The lad was nervous for his wedding. His siblings were betrothed, too. But neither of them had married yet, and Esma seemed to have fallen out of the good graces of the king and queen. He thumped his claws nervously.
Queen Marella had escorted them here, Clouseau and anyone from Ranjord who was attending. They stood outside the bounds of Hawthorne, on the day Clouseau was to marry Dina, and stay in Hawthorne as a member of the pack. He swallowed, trying to control his nervous energy. What would come of this day? Would he and Dina be happy? Would their union truly ally Ranjord and Hawthorne together and keep war at bay? He had noticed his sister’s absence. Sharp-tongued, scary Esmeray. She had likely not wanted to come, but Clousea couldn’t shake the feeling she hadn’t been allowed to. But that was wrong. King Aegir and Queen Marella would never prohibit Esmeray from attending her own brother’s wedding.
His thoughts turned to Dina, the pretty niece of the Vampire Queen. She was soon to be his wife. Was she nervous, too? Was she imagining all the possible outcomes of their marriage, too?

“IF I OPENED MY HEART, THERE’D BE NO SPACE FOR AIR”