[Third Person].
Conversely, the Council of Elders had assembled in secrecy. The summons had not co from the King, and that alone made the gathering seem suspicious.
In a dim private chamber within the Council’s chamber, a handful of Elders gathered in low voices. Two Alphas stood among them, their cloaks drawn, and their expressions tight.
An Elder with a number of grey hairs on his head was the first to speak. "We all saw it."
A heavy silence followed, then another muttered, "She moved those steel without touching it. That was not wolf strength."
An Alpha crossed his arms. "Obviously, it was fae magic."
The word itself felt dangerous in the air. Then another elder exhaled slowly.
"We cannot pretend this is a small matter. Stormveil has never been ruled by anything other than full-blooded werewolves."
"She saved your life," one of the younger Alphas snapped quietly.
"And I am grateful," the elder replied sharply. "But gratitude does not erase precedent."
Another Elder leaned forward. "The people will fear what they do not understand."
"And if fear grows, it turns into doubt," the first elder added.
One of the Alphas spoke carefully. "But we all know that the King will not remove her."
"Of course, we know," the second elder agreed. "And this is why pressure can be applied."
The room stilled for a mont before the first elder, who started the conversation, spoke again,
"We will approach the King respectfully and demand clarity. What is the Queen’s bloodline? What are her capabilities? What protections exist?"
"And if he refuses?" Another elder inquired with furrowed brows.
The second elder’s eyes darkened. "Then we remind him that Stormveil was built on werewolf law."
Murmurs of agreent followed. Though none of them openly declared rebellion, the fracture had begun.
And they all knew it.
---
At the sa ti, the Fellowes’ Residence was lively.
Reginald sat in his study, unusually relaxed. A faint smile curved his lips as he swirled the drink in his glass.
Intel had arrived faster than expected and inford him of all that had transpired within twenty-four hours of the Vampires’ invasion. So, he was in a good mood.
He gestured to a servant. "Send for Wanda and Levi."
Minutes later, both of his children entered. Wanda’s posture was rigid while Levi’s expression was cautious.
"You called for us, Father?"
Reginald leaned back in his chair. "Yes, I did. Sit down, both of you." As soon as they did, he began smoothly, "It was Estella who led the vampire attack."
Both siblings stiffened.
"Estella?" Levi repeated. "Draven’s sister?"
Wanda’s eyes widened. "She returned?"
"Oh yes," Reginald said lightly. "And she targeted the palace directly."
Wanda leaned forward. "What happened?"
A slow smile spread across Reginald’s face. "The Queen happened."
Wanda frowned. "What does that an, father?"
"It ans," Reginald said with amusent, "that redith saved them. Saved Draven. Saved the Alphas. Saved the Elders."
Wanda scoffed. "That’s impossible!"
Levi’s gaze sharpened. "How could she have done that?"
Reginald let the silence stretch before delivering the news. "She has fae blood."
The words landed like a physical blow. And it took a mont before Wanda and Levi started reacting.
Levi blinked. "Fae? That’s—"
"Impossible?" Reginald chuckled. "Apparently not."
Wanda’s face drained of color before flushing red with fury. "She deceived the throne," she spat. "She’s a sly fox."
Then her breathing grew sharper. "She cannot remain Queen. Not after hiding sothing like that."
Levi looked unsettled. "Fae blood... how is that even possible?"
But Wanda was already spiraling. "With fae powers, she’s even more dangerous than the vampires!" she declared. "How can Stormveil trust soone like that?"
Reginald’s smile deepened. "What you just said," he told Wanda calmly, "is exactly what the people should know."
Levi’s head snapped toward him. "You want the people to turn against the Queen?"
"Yes," Reginald replied without hesitation. "The Elders and Alphas who witnessed her reveal are already uncomfortable. They are waiting for an opportunity to plead their case to Draven."
He leaned forward slightly. "How can anyone who isn’t fully werewolf lead werewolves? It is unheard of."
Levi hesitated... then nodded slowly. "It will cause division."
"Precisely," Reginald said. "The Elders alone may not be enough to pressure Draven. But public opinion?" He tapped the desk lightly. "That is power."
Letting out a slow breath, he added, "If the people begin to question her legitimacy, Draven will not be able to shield her indefinitely."
Wanda’s anger shifted into sothing colder and strategic. "I will make sure the rumors spread," she said. "She won’t keep that throne."
Reginald raised a finger. "Not yourself. Use soone else. If the whispers are traced back to you, it weakens our position."
She nodded slowly, taking her father’s pointers to heart. She had to find a scapegoat.
Levi watched the exchange with unease flickering in his eyes, but he said nothing. A few monts later, his father dismissed them with a wave.
As Wanda stepped out of the study, a slow, dangerous smile ford on her lips. redith might have saved the throne. But she intended to make sure that the throne rejected her.
And this ti, she would fight with voices.
***
The next morning, Randall arrived at the palace without waiting to be summoned.
He was announced and ushered into the throne room shortly after sunrise.
Draven sat on the throne, his posture straight, and his expression unreadable. The hall was mostly empty—only a few guards and distant attendants present.
Randall bowed. "Your Majesty."
Draven gestured faintly, and Randall straightened. And almost imdiately, he started inquiring about Estella.
"She declared war," Draven said without preamble. "Before the Alphas and the Elders. She said she will return for a war, but this ti, on the battlefield."
Randall’s jaw hardened. "She tries to cloak herself in false honour," he said coldly. "She does not deserve a second chance at life. If I had been present when she attacked, I would have ended her myself."
Draven’s lips curved faintly—but not in amusent. He found his father’s statent ridiculous, and he didn’t hide it.
"This is ridiculous," he said.
Randall’s eyes flickered, then Draven leaned forward slightly.
"Because of you," he said evenly, "I allowed her to beat and disgrace in front of my Alphas and Elders. If it weren’t for redith, I would have been seriously injured."
Reviews
All reviews (0)