The scent of rare lilies hung heavy in the air, a perfume of power and poise.
Lady Selene sat on the edge of the velvet chaise, her silken gown gathered in trembling fists. Her eyes were red-rimmed, cheeks flushed with frustration. Queen Maravelle stood by the window, elegant and composed, watching the sky darken over Vargorath's spires.
"I love him," Selene said suddenly, her voice breaking. "You know I do. I've waited for him, believed in what you promised."
The queen turned slowly, her expression unreadable. "And he will be yours." she said evenly. "But you must have patience. Thornak is… difficult."
Selene's lower lip trembled. "Because of her... that girl. The one he brought into the castle like some..."
Maravelle's gaze sharpened, a flicker of disdain passing through her expression. "She is a passing complication. One I intend to resolve. You will not be replaced by some orphaned stray."
"I gave up everything," Selene whispered. "For him."
"Control yourself, Selene," Maravelle said coolly. "This is not the time for tantrums."
"He won't even look at me, Maravelle. He avoids me at every turn!"
The queen moved closer and gently took Selene's hands. "And you shall have him child. But we must be patient. A king's heart is not so easily moved, especially when he believes fate has other plans."
Selene's voice sharpened. "You said I would be queen."
"And you still can be," Maravelle replied smoothly. "But for now, you will stay here. As my guest. Let Thornak see your strength, your grace remind him of what he could have, were he to choose wisely."
Selene drew in a shaky breath, nodding.
Queen Maravelle offered a rare smile. On her writing desk, she reached for a parchment and sealed it with her royal sigil and handed it to a waiting attendant.
"Thornak will come around." She assured Selene
...
Lara turned the corner with a soft smile on her face, still immersed in the thoughts of the book she had been reading. She nearly bumped into a tall, impeccably dressed woman who stopped in her tracks, eyes narrowing at the sight of her.
Selene took a deliberate step back, her gaze sweeping over Lara with unhidden disdain. "Well. They're letting all kinds wander the royal corridors now, aren't they?"
Lara blinked, confused but polite. "I'm the king's guest."
Selene's smile sharpened. "Ah. So you must be the stray he picked up."
Lara's posture stiffened, but she kept her voice calm. "Excuse me?"
Selene leaned in slightly, her tone syrupy. "I just wasn't expecting His Majesty's standards to… fall so low." She tilted her head, faux sympathy in her eyes. "But I suppose every palace adopts a few strays now and then."
Lara didn't answer, jaw tightening.
"Well, do enjoy your little visit," Selene added, already turning to walk past with her servant trailing behind. "While it lasts."
Lara stood there for a moment, her hands clenched at her sides as Selene's heels clicked away down the corridor. Her cheeks burned, not from embarrassment, but indignation.
"Lady Lara!"
She turned as Dorian came jogging up behind her, holding the small leather notebook she had left on the table in the library.
"Here is your notebook," he said, offering it with a faint smile, until he noticed the look on her face. "Are you all right?"
She took the notebook slowly. "Who was that woman just now?"
Dorian's expression darkened slightly. "Selene. Lady Selene of Silverfen. Daughter of Alpha Andros. She arrived this morning with Queen Maravelle."
Lara glanced back down the corridor. "She didn't seem very friendly."
Dorian gave a short laugh, humorless. "She rarely is, unless she needs something. And she's had her eye on the king for some time."
Lara's stomach twisted faintly, but she nodded. "I see."
"Don't let her get to you," Dorian said, his voice gentler now.
Lara gave a small, grateful smile. "Thanks for the notebook."
Dorian nodded and walked beside her, quietly protective, as they returned down the hall.
The chamberlain entered Queen Maravelle's chambers with measured steps, her white hair pinned in a precise coil, her face serene but her eyes sharp with intelligence. She had come promptly, summoned by the Queen's attendant without delay. Reaching the center of the room, she bowed low with practiced grace.
"I received your message, Your Majesty," she said softly, her tone respectful, yet steady.
Queen Maravelle gave a slow nod, her expression unreadable as she studied the older woman. "You have served this palace for many years, Chamberlain Ysara. I know I can trust you with... delicate matters."
Ysara straightened, her voice smooth and steady. "My loyalty is to you, Your Majesty. Whatever you require."
Maravelle turned to a side table and picked up a folded parchment, sealed with wax. "This concerns the girl Lara. I believe she is not who she claims to be and I need eyes within her chambers."
"Her maid… Mira. She's young, loyal to the girl, but not immune to pressure. She's already started speaking, though she thinks it's harmless." She proceeded to inform the Queen of everything she had learnt.
Maravelle's lips curved into a slow smile. "Excellent. Sometimes, the smallest cracks let in the most light."
The chamberlain inclined her head again. "What would you have me do next?"
"For now," Maravelle said, reaching into her cloak, "you wait. Observe. Listen. And when I say move…" She extended a small velvet pouch, its weight unmistakable. "You move."
The woman took it without hesitation, tucking it into her sleeve.
"Thank you for your loyalty," Maravelle murmured, stepping past her toward the window. "Remain unseen. Let the wolf think his den is safe."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The chamberlain turned and vanished into the shadows of the corridor.
....
Later that night
The grand dining hall of Vargorath shimmered under golden torchlight, the vaulted ceiling echoing with the muted clink of goblets and low murmurs. The long table of ancient blackwood stretched down the center of the hall, lined with nobles in their finest silks and furs.
Chairs scraped back and conversation hushed as Thornak stepped into the hall.
Clad in a dark tunic trimmed with obsidian fur, his boots heavy against the stone, Thornak exuded quiet power. Every eye turned toward him, nobles rising in reverence, except the Queen, who remained seated, her expression unreadable.
Thornak gave a curt nod, his gaze sweeping over the table then sat down in his high-backed seat at the head of the table, elbow resting on the carved arm.
Queen Maravelle stepped closer, her gown whispering against the polished stone as she leaned toward him slightly.
"I've invited Selene to remain at court for a few days," she said in a low, measured voice. "It seemed only courteous. She's traveled far."
Thornak didn't look at her. "She is your guest then."
"She's an excellent match, noble blood, diplomatic ties, trained in court etiquette....."
"I'm not interested mother," Thornak said sharply, his voice barely above a growl.
Just then, Lady Selene turned to him. "My King," she said with a gentle smile. "You look well."
Thornak offered a nod, cool and brief. "Selene."
"I hope I'm not intruding," she continued, coming to stand beside him. "Your mother was gracious enough to invite me to stay for a few days. I admit, Vargorath has a certain… austere beauty."
He didn't meet her eyes. "You always preferred softer lands."
"I did," she admitted, brushing a hand over the back of a nearby chair, "but perhaps I've changed. My parents, Alpha Andros and Luna Seraphine, send their regards. They asked if you'd visit Silverfen before the end of summer."
Thornak gave a slow blink. "They're well?"
"They are," Selene replied, her smile tightening as she waited for more. When none came, she pressed on. "And I know they'd welcome the chance to host you again. As would I."
Thornak looked away, scanning the room.
Selene hesitated, clearly frustrated but unwilling to show it. She lowered her voice with a light laugh.
"You've grown so quiet lately… I suppose ruling a kingdom leaves little time for old friends."
"You haven't changed," he said flatly. "You still talk enough for both of us."
That earned a small, startled silence. Queen Maravelle quickly interjected with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I am sure we will make time to visit Selene"
Thornak didn't react. He simply lifted his hand and signaled a guard.
"Send for Lara," he said. "And her family. They'll join us tonight."
Silence rippled like a wave.
Queen Maravelle stiffened beside him. Selene's mouth parted slightly, her composure fraying at the edges.
But neither women dared object aloud, not yet anyway.
Queen Maravelle's hand paused mid-cut. "As you wish," she said smoothly, though her lips thinned with disapproval.
Selene, seated to her right, didn't speak, but her grip on her goblet tightened.
Kael leaned in toward Iris, seated beside him with Jasmine on her other side. "This just got interesting," he whispered, earning a quiet giggle from his younger sister. Jasmine however raised a brow, curious.
Aedric, further down the table, exchanged a look with his wife, Lady Ariana, whose jaw clenched. Their son, Corin, scowled.
Moments later, the heavy doors creaked open again, and Lara stepped into the hall.
She wore a simple yet elegant gown of deep forest green. Though unadorned, it hugged her form with quiet grace, and to Thornak, she looked nothing short of breathtaking. It took considerable willpower to keep Jax, from clawing forward in response. Her posture was proud, shoulders squared, chin lifted, despite the storm of curious, judging gazes that swept over her. Behind her came her adoptive parents and younger brother, dressed modestly but with evident care, their steps cautious as they followed her into the dining room.
Thornak rose. "Come. Sit," he said, gesturing to the empty seats left beside and across from him.
As they made their way toward the table, Lady Selene's smile sharpened, the tension in her eyes barely masked.
"How generous of you, my King," she said, her voice sweetly edged. "Inviting commoners to the royal table. How... charming."
Thornak glanced at her with cool detachment. "They are my esteemed guests Selene."
"It's not something we traditionally do." She added curtly.
Thornak didn't look at her. "Tradition is often just an excuse to preserve arrogance."
Selene blinked, but her smile didn't waver. "Still, one hopes the table won't become too... crowded."
At that, he turned to her fully, his gaze steady. "If you find the company beneath you, Lady Selene, you are always free to dine elsewhere."
Kael nearly choked on his drink, grinning into his sleeve. Iris bit her lip to stifle a giggle, while Jasmine's lips curled into the faintest, satisfied smirk.
Selene dipped her head with an elegant nod, but her fingers curled tight around her goblet.
They dined in strained silence after that.
The clinking of cutlery and soft murmur of servants filled the void left by conversation. Tension pulsed just beneath the surface, like a storm waiting for permission to break.
Queen Maravelle excused herself early, her words polite but her eyes unreadable. Selene sat stiffly, sipping her wine and not looking at anyone.
When the meal was finished, Thornak rose first. Without a word, he crossed to Lara's side of the table and offered his arm. Her eyes widened, hesitating only briefly before she accepted it.
Together, they walked the length of the hall.
Selene's jaw tightened as she watched them go.
Down the corridor, torchlight danced across the stone walls, casting shadows that swayed with their footsteps. They said little, the quiet between them comfortable now, like the hush of night just before dawn.
When they reached the door to Lara's chamber, Thornak paused.
"You held yourself well tonight," he said, his voice low. "Even with all the eyes on you."
Lara looked up at him. "I wasn't sure I belonged there."
His expression softened. "You did. More than most."
A small silence fell. Then he asked, more casually, "Do you ride?"
Lara blinked. "Yes my King. Why?"
He smirked slightly. "Meet me at the stables at first light. We'll ride through the southern grounds. It's quiet there."
Lara's lips curved into a smile before she could stop it. "Alright."
Thornak gave a small nod. "Sleep well, Lara."
And then he was gone, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Inside her chamber, Lara leaned against the door after closing it, her heart fluttering in a way she didn't quite understand.