The Werewolf King's Regret: Punishing the Wrong Daughter novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: The Fever Moon

"I was working," the king said. "Linnet came to dress my hand."

It was so smoothly said that I almost believed it myself.

Odessa's gaze went to the bandage, and then to the blood on the rug.

"Of course," she said. "How good of her."

She came in on bare feet and slid her gloved hand through his arm.

"But you must let me do it, darling. I'm the one who ought to look after you."

"Linnet has the knack," said Lucan.

"I'm sure." Her smile did not move. "Linnet, the nursery needs you, I think. A child shouldn't be left."

"Of course," I said. "Sister."

I walked out past her, so close that her gold hair brushed my sleeve.

She smelled of lilies.

Perrin was waiting in the corridor, counting something on his fingers.

"Three guards, two maids and the steward heard her come up the east stair in her robe," he said. "I think it's the first time she's done that."

"She's frightened."

"Is that what it is?"

"She's a woman who's just seen the king hold the wrist she wanted him to hold," I said. "Let's go and see to the boy."

The moon came round full eighteen days later, and by dusk the whole keep could feel it.

Dogs howled in the yard.

Maids barred their doors.

The Hunter's Moon rose over the river Tarn, huge and white.

Perrin found me in the nursery as the sun went down.

"It's the fever," he said. "It's worse than last month. Much worse. He doesn't know me. I've put the steward and every guard on the walls, and I've barred the keep."

"With Odessa inside?"

"She's in the south wing, behind two doors." A flicker crossed his face. "She asked to be let to him, and I said the king's physician forbade it."

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