I read through the letter. Lucan was the spy I sent to Beloria to oversee any suspicious movent from the humans. Although Richard’s secrets have been spilled, there might be so still loyal to him. I needed to fish them out, which is why I only carried out his sentence without others in his circle involved.
"Movent on his small council." I read the contents. "What are they expecting to do in such etings?"
"They were loyal followers of Richard Ravemont and the only ones who knew about the secret marriage alliance; they could be plotting sothing..." Garrick spoke with certainty. "I truly wish I were sent in Lucan’s stead."
"Lucan might be dense sotis, but he does better in tasks like this. You should appreciate him more."
"I do appreciate him, but he can get distracted."
"Sounds like you have forgotten his achievents in war."
Lucan may not be the brightest person, but he was good when it ca to sneaking into an enemy’s camp.
Garrick sighed. "Maybe seeing him so carefree after we returned is making doubt him."
I smiled faintly, looking back at the letter before dropping it on the table. I pushed off my seat to look out the window. I caught a view of Eloise in her garden, fixing so tulips around the headstone.
"You don’t look bothered about these movents from the small council of Beloria."
"I figure as much."
"Is that the reason you did not strip them of their power completely?"
"Yes," I replied. "Sothing has been bothering ever since."
"What?"
I peeled my gaze off the window and glanced at him. "About Richard. He ntioned he sent a letter to Lysandra’s grandfather informing him about the death of the mother and child."
"Do you think he lied about sending such news?"
"Maybe or maybe he didn’t. Either way, Lysandra’s grandfather tried to lay siege on Beloria; his response is enough to know that Richard, in fact, sent that letter."
"Then what bothers you?"
I thought back to the last monts with Richard, how easily he resigned to his fate. Maybe he was waiting for karma to take him for his sins, but... Richard was a man who didn’t regret the decisions he made.
"My liege?"
"Send a raven back to Lucan, tell him to spy closer and ntion any ravens sent out of Beloria."
"Yes, my liege, but who could humans possibly be contacting aside from us?"
"That’s what I want to find out. I have a reason to believe Richard might have made contact with the snowbloods again."
~•~
My hands were in my pockets as I walked through the corridors. Making a simple turn, I was outside, where the birds chirped to their loudest.
I neared the wrought iron gate leading to Eloise’s gardens, my eyes road around in search of her until I found her sitting beside the headstone, knitting.
She was all alone, and I knew she must have asked for it. Just watching her concentrate on sothing was breathtaking, her little fingers moving with every twirl of the crochet.
I strode closer, and when she heard coming, she lifted her gaze. There was a way those olive eyes of hers lit up whenever she saw .
"Good thing you’re here, husband. Sit." She patted her side.
"You ca prepared," I said, eyeing the mat and the little refreshnt at the side.
"I was hoping you’d co find . So..."
I smiled, sitting next to her, and she patted her lap next.
"Check the baby."
"Is that why you wanted to co?"
"Yes, what other reason could I have?"
"You wound , little wife," I teased. "I thought you couldn’t wait to see ."
She rolled her eyes. "Don’t be such a baby!"
"Is it bad that I’m your baby too?"
"Keep dreaming..."
"Maybe then you’ll show twice the attention."
She shook her head. "You’re so hopeless."
"Are you just figuring that out?"
Eloise sighed, setting her knitting tools. I chuckled, resting my head on her lap.
"Better?"
Her face lit up. "So how is our baby?"
"Hmmm..." I humd, brushing my nose against her stomach. I closed my eyes. "I feel it."
She sighed in relief.
"You worry too much."
"I’m growing a baby inside who doesn’t have a heartbeat."
"You should know then you’re not growing a human baby."
A frightened look took over her gaze.
"Are you scared?"
"N-No... It’s just that I never thought of it that way. It explains this madness."
"Madness?"
"Drevon, I grew up human. I cannot accept this easily; it may be normal for you, but it’s not!"
I took her hand and kissed it. "I know, my love. As I ntioned earlier, you have nothing to worry about. The energy around our baby is healthy."
I could tell sothing else bothered her.
"What’s on your mind? Tell , rember I told you I’ll take on all your worries and fears."
"I-I have weird dreams."
"Dreams? What dreams?"
"I can’t explain it."
"Explain it however you can, I’ll understand."
"Are you saying that just to get to talk?" She caressed my jawline.
"I’m being serious."
"Can we just not talk about it?"
"I wish I could tell you no."
She exhaled in defeat. "I saw a silhouette figure, it’s been recurring, and I keep seeing Snow too. Do I sound crazy?"
"No, you do not."
"I feel uneasy, Drevon."
I sat up and pulled her into my arms, and she easily relaxed on my chest.
"You’re so cold," I said with furrowed eyebrows when our skin touched.
"Been like that the entire day. You’re so warm, husband, much better than the sun..." she murmured sleepily, and like a flick of a twitch, she was drowsing.
I heard rustling and saw Snow walking toward us. He halted and sat watching us.
I veered my gaze back to Eloise in my arms. Her sudden loss of cravings for blood and her weakened state were almost like she was deteriorating.
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