
deal, someone else did on our behalf. We just have to figure out
who and why.”
“You think it’s someone in your family? Alexander would have
said something,” Bash said.
I nodded in agreement. “He would have—if he’d known. The
MacCoinnichs have many secrets. It’s time we start unearthing
them.” I thought about the day Alexander was shot with an arrow by
Raven in the middle of the village. He could barely speak, but he
was trying to tell me something about the ring and something in his
room. I never asked, and I ultimately forgot. Maybe now was the
time to start asking. Whatever secrets the MacCoinnichs were
hiding, I needed to know.
 With my hand dug deep into the soil, I suddenly felt the earth
beneath us start to tremble. I couldn’t feel it under my feet, but I
felt it in my fingers. I didn’t know if I was imagining it or not, so I
dug my other hand in the ground and the quaking intensified.
“Do you guys feel that?” I asked the others. “It feels like a herd
of horses is galloping toward us.”
“I don feel anything, Yer Majesty,” William said.
“Me neither,” Bash agreed.
I looked around the loch to see calm waters. I looked toward the
forest, but since the birds were gone, I couldn’t even tell if
something had startled them.
“Something is coming,” I whispered. “Get the horses.”
Without hesitation, William and Bash ran toward the tree line
where the horses were tied. The trembling in the ground intensified
and I tried to get an idea from which direction it was coming. Just as
I was about to pull my hands out of the soil, my eyes rolled back,
turning my vision milky white until all I saw was the forest.
In my vision, I was deep in Caledonian. The forest was serene
until the ground beneath started to crack and splinter, causing what
I could only describe as a tsunami on land. Trees split and
plummeted, falling into the chasm forming across the ground. A
deep, dark void raced ahead, heading toward Loch Lomond.
My vision slowly began to clear, and suddenly I was back at the
loch’s shore and Bash and William were bringing the horses to me.
“We need to go!” I yelled. I grabbed Shadow’s reins from Bash
and jumped onto his back. “The ground is breaking and heading our
way! We need to head toward the highlands!”
We raced down the shoreline, our horses galloping at full speed
as we headed toward the hills. It was an area I hadn’t explored yet,
but it was our safest bet. The ground beneath us started to quake
and we fought to stay astride our horses.
“We don get earthquakes in Scotland!” William yelled. “At least
none that are felt!” William’s horse whined as the ground in front of
him lifted, tossing my guard off his horse. The moment William hit
the ground, his horse bolted for the trees.
“William!” I shouted, bringing Shadow to a halt.
Another random document with
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porque se preçia de mostrar en su
habla, trato, traje, y conuersaçion
ser vnica y particular. Lo que
sueñan de noche tienen por
reuelaçion de Dios, y en
despertando lo ponen por obra
como si fuesse el prinçipal
preçepto de su ley. Dizense ser
orden de religion: yo digo que es
más confusion; y si algun orden
tienen, es en el comer y dormir; y
en lo que toca a religion, es todo
ayre y libiandad, tan lexos de la
verdadera religion de Cristo como
de Hierusalen. No saben ni
entienden sino en mantener
parlas á las redes y loqutorio[518].
Su prinçipal fundamento es
hazerse de los godos y negar su
proprio y verdadero linaxe; y ansi
luego que yo entré alli fue como
las otras la más profana y
ambiçiosa que nunca fue muger, y
ansi porque mi padre era algo
pobre publiqué que mi madre auia
tenido amistad con vn cauallero
de donde me auia auido a mí, y
por desmentir la huella me mudé
luego el nonbre; porque yo me
llamaua antes Marina, como mula
falsa, y entrando en el monesterio
me llamé Vernardina, que es
nombre estraño, y trabajé quanto
pude por llamarme doña
Bernaldina, fingiendo la
deçendençia y genealogia de mi
prosapia y generaçion, y para
esto me faboreçio mucho la
abbadesa; que de puro miedo de
mi mala condiçion y desasosiego
procuraua de me agradar.
Acuerdome que vn dia vn pariente
mio enbio a visitarme con un paje;
y preguntandole la portera a quien
vuscaua respondió el mochacho,
buscaua a Bernardina, y yo acaso
estaua alli junto a la puerta; y
como le oy sali á él con aquella
ansia que tenia que todos me
llamassen doña Bernardina y
dixele: ¡O! los diablos te lleuen,
trapaz, que no te cabe en esa
boca vn don donde cabe vn
pedaço de pan mayor que tú. De
lo qual á todas quantas estauan
alli di ocasion de reyr[519] de mi
vanidad.
Miçilo.—Pues tu padre ¿tenia
antes don?
Gallo.—Si tenia: sino que le
tenia[520] al fin del nombre.
Miçilo.—¿Como es eso?
Gallo.—Llamauase Françisco
remendon. Ves alli el don al cabo.
Mi mayor ocupaçion era enbiar
casi cada dia a llamar los
prinçipales y mas honrrados del
pueblo vuscando negoçios que
tratar con ellos; y dilatabalos por
los entretener, y de alli venia a
fingir vn pariente suyo con el qual
dezia que mi padre tubo gran
parentesco o afinidad[521]. Desta
manera con todos los linajes de
Castilla mostraua tener parte; con
Mendoças, Manriques, Ulloas,
Çerda, Vaçanes. El dia que yo no
tenia con quien librar a la red y
loqutorio me tenia por menos que
muger, y si la abbadesa me
negasse la liçençia me la yba a
las tocas queriendola mesar, y la
llamaua peor de su nonbre. Dos
dias en la semana enbiaua por el
confesor para me confessar y
consolar; y desde que saliamos
de comer hasta la noche nos
estauamos en el confessonario
tratando de vidas ajenas; porque
no se meneaua monja que yo no
tuviese cuenta con ella. Otra vez
me quexaua de la abbadessa que
no me queria dar ninguna
consolaçion, que estaua para me
desesperar, o hazer de mí vn
hecho malo; y amenazauala con
la visita. Aconteçiame a mí vn
mes no entrar en el coro a las
horas fingiendo estar enferma de
xaqueca, que es enfermedad de
señoras, y para fingir este dolor
hazia vnos generos de birretes
portogueses afforrados en martas,
o grana fina de poluo[522]
demandada a mis seruidores, y
deuotos y familiares. Pues para
sustentar mis locuras y intereses
lebanté vn vando en el
monesterio de los dos san Juanes
Euangelista y Baptista, y como yo
tube entendido que mis contrarias
con quien yo tenia mis
differençias y pundonores seguian
al Euangelista, tomé yo con mis
amigas la devoçion el apellido y
parcialidad del Baptista; no más
de por contradezir. Que de otra
manera nunca tube cuenta ni
eché de ver quál dellos mereçia
más, ni quál era mejor.
Miçilo.—¡O gran vanidad!
Quánto mejor fuera que
trabajaras por imitar a qualquiera
dellos en virtud y costunbres!
Gallo.—Pues quando venia el
dia de San Juan de Junio, quanto
era mi desasosiego y mi
inquietud! Reboluia todo el pueblo
vuscando la tapizeria para la
iglesia, claustras y refitorio. El
hinojo, claueles, clauellinas,
halelies, azuzenas y albahacas
puestas en mil maneras de
basijas de mucha curiosidad; y
otras frescas y odoriferas yerbas
y flores, yuncos y espadañas.
Aparejaua las pastillas, moxquete,
estoraque y menxui, que
truxiessen toda la casa en grande
y suaue olor. Traya aplazado el
predicador de veynte leguas; y vn
año antes negociado, y la musica
vnica y peregrina de muchos
instrumentos de suabe y
acordada melodia. Negoçiaua las
bozes de cantores de todos los
señores y iglesias cathredales y
colegiales quantas auia en la
comarca. Despues para todos
estos aparejaua casas, camas y
de comer. Vuscaua aues,
pescados y frutas de toda
diferençia, preçio y estima. Un
mes antes hazia los mazapanes,
bizcochos, rosquillas, alcorzas y
confituras, y avn mucho sebillo de
manos y guantes adobados, para
dar a vnos y a otros conforme a la
calidad y libiandad de cada qual
que interuenia en mi fiesta.
Miçilo.—Todo eso no se podia
hazer sin gran costa. Dime ¿de
dónde auias todo eso?
Gallo.—Por auerlo grangeaua yo
vn año antes los amigos y
seruidores por diuersas vias y
maneras. Procurando negoçios,
dares y tomares con todo género
de honbres. De los vnos me
aprouechaua para que me
diessen algo; y de los otros para
que demandassen a otros[523], y
a otros queria para que me
lleuassen mis recados y mensajes
con que vuscaua y adqueria lo
demas. De manera que yo me
empleaua tan toda en este caso
que nunca me faltaua cosa que
hiziesse a mi menester[524].
Miçilo.—O quán molida y
quebrantada quedarias passada
la fiesta; y más orgullosa,
presuntuosa y profana en auer
cunplido con tu vano interes! O
quán miserable y desuenturada
era esa tu ocupacion, lo que es
más de llorar!
Gallo.—Las contrarias hazian
otro tanto por Nauidad dia de San
Juan Euangelista, que es el
terçero dia de la pasqua.
Miçilo.—Pareçe que tenia el
demonio vn censo cada año
sobre todas vosotras; la meytad
pagado por las vnas por Nauidad;
y la otra meytad a pagar por las
otras a San Juan de Junio. ¿Qué
libiandad tan grande era la
vuestra; que siendo ellos en el
çielo tan yguales y tan conformes,
aya entre sus deuotas acá tanta
desconformidad y disension?
Antes me pareçe que como
verdaderas y buenas religiosas
deuieredes preçiaros ser mas
deuotas del Santo quanto mas
trabajauades en su imitaçion. Las
baptistas procurar exçeder a las
otras en el ayuno contino, en el
vestido poco; en la penitençia y
sanctidad, y las euangelistas
procurar lleuar uentaja a las otras
en el recogimiento, en la oraçion,
en el amor que tubo a su maestro,
en aquella virginidad santa por la
qual le encomendó Dios[525] su
madre virgen. Pero como toda
vuestra religion era palabras y
vanidad, ansi vuestras obras eran
profanas y de mundo, y ansi ellas
tenian tal premio y fin mundano.
Porque si vosotras os matais a
chapinazos sobre quál de los dos
San Juanes fue mejor, y vosotras
no teneis ni seguis punto de su
bondad seriades como son dos
negras esclauas de dos señoras
que se matassen a puñadas
sobre quál de sus amas era más
hermosa; y ellas dos quedassen
negras como un tizon. O como
dos romeros que muy hanbrientos
y miserables con gran enojo se
matassen sobre quál es el más
rico desta çiudad, y ellos
quedassen muertos de hanbre sin
que nadie[526] les dé vn pan que
comer.
Gallo.—De lo que yo senti
entonçes desta gente tengo por
opinion que naturaleza hizo este
genero de mugeres en el mundo
por demas; y por esta causa las
echó en los monesterios como
quien las arrima a vn rincon; y
como ellas se ven tan fuera de
cuenta trabajan con estas
industrias de Sathanas darse a
entender; y ansi el primer
pensamiento que la monja
conçibe entrando en el
monesterio es que le tienen
vsurpado el reyno y que se le
tienen por fuerça; y que por eso la
metieron como en prision alli, y
seriale mas conueniente y
prouechoso hazerse entender que
aquella es casa de orates ó locos,
donde fue lançada porque está
sin seso desde que naçio, porque
acá afuera no haga mal. Pues
sabras, que yo fue enferma de vn
çaratan de que en los pechos fue
herida, de que padeçí mucha
passion hasta que la muerte me
lleuó; y luego mi alma fue lançada
en vn cuerpo de vna Rana en el
lago de Genesareth que esta en
Palestina. Donde por yr tan
acostunbrada a parlar no hazia
sino cantar a la contina:
prinçipalmente quando queria
llouer por dar plazer al labrador
que lo tiene por señal. En aquella
vida viuia yo en algun contento
por la gran libertad de que
gozamos todas alli. Tratauanos
muy bien vn benignissimo rey que
teniamos; mantenianos el lago en
toda paz y tranquilidad avnque
algo contra la condiçion que yo
auia tenido acá: pero la nueua
naturaleza me mudó. No
haziamos sino salir a la orilla al
sol y estendernos con mucho
plazer, y a su hora tornarnos a
entrar en toda quietud; y como en
ningun estado en esta vida falte
miseria, tentaçion y trabajo, y creo
que el demonio entiende en
desasosegar toda criatura que en
el mundo ay, ansi nos dio a
nosotras vn desasosiego el mayor
que se puede encareçer, y sabras
que como es cosa comun,
teniamos alrededor de nuestro
lago mucha copia de ratones que
se vienen por alli a viuir de los
pueblos comarcanos en sus
cuebas y choças, por viuir en más
seguridad; y estos por ser gente
de buena conuerzaçion hizieron
con nosotras gran vezindad: y
nosotras los tratamos a la contina
muy bien. Suçedio que vn dia
quiso (que no deuiera) vn hijo de
su rey con algunos otros sus
principales y vasallos passar a la
otra parte del lago a visitar çiertos
parientes y amigos y aliados que
vibian allá. Y por ser muy largo el
lago tenia gran rodeo y trabajo y
avn peligro para passar, y
comunicando su voluntad vn dia
con çiertas ranas del lago, ellas, o
por enojo que tuuiessen dellos, o
por mala inclinaçion pensaron
hazerles vn gran daño y vurla, y
fue que ellas se les ofreçieron de
los passar sin lission, si fiandose
dellas se subian sobre sus lomos;
que cada vna dellas tomaria el
suyo sobre sí y ansi nadando los
passarian a la otra parte, y que
por más asegurar[527] atarian las
colas dellos a las piernas traseras
de las ranas, porque si se
deleznassen del cuerpo no
peligrassen en el agua. Ansi ellos
confiados de su buena oferta
vinieron hasta vnos veynte de los
prinçipales de su vasallaje,
quedando sus criados y familiares
a la orilla mirando la lastimosa
tragedia; y quando las ranas
tuuieron a los señores ratones en
el medio del lago ante los ojos de
todos los que quedaban a la orilla
se van con ellos a lo hondo, y
zapuzandose muchas vezes en el
agua los ahogaron a todos: y
luego como fue auisado su Rey y
los padres y parientes de los otros
vinieron al agua a ver si acaso
podrian remediar aquel cruel
aconteçimiento, y como ni por
ruegos, ni por lagrimas, ni
promesas, ni amenaças no
pudieron alcançar de nuestras
ranas que no lleuasen aquel daño
a execuçion dieron muy grandes
bozes, llantos y alaridos, jurando
por la grandeza del sol su padre,
y por el valor y las entrañas de su
madre la tierra de vengar tan gran
traiçion y alebosia. Protestauan la
injuria contra nuestro Rey
pareçiendoles que no podia ser
tan grande atreuimiento sino con
su mandado y espreso fabor; y
como nuestro Rey oyó las bozes
y pesquisó la causa y la supo,
salio de su palaçio con algunas
ranas prinçipales que se hallaron
con él, y por aplacar los ratones
mandó con gran diligençia se
buscassen los malhechores a do
quiera que los pudiessen auer y
los truxiessen ante su magestad,
y avnque todos no se pudieron
auer luego, en fin fueron presas
alguna cantidad dellas: de las
cuales se tomó su confesion por
saber si algun señor particular les
mandó hazer aquel daño; y como
todas[528] confessaron que ellas
de su propio motiuo[529] y maliçia
lo auian hecho fueron
condenadas a muerte, y avn se
quiso dezir que alguna de
aquellas ranas que fueron presas,
por ser hijas de personas
señaladas fueron secretamente
sueltas y ausentadas, porque
vntaron las manos a los juezes, y
avn más los escriuanos en cuya
mano dizen que está más çierto
poderse hazer; y ansi escaparon
las vidas del morir.
Miçilo.—Pues Dios las guardó
viban y hagalas Dios bien. Por
çierto gran descuydo es el que
passa en el mundo el dia de oy:
que siendo vn offiçio tan prinçipal
y caudaloso el del escriuano, y
tan neçesario, que sea[530]
honbre de fidelidad para que
todos viban en paz y quietud,
consienten y permiten los
prinçipes criar notarios y
escriuanos hombres viles y de
ruynes castas y suelo: los quales
por pequeño interes peruierten el
derecho y justiçia del que la ha de
auer; y sobre todo los proueen de
los officios mas principales y de
más peligro en su Reyno: como
es de escriuanias de
chançillerias[531] y consejos y
regimientos y gouiernos de su
hazienda y republica: lo qual no
se auia de hazer por ninguna
manera, pues en ello va tan gran
interes y peligro.
Gallo.—Y ansi un dia de mañana
como salio el sol fueron las
condenadas sacadas a la ribera y
pregonandolas vn pregonero a
alta boz por alebosas, traydoras,
matadoras, homiçidas de sus
bezinos y aliados, que las
mandaua su Rey morir; y ansi
ante gran muchedunbre de Ranas
que salieron del lago y muchos
ratones que lo vinieron a ver
fueron publicamente degolladas.
Pero el Rey Ambrocos (que ansi
se llamaua el Rey de los ratones)
y todos aquellos señores estauan
retraidos en sus cuebas muy
tristes y afligidos por la perdida de
sus hijos; y ansi mandó su rey
llamar a cortes, y luego fueron
juntos los de su Consejo y
grandes de su Reyno. Donde con
grande encareçimiento de
palabras les propuso la cruel
traiçion que hauian cometido las
ranas: y no en qualesquiera de su
reyno, sino[532] en su mesmo hijo
y de los prinçipales señores y
caualleros de su tierra. Por lo qual
avnque pudieran disimular
qualquiera otra injuria por ser sus
bezinas y aliadas, pero que este
caso por ser tan atroz en la
persona real y suçesor del Reyno
no se sufria quedar sin castigo; y
ansi los ratones indignados por
las lagrimas y encareçimientos de
su Rey se ofreçieron con sus
personas y estado salir luego al
campo: y que no boluerian a sus
casas hasta satisfazer y vengar
su prinçipe Rey y señor o perder
en el campo sus vidas. Y ansi el
Rey les mandó que dentro de
quinze dias todos saliessen al
campo a acompañar su persona
real, y mandó luego auisar con
sus patentes, cartas y prouisiones
a todos los ratones bezinos al
lago, que supiessen la injuria
hecha a su rey: y que todos so
pena de muerte saliessen a las
orillas y hiziessen el posible daño
en las ranas que pudiessen auer.
Luego todos aquellos señores se
fueron a sus tierras aparejar y
venir con sus compañías al
mandado de su rey. Porque esto
tienen los ratones que son muy
obedientes a sus mayores;
porque al que no lo es le
despedaçan todos con los
dientes; ni es menester para el
castigo del tal delito que venga
particular pesquisidor ni executor
de la corte: que[533] luego es tal
delinquente castigado entre ellos
con muerte: y ansi no se osa
ninguno desmandar. Ya nosotras
las ranas de todo esto eramos
sabidoras, porque no faltaron
algunos de sus ratones que por
tener con algunas de nosotras
estrecha amistad se lo
comunicasen. Prinçipalmente
todo aquel tiempo que passó
antes que se publicasse la guerra,
porque hasta entonçes avn
estauan en pie muchas de las
antiguas amistades que auia
entre vnos y otros en particular, y
tanbien lo uiamos por esperiençia
en nuestro daño: porque ningun
dia auia que no pareçiessen a la
costa del lago muchas ranas
muertas, porque los ratones se
llegauan a ellas con disimulaçion
y con los dientes las hazian
pedaços; y prinçipalmente hazian
esto vna compañia de malos
soldados que de estrañas tierras
el Rey auia traydo alli de vn su
amigo y aliado: gente muy
belicosa y de grande animo, que
ninguna perdonauan que
tomassen delante de si. Ya eran
tan grandes los[534] daños que se
nos hazian que no se podian
disimular, y dentro de quinze dias
pareçieron ante las[535] riberas de
Genesareth más de çien mil
ratones, en tanta manera que el
campo cubrian. Vino alli su[536]
Rey Ambrocos con gran
magestad con todo el aparato de
tristeza y luto, protestando de no
yr de alli sin vengar muy a su
voluntad la muerte de su hijo; y
ansi mandó dar en el campo vn
muy brauo y sangriento pregon.
Traya vn fiero raton por capitan
general, al qual llamauan
Lampardo el cruel: viejo y de
maduro juizio, que toda su vida
auia vibido en los molinos y las
hazeñas que estan en el rio
Xordan y Eufrates. Traya debajo
de su vandera en nombre de
Ambrocos su rey quarenta mil
ratones de grande esperiençia y
valor. Venia alli Braquimis[537]
Rey de los ratones que habitan
toda la tierra de Samaria y Cana,
el qual traya treynta mil. Venia
Aplopetes, Rey de los ratones
que moran Nazareth, Belen y
Hierusalen: el cual traya otros
treinta mil y más. Vinieron otros
señores, prinçipes, vasallos y
aliados del Rey Ambrocos que
trayan a çinco mil y a diez mil. De
manera que en breue tiempo todo
el campo se cubrio. Como nos
vimos en tanta neçesidad y
aprieto acudimos todos a nuestro
Rey llorando nuestra libertad
perdida, al qual hallamos en la
mesma afliçion sin saber cómo se
remediar.
Miçilo.—Entonces, gallo, hallado
auias oportunidad para executar
tu belicosa condiçion que tenias
siendo monja.
Gallo.—Muchas mas fuerças y
orgullo tenia yo en el monesterio
para reboluer. No auia en todo el
lago ninguna rana que no
estuuiesse acobardada y como
abscondida y encogida de temor,
y ansi la nuestra reyna, mandó
que todas las ranas sus subditas
se juntassen, que se queria con
ellas aconsejar. Las quales
quando fueron juntas les[538]
propuso el aflito y miseria en que
estauan[539]. A algunas dellas les
pareçio que seria bueno dexar
aquella ribera a los ratones y
passarse a la contraria, donde les
pareçia que no abria quien las
dañasse. Pero como auia alli
ranas de todos los rededores y
partes del lago dieron fe que no
auia dónde huyr ni poder salir con
libertad: porque por todas partes
estauan puestos[540] gran multitud
de ratones a punto de guerra, los
quales procurauan dañar y matar
en las ranas como las podian
auer, no dexando alguna a vida.
De manera que como nosotras
vimos el ardid con que nuestros
enemigos nos perseguian
determinamos que seria bien salir
al campo y darles una batalla:
porque nos pareçió mejor morir,
que no infames y encerradas y sin
libertad cada dia padeçer. Pero lo
que más nos afligia era el
faltarnos armas con que pelear.
Porque esta ventaja tienen de su
naturaleza todos los animales:
que a todos dió armas naturales
naçidas consigo para se defender
de sus enemigos y de aquellos
que los quisiessen dañar. Al leon
dió vñas, esfuerço y destreza. A
la sierpe dió concha. A las aues
dió vñas y buelo, y al cauallo
herraduras y dientes con que se
defienda, y ansi al raton dió vñas
y dientes con que hiera, y a cada
qual animal en su naturaleza
armó; y a la rana, por hazernos el
animal más simple y miserable, le
dexó sin armas algunas con que
pudiese defender de quien le
procurasse dañar.
Miçilo.—A mí me parece, gallo,
que en todo eso prouelló con gran
prudencia naturaleza, porque
como quiso criar la rana simple y
sin perjuizio y daño, ansi lo crió
sin enemigo que la dañasse; y
porque alguna vez se podia
ofreçer que con furia la
acometiesse otro algún animal la
proueyó de ligereça para nadar, y
el salto para huyr. ¿Que culpa
tiene naturaleza si vosotras
enrruynais y corrompeis la
sinpleza con que ella os crió?
Gallo.—Tú tienes mucha razon,
porque en el mundo no ay animal
que no aya corrompido con su
maliçia las leyes que su
naturaleza le dió; y ansi por
vernos confusas en este caso sin
poder alcançar a sabernos dar
remedio, acordose que nos
socorriessemos del consejo y
ayuda de çiertos generos de
pescados que en aquel lago
andauan en nuestra compañia, y
prinçipalmenmente de vnos
grandes barbos que alli se
criauan y a estos nos fuemos
contandoles nuestra miseria, y
ellos como es gente muy
honrrada y bien inclinada y
trabajan vibir sin perjuizio de
nadie, que hasta oy no se quexó
dellos alguna naçion. Por esta
causa pareçioles tan mal la
traiçion que nuestras ranas
hiçieron á los ratones que casi
con disimulaçion se determinauan
ver de nosotros (sic)[541]
vengados los ratones.
Pero ya por la estrecha y antigua
amistad que por la contina
vibienda entre nosotros auia nos
estimaban por parientes y
naturales, y ansi se dolieron de
nuestra neçesidad y se
proferieron a la remediar,
ayudandonos [542] con consejo y
fuerças; y puestos luego en esta
determinaçion se leuantó vn
baruo ançiano y de buen consejo
y nobleza y ante todos propuso
ansi: Honrradas dueñas[543],
vezinas, amigas y parientas, a mí
me pessa auer de seguir y
faboreçer en esta empresa parte
tan sin razon y justiçia: pues
vosotras aueis injuriado y
ofendido a vuestros amigos
vezinos y comarcanos tan sin os
lo mereçer; yo nunca pensé que
vuestra simpleza tuuiera
acometimiento de tanto doblez. Ni
sé quien os dió lengua ni alma
para fingir, ni manos para ansi
dañar con tan aleuoso engaño.
¿Quién no se fiara de vuestra
flaqueza, pensando que vuestra
humildad seria tal como la
mostrais? Quán justo fuera
faboreçer antes a[544] vuestro
castigo que a vuestra defensa?
Pero de oy más neçesitais nos a
vivir con vosotras con auiso; y por
venir á demandarnos[545] socorro;
porque es la ley de los nobles no
le negar á quantos afligidos le
pidan, es razon que se os dé: y
ansi es mi pareçer que ante todas
cosas tratemos de os dar armas
con que peleis y os defendais;
porque çiertamente os tienen en
esto gran ventaja los ratones en
dientes y vñas. Por lo qual
auiendolo mirado bien, es mi
consejo; que hagais capaçetes de
las caxcaras de huebos que se
pudieren auer, que muchas hay
en este lago, que los pescadores
nos[546] echan por çeuo para nos
pescar; y estas caxcaras puestas
en la cabeza os será alguna
defensa para las heridas; y por
lanças lleuareis unos yuncos que
ay en esta ribera, que tienen
buenas puntas con que podais
herir; que nosotros con nuestros
dientes os los cortaremos quantos
tengais neçesidad, y vosotras
trabajad por os hazer diestras con
estos yuncos como podais con
destreza herir; aprended con la
boca y manos como mejor os
aprouecheis dellos. Saldreis al
campo con estas armas; y si os
vieredes en aprieto recogeros eis
al agua, donde estara gran copia
de nosotros[547] a la costa
escondidos; y como ellos vengan
con furia siguiendo su vitoria
caeran en nuestras manos; y con
nuestras colas y dientes el que en
el agua entrare perderá la vida.