THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY people who are close to my mate.
Even if they are her family, and by extension my family, they are still too close for my liking. Especially how they move and fuss around her. That is my job, one I will cherish to the end of my days.
After waking up on top of me in the cot, Elvie proclaimed herself fine enough for a real bed and demanded she be transferred to one immediately. So now here we all are in Elvie’s old chambers, as Kaethe finishes up her examination on her shoulder.
The wound should heal completely but the scar will be prominent.
“That’s fine,” Elvie had said before wiggling her eyebrows at me, “as long as you promise to kiss it every night.” I told her I would kiss her scar and a whole lot more to which her brother Garren turned a muted shade of green.
The whole Lysan royal family is in here. Even Wylan popped in to thank her for saving my life and the kingdom. I’ve seen people more grateful for beaverviper bites than he seemed, but Elvie did not seem too worried about it.
He has just left when King Orvian and Queen Mirella ask if they can have an audience with just me and Elvie. Garren looks like he’s ready to argue but one glance at Elvie’s shoulder and he stands, guiding his mate out of the room, with Briar following closely behind and shutting the door.
“What is it?” Elvie asks. Her parents eye each other warily before her mother goes to the bag she has stowed in the corner since she first entered. She pulls out what looks to be an envelope with the seal broken.
“Once King Arkain’s men freed us, we went to survey the damage done to the house. In Elvie’s room is where we found…what was left of Ryvik.” King Orvian pauses and then nods and the queen hands me the envelope. “It states that they will have three days before the bannermen report back saying that the claims of orc uprisings were false. That you, Arkain need to be dead by then.”
My blood runs cold as I look at the note, I’d recognize that script anywhere.
“Wylan.”
How could I have been so blind? There is only one person who coordinates the scouts. Who has them report directly to him before the message is relayed to me. All this time he pretended to be my closest advisor only to be waiting to stab me in the back.
“Have you shown these to anyone else?” I ask, and King Orvian shakes his head.
“Let’s keep this between us for now.”
“What are you going to do?” Elvie asks. I look down at her and kiss her forehead.
“Something that makes him see me for the beast I truly am.”
The throne room is filled with nobles and their bannermen.
I sit on my metal throne with Elvie draped in my lap, her bandaged shoulder peeking out from the sleeve of her dress. She looks as beautiful as ever.
Her parents and siblings are off to the side looking nervous. Wylan is positioned next to them, his back ramrod straight and proud. Right, it’s time. I help Elvie stand as I make my way to the front of the dais. The crowd grows quiet as I look at them all.
“It was a close call two nights ago, but as a show of good faith between Light and dark elves, King Orvian is here to solidify the union between his daughter and me. This union will bring along the peaceful alliance of our two people. To usher us into a new age.” I harden my voice. “But this new age cannot be attained until we snuff out the mole in our ranks.”
The crowd turns to each other and murmurs. Wylan doesn’t budge but I can notice the sweat beading at his brow.
“Send him in,” I call and the oak doors open reveal my much awaited guest.
“Please reveal yourself to us.”
“I am a knight for the House of Nightspears, Your Majesty.”
“House Nightspears is one of our own most eastern reaches, correct?”
“Yes, my king.”
“And tell us what sort of disturbances you have heard in the orc tunnels?”
“Nothing, my king. All is quiet, the orcs do not stir.”
“Not stirring at all. You see my people? These whispers of orc uprisings were lies. Perpetrated by someone who wanted us weakened for the light elf invasion. Someone who has always been close to the crown.” I turn my red stare at Wylan who rears back. “Seize him.”
“What is the meaning of this? Unhand me!” Wylan splutters as my guards take hold of him. “Arkain what is the meaning of this? You are mistaken if you think I’ve plotted against you!”
“Are you calling your king a liar?” I ask.
“That light elf bitch has corrupted you.”
“You mean my wife and my mate who took an orc’s teeth arrow in the shoulder to save my life, while you plotted to end it? That light elf bitch?” I jump down from the dais and loom over him. “What did I say would happen if you ever spoke about her in that way again?” With a wave of my hand, the metallic taste of magic coats my tongue and Wylan howls as both his ankles and wrists are snapped.
“You should’ve never thrown that ball!”
“Oh?”
“I had been consolidating power for years. While you were out playing soldier I was running things. Then you had the bright idea to throw that ball and suddenly I’m back to square one. Forced to ally with a dimwitted light elf to finally claim my kingdom.”
“Why, Wylan?” I ask. “After all these years, why betray me now?”
“Because you were never meant to be king! Your father promised it to me if he could not sire an heir. But then you were born and I knew I had no chance to rule unless I took matters into my own hands. You should’ve stayed weak, those poisons I was giving you should’ve killed you!”
There is a shocked cry amongst those in the crowd but I smile at Wylan like a wolf who finally caught the rabbit.
“Drop him at the orc tunnels. Tell them it’s a peace offering.”
Wylan continues to wail as he is dragged from the throne room. Elvie comes to stand beside me and I wrap her in my arms. Together, we will forge that new path and I will kill anyone that threatens that.
