[redith].
The guards stationed outside saw approaching and imdiately bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."
They pulled open the massive double doors. I stepped inside alone, leaving Xamira outside with a subtle gesture.
The mont I entered, the atmosphere of the hall shifted. Music filled the air. Nobles and warriors were gathered across the large chamber, drinking, laughing, and celebrating. And then all eyes turned toward .
Those nearest to the entrance imdiately bowed. "Good evening, your Majesty."
I nodded politely as I walked further inside, but my attention was elsewhere. My gaze moved carefully across the hall. Table by table. Face by face. Searching.
My heartbeat thudded quietly in my chest. Then suddenly, a familiar hand gently caught mine.
Draven had already reached . Without a word, he guided toward our table. As soon as we sat together, his voice brushed against my mind through the matebond.
"Sothing is bothering you."
I turned to look at him. He was studying closely, perceptive as always. I placed my hand over his on the table.
"I have a plan to execute," I told him quietly.
His brows drew together.
"When it’s done," I continued calmly, "I will tell you the story of my victory."
His expression shifted slightly from confusion to curiosity, and finally to concern. I could feel the questions forming in his mind. But after a mont, he simply nodded.
He trusted , and I was grateful for that because if he knew what Wanda had done... he would never have let deal with her the way I intended.
I withdrew my hand slowly. This was my battle, and I would settle it myself.
Soon, several elders and Royal Alphas approached our table, greeting us and raising their goblets.
"To Queen redith."
I forced a polite smile. "To Stormveil." Then, I lifted my goblet and drank. The wine burned pleasantly down my throat.
’Good.’ I needed the distraction because if I let my mind wander back to that room, Valmora would tear free.
More guests approached. Warriors. Officials. Recipients of Draven’s rewards. One after another, they ca forward to offer their congratulations. I accepted each toast with a composed smile, sipping from my goblet again and again.
But my attention remained divided, watching and waiting. And slowly, realization crept into my mind.
Wanda was not here, and neither was her brother. I had scanned the hall several tis now. They were nowhere to be seen.
My fingers tightened slightly around the stem of the goblet. ’Don’t tell ... You’ve already left.’
A restless tension built inside . In the end, I could no longer sit there pretending to enjoy the celebration, so, I leaned slightly toward Draven.
"My head is beginning to ache," I said quietly. "I think it’s a migraine."
Concern imdiately crossed his face. "Should I call the healer?"
"No." I shook my head gently. "I only need rest."
He studied for a mont, then nodded. "Go."
"Thank you." I stood, offering him a small appreciative smile before leaving the table.
As I walked out of the hall, the guards once again opened the doors. The mont they closed behind , my expression changed.
"Xamira."
She stepped forward instantly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Find Wanda." My voice dropped lower. "Search the palace quietly. When you find her, co report to imdiately."
Xamira nodded without hesitation. "As you command, my Queen."
Then, she disappeared down the corridor. I turned toward another hallway in search of Wanda as well, without bothering to enlist any servants’ help.
The corridors were quieter the farther I walked from the banquet hall. Then, I caught Wanda’s scent.
Valmora stirred restlessly beneath my skin. "She is close,"
"I know." I slowed my pace. Wanda’s scent was faint at first, then grew stronger as I took a step forward.
Relief flickered briefly through , knowing she hadn’t left the palace. But the relief lasted only a mont before my anger surged again. My jaw tightened.
Without making a sound, I began following the trail through one corridor to another. Soon, the scent led toward a shadowed corner of the palace that few people used during large gatherings.
And then, I heard Wanda’s voice. It was soft, low. Almost playful.
"Do you detest my touch so much now?"
I froze in that mont, then my brows furrowed. ’Who was she speaking to? Was she eting soone here? A secret lover?
I leaned slightly closer to the corner, careful not to reveal myself. Then another voice answered.
"How many tis do you need to remind you that this cannot continue between us anymore?"
My eyes widened. ’Levi?’
Instantly, confusion flooded my mind. Then he continued with a sharper voice, sharper now.
"You are truly brazen attempting this here in the palace. Anyone could walk in on us. Are you tired of living?"
Wanda scoffed softly. Her tone radiated complete indifference. "I just love adventures, brother. Don’t tell you truly an ending our relationship," she continued lazily, "Are you already tired of sleeping with ?"
For a mont, I forgot how to breathe. My blood turned cold as the words echoed in my mind like thunder.
Instantly, a wave of revulsion surged violently in my chest, and my stomach twisted as different thoughts began to surface in my mind. Then, a mory suddenly flashed through my mind at once.
Back in Duskmoor, Valmora had warned about these two and had hinted at sothing, especially with Levi. And suddenly, it all made sense.
My hand moved instinctively to my mouth as I fought down the nausea threatening to rise. Disgust flooded through .
They were siblings. Yet, they had been involved with each other illicitly, vilely. I felt like my mind had been plunged into ice. Then Levi’s voice cut through the air again.
"If I had known this was why you called here, I wouldn’t have co." His tone hardened. "Do not drag down with you."
The finality in his voice made it clear the conversation was over. But knowing they would step out soon and see , I quickly stepped back, trying to retreat silently because their finding out that I knew this wasn’t in my plans this evening.
But my heel brushed lightly against the wall, and a small sound echoed through the corridor. Both voices stopped instantly. Their footsteps soon reached .
"Who is there?"
I flattened myself against the wall behind a column and held my breath as I watched them from my hiding spot.
Levi stepped out first, and his eyes scanned the corridor sharply. His presence radiated a deadly intensity.
His claws elongated instantly. "Show yourself!" he barked.
I remained calm. Then, a faint buzzing sound filled the air. A bee drifted lazily through the corridor.
Levi’s gaze followed it, and after a mont, his claws slowly retracted, and his murderous aura faded.
Wanda stepped out beside him, looking mildly annoyed. Then he shook his head, "I’m leaving."
Without another word, he turned and walked away down the corridor. A few seconds later, Wanda followed him.
I remained frozen in place until their footsteps completely faded. Then slowly, I stepped out from my hiding place with my fists clenched tightly at my sides.
"Disgusting," I whispered. For a mont, I felt so revolted that I nearly lost my composure. Then the buzzing sound returned.
I looked up in ti to see the bee shift. Xamira stood there and bowed imdiately. "Your Majesty."
My eyes turned toward the corridor Wanda had just taken, and a cold determination replaced the earlier shock.
"Go to Wanda Fellowes and discreetly lure her to the armoury," I ordered quietly.
Xamira bowed again. "As you command, my Queen."
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