Kershov had been watching the midnight mistress from miles away, his ears trained forward to catch the soft pad of her paws as she drew closer to Abendrot’s border. Newcomers always came in waves; the walls would be silent for weeks on end, only to rustle with activity at some unexpected time. It was as if these new recruits could smell the pack’s awakening like blood on the wind . . . though, in Kershov’s opinion, things had settled down again once the latest gathering had ended. His soldiers had their orders, they all carried a renewed gleam in their eyes, but still Abendrot sat quietly in its corner of the world. What had drawn in these strangers? What were they looking for, and what did they think they had found?

Briefly, Ker’s black mind wandered to the face of his dear captured princess: Kobato. A surge of frozen rage billowed in his lungs like the wind of a blizzard, momentarily distracting him from the sight of the midnight wolfess sniffing at Abendrot’s gates. He’d hoped to intimidate her with the frenzied activity of a mobilized army. She must think his kingdom quite boring, considering all the trouble the Ice King had gone through to imprison her here. Well—no matter. A low growl thrummed deep in Kershov’s throat as he stalked forward, planning to meet the dark mistress over yonder. He needed to concentrate on immediate matters, not on the bird his warriors were keeping locked up behind him.

Leaves hissed softly against one another when Kershov pulled himself from the undergrowth, white fur still gleaming despite the thick shadows of evening. He tilted his head, listening to the inky she-wolf. Odd words from a mysterious fae. She hadn’t even waited for him to address her before spilling her calm voice into the air. “If you came to be destroyed, you are certainly in the right place, Madame. But I do not often waste my energy snuffing out lives when they haven’t had the chance to irritate me yet. You’re sure to find a safe den within these barracks . . . though only if you’re willing to pay the price of your loyalty and life.”

One side of the arctic dragon’s maw was carved forever into a glittering grin; he completed the half-smile now, teeth shimmering as he leaned closer to his guest. “On your back, woman. Submit before your king.”