[Third Person].
For a mont, they sat in companionable silence, the quiet broken only by the faint clink of ceramic as Draven shifted his cup.
"My father returned from the palace," he said at last.
redith looked up imdiately. "How is the King?"
Draven’s expression sobered. "No change. Alderic is still unconscious. The physicians believe the poison relapsed. They are giving it three days."
redith’s chest tightened. "That’s... a pity," she murmured.
Then her thoughts drifted to Queen Loraina—her gentle smile, the warmth with which she had welcod redith during her first visit to the palace. ’She must be devastated.’
"I will write to her," redith said quietly, more to herself than to Draven. "In a few days. A letter of comfort."
She sighed and took another sip of tea, the warmth doing little to ease the heaviness in her heart.
Then Draven spoke again, his tone more deliberate. "There’s more. My father wants to begin preparing to take the throne. I have to start attending cabinet etings. Palace matters." He paused.
"He also spoke of coronation timing. And Oscar... gave his counsel."
redith listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she wasn’t surprised, not truly. She had felt this mont approaching long before today.
Still, a shadow flickered briefly in her eyes at the thought of what awaited her as Queen, of the resistance, the whispers, the certainty that many Elders would oppose her standing beside Draven.
But she didn’t let it show.
"Oscar is right," she said instead, calm and composed. "You can’t inherit your enemies along with the throne. You must choose your own people."
Draven nodded slightly.
"And you must be resolute," redith continued. She t his gaze squarely now. "This isn’t a ti for sentint. If you hesitate in matters that demand decisiveness, they will take advantage of it."
Her voice lowered. "You should not be afraid to kill—if doing so sets an example that prevents greater bloodshed later."
Draven stared at her in quiet astonishnt. He studied her face—the steadiness in her eyes, the certainty in her expression and felt the familiar realization settle again.
She had changed. His mate’s viewpoints had changed drastically over the past months.
Once, redith would have pleaded with him to spare shedding blood, to seek rcy first, always. Now, she spoke with the clarity of soone who understood power and its cost.
Sensing his scrutiny, redith inhaled softly. "I’m not saying this because I crave blood," she added, more gently. "But because it’s better to eliminate your enemies and live than to gamble on rcy and end up like King Alderic."
She hesitated, then said quietly, "I never want you to be in his position. Moons forbid that day ever cos—but if it does..." Her eyes hardened. "I would slaughter every mber of that council. Their families included."
For a heartbeat, the room was utterly still. Then slowly, the corners of Draven’s lips curved.
He set his teacup aside, then gently took redith’s from her hands and placed it down as well. Without a word, he drew her into his embrace, holding her close.
He didn’t need to speak. The way he held her—firm, protective, grateful—said everything.
***
The next morning ca long before dawn.
The sky was still dark when redith and Draven rose, the estate wrapped in deep, quiet stillness.
Neither spoke as they changed, the routine familiar and comfortable. Monts later, they slipped out of the bedroom and into the cold air, shifting smoothly into their wolf forms.
redith’s white fur glead faintly under the moonlight. The mont her paws hit the ground, she surged forward.
Valmora was exhilarated—overflowing with restless energy, and she ran hard, fast, laughing through the bond as the wind tore past them.
She didn’t slow for a full hour, bounding over roots and low hills, her movents fluid and unrestrained.
Draven, massive in his black fur, kept pace easily.
Rhovan was pleased, grounded and steady. He watched Valmora with quiet fondness, matching her speed without challenge, letting her burn herself out if she wished.
When the run finally ended, both wolves slowed naturally, breath steaming in the cool air. They shifted back into their human forms before making their way toward their private training grounds.
As soon as they arrived, Draven spoke without pause. "There will be no combat today," he said evenly. "We are swimming."
redith stopped almost imdiately as all the excitent from running drained from her face at once.
’Swimming?’ She repeated in her head.
Her steps faltered, her body stiffening almost imperceptibly. Since the day the river had nearly claid her at her grandmother’s land, deep water had beco sothing she avoided instinctively. Rivers. Pools. Even standing too close made her chest tighten.
This was the first ti Draven had ever suggested it since that incident, and since this private training area was built.
"I—" redith started, but he was already moving.
"Co on," Draven said, leading the way behind the training building.
She followed reluctantly, trying to redirect him as they walked. "We could spar instead. Or run again. Or—"
"No," he said calmly. "Swimming."
Soon they arrived at the back of the small house. The pool lay before them, the water dark and still, faint ripples reflecting the dim morning light.
redith froze. Her mind imdiately conjured the sensation of being dragged under, lungs burning, water closing over her head. Her fingers curled at her sides.
"Why are you afraid of sothing so small?" Valmora asked, confused but firm.
"My heart isn’t ready," redith answered quietly through the bond.
Valmora huffed. "There is no room for fear here."
On the other hand, Draven had gone still. He was watching redith now—really watching her. He noticed her rigid stance, the way her weight had shifted back, away from the pool, plus the tension in her shoulders.
But before he could fully piece it together, Rhovan spoke. "She hasn’t healed from the drowning. She is still afraid."
Draven’s chest tightened. ’Damn it!’
He blad himself instantly. He should have noticed sooner. Should have realized that sothing like this wouldn’t simply disappear with ti.
As redith stood there, caught between mory and fear, Draven made a quiet vow to himself.
He would help her face it starting today.
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