There’d been no activity in the city—of which had always been considered the first point of entry to the Isle of Emerald. Though hunters typically loitered farther inland. Survivors from previous skirmishes would wait for more of their murderous human friends to cross their path so that they might attack us and stand more chance at survival or safely journey home to their kingdom of Pelvorn.

The warriors—wolves—often found them before that happened. But that didn’t mean all of them escaped such things unscathed.

Quietly, I crept closer to the road.

Two, maybe three, faeries were being hauled uphill via horseback. “Run ahead, Malex,” one of them hollered. “Warn them we’re coming, be sure they’re ready.” His voice then turned hushed as he crooned something that sounded like, “Hang on, Vee, you hear me? Just wait.”

Unless gifted so by their heritage, few emerald wolves could warp.

My father had never known who that particular ancestor had been in our own lineage, but he’d always said those blessed in such a way by the stars should use it to help those who were not.

I’d done a rather poor job of that—of upholding his honor at all of late.

Merely thinking of what he’d say, the hard expression that would befall his features if he could see me now…

I exposed myself, the warriors cursing and halting when I appeared before them on the road. “Majesty? What are you—”

“Give her to me.”

Knowing what I intended to do, their shock faded quickly to relief.

The male, likely her mate judging by the cloying scent of his fear, gently brought the injured female to me. Courtesy of spending so much time idle, I hadn’t the strength to move her, but I was able to hold her tightly to me. I nodded to the males as the void swept in. “Go.”

Her heartbeat was weak. Blood smattered her braid and armor. Most of it had already dried, but when I appeared in the infirmary and the surprised healers snapped into action and took her to the closest bed, I looked down to find fresh blood all over my gown.

Swallowing, I swiped my hands over my bodice and followed them. “There are two more coming, but Vee is the worst.”

Nesalla, the elder healer, balked when I joined him at one of the twenty beds lining the wall. Half of them were filled with resting patients. “My queen, I am grateful, but is there something else you need?”

“I wish to help.”

“Oh.” Unraveling bandages at the cupboard beside the bed while another healer arrived and began stripping the armor from the too-still female, he paused and blinked at me. “We are quite capable, Majesty. Thank you.”

“I know you are.” I caught his hand and squeezed. “But you will let me help.”